Travel to Zim on Qatar or Delta

[Altitude sickness]

With connecting flights within the US. Firearms need to be taken back into the owners custody. Then checked into Qatar at one of their hubs.

I am flying from Flint Mi to Chicago. I have to pickup My firearms then check them into Qatar at Ohare. Then they are checked through to Harare

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thank you everyone. I knew you guys would know.
I’m booking Qatar out of Chicago to Doha then on to Harare

I don't think you'll be in the least disappointed. I've flown Qatar a couple of times now in addition to Emirates. One thing that has not been touched on here are cancelled flights. Qatar has a very good reputation of being on time and not cancelling flights, much better than Delta from what I've seen online.

The flight experience is also much better. QA from the gate to the plane to the trip treat you like a human and not some sort of traveling livestock. This includes even when you're traveling coach.

I have been researching routes for a trip next year I'm taking to Mozambique. To be honest, it's going to take some creativity to use QA again. It would be far simpler to make arrangements on Delta to Joburg and then SA Airlink to Pemba.

But when I look at the stats for Delta on-time/delayed/cancelled vs QA, there's no comparison. We will be overnighting in Joburg and then catching the SA Airlink flight the next day. Once clearing customs in Moz, we will then be on a charter into the hunting concession. Any delay up front and it throws a wrench into the motor and I just don't want to deal with that nightmare and risk losing even one day of this hunt.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have a 6 hr lay over in Doha. I was told Qatar will take you to one of there hotels for a complimentary shower and a nap if you like.

Has anyone gone off the airport for this complimentary room. Although 6 hrs is a long layover. I don’t think it’s long enough for that.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I have a 6 hr lay over in Doha. I was told Qatar will take you to one of there hotels for a complimentary shower and a nap if you like.

Has anyone gone off the airport for this complimentary room. Although 6 hrs is a long layover. I don’t think it’s long enough for that.

Yah I think the layover needs to be longer than that to get that. I thought it was 12 hours. It'll take you about an hour to deplane, get thru security again and then back into the airside of the airport. And then you need to be at your gate like an hour before next flight, so not sure that is worth a hotel room anyway.

What would be worthwhile is a pass to their Al Mourjan lounge. It's a little pricy, but it includes food and beverage (including alcohol if you so desire). It is huge and there are places there in the middle of it to get a nap.

If you flew business (Q-Suite), you already have this pass. If you're flying coach, you can buy this pass.

Edit: And the food selection in the lounge is actually quite good and they have a decent selection. Much better than your typical crappy airport food.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I think I would rather pay for the lounge and be close to the terminal

 

[wesheltonj]

One thing to watch out for on both Qatar and Emirates is their business “light” fare does not include lounge access, or chauffeur drive for Emirates.

 

[TOBY458]

In 2022, we were not able to pay for the lounge in Qatar. So I had a 10 hour layover in the airport. No fun. I flew from Atlanta, so the other guys I was meeting arrived around 6 hours after I did, so their layover was much shorter than mine.
This year we took Delta to Joburg and stayed at the City Lodge inside the airport. A much better option for anyone who can drive to Atlanta. It cuts WAY down on flight times and the hotel stay was very nice to get rested up for the next day. We took Airlink to Harare the next morning. Only a 1.5 hour flight, so not bad at all. Then charter into camp.
The biggest issue with this is having to go through gun checks so many times. Once in Atlanta. Once in Joburg. Twice in Harare. Coming back is easier, as you can check all the way through to Atlanta from Harare. So just one gun check in Harare, then another in Atlanta when you arrive.

 

[godwincp]

What a creative way to fly business and save a bunch of money! Do you have to declare and register your firearms in JNB or , as a transfer passenger not have to deal with it? Thanks

 

[Philip Glass]

I've flown both and Emirates First Class is better than Q suite actually.
However the price you pay for it is outrageous and not worth the difference.

Sure but much like the $10K ($15k next June/July) Delta One I don’t consider it an option for anyone paying real $.

 

[Philip Glass]

It might have been a fluke or they may of changed their policy but last year I flew out of Denver on American and then Qatar out of DFW. My rifle was checked all the way through to Joberg from Denver. I did however need to submit my firearm surrender paperwork to Qatar in DFW.

