Qatar Airways + Firearms

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I fly almost exclusively American Airlines they deal with weather like everyone else but DFW handles it as well as anyone.

It has been more than a weather thing, and for us it has not been handled well despite DFW being a AA hub. I really don't know what the deal has been. I fly AA a lot as I have one of their CCs and a bunch of FF miles. I rarely have any issue with other destinations, just seems to be DFW. And considering the other end of the line is Phoenix Sky Harbor, not exactly a small quiet airport with few flights, been hard to figure.

 

[wesheltonj]

DFW is very weather sensitive. Any bad weather around and things break down fast. I suspect that's from DFW controllers having a Delta flight crash from Wind-shear while coming in for landing.

 

[sgt_zim]

It has been more than a weather thing, and for us it has not been handled well despite DFW being a AA hub. I really don't know what the deal has been. I fly AA a lot as I have one of their CCs and a bunch of FF miles. I rarely have any issue with other destinations, just seems to be DFW. And considering the other end of the line is Phoenix Sky Harbor, not exactly a small quiet airport with few flights, been hard to figure.

I have the same issues with DFW no matter which airline I fly with.

IMO, AA is the least crappy between them and UA/Delta. I had an issue with AA going through Charlotte a couple years ago, but weather compounded the issue.

Since I live in Houston...

If I can fly out of Hobby, I fly Hobby over IAH. But the only over-saltwater flights out of Hobby are over the GoA.

I'm still pissed over the UA acquisition of Continental. Gordon Bethune was absolutely the man, Continental was THE shit 30 years ago. UA has turned it into a floating dumpster fire.

 

[Russ16]

I have the same issues with DFW no matter which airline I fly with.

IMO, AA is the least crappy between them and UA/Delta. I had an issue with AA going through Charlotte a couple years ago, but weather compounded the issue.

Since I live in Houston...

If I can fly out of Hobby, I fly Hobby over IAH. But the only over-saltwater flights out of Hobby are over the GoA.

I'm still pissed over the UA acquisition of Continental. Gordon Bethune was absolutely the man, Continental was THE shit 30 years ago. UA has turned it into a floating dumpster fire.

And I think Northwest beat them all. The good airlines were all aquired because there was room for cost cutting—they were spending too much on their customers.

 

[Kolton174]

I booked on Alaska Air website ANC to JOHANNESBURG with stops in SEA and DOHA. Should I check my rifle just to Seattle on AK AIR then grab it and re-check it with Qatar or can I check it all the way to JOHANNESBURG. ANy fellow alaskans book this flight and have first hand expereience at this? First trip to SA. Thanks in advance.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Pretty confident Qatar air will want you the re check the rifle.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I booked on Alaska Air website ANC to JOHANNESBURG with stops in SEA and DOHA. Should I check my rifle just to Seattle on AK AIR then grab it and re-check it with Qatar or can I check it all the way to JOHANNESBURG. ANy fellow alaskans book this flight and have first hand expereience at this? First trip to SA. Thanks in advance.

That is exactly what I did when I flew from Phoenix to Seattle on Alaska Air and from there on QA to Joburg.

 

[Mackman]

I’m flying Pittsburgh to JFK on American and then Qatar to Doha and onto Johannesburg I called several weeks ago to Qatar and told the lady on the phone I was flying with a weapon and did I need to do anything special other then follow TSA guide lines she said no but that I would need to have on me my Passport, 4457, invite letter from outfitter, and a copy of my completed SAPS520. I’m hoping that’s all I need. Little nervous flying Qatar first time I normally fly Delta direct from Atlanta and have never had an issue either way. Can someone tell me if I need to retrieve my weapon at JFK or on arrival to Doha and recheck. I’ve only got a 2 hour layover in Doha. When I fly with Delta when I leave Pittsburgh I check it and don’t have to touch it until I arrive is Johannesburg then on way home have to recheck in Atlanta after coming thru customs and rifle check area thanks in advance for you answers

 

[wesheltonj]

I’m flying Pittsburgh to JFK on American and then Qatar to Doha and onto Johannesburg I called several weeks ago to Qatar and told the lady on the phone I was flying with a weapon and did I need to do anything special other then follow TSA guide lines she said no but that I would need to have on me my Passport, 4457, invite letter from outfitter, and a copy of my completed SAPS520. I’m hoping that’s all I need. Little nervous flying Qatar first time I normally fly Delta direct from Atlanta and have never had an issue either way. Can someone tell me if I need to retrieve my weapon at JFK or on arrival to Doha and recheck. I’ve only got a 2 hour layover in Doha. When I fly with Delta when I leave Pittsburgh I check it and don’t have to touch it until I arrive is Johannesburg then on way home have to recheck in Atlanta after coming thru customs and rifle check area thanks in advance for you answers

You will most likely have to collect your weapon at JFK and recheck with Qatar. You will not touch your weapon in Doha.

 

[Mackman]

You will most likely have to collect your weapon at JFK and recheck with Qatar. You will not touch your weapon in Doha.

