Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Airline seating options to Africa?

I have never flown out of N. America and have always booked isle seats torward the front of plane, but flying to Africa in 2011 Im re-thinking my seating options and maybe sitting in rear of plane so I can stand for long periods at a time without blocking the isle?

You guys ever take seating options into consideration? {front vs rear of jet}. Yes, I have to sit in the poorboy's section. I cannot afford 1st class.

How far in advance {approx} do you purchase airline tickets to Africa?

Godspeed

Best place to stand is by the lavatories.

Purchase far enough in advance to reserve bulkhead seats...barring that, get a seat next to one of the exit doors( footroom is wider..).....both give you more legroom..I even heard they might be charging a tad more for bulkhead seats...

Ingwe

That's why I was considering a seat in the rear. I was not given much of an azz cushion upon birth, so sitting too long hurts.

My buddy gave me Delta miles, we bought upgradable tickets and flew first class on a 777. I didn't want to get off the plane. If you can swing first class rocks on a flight like that.

I'd opt for the seat with a 4 point buckle because I'd be so shot up with Demerol I wouldn't want to fall out.

The above and at least an aisle seat so you can throw a leg out which seems to helps me at least. 1 Fly through the night 2. Talk to your family doc about sleeping pills 3 take head phones and your music 4. And, consider a couple of books you really want to read. 5 should be #1- check if your carrier has a version of Economy Plus, a slightly more expensive seat with more leg room. For perspective United charges $75 more for this seat from LA to Omaha, half way across the country; to me, it's worth it. I don't know if In'l carriers haven this presently but compared to a ticket that's already $1800 it may be worth it.

Depends on the carrier if you can reserve bulkhead seats. I bought tickets in December for our July trip and best I could do was aisle in the back. The booking agent told me that bulkhead was blocked. I wasn't too surprised as these are normally held for frequent fliers. Same is true of emergency rows.

I don't think you can reserve them more than a year in advance.....and the prices can change (like mine did) while you are waiting....start watching prices and book when they get low
(1200-1400$)

Are you looking at going directly from JFK or Dulles to Jo'Burg? That flight is brutal and something that, personally, I will never do again. Look at going through Europe and that will help break up the trip, even if you just have a long lay-over somewhere. In addition, you can access a lot more of Africa directly from Europe, if RSA is not your hunting destination.

Seat selection is something I've never really worried about. Availability will be dependant on when you travel as well. Take an inflatable cushion, walk some laps around the plane when possible, and content yourself with the fact that you're going to hunt in Africa.

I have heard some horror stories of trying to transport firearms thru Europe. I kinda liked the direct flight idea....

I personally don't like sitting near the loo. Hard to get any sleep, etc. because of the traffic and bumping of the seat. Also not fond of the aroma.

That being said check out seatguru.com. I travel a lot and it's very accurate and useful.

I've also flown through Amsterdam with rifles. No issues, BUT you need to get some forms filled out and faxed to the Dutch HQ. It pays to work with travel agent who knows about traveling with guns. I've used Gracy and have yet to be disappointed.

Breaking that flight up is nice.

A HUGE +1 on Gracy..

Collectively we need to lobby the airlines to put a direct flight between Atlanta and Windhoek, surely the hunting traffic to Namibia warrants it during peak season....

Ingwe

For SAA, my preference is a window seat. It allows you to lean against the side of the plain for some sleep, helped along by a couple of Ambien.

The more you can sleep through the flight the better.

Also, a fleece and a small inflatable pillow make for a comfortable nap while you lean against the window.

BTW, I fly straight to Jo'Burg from Dulles, then right on the next flight to ...? Its a long flight and all you can do is pass the time. No reason in hell to make the travel one minute longer than required, it ain't fun no matter what, and eats into any or all of work, hunting or family time, so I think its best to just grin and bear it and go as direct as possible, no matter how long or uncomfortable the long leg over. Better one uncomfortable, boring experience than two slightly shorter uncomfortable, boring experience - plus a plane change, shuffle through an airport and a wait - that take even more time.

JPK

When we flew FROM RSA to Dulles myself and 2 of my hunting partners has emergency exit lanes and it was AWESOME!!

Keep in mind though, if you sit in the back of the plane, you will be among the last to get off, which means among the last to clear customs which if you have another flight to catch and be huge!

That is an excellent idea!

I contacted Gracy travel as you guys suggested. Tickets can be purchased 11 month's in advance and Gracy will contact me this August.

Gracy also suggested African Sky for 1st night, but I hear alot on Campfire about Afton House. Which do you prefer?

I prefer Afton but have heard only positive feedback on A.S. It seems Afton and Gracy are having a bit of a pissing contest at the moment, but Gracy will still book you in to Afton if you request it.

Mike

+1 on the international first class. I was sad when the flight was over.

Check out Seat Guru.