Surface segments
 

Sorry if this is an obvious question--but is a surface segment between SWP and Asia prohibited?
In setting up an ex-NZ itinerary with AA NoAm RTW today, they would not accept a surface segment between DRW and BKK. They said it was disallowed because of the transocean rule. But could there be a problem in that you actually have to have a flight out of your continent of origin.

AFAIK, no.

Edited to add my reasoning, subject to review by others: the rule that prohibits transoceanic surface sectors is designed to prevent surface travel between areas. SWP and Asia are both in the same area, so, IMO, the rule does not apply in this case.

Interesting question... I see no rule which prohibits this (but DRW would, of course be one of your two allowed stopovers in the continent of origin)... I can see that the rules implicitly require a flight from your country of origin but since you start in NZ that isn't the problem. I can't see how they would require a flight from your continent of origin... So I tend to concur with Viajero.