Turkish Airlines from US to JNB

[375 Ruger Fan]

My wife and I recently did a tour of western Turkey, the 7 Churches of the Apocalypse. Very impressed with Turkey, very clean, excellent airports (we were in 3 different airports), excellent roads. Turkey has experienced 50% inflation the past couple years, so the dollar goes far.

We flew Turkish Air b-class from DFW to IST (Istanbul), a 12 hour flight. Very impressed, although the food offerings were very Mediterranean. Nice ride in a 787. When we were coming back, I noticed the adjacent gates were flights to Houston and Atlanta. All 3 flights departing around 2pm in IST and arriving in the US around 7pm. Two flights a day out of IAH and DFW. Long layover in IST, if continuing onto JNB. Airport in IST is new and very nice.

So I got to thinking and looking at Turkish Air's website and flight offerings. Could be a viable option to JNB. Other destinations include Lusaka and Harare. Not sure about guns.

BTW, I learned that Turkey is now Turkiye, and is pronounced "Tur-kia." I asked if that was because they were now sponsored by a Korean car company, but the humor was lost in the translation.

Interesting facts I learned about the columns: Sections were assembled and the fluting work occurred after they were all stacked. Greek columns had 24 flutes, or 15 degrees each. Roman columns had 36 flutes, 10 degrees each. Smooth columns were unfinished or incomplete. Earthquakes took their toll on many of these structures. In later years, Greek monolithic columns were made in Athens and shipped everywhere.

 

[wesheltonj]

Guns are a piece of cake on Turkish. But the gun fee is not - $250 each way.

Great vacation photos. Look like a great time.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’m flying Turkish to JNB in December and taking advantage of their stop over program

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Guns are a piece of cake on Turkish. But the gun fee is not - $250 each way.

Great vacation photos. Look like a great time.

Is that $250 per gun or per gun case? If taking two rifles, that would add $1k for a round trip. B-class to JNB is $2-3k cheaper than Delta.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I’m flying Turkish to JNB in December and taking advantage of their stop over program

I saw the "Stop over" option on the Turkish Air website. Is that one free night in a hotel? The new airport is quite far out of town. Cabs are very clean and appear to be safe to use. Drivers on the freeway all seemed to behave and drive according to the speed limits.

 

[Philip Glass]

Turkish is a good airline and yes it is an option to get most anywhere with guns. What a wonderful trip yall experienced!

 

[wesheltonj]

Is that $250 per gun or per gun case? If taking two rifles, that would add $1k for a round trip. B-class to JNB is $2-3k cheaper than Delta.

I've never asked. I only travel with one gun and one case.

 

[Firebird]

Looks like an amazing trip, thanks for posting. The pictures are fascinating.

 

[Don Hinton]

I flew Turkish Airlines in 2023. Did not do stop over due to uncertainty of claiming guns to go to hotel. How does this process work? Going back this coming summer

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like you had a great vacation. Nice pictures. Good to know info on Turkish air.
Bruce

 

[bowfishoholic]

We flew Turkish several years ago, but had bows. We had to gather our luggage and pull batteries out. Never had problems on any airline. Our last trip was on Virgin Atlantic, as long as paperwork was done, there are no problems.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Apparently, the very first Buc-ee's was in Ephesus.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Looks like a great trip. Thanks for the report. I’ve considered Turkish to JNB. Don’t care for the gun fee…

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I saw the "Stop over" option on the Turkish Air website. Is that one free night in a hotel? The new airport is quite far out of town. Cabs are very clean and appear to be safe to use. Drivers on the freeway all seemed to behave and drive according to the speed limits.

You can stop over for up to 3 nights and they’ll put you up in hotels. You need to have a layover of a specific length. You can also stop over and take a tour of the city for free on shorter flights. You’re only allowed to use one or the other, and can only use it on one leg of your journey not both.

Seems like it’s government sponsored and a way for them to encourage tourist dollars and spending.

 

[Rare Breed]

Turkish is a good airline and yes it is an option to get most anywhere with guns. What a wonderful trip yall experienced!

Given they are the only airline that will ship the big 5 I so appreciate this post given I want to support the airlines that support us!!!

 

[Philip Glass]

Given they are the only airline that will ship the big 5 I so appreciate this post given I want to support the airlines that support us!!!

Very good point. Our trophies ride home on Turkish so maybe we should as well! I had a friend go on Turkish this year for a very good price and good itinerary. He was not hunting however. Their business class should be cheaper but it is mostly 2-3-2 seating.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Very good point. Our trophies ride home on Turkish so maybe we should as well! I had a friend go on Turkish this year for a very good price and good itinerary. He was not hunting however. Their business class should be cheaper but it is mostly 2-3-2 seating.

We flew b-class and on the 787 the seating is 1-2-1.

 

[Philip Glass]

We flew b-class and on the 787 the seating is 1-2-1.

View attachment 640181

Ah, new planes are always good especially the Dreamliner!

 

[Philip Glass]

Given they are the only airline that will ship the big 5 I so appreciate this post given I want to support the airlines that support us!!!

And Ethiopian. My leopard is enroute

 

[wesheltonj]

And Ethiopian. My leopard is enroute

And how is your leopard getting from IAD to ____? Forward Air stopped taking trophies finished and unfinished. My crate is still Lusaka as Forward Air will no longer ship.