We are doing a safari in 2024. While we have been 2 other times never thru London. Flights look promising via LHR (London) but I am concerned about difficulities. Did you use a travel agent or book this yourself? Can you say you would recommend this flight option to others? I am not familiar with the firearms process via British Airlines.
Thank you.
I used Jennifer
@TRAVEL EXPRESS + booked on my own. She was VERY hesitant to book then her flight prices were way higher than what I locked it in for as a 24 hour hold. I also only booked 4-5 weeks out from my hunt because of some last minute changes.
I booked the British Flights there on my own through American Airlines, on flights that were operated the entire way by British Airlines. Reason for this; I was able to book it myself for more several hundred dollars cheaper. Additionally I fly a lot with American and have Executive Platinum status. I also get a couple of system wide upgrades each year to use on any flight (multiple legs). They work with BA but not Qatar. In order for me to use the upgrades I needed to be booked through American and not British. I was also told a travel agent couldn’t use the upgrades for me by the EP Concierge when I was calling about availability. Result was being able to book RT basic economy for $1060, use 2 of my system wide upgrades (free) and spend 2 legs in Business Class, and 2 legs in Premium Economy w/ Emergency Row, bulkhead seats, with a full row to myself on 1 leg. I also used Mr X/Afton on the gun permit.
I had a couple issues some were BA others weren’t
1st my departure flight delayed into the following day. BA’s computers delisted a lot of passengers from the manifest on leg 1 Hou-Lhr. There were a bunch of other people this happened too. Most had booked through AA but some had booked through BA. It appeared like it happened to anyone in Premium Economy and Business but didn’t impact 1st Class or Economy. Because of this it removed my weapons permit approval. The girl at the check-in counter had never done a weapons permit which complicated it but she was super nice and genuinely interested in hunting in Africa. Took a few hours to clear up (she was working 3 groups at once), mostly because the phone lines were busy with all the delays. Being 4 hours early + on a 8hour delay the 2 hour check-in wasn’t an issue. Even without a delay I still would’ve had plenty of time in the lounge. BA also kept the lounge open until the flight departed well past posted closing time.
2nd was no fault of BA, TSA kept flagging my case during the sniffer/wipe screening. I think they had to bring in 4 total TSA agents of different levels, on-top of the initial agent (1 was in a suit with an earpiece) who watched them completely unpack my case, take everything out of it, scan each piece of foam separately, completely unfold all my clothes patting them all down and testing them before clearing it it to fly. Very different from 2 years before when this same gate managed to miss a live and expended round in my carry-on bino harness during a Qatar flight.
3rd was on my SAPS permit. RSA didn’t list my serial number on one rifle and listed the caliber of it wrong. I had a copy of my original submission, and 4457. Mr X cleared it up in 5 minutes since it was on RSA.
4th was on my return flight. I wasn’t approved for the firearms. I showed them the paperwork from the original flight, they had a little trouble (10min) but it was resolved quickly after producing my form from the initial flight.
I also had an issue on the AirLink flight at JNB where they said I wasn’t approved for a Firearm. Mr X had that sorted in 5 min.
Overall - If flights were the same price and I was traveling with weapons BA wouldn’t be my first choice but I’d fly it again. If I had booked earlier I’d use miles to book business on Qatar (nothing was available for purchase with miles when I booked on any airline). Qatars taxes and fees on a miles booking are WAY less than BA.
