Thanks Mwenenzi and Pandaperth.

having spent another day on the PC I think we will go with something like:

gib-lgw,lhr-yvr-jfk-eze-scl-ipc-scl-gye-jfk-hkg-nrt-sin-per-syd-akl-syd-lhr,lgw-gib

We will do side trips to ANC, LAS and PEK. The xONEx seem to become less efficient the more continents you add.

Any further suggestion for tweaks or different approaches would be most welcome.

Best regards,

Marcus.

Pies do indeed produce smaller slices as the number of eaters increases. This will become much more striking for tickets purchased after June 1.

You might be able to "rescue" a couple of segments by altering your route a little. Lan still offers FC on MAD-SCL, so maybe have a look at something like

GIB-MAD-SCL-IPC-SCL-GYE-EZE-MIA-JFK-YVR-HKG-NRT-SIN-PER-SYD-AKL-SYD-LHR-TLV-MAD-GIB

...using available F seating on the AA 777 from EZE to MIA and BA F on LHR-TLV, etc.

The other thing I was going to mention is that tickets issued by AA in ARN seem to carry much lower fuel fines and surcharges than those issued by BA, and you might find that the "all in" differential is not that great compared to the lower initial cost ex-GIB once Blands and the BA bumps are added.

Thanks Gardyloo that's great (I didn't realise there was a mad-scl F option, it didn't show in mileage monkey).

With a couple of further tweaks I think I have it:

gib-mad-scl-ipc-scl-gye-eze-lax,yvr-jfk-hkg-tpe-nrt-sin-per-syd-akl-syd-lhr,lgw-gib

Can anyone see any problems with this one? Note I am making my own arangements between LAX and YVR (Going to ANC and LAS)

If not, I think we are there!

Best regards,

Marcus.

Your chances of getting A class availability for two on this flight, on the date(s) you want, are very, very low, if not impossible.

I was curious about that; not knowing when the OP would be traveling I just dialed in the first week of May (08) in EF to see, and it was A3 or A4 every day but one. Undoubtedly it will vary by season but that was a tad surprising to me.

The OP says in post #4 that they are travelling on the 6th of Sept 08.

Ah - insufficient review on my part. Yep, A0 across the board. Seat maps appear pretty open though. I'm sure there are umpteen posts about getting Lan YM to re-designate seats F > A... doesn't happen?

It does, but the lucky souls usually have 'Comodoro' next to their names, at least IME.

astonmartinv8,

Were you able to find a One World flite GIB-LON? Was looking myself, but could not locate anything. Would appreciate knowing what you came up with.

Thanks in advance.

BA 2495, GIB-LGW, Daily

Listed in the OW electronic timetable.

After the MAD-EZE availability shock we are going to try:

arn-lhr-yvr-jfk-mia-eze-scl-ipc-scl-gye-jfk-hkg-tpe-nrt-sin-per-syd-akl-syd-lhr-arn

Call goes in to AA office in ARN tomorrow. We are probably going to pay for an addiditonal YVR-ANC and YVR-LAS, not ideal but there you are.

Thanks for your help everyone,

Marcus.

You are probably getting a little tired of the many changes so I hesitate to mention this, but if you are interested in optimizing your itinerary for miles and comfort, I'd suggest you hold off for a day or two, as I can see several areas for improvement.

Thank you, we have spoken with AA in ARN and it seems easy to make the booking when we are ready. Please feel free to make any last minute suggestions before we book.

Note we must go to Perth before Sydney as we are emigrating there, and will be leaving the open legs for visiting New Zealand and the UK within the 12 month validity period.

Things you might want to consider:

* If you go with Tal ex-ARN you will probably be forced into flying at least one transoceanic segment with AA. If this happens remember that a codeshare on other OW metal should be just as good for this purpose.

* Reprogramming your SA flights a little could be to your advantage. For example, I think something like mia-scl-ipc-scl-gye-eze-jfk is better that what you have now (mia-eze-scl-ipc-scl-gye-jfk)

* If you do NA after SA you could take advantage of a nice F flight like LHR-EZE, or LHR-xLAX-SCL/EZE (F and J), for a lot more miles and a nice (IMO) 24 connection in LAX.

* If you fly LHR-EZE that will free a segment. With that segment try to incorporate LAX in your NA itinerary, for two reasons: A) SCL-LAX is a good J flight (better than GYE-JFK) and B) A LAX stopover makes a side trip to LAS a breeze, with either a very cheap flight or (my preference) a rental car at the best rates in the US.

* If you rearrange the itinerary and are willing to drop YVR consider going from SA to DFW, for a DFW-ANC-DFW "free" J trip; better than a paid Y one from YVR.

Lots more but why go on...

Many thanks Viajero.