If they are on the same ticket it is no prob AA-Qatar with guns and bags. I’ve done it many times now.
Scott is not incorrect that hand checking with the next airline is a good idea. I just want to check through when possible.

 

[Philip Glass]

I just booked our flights for 6/24 to Zim with Gracy. Going business on Qatar DFW-Doha-JBurg-Harare. No overnight in JBurg but there is in Harare for us to catch the Kariba flight the next morning. A bit longer but was half the cost of flying business straight from Doha to Harare. Saved about the cost of a buffalo trophy fee so I can put up with it.

This route was cheaper than busines on United or Delta fwiw.

I just did the same. QSuite is worth the Airlink hassle.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have a 6 hr lay over in Doha. I was told Qatar will take you to one of there hotels for a complimentary shower and a nap if you like.

Has anyone gone off the airport for this complimentary room. Although 6 hrs is a long layover. I don’t think it’s long enough for that.

For me 8 hours is the time where I would look to book the Oryx hotel which is in the airport. Less than 8 hours I will be in the lounge. There are First, Business, and standard pay lounges in DOH. I've been in the First Class lounge (business class can upgrade with $ or top OneWorld status ie AA Executive Platinum gets you in), Al Mourjan Business Class lounge (Business ticket or sometimes you can pay), but I have not yet been in the economy lounge but my groups have said it was very good.
My itinerary for next year barely allows me a chance to duck into the lounge and maybe take a shower or get a drink. Short layovers are good except when you have access to the best business class lounge in the world!

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have paid to use the lounges to shower, eat and relax in Doha and Dubai when laying over enroute to Nepal to climb.

And they were well worth the cost. They would sometimes be full and since I wasn’t a member would have to wait to get in.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I've only done the Qatar to Doha to Harare route, but I plan to go that same way when I go back in 2026. We had the 8 hour layover so we booked the Oryx hotel, yeah its $306 for 8 hours but it was totally worth it for me, especially on the return trip. A shower and a good 5 hour nap was clutch on that return trip. It was handy on the way over to have a place to reorganize our carry on gear, charge phones, shower and change clothes. We had originally been booked with a 3 hour layover and it got changed to the 8 hour and I'm kind of glad it did. The lamb shank in the food court, which is right around the corner, is pretty solid too!

 

[revturbo9967]

I’m in Harare now just finishing up a 12 day hunt. I flew Qatar economy and have been very happy. There is enough options for layover accommodations in Qatar to make it worth it. Leaving tomorrow for Doha at noon

 

[revturbo9967]

With connecting flights within the US. Firearms need to be taken back into the owners custody. Then checked into Qatar at one of their hubs.

I am flying from Flint Mi to Chicago. I have to pickup My firearms then check them into Qatar at Ohare. Then they are checked through to Harare

I flew through Ohare as well. Qatar ticket counter is very very nice to deal with, especially with a rifle.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Thanks Revturbo

 

[Rare Breed]

has anyone used Delta to Joberg. Over night then connect to Harare.

And also flown using Qatar layover in Doha and then into Harare.

I have only used Delta and would like to hear from someone that has done both.


Can I hear your opinions on pros and cons of each company or itinerary. Thank you

While I agree with Philip Glass. I will tell you a little secret…if you take Delta direct get seat 41J or its counterpart on the other side in Main Seating. It is exit row with no seat in front for incredible leg room better than any other seating excep for Business Class at $1800 round trip to JNB and back. JNB on Airlink another $350 round trip. I was on the same flights as Philip and hard to beat round trip cost. I just booked pretty much this exact trip for April 24 and got the identical pricing!!! I have done the Qatar trip as well. Better airline but 33 hours versus 15 hours on Delta direct is no comparison to me…with not much of a rear end I want the shorter trip. Also right now Qatar is it matching Deltas price given I just checked both airlines before booking this last Friday for 24

 

[DLSJR]

To me, this is a no-brainer. Qatar without question. They and Emirates are so much better than everyone else that I always use one or the other if they fly the route I’m traveling.