is it worth 15 extra hours to fly Qatar vs Delta?

[Scott CWO]

I try to avoid JHB (Johannesburg) at all costs if hunting Zambia, Zimbabwe or Tanzania. I would rather fly Qatar or Emirates and eat and shower in Doha or Dubai on a layover there than spend a night in Johannesburg with all the gun permits and a mess of an airport. In 2021, I had no other choice than to fly to JHB and then to Maun in Botswana for my elephant hunt. Even then I flew Qatar to JHB arriving at 4 AM so I didn’t have to overnight in Johannesburg to connect to my flight to Maun at noon. Bruce from Gracy Travel met me at 4 AM and we claimed my bags because I don’t trust JHB with my bags during long layovers. We rechecked my bags for the flight to Maun and it worked great. Definitely worth the hassle.

I always claim my bags in JHB when I have a layover there longer than a few hours. This procedure saved a lot of hassle for me on my way to Zimbabwe. When I arrived in Harare that evening, I was the only hunter on the plane with a rifle that made the connection. JHB is terrible.

 

[Rare Breed]

Correct. Rechecking means collecting luggage and guns and rechecking with another airline. I did it once as I flew AA to ATL and then Delta. I also had a friend and Hunting partner get messed up by AA and he had to recheck and it took 5 hours!

To your guys point I have just learned when I do my Africa safari’s I will not change airlines until the next day example being jumping on Airlink next day. No way I’m making any type switch within US!!!