Frankfurt firearms and baggage transfer from Lufthansa to Discover Airlines?

[x84958]

I purchased a Lufthansa ticket from Texas to Windhoek on “single purchased ticket” with a transfer in Frankfurt to Discover Airlines. Again, this was a single purchased ticket - I didn’t buy a separate ticket from Discover as Lufthansa had it all in a single package.

Does anyone know if I have to reclaim my firearm and recheck it in Frankfurt? I’m trying to avoid the hassle of rechecking bags and firearms.

I called Lufthansa and the agent said yes, I had to recheck my luggage but I could tell he didn’t really know the answer. So I called Discover Airlines and the agent said the firearm will go all the way though from Texas to Namibia without rechecking in Frankfurt.

Appreciate any advice on this.

 

[Killo]

Following

 

[sniper7]

From my understanding everything should be fine without reclaiming.

I’m booked from Denver to Frankfurt to Windhoek in July and everything shows booked through

Discover is a partner of Lufthansa

Verify you notified Lufthansa 72 hours prior that your are bringing guns.

It’s very doable on the app. Let them know your details with serial numbers and ammo, dimensions etc

 

[NTX]

You won’t have a problem as long as you get the appropriate permit for the Frankfurt airport. I have done this twice with Lufthansa/discover. Also, if you call Lufthansa and add a firearm to your booking, you will not get charged the firearm fee when you check in at the airport.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I will let you know as I am getting ready to do this same flight, starting in IAH. You also need a Frankfurt permit to transit with firearms/ammo. Thirty day lead time is suggested, but can get in in 2 weeks.

 

[pimes]

sniper7 has already said everything ... From my knowledge = there is "only for transit" no special permit needed in Frankfurt - important: weapon has to checked trough from Denver to Windhoek!!!

 

[Doug3006]

I booked a single ticket from St. Louis to Windhoek via Frankfort for my trip in April. Lufthansa from STL to FRA and Discover from FRA to WDH. I didn’t have to claim and recheck my rifle in FRA. Lufthansa owns Discover and so there’s no issue.

 

[Reg26]

I booked a single ticket from St. Louis to Windhoek via Frankfort for my trip in April. Lufthansa from STL to FRA and Discover from FRA to WDH. I didn’t have to claim and recheck my rifle in FRA. Lufthansa owns Discover and so there’s no issue.

I can report the same experience last May, same airlines via Frankfurt. Luggage checked all the way to destination. I did NOT have to claim my rifles.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I had a return from JNB to Anchorage last May with stop in Frankfurt. Was told the same, shouldn’t have to claim and recheck. Also saw varied reports from not needing the permit to then needing it even if just transit in the airport, to not needing it really but folks still having serious issues and confusion by local law enforcement. Ultimately, is spent the few minutes and few bucks it took to do the permit just in case. If going through Frankfurt again, I’d do the same. When I got off my Lufthansa flight in Frankfurt, I received a text notice that my Discover flight was totally cancelled. Within 2-hours they had me rebooked with Lufthansa and United so made it home, just two extra flights and my luggage took different routes entirely.

Never had to claim and recheck my bags, Lufthansa said they’d be on my flight and everything in place. Nope. Saw the AirTag for my Rigby was more than 500 yards away as boarding and never made a move as we started taxi. Land in Chicago, go to get my other luggage and nothing. Go through customs totally empty handed. Bags arrive in Anchorage within a couple hours of me, but my rifle doesn’t. It shows up in Newark the following day where it stays for a few days. I finally get it back 4-5 days after I arrive, my locks cut off, new locks installed without a key I have to grind off and my trusted traveler status revoked…apparently because I didn’t present the customs form when it came through. End of the day, customs promptly fixed my trusted traveler as it was done in error, they system showed I had the form and my firearm entered the country a few thousand miles and a day differently from me.

This wasn’t the first mixup I’ve had with Lufthansa and Frankfurt. Accordingly, I don’t trust a thing I hear for assurances and cover my end should things change, stall, cancel. I avoid Frankfurt if flying with a firearm and if I must go through there, I get the permit. Only takes a few minutes on line and less than $30 USD if I remember correct.

 

[channelkat]

Following

 

[Betterinthebush]

I’m boarding onto Lufthansa transferring from united in Chicago. Javier from Travel with Guns had everything in order and our approval from Lufthansa over a month ago. I did not have to physically recheck my bag, but they (Luft) would not clear my final boarding passes through to Windhoek until I produced my luggage receipts from all checked luggage and produced a copy of my Namibian Visa (guess they didn’t want me stuck..?).

Any how, alls well. Get a travel get like Travel With Guns. Your life will be so much simpler and stress free.

 

[x84958]

I’m boarding onto Lufthansa transferring from united in Chicago. Javier from Travel with Guns had everything in order and our approval from Lufthansa over a month ago. I did not have to physically recheck my bag, but they (Luft) would not clear my final boarding passes through to Windhoek until I produced my luggage receipts from all checked luggage and produced a copy of my Namibian Visa (guess they didn’t want me stuck..?).

Any how, alls well. Get a travel get like Travel With Guns. Your life will be so much simpler and stress free.

Always an adventure with a new item needed like the Namibian Visa ahead of time in the U.S. before the airline even lets you on!

I was tracking Namibia changed the rules for U.S. travelers this year (2025) requiring us to pay for the Namibian visa at the WDH airport or online before leaving the States.

Showing the Namibian visa before boarding the Lufthansa plane in Chicago makes it sound mandatory to apply for the Namibian visa online well ahead of time.

I’ll have to find a different route next safari…I’m already locked in with the plane tickets this year.