I have the following eticketed itinerary:

ICN-xHKG-PNH-xHKG-PER-SYD-LAX-JFK-EZE-GRU-xLHR-CAI-MAD-AMM-LHR-HKG-ICN

and am in the process of changing some "dummy" dates (chosen at the time of purchase) to firmer ones.

The issue that I'm struggling with is the CAI - MAD leg, and I'm looking for advise/alternatives on how to deal with it.

The goal is to travel to Egypt in January and Petra in April (and be in the US between those two trips). The reason for the CAI - MAD - AMM was to work around the xONEx restriction of only 2 flights to/from the UK and the Middle East, while positioning for easy flights to/from NYC.

The "issue" is that the only service from CAI to MAD is an A319 service on IB, with arrival in MAD at 03:15 am, and 34" legroom in J....plus it doesn't run on the date I'm looking at... [It use to run daily, but is currently scheduled to be 5x weekly in the 2010 winter schedule]

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to get from CAI to another W.European hub (other than in the UK)? Alternatively, does anyone have any personal, reassurring experience irt the IB CAI-MAD service?

Thanks in advance for your help!

One thought would be to use the "free" second NA entry to go straight to Amman via JFK (ostensibly RJ's J product is quite good) then (a) go CAI-LHR-AMM (presumably with a trip home in the meantime) then (b) use RJ's HKG service after Petra. Thus,

ICN-xHKG-PNH-xHKG-PER-SYD-LAX-JFK-EZE-GRU-xJFK-AMM-CAI-LHR-(JFK-LHR)-AMM-HKG-ICN

You could use either AA's or JL's GRU-JFK service, with most of a day layover (but not 24h) in NYC. Might appeal, might not.

Your suggestion of passing through NYC again (enroute between S.America and Egypt) is absolutely brilliant! ^^

I would very much appreciate advise re JL vs AA in J from GRU to JFK. The last time I took JL J on a 747 (YVR to NRT), there was a delicious meal but precious little legroom ---- fine for a day flight, but cramped for an overnight. I recall that there are a half dozen or so 744 JL configurations, and I imagine that each may be substantially different one from the other. Has anyone recently taken the GRU to JFK JL service?

I'd also very much appreciate a reconfirmation that RJ remains a high quality product on their TATL service (given that I've never taken it.....). A recent first-hand account (or a link to one) would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks!

Can't find any recent long-haul TRs but they have lie-flat beds (180 deg.) on the A340s. There doesn't seem to be any debate about the service - all reports are exemplary.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-airlines.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-rj-crown.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...t-service.html

I know what you're saying about JL Russian Roulette seating plans. I gather they switch configurations around without much notice, so who knows about GRU-JFK. If I had to guess, though, the plane would be configured to handle one of their more important routes, NRT-JFK, so I don't expect you'd see the clapped out 744s like (we've both had) on NRT-YVR (-MEX).

Just be aware that if you do a reissue, you should do it after you have flown the first flight.
(Assuming you bought the ticket when ICN was still cheap). Otherwise you will be charged with the current price which is much higher.

I'm quite confused about the assertion that a routine itinerary change made before I have flown the first flight would cause a repricing of the whole ticket.

Assuming that I don't change the first flight, why would there be any charges beyond the $125 change fee and assorted taxes/fees (which, except for the extortionate LHR departure fees, probably would go down given the intervneing substantial decline in the value of the USD)?

Could you (or someone else) please point out which rule in effect in March, 2009 supports a complete fare repricing of an ex-ICN itinerary after ticketing has taken place but before the first flight has occurred? Thanks!