Route notes
Why this routing works
This is a multi-ticket routing, meaning each geographic segment is priced and booked independently rather than as a single through-ticket. That structure gives flexibility, since segments can be adjusted without repricing the entire trip, but it also means no misconnect protection between carriers. Tampa travelers connect through Newark (EWR) on United to access the transpacific network; EWR-NRT on United or ANA is approximately 14 hours and the standard East Coast departure point for Japan.
The East Asia sequence (Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong) follows a tight geographic arc that minimizes backtracking. Each leg is under 3 hours. From Hong Kong, the routing drops south into Southeast Asia: Manila, then Bali (DPS), Jakarta (CGK), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). The KUL-to-SIN surface sector is one of Southeast Asia's most-traveled overland routes. The express coach or KTM ETS train covers the 350km in approximately 4–5 hours, avoiding a short-haul flight.
From Singapore, the routing pivots west: Singapore Airlines to Mumbai (~5.5h), Turkish Airlines BOM-IST direct (~8h), then IST-CDG to Paris. The Paris-to-Madrid surface sector mirrors the KUL-SIN approach: the TGV/Renfe Ouigo high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Madrid Atocha covers the route in approximately 9–10 hours, faster than flying once airport time is factored in. Iberia then operates MAD-EWR direct (~9h) back to Newark, completing the loop to Tampa via a short United domestic connection.