Travel Question

[Tbitty]

Apologies if this is already answered somewhere (I'm sure it is, but I couldn't find it)...

I've got a Buffalo and PG hunt scheduled for June/July next year in Cape RSA. Looking at flights, my best bet seems to be British Airways DFW to London to J-burg on single ticket, then South Africa Airlines JNB to Port Elizabeth for pickup.

The question I have is on the initial flight DFW to JNB. When I land in London (10 hour layover) will I have to collect my checked bags and go through Customs, then re-check to JNB? Or will they do the re-routing of checked bags, and I only go through customs with carry on stuff if I decide to leave the airport? With such a long layover, I'd consider making a 2-4 hour venture to a sight or two and have lunch outside of the airport with my carry on stuff in tow.

I do not intend to take my own rifles, I will hire one from PH/Outfitter. However I am leaning on taking my bow for some PG. Would there be any additional steps needed in London if I do take by bow versus leaving it at home?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JimP]

Not a answer to your question but if you have never been before and don't mind the layover and extra time that it will take then take your route.

But after flying over twice now I would fly the most direct flight that I could find. Right now that is Delta out of Atlanta. That 15 or so hour flight and then the second 1 1/2 hour flight will feel a lot better than going through London.

 

[Rare Breed]

Apologies if this is already answered somewhere (I'm sure it is, but I couldn't find it)...

I've got a Buffalo and PG hunt scheduled for June/July next year in Cape RSA. Looking at flights, my best bet seems to be British Airways DFW to London to J-burg on single ticket, then South Africa Airlines JNB to Port Elizabeth for pickup.

The question I have is on the initial flight DFW to JNB. When I land in London (10 hour layover) will I have to collect my checked bags and go through Customs, then re-check to JNB? Or will they do the re-routing of checked bags, and I only go through customs with carry on stuff if I decide to leave the airport? With such a long layover, I'd consider making a 2-4 hour venture to a sight or two and have lunch outside of the airport with my carry on stuff in tow.

I do not intend to take my own rifles, I will hire one from PH/Outfitter. However I am leaning on taking my bow for some PG. Would there be any additional steps needed in London if I do take by bow versus leaving it at home?

Thanks in advance.

Wow I am surprised. Personally I do not like your flights based on my experience. Very surprised if using an agent like Travel Express that this is your best IT. I would think DFW on Delta to ATL two hours then Delta direct to JNB 14.5 hours overnight at say City Lodge then Airlink to final destination is your best bet. Just from my many Africa Safaries

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Wow I am surprised. Personally I do not like your flights based on my experience. Very surprised if using an agent like Travel Express that this is your best IT. I would think DFW on Delta to ATL two hours then Delta direct to JNB 14.5 hours overnight at say City Lodge then Airlink to final destination is your best bet. Just from my many Africa Safaries

I second that.
I don't have as many trips as others. I have flown Delta 3 times, United 1 time, Qatar 2 times. This past trip was Delta out of Houston. I will do the direct route from now on with Delta. The extra travel time kills it for me as I get older.

 

[jomw10]

I did a similar route, but from Houston. My luggage was checked to South Africa. Got a quick rainy day in London.

 

[wesheltonj]

You will not go through customs, but you will go through immigration, If you wish to leave the airport. If you don’t wish to leave the airport just security. You will not collect your bags they will be checked through to JNB or your final destination, if it’s on the BA ticket

 

[Tbitty]

Thanks for the replies so far, it answers what I needed to know.

You are all correct it is not the optimal flight for time or efficiency. However, the 2 other guys I'm going with both travel for work a lot and wanted to go American Airlines (One World) to use miles and/or have status for upgrades or whatever perks they get. Of course, I could always just meet them at the end destination since I don't have any need for using a particular airline.

However, I did find the BA flights to be round trip $2500 Premium Economy with seat choice. Delta or United options with more direct flights are nearly double that, so it becomes a decision of saving time or money.

 

[Jason Miller]

Put airtags in your luggage London is the worst for loosing luggage, in fact I avoid London completely now..

 

[booker]

As mentioned avoid any route through other countries if at all possible. I have done it with and without guns and the direct flight from ATL to JNB is by far the easiest and comes without the additional headaches of non-US immigration/customs. Stay at Sherwood great rooms and amazing food.

