Advice needed - DONE4
 

Hello,

The OWE validator has validated the following itinerary :

BKK-SYD//NRT-LHR-YUL-JFK-YVR-HKG-BKK
(// indicates a surface segment)

Yet, reading the starfiles, I don't see a word about surface segments between continents (except that transoceanic surface is not permitted, which does not apply here).
And the itinerary seems to violate the rule that only 1 intercontinental departure and 1 intercontinental arrival are allowed in each continent (the transit w/o stopover rule between SWP & Europe being irrelevant in this case).
So what should I trust? The OWE validator or my own admittedly shaky understanding of the OWE rules.
I would greatly appreciate your opinion on this.

P

I think you are right and the validator is wrong in this case. As you say, if you were flying SYD-NRT and NRT was only a transit then you would be OK, but the surface segment makes it a stopover and therefore the itinerary is invalid.

Of course at the end of the day what matters is whether you can get anyone to ticket it, but I think you'll have trouble with this.

preimroc, I could be wrong but I believe SYD//NRT could be transoceanic even though it is more South to North Pacific, rather than east<->West.

In this case, the validator would be incorrect and your "own admittedly shaky understanding" would be more of a guide.

Thank you both.
I will try to submit the case to AA RTW Desk and see.
P