Qatar Airways??

[JimP]

I have always thought that it is better to support the airlines that don't give you any hassle when you are flying with firearms. Also when you fly into another country you are at their mercy if you have a layover even if your paper work is in order.

Remember they make the rules and is it worth it just to save a few bucks?

 

[wesheltonj]

Sorry, about your gun problem with Qatar Air. Emirates is very easy with guns, its just that Emitates Coach leaves a lot to be desired. Their Business class was great.

 

[Dee S]

That does sound like a rough experience. We aren't traveling with firearms, so that won't be an issue. As far as the hours in the air, from my comparison shopping, looks like regardless who you fly with or where your stops are, it's all about the same, 32-36 hours total. I know the plan full of people that trash the plane would be an issue for me, I live in San Antonio...never get used to it...

It's still too early to buy for June of 2018 yet, still have another month really before all of the airlines are selling tickets that far out. I looked into the Premium Economy seats on BA and Lufthansa. It's about double the price for normal economy round trip, not sure if it's worth it? That's about two grand, or several animals on our hunt. I think I'd rather put the money toward the hunt.

But I sure appreciate all of the great advice and 'lessons learned' from everyone.

 

[JMM]

I flew Qatar in May. I took a rifle and a shotgun to Namibia. Travel With Guns did my reservations and paperwork for the guns. The Qatar people could not have been any nicer. They saw me coming into DFW Terminal and came and got me. Processed my paperwork very quickly and recommended that I upgrade to business class since the flight was not full. I upgraded and the food/wine were very good. The 9 hour layover in Doha sucked. I was going to do a tour but it was sold out when I got there. The flight home was full and I could not upgrade. When I wheeled my rifle case into Windhoek, the Qatar person came and met me. I bypassed all of the lines and was processed very quickly. Between the layovers and eco class going home, I don't think I will go that route again. I will go the Frankfurt route next year.

 

[Lrntolive]

That does sound like a rough experience. We aren't traveling with firearms, so that won't be an issue. As far as the hours in the air, from my comparison shopping, looks like regardless who you fly with or where your stops are, it's all about the same, 32-36 hours total. I know the plan full of people that trash the plane would be an issue for me, I live in San Antonio...never get used to it...

It's still too early to buy for June of 2018 yet, still have another month really before all of the airlines are selling tickets that far out. I looked into the Premium Economy seats on BA and Lufthansa. It's about double the price for normal economy round trip, not sure if it's worth it? That's about two grand, or several animals on our hunt. I think I'd rather put the money toward the hunt.

But I sure appreciate all of the great advice and 'lessons learned' from everyone.

Bushwacker,
When my buddy and I flew on BA, we bought regular economy, but purchased our seats in advance. We always picked the aisle seats in the center section where the opposite side had two seats taken. This left one seat between us and whoever was in the other two seats. That "middle" seat was vacant on all flights except one. Gives you the ability to stretch out.

I'm guessing people didn't want to sit next to a single they didn't know.

 

[Dee S]

If we flew Qatar, I was planning on staying at the hotel inside the airport for that nine hour layover. But now, I'm leaning more towards BA. The picture painted of the crowded plane with a rowdy and full passenger load reminds me of an over crowded bus or ferry boat in a 3rd world country. Been there, done that.

 

[sestoppelman]

I had talked to Lori about Qatar but decided against it for various reasons, the layover being one and having heard other stories about gun issues, no thanks. Its more money perhaps but we are going Delta out of Atlanta, thru Jo to Windhoek with no layovers, well none expected anyway.

 

[50by50]

I had talked to Lori about Qatar but decided against it for various reasons, the layover being one and having heard other stories about gun issues, no thanks. Its more money perhaps but we are going Delta out of Atlanta, thru Jo to Windhoek with no layovers, well none expected anyway.

This is the exact itinerary I'll do if I ever hunt Namibia again.

 

[sestoppelman]

I also paid a bit more for better seats this time too, life is short enough already to own ugly guns or be uncomfortable for such a long stretch. I think its just called Comfort Seating. Its a few hundred more bucks but oh well, I am not small and my boy is half again as big as me.

 

[Dee S]

I'll have to wait and see on the pricing if we upgrade.
I know several have commented on the long, nine hour, layover in Doha but almost every flight has a lengthy layover somewhere. Most are around four to six hours in length, which is shorter than the nine, but on the nine hour layover, that hotel room would be the ticket. And there you don't have to leave the airport and go past customs. It's enough time to lay down, get a good nap, get up and shower, head to the next flight. Those shorter layovers mean you spend your time out in the terminal. That can be miserable.
I think the layover in Jo'berg is overnight and most leave the airport and head to the hotel a couple of miles away, then have to catch the shuttle and return back to the airport in the morning. Guess it's up to the individual on what works best for them?

 

[sestoppelman]

My flight thru JO in July is no layover, grab the next plane right on thru to Windhoek. Depends on the airline and their schedule.

 

[Lrntolive]

I'll have to wait and see on the pricing if we upgrade.
I know several have commented on the long, nine hour, layover in Doha but almost every flight has a lengthy layover somewhere. Most are around four to six hours in length, which is shorter than the nine, but on the nine hour layover, that hotel room would be the ticket. And there you don't have to leave the airport and go past customs. It's enough time to lay down, get a good nap, get up and shower, head to the next flight. Those shorter layovers mean you spend your time out in the terminal. That can be miserable.
I think the layover in Jo'berg is overnight and most leave the airport and head to the hotel a couple of miles away, then have to catch the shuttle and return back to the airport in the morning. Guess it's up to the individual on what works best for them?

