Given current affairs, how do you feel about flying through Europe to Africa?

[Milo]

, I had the choice of Economy 900.00, Premium Economy 1696.00, Business 14,000.00. After purchasing the Premium Economy, a box popped saying I could upgrade for 707.00 each way to get Business!! So I paid the 1400.00 and got my Business seats for 3,100.00, not the 14,000.00 it showed when I was selecting the class of seat I wanted.

Way to work it !

 

[spike.t]

I too am doing United's Polaris Class in May! I flew United to JNB this past September, their noise canceling headphones are just 'ok'. I will be taking my own this year. Here's something you have probably seen, but it was the first time I had seen it. For this trip in May, I had the choice of Economy 900.00, Premium Economy 1696.00, Business 14,000.00. After purchasing the Premium Economy, a box popped saying I could upgrade for 707.00 each way to get Business!! So I paid the 1400.00 and got my Business seats for 3,100.00, not the 14,000.00 it showed when I was selecting the class of seat I wanted.

Business class at 14,000.00....what currency is that?....as either a typo or its in roubles....

 

[thi9elsp]

Just got back from Egypt flying through Frankfurt to Chicago to Orlando. No problems.

I second the possibilities on United. For our flight over, business was very expensive. United seems to be offering upgrades for better prices as you get closer to departure. Premium Plus from Frankfurt to Chicago was $1,500 upgrade to start. We paid $275 each from our base economy seats a week before departure.

 

[wesheltonj]

When I travel to Europe, I usually fly over Business and return Premium Eco. Last year, it was cheaper to fly Business both ways. Again this year it’s the same.

 

[Philip Glass]

I would look at Delta and Qatar primarily. United as well if you are not taking suppressors. You really need a travel agent as Delta, for instance, is booking 7 days a week but actually flying 3. They also can’t load enough fuel and divert on the way home at times.
Qatar is what I am using and I do it recommend going through Europe. If your schedule can work Qatar is restarting Windhoek flights in June. They will fly Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If the dates work for you this is the most direct route from my perspective.
Philip

 

[Areaonereal]

From yesterday’s post I am sitting in Newark waiting on flight to Chicago….update on rifle….deplaned To customs and informed customs agent I was traveling with a rifle..he shut down his station and escorted me to the carousel and oversized baggage, he informed oversize baggage of a firearm. Was then escorted with three other rifles to customs by a young lady along with three other hunters…opened firearms case, customs entered info into computer of 4457 and then escorted to TSA where we waited 10 minutes for them to swab and return rifles, then escorted to drop off checked thru. Everyone was very courteous, prompt, friendly and professional in a very timely manner. As you pass thru customs inform them of a firearm, thru inspection open case, have bolt removed present passport and 4457…no issues at all. When I informed the customs agent as we passed thru he retained my passport thru to final inspection be customs. Smooth. TSA security for carryon…my carry on was pulled due to a riflescope….when I told the TSA agent…lady….she about her pants….until another agent told her what it was…she asled me and I replied …riflescope.whoa. Then no problem….move on. Inexperienced to say the least. The other thre rifles had TSA locks as per told by their TSA in Birmingham, AlAbama

 

[Andrew62]

Business class at 14,000.00....what currency is that?....as either a typo or its in roubles....

Seriously, 14,000.00 was the stated price. The other odd thing was when I found out I had time to go this spring, I started checking United's prices. Going over May 3rd, returning May 11th, was 1696.00 Premium Economy, any other dates, the price was 6,000.00. I have no idea how that could be, but that certainly was the case.

 

[koodoo62]

I am to be in Namibia the end of June and I'm getting nervous.
Still haven't nailed down flights.
How are you getting there??

We usually fly Delta to OR Tambo. This year we are flying Lufthansa direct from Austin to Frankfurt and then to Windhoek. There is a 12 hour layover in Frankfurt on the trip over so we are staying in a hotel in the airport to catch up on jet lag. We won‘t claim any luggage in Frankfurt so the bags go directly to Windhoek. No problems (hopefully) with guns this way. Price for business class for us $4600 round trip. Gun clearance in Windhoek has always been very easy in the past. Much less hassle than OR Tambo. I have always been happy with Delta. Last year we flew Qatar and our experience was not that great even though it was business class. The loading at DFW was very chaotic and our return flight loading in Doha was worse. 2 stops (DFW and Doha) make for a long flight. Has anyone else flown Lufthansa business class and if so what was your experience? We made our arrangements with Travel With Guns.

 

[wesheltonj]

Yes, I have, but not recently. It’s not Emirates but it’s not an US airline either. About the same as BA.

 

[koodoo62]

I decided this June trip to do United
Houston Newark Johannesburg .
Shorter travel time, avoid layovers and it really fit best for my safari dates.
I flew Qatar Business last year great service and Doha airport was amazing.
We will see how United Polaris Class is this year.

We flew United Polaris class from Austin the Zurich this last October. 3 hour layover in Newark but the United lounge there was very nice. This airport is nothing like the hellhole known as JFK. Overall had a good experience with United. Food on plane not quite as good as Delta One.

 

[koodoo62]

Yes, I have, but not recently. It’s not Emirates but it’s not an US airline either. About the same as BA.

Thanks. Where in south Texas are your located? I grew up in Frio county and still have a ranch there.