British Airways increases gun fee

[wesheltonj]

Limits and charges

• There is a limit of 5kg (11lb) of ammunition (cartridges for weapons) per person (IATA Division 1.4S; UN numbers 0012 and 0014). This is for that person’s own use only and excludes ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles.
• Each bag or case containing firearms or ammunition is subject to a £50 charge each way, payable at check-in, plus applicable local service fees to cover the cost of our specialist firearms and ammunition handling partner. For travel from 1 November 2017, the charge will be £125 each way.
• If you take more or heavier bags than your checked baggage allowance, you will need to pay an extra charge.

 

[sierraone]

Based on the days exchange rate that is $656 r/t for a rifle case and a bag with ammo! All I can say is that if you have to go BA, then you rent an outfitter's rifles and ammo!

 

[wesheltonj]

Based on the days exchange rate that is $656 r/t for a rifle case and a bag with ammo! All I can say is that if you have to go BA, then you rent an outfitter's rifles and ammo!

I come up with $330 USD round trip. That's a lot of money just to use "my" gun. Looks like next trip is a rental. Anyone look for a slightly used SAKO 375 H&H? (just joking, at least for now)

 

[sierraone]

I come up with $330 USD round trip. That's a lot of money just to use "my" gun. Looks like next trip is a rental. Anyone look for a slightly used SAKO 375 H&H? (just joking, at least for now)

That's about right for just the gun, but the bag that contains the ammo also requires this fee. Since if you carry a rifle, you would most likely carry your ammo in a bag as required for international travel, you pay for two r/t for one hunt. If I have this wrong, someone please explain it for myself and others.

 

[wesheltonj]

It was one charge - gun and ammo with separate cases for each carried separately which was required for flights to RSA , at least its was last year.

 

[Hank2211]

Wouldn't it be nice to get some good news about hunting and travelling for a change?

 

[sierraone]

It was one charge - gun and ammo with separate cases for each carried separately which was required for flights to RSA , at least its was last year.

At least that is not as bad as I thought.....but still bad!

 

[GuttormG]

No problem, will not fly BA again even if they were the last airline on the planet...

 

[sierraone]

Wouldn't it be nice to get some good news about hunting and traveling for a change?

you know Hank, I have come to believe that most if not all airlines and travel related industry for the most part believe that anyone that can go to Africa, South America or any other far away destination, to hunt, charging them extra fees is never given any consideration by the head office, because we are all rich and can afford it. I realize that many international hunters are wealthy or very well off, but not the majority in my opinion. Many of us set that as an important goal, and save until we can make the trip. So I don't know that we will ever have good news = $, about international travel for hunting. Just charge him $50 more to carry that widget....he can afford it!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Lovely!

 

[GuttormG]

International flights are cheaper then ever (I booked Oslo-Johannesburg and back with lufthansa for 900something us dollars). From my homeplace to oslo, 50min flight, is something like 550 us...
To make money airlines makes up fees.

 

[Adrian]

British Airways are a rip off. I would never fly with them and especially not to go hunting.
For any hunters wishing to travel with their own firearms, South African Airways don't charge for carrying or handling firearms and nor do they charge excess baggage for the additional cases a rifle and ammunition obviously are.
I know every airline will have their good and bad points but South African Airways deserve a lot of respect for their firearm transport policy when it would be very easy for them to make some money from this.
I don't know how easy it is for you folks stateside to fly South African to destination but from Europe it should be straightforward.

 

[CAustin]

Not that I had plans to fly BA.........but they can kiss off.

 

[jeff]

I almost booked our flights from Joburg to Windhoek round trip with BA for our bowhunt in Namibia as I liked their arrival time a little better until I read the fine print that they only allowed one bag per person, the second one would have cost us about a $100 more. Air Namibia didn't charge for a second bag.

 

[gordon kings langley]

I live in the uk and BA Are rubbish. Hunted in SA many times and always us South African airways

 

[BRICKBURN]

Perhaps they will spend the money on actually cleaning the planes.

 

[MarkCZ]

I live in the uk and BA Are rubbish. Hunted in SA many times and always us South African airways

I totally agree, BA are just ripping folks off bloody hell Easyjet don't even charge that much. Making my 4 th Africa trip in June and I will be flying SAA fantastic service if you are taking firearms and no extra cost. I just wish BA would be honest and refuse to carry firearms.
Markcz

 

[wesheltonj]

The Brits complain about BA and us American we complain about AA,DL & UA. I agree BA short haul flights are not any better then anyone else. However, their long haul product has AA, DL & UA beat hand down especially UA! But that that fee it's either rental gun or a Gulf carrier.

 

[johnnyblues]

Screw BA. SAA all the way.

 

[JOHN WATERS]

Taking first hunting trip outside the states this August. Just found out BA flight from Jo'burg to Port Elizabeth operated by Comair and regardless of British Airways name on ticket, will not ship firearms period. Already bought tickets bc of what BA told me over the phone (which was what is mentioned above). This bites