When we flew threw London on BA, we had an 8 hour layover. We should have gotten a room near Paddington station for about $30, but we chose to drink a few pints and have fish and chips.

Then went to see all the sights. Plus, they speak English and everything is easy there. Never had a problem in England.

 

[sestoppelman]

Yeah, some people speak English there! They call it Londonistan for a reason.

 

[Mike B]

So I've decided I'm just going to rent a gun. We are doing some site seeing after and I just don't want to deal with the potential hassle of flight issues or Qatar decided they want my gun more than me. All in all it's not that much more to rent the gun and then I just don't have to worry about it.

 

[whitetail]

Just remember (I know that bushwacker that started this post)- you CAN NOT travel on British Airways with a firearm!!! Period... This includes the connections and BA "sister" airlines ( such as United Airlines, Iberia, etc). I made that mistake last fall when I booked for a hunt in late February to Zim. Fortunately, my buddy who was flying different airline thru Sao Paulo had room for an extra rifle and ammo in his case so it became his rifle (he had to obtain his own Form 4457 for it). Don't make that mistake!!! I would also be VERY careful if you're taking a bowcase- because they still may consider it a weapon and not allow it... Crazy rules these days... IMO- just stick with the nonstop Delta 200 flight from Atlanta to JoBurg and go from there... Much easier.

 

[wesheltonj]

You CAN travel on BA with a gun, period. I have. You cannot travel on Comair which operates as BA in Southern Africa with a gun. You cannot connect on Comair(BA), you need to connect on SAA. You cannot take a firearm on BA to Zimbabwe, that is not allow by the UK government, it has nothing to do with BA, you need a separate ticket from RSA to Zimbabwe not on your BA reservation.

 

[Dee S]

I guess flying with a firearm can get pretty sticky and you better do your homework on all of this. I know its great information coming in and I'm sure we are all learning from each other.
I wasn't even thinking 'firearm' but as mentioned above, some airlines may consider a bow case as a 'weapon' and your smooth flight suddenly turns troublesome.
All things I'll need to consider before booking the flight.

 

[whitetail]

You CAN travel on BA with a gun, period. I have. You cannot travel on Comair which operates as BA in Southern Africa with a gun. You cannot connect on Comair(BA), you need to connect on SAA. You cannot take a firearm on BA to Zimbabwe, that is not allow by the UK government, it has nothing to do with BA, you need a separate ticket from RSA to Zimbabwe not on your BA reservation.

I would have to kindly disagree.... I'm actually an independent booking agent for a worldwide hunting agency and know otherwise because of having to deal with this both with clients and personally (unless the rules for BA have changed since 3/17).... Not quite sure how you pulled this off unless you flew BA all the way (and not an airline that partners with BA). I can only imagine the severe headaches this caused you if you were actually able to do this- London Heathrow customs would have had a heart attack and you likely detained. And I did not fly Comair- I actually flew United from KC, MO to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Then United from Dallas London- transferring there onto British Airways to JoBurg and then on South African Airways from JoBurg to Bulawayo, Zim. Coming home- SAA from Bulawayo to JoBurg then flying Iberia from JoBurg to Madrid, Spain then Iberia from Madrid to Chicago O'Hare and then United from Chicago to KC. So, basically these are all partners with BA and spoke at length multiple times with BA, United as well as another booking agent for worldwide hunting here in the US.... Again- kindly disagree with you- so I must encourage AH readers on this thread not to plan on carrying a firearm with British Airways- for further questions regarding this exact situation with BA- please refer to prior discussion threads on this AH website (this has been discussed ad nauseum in the past)...

 

[whitetail]

I guess flying with a firearm can get pretty sticky and you better do your homework on all of this. I know its great information coming in and I'm sure we are all learning from each other.
I wasn't even thinking 'firearm' but as mentioned above, some airlines may consider a bow case as a 'weapon' and your smooth flight suddenly turns troublesome.
All things I'll need to consider before booking the flight.

My buddy who is a taxidermist that went to RSA this past year to AAA Serapa Safaris, who only took his compound bow, had to go thru ALL the same customs clearing, baggage handling, etc, that I did- and I took both a rifle and my compound bow. I HIGHLY recommend that you utilize a good booking agent that deals with these situations on a routine basis if this is your first time over the Atlantic to Africa to hunt. Things can get quite tricky- especially depending upon final hunting destination (and having to pass thru other countries, such as RSA, before you make it to your destination). And requirements seem to change on a near daily basis over there....

 

[wesheltonj]

We will have to agree to disagree. But I suspect that I see where your problem most likely was. Was your JHB to Bulawayo on the same ticket reservation as the BA flight? If so that would explain the problem. Nowhere in the EU can you transport a firearm to Zimbabwe. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:055:0001:0013:EN:PDF

If you are going to Zimbabwe with a gun thru Europe: Your ticket must show some country other than Zimbabwe as the end point. Then you need a separate ticket from for example JNB to Zimbabwe.

You are correct I had a BA to BA transfer at Heathrow, and it could have not been easier, but expensive. And I knew my gun was on the next flight as they stopped me on the Jetway and showed me the computer entry where it had been loaded into the plane.

I understand that are AA/BA problems with a gun at Heathrow, but that's AA not, BA fault.