That’s good that I won’t have to touch in Doha I was worried with the time line. I have 4 hours at JFK so I should have plenty of time in NY. Thanks for the info

 

[JimP]

I can't remember if I read if the policy with American has changed or not, but in 2022 when I flew out of Denver on American my rifle and luggage was booked clear through to Joberg on American and Qatar flying through Dallas.

One problem with taking possession of your rifle case at JFK may be New Yorks gun laws if you have a suppressor

 

[Mackman]

I’m not taking a suppressor of this trip so I should be good either way hopefully it’s checked the whole way thru but I’ll figure it out I guess when I arrive in JFK. Thanks!

 

[375Fox]

I’m flying Pittsburgh to JFK on American and then Qatar to Doha and onto Johannesburg I called several weeks ago to Qatar and told the lady on the phone I was flying with a weapon and did I need to do anything special other then follow TSA guide lines she said no but that I would need to have on me my Passport, 4457, invite letter from outfitter, and a copy of my completed SAPS520. I’m hoping that’s all I need. Little nervous flying Qatar first time I normally fly Delta direct from Atlanta and have never had an issue either way. Can someone tell me if I need to retrieve my weapon at JFK or on arrival to Doha and recheck. I’ve only got a 2 hour layover in Doha. When I fly with Delta when I leave Pittsburgh I check it and don’t have to touch it until I arrive is Johannesburg then on way home have to recheck in Atlanta after coming thru customs and rifle check area thanks in advance for you answers

Qatar will not accept a firearm from a partner airline. When you check in you need to have American short check it to JFK then recheck rifle and ammo directly on Qatar. I also fly out of Pittsburgh. I use Dallas to connect for Qatar because less stress with firearms compared to JFK. I don’t know policies at JFK, but not known as firearm friendly. Unfortunately, unless Qatar changes their policy or I move to where I can check in directly with Qatar, I would not fly to South Africa on Qatar. Delta is easier from Pittsburgh. I use it for other destinations though. Rechecking has been very time consuming and unnecessarily stressful, especially when flight delays.

 

[Russ16]

Qatar will not accept a firearm from a partner airline. When you check in you need to have American short check it to JFK then recheck rifle and ammo directly on Qatar. I also fly out of Pittsburgh. I use Dallas to connect for Qatar because less stress with firearms compared to JFK. I don’t know policies at JFK, but not known as firearm friendly. Unfortunately, unless Qatar changes their policy or I move to where I can check in directly with Qatar, I would not fly to South Africa on Qatar. Delta is easier from Pittsburgh. I use it for other destinations though. Rechecking has been very time consuming and unnecessarily stressful, especially when flight delays.

From Pittsburgh you can probably connect at Dulles to Qatar. Dulles is generally very easy with firearms.

 

[375Fox]

From Pittsburgh you can probably connect at Dulles to Qatar. Dulles is generally very easy with firearms.

Dallas has 2 Qatar flights a day so gives a few more options. It has to be an actual Qatar operated flight leaving US, not an American flight partnered with Qatar. I have flown through Washington Dulles on Ethiopian with firearms and agree with you. I had no problems with rifles there.

 

[Russ16]

Dallas has 2 Qatar flights a day so gives a few more options. It has to be an actual Qatar operated flight leaving US, not an American flight partnered with Qatar. I have flown through Washington Dulles on Ethiopian with firearms and agree with you. I had no problems with rifles there.

Yeah I’ve flown Qatar to and from Doha form IAD and DFW. Both are Qatar operated and the same plane. Dulles flight is a little shorter and the Qatar lounge at Dulles is nicer. But both good choices.

 

[wesheltonj]

I've flown Qatar from IAH and DFW. The lounge they use at IAH is not that great, I use the AMEX lounge instead. At DFW they use the AA Flagship lounge a much nicer experience.

 

[Russ16]

I've flown Qatar from IAH and DFW. The lounge they use at IAH is not that great, I use the AMEX lounge instead. At DFW they use the AA Flagship lounge a much nicer experience.

Yeah the flagship lounge in DFW is nice—not as nice as the one at JFK. But Qatar uses the Turkish air lounge at IAD which is awesome.

 

[375-9.3x63 Fan]

What kind of ammo case do you have, and where did you buy it?

Folks, I realize it’s an old post but this didn’t get answered, I will be flying Qatar in May and was curious about the ammo case, saw airline site, it can’t be with the rifle case, so how do you carry that?
Put that ammo case in your checked luggage? Any help would be appreciated

 

[375Fox]

Folks, I realize it’s an old post but this didn’t get answered, I will be flying Qatar in May and was curious about the ammo case, saw airline site, it can’t be with the rifle case, so how do you carry that?
Put that ammo case in your checked luggage? Any help would be appreciated

Buy a crush proof case like pelican or SKB that can be locked. Keep total weight of ammo plus box under 5 kg/11 lbs to avoid any issues. Put it in your checked bag and declare it to airline on check in. That applies to nearly all international travel with ammo.