Routing/transit help!
 

I'm hoping someone may be able to help as yet again i'm finding that things aren't straightforward!
I'm trying to book a LONE5 departing in November. One of my legs is HANOI to MEXICO CITY and using the booking tool, the only option is to go either:

HAN - NRT - DFW - MEX or HAN - KIX - NRT - MEX

I rang BA and asked why i could not simply go HAN - NRT - MEX as individually, these flights are available and they said it probably had to do with the fact it was a codeshare flight. The lady suggested that instead i book the flight as 2 flights rather than connecting flights. So i have HAN - NRT arriving 06.45am on 14/02 and then NRT - MEX at 17.20 on 14/02, This frees up an extra segmnet that i needed.

However, my question is: would i still be considered to be in transit? Would i have to go through departures and then check in for the next flight seperately? And also, what would happen if the first flight was delayed, would i still be covered as i would if i was in transit?
Hope that makes sense!

Another part of the trip is a return flight from SANTIAGO to EASTER ISLAND with LAN. These will have to put booked with dummy dates, but i just wanted to check that this flight is still likely to be available in September 2010 i.e that it is not seasonal?

Thanks for your help :)

The answer to the first question is yes it will be a transit and you will be protected as the flights are on the same PNR. You will be able to transit at NRT and sit it out airside if that is what you choose to do. There should be no problem with baggage being checked all the way.

I can't answer your second question.

One a xONEx you can leave Santiago-Easter Island-Santiago as "open" segments on a ticket. The flights appear to be operated year-round, but who knows what September 2010 will yield. I would hold them as open segments, you can add the dates as soon as they come into the system (usually 330 days ahead).

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like I'll just book the HAN-MEX flight as HAN-NRT NRT-MEX, wonder why the booking tool won't let me do this as connecting flights?

Sorry if it's a stupid question but as for the Easter Island flight, what would be the advantage of leaving them open dated rather than with dummy dates?

There is no HAN-MEX flight. So it's two segments if you book it as HAN-NRT NRT-MEX and three if you book it as HAN-NRT NRT-YVR YVR-MEX (NRT-MEX stops in YVR).

I wasn't suggesting that there was a direct flight, i just meant that i would take the 2 segment option and book them seperately rather than the 3 segment connecting flights that the booking tool suggests. (did you read the original post?!)

Yes I did, repeatedly. And then I read post #4:which very clearly says to me that you were hoping to book HAN-MEX as a single flight.

I apologise- it should have said HAN-MEX leg...

Welcome to Flyer Talk mak :)

It sounds like you're using the online booking tool? This searches for "ideal" connections and I'd guess the long transit for HAN-NRT-MEX is longer than they've programmed for when shorter connections exist. Simply enter as 2 legs HAN-NRT and NRT-MEX separately to get the connection.

You can do what you like between the 2 flights (assuming able to enter Japan). Either go through transit security and remain airside at the airport, or leave and explore either Narita or Tokyo for the day.

Ok thanks for your help. Have finally found a helpful person at BA that has assured me that i would be treated as though in transit and that my luggage should be checked straight through onto the NRT-MEX flight.

I was hoping someone would be able to answer my question above regarding whether open dates or dummy dates are best for my santiago-easter island return flights. I currently have dummy dates due to the fact i used the booking tool but would i be best changing this so that they are open-dated. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each??

There is no advantage. Both methods are equal. Dummy dates mean you will have to change them later. Open dates mean you will have to set them later.

Be advised that IPC is a very popular destination year round and flights are very often overbooked. Book them asap.

Don't stay on Easter Island too long. It is a great adventure but 3 days is plenty.