 

[JimP]

Think of it this way. If you fly Delta while they are flying into London and sitting around waiting for their next flight you'll be at the lodge getting ready for the hunt.

 

[wesheltonj]

Not sure where you are at in Texas. Usually IAH has the cheapest BA flights. DFW the cheapest Emirates and Qatar.

While I certainly like taking a direct flight when possible. I prefer foreign carriers, better service and on-board amenities.

I know UK citizens hate BA. But compared to US carriers it’s day and night. I usually transfer in Heathrow once or twice a year. I find T5 very efficient and anything you would ever want to buy can be found in the terminal. I find T3 less efficient and choppy. You will find Premium Eco on BA very enjoyable compared to any US carrier.

With a 10 hour layover, you will have the plenty of time to head into Central London or Windsor. With 10 hours I would do central London. You can take the Heathrow Express, ends at paddington station, fast but pricey. The new Elizabeth tube line more reasonably priced, long ride more stops.

If you decide you want to Uber somewhere, head to the Sofitel and Uber from there.

As you not taking a firearm, I would see if you can get a BA codeshare flight from JNB to Port Elizabeth, that way your bags will be check thru and you won’t have to claim and recheck at JNB.

 

[Elkeater]

We did PHX to London to JNB in June. No issues. Didn’t fly with rifles. Also didn’t check any bags. Took a carry on and a backpack. BA service was far better than any domestic carrier even in economy. Free drinks, decent food, friendly flight attendants. It was $1000 less per person than delta, which adds up when I’m paying for a family of four.

 

[Tbitty]

Not sure where you are at in Texas. Usually IAH has the cheapest BA flights. DFW the cheapest Emirates and Qatar.

With a 10 hour layover, you will have the plenty of time to head into Central London or Windsor. With 10 hours I would do central London. You can take the Heathrow Express, ends at paddington station, fast but pricey. The new Elizabeth tube line more reasonably priced, long ride more stops.

As you not taking a firearm, I would see if you can get a BA codeshare flight from JNB to Port Elizabeth, that way your bags will be check thru and you won’t have to claim and recheck at JNB

I live in Plano (Dallas), so DFW is the departure point.

There are flights through to PLZ, but for some reason the price jumps quite a bit instead of making JNB my end point and a separate ticket on local airlines from there. I figured without firearms and having some layover time, easy enough to just claim and recheck.

 

[Tbitty]

We did PHX to London to JNB in June. No issues. Didn’t fly with rifles. Also didn’t check any bags. Took a carry on and a backpack. BA service was far better than any domestic carrier even in economy. Free drinks, decent food, friendly flight attendants. It was $1000 less per person than delta, which adds up when I’m paying for a family of four.

I'm only paying for 2 (wife is joining me as an observer), but the extra savings is worth a little time to me .. add on an extra PG target or two!

 

[Elkeater]

I'm only paying for 2 (wife is joining me as an observer), but the extra savings is worth a little time to me .. add on an extra PG target or two!

Exactly! Besides that route gets you into Johannesburg at 0930 rather than 1900. We scheduled our flights to get in the day before our outfitter was picking us up. Had the good folks at Afton get us from the airport and spent a wonderful afternoon relaxing at Afton and recovering from our long flights. This also gave us a bit of wiggle room on the front end so when we had a delay in London there wasn’t stress over missing hunting days.

 

[Denvir Tire]

I have had two 12 hour layovers in London and one in Frankfurt by design. It's a mini extra vacation for a day!
I've been to the British Museum, Royal Military museum, my first fish and chips, etc..
There is a carry on bag storage in Heathrow near the Heathrow Express station that's easy and convenient.
Frankfurt is not as seamless but still worth doing

 

[flatwater bill]

Traveling into central London from the airport is fun..........but be sure to allow enough time.....near rush hour travel can be slow especially if your flight is waiting.......FWB

 

[WAB]

If you haven’t been to Churchill’s war rooms that would be worth a visit. The gun shops and pubs are my regular haunts.

I also love a visit to Hatchard’s. Now that’s a proper book store!