Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Recent Airline Problem

Yesterday, I had a friend call me who was to be boarding S.A. Airlines in Washington DC for his third trip to Africa. He had used a credit card for his reservation but he did not have the card he used in his possession. When he got to the gate, the agent wouldn't let him board without showing him the credit card and being able to verify the numbers on the card. This despite my friend having e-tickets in his hand. He missed his flight because all the banks were closed and it was Sunday and he couldn't get the numbers from his card. He finally got the card numbers this morning and was given permission to board the flight only to find that they had charged him an additional $200 for each himself and his wife for changing their reservations. That is crap and we all know it, but it does add one more thing to the list to remember when traveling.

Learn from the mistakes of others because you will not live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself !

As I have written countless times now over the last 6-8 years. Whenever possible fly Delta from Atlanta. Gun handling and the people in Atlanta regarding the flights to RSA run like clockwork. From Mid May thru Early July they are sending 50 or more people and guns every day to RSA. They know what they are doing and more importantly they are not government employees that get paid regardless of service given.

Since the "new" management and the massive Government management/ influence of SAA it's spiraled out of control. The staff on the flights have been rude, indifferent, unconcerned and simply miserable to deal with.

Your post here is just another nail in the coffin of SAA. I avoid them 100% now unless no other options.

My outfitter and his recent guests are raving about the KLM flights from Calgary to Johannesburg via Amsterdam. I may have to try them. He claims that they are the best he has tried. (to Canada)

Avoid KLM and Amsterdam ,pain in the @rse when traveling with firearms,also avoid the UK and British airways. You are best off going with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.
To go via Amsterdam then you need to do customs paper work inadvance (both ways).
This is off the KLM website!
Licences

To be able to take firearms and/or ammunition with you on a flight, you will need to make a reservation via your travel agent or via KLM Telephone Reservations. You will also need a number of licences:

A licence for the firearm in question
Import and export licences for the countries in question
A filled in and signed declaration for transportation of arms and ammunition(PDF, 24KB)
A licence from the Dutch customs authorities for travel to, from or via the Netherlands (see below).

Exceptions

The following passengers will not be required to apply for a licence from the Dutch customs authorities:

Hunters who are resident in the Netherlands, when they travel to or from the Netherlands and have a valid hunting licence. The firearms in question must be indicated on the hunting licence.
Members of a shooting club who are resident in the Netherlands, when they travel to or from the Netherlands and only when they can produce a written invitation or declaration from a shooting club in the destination country.
Passengers with an EU passport who are travelling within the European Union and are able to produce an official EU firearms pass in passport format. This EU firearms pass must have been issued in the name of the passenger and for the firearm in question. Some EU countries issue firearms passes that do not have the EU reference. Holders of passes of this nature will be expected to have a licence.
Military personnel who are travelling as instructed by the government (NATO, the United Nations).

Application procedure

To gain permission to transport firearms and ammunition, you will be required to complete an application form for the outward and return trip.

Download the application form for a license to transport firearms(PDF, 83KB).

Application forms are available from the Dutch customs authorities via the following address:

Belastingdienst, Douane Groningen, Centrale dienst voor in- en uitvoer Kempkensberg 12
P. O. Box 30003
9700 RD GRONINGEN
Tel: 0031 88 1512122
Fax: 0031 88 1513182

A very good mate of mine was traveling with firearms back from Sweden to the UK , last year and the plane had problems and had to make an emergency landing at Schipol. Because he had no import/export paper work, he was arresed and put in a cell.

I agree with JJHACK:Delta Airlines out of Atlanta is a great choice. I flew with them into Johannesburg last year and it went like clockwork. It is about a 16 hour flight, but it saves lots of time and pain involved with catching a connecting flight in a third country.

If that doesn't work for you, Lufthansa into Frankfurt then onto RSA or Namibia also works pretty well.

Though I've never been there myself, I've heard enough horror stories about flying through Amsterdam and London to make me want to avoid that like the plague.

Heathrow can be a real pain, but I don't have a choice. British Airways is an awaful airline and best avoided when traveling with firearms.
Heathrow charges a �50.00 per firearm handeling charge (so if you have 2 in case thats �100.00) on top of excess baggage. Its also real slow affair wating for a G4 security gaurd to come and carry your rifle box through the xray , then you have to wait forever for UK Border Agency log your firearm numbers.
I have travelled with Lufthansa several times and they have been great, also no problems with German police or customs, they seem to be very helpful , unlike the miserable gits in the UK.

SAA at one time was the very best airline to fly. I loved them. Now....Third World.

South African Air:
i have flown with them a few times and they have been very, very help full and the flight have always been on time. No issues with taking a rifle, luggage and ammunition. And if you want to request a seat change they have been super helpful in doing this, at no charge to you.

Delta:
have flown with them also the expense is a little more than South African Air and depending on time of year i do not think it is the best choice for my money.

KLM:
Have flown with them through Amsterdam, Gracy travel did the permits for me and it was a smooth flight with rifle, bag and ammunition to Dar Es Saalm, Tanzania. Top of the line as far as i am concerned.

Now as far as Airline Staff they have all been good to work with. However the KLM group was in my opinion the best. some of the South African Air staff do or did have some difficulty with speaking English fluently, however they were still good at there job. I feel the Delta Group was in the middle and still very good at there job. again this is my perception.

I have paid with credit card for all my flights and it is widely known that you need to take that credit card with you that you paid for your airline flight when you are traveling. Failing to take your credit card will cause you travel delays. No one is to blame but your self when that happens.

While talking to the Agents in Joberg about air travel and your rifle they think that it is smother with South African Air than delta. However they both get the job done.

One thing that i do is stay a night in Joberg just in case your luggage or rifle is catching up. And then take a early morning flight the next day to my destination. A nice break in the action and give you a chance to rest up.

The Credit card request is a joke. It's absolute BS from the word go.

Many times the flights are made a year in advance. Odds are good you have a different card in a years time.

I've paid for my tickets with cash or check more times then I can count, no credit card was even used.

I've flown to RSA multiple times a year now for 20 years. I've never been asked a single time, not once to see the credit card I used to purchase a ticket. Check in Early, use a good service like Elaine at African Odyssey. Any trouble call her, she will sort those pathetic lazy affirmative action bastards out for you.

SAA is a sicking bunch today. I could tell you stories I've seen on those flights that would make you puke up your breakfast!

I've flown SAA out of Dulles to JNB several times and have never had any issues with boarding passes, firearm check in processes or any other matter. Always very professional and courteous service. Much help from their agents escorting me and firearms through TSA and then taking control of firearms to ensure they are on the same flight. Not one time have I been asked to provide cc, Picture DL yes.

Something fishey about OP. all international check in is done at the front desk where they ask for DL and passport. They also issue hard ticket at that time. Not normal to get through TSA security on international flights on an E ticket. For all SAA knows the ticks might have been purchased through a travel company. Ya lots of BS here.

Looks like a slam on SAA.

In light of the fact that Namibia Air has thrown the Frankfurt to Windhoek travel into a huge cluster......it seems that Delta/Atlanta to J'burg is the ticket if you're heading to Namibia. Namibia my plan at first, but as most of you know Namibia Air has cancelled mosts of their flights fro Frankfurt to WH, with very few available. They're liable to cancel those at any time they choose I'm told.

I am aware of the necessity of permits coming and going through Holland. I'm told it isn't a big deal. As I'm already having to get SA permits, it's just one more hoop to jump through. I was thinking of Frankfurt, but the new info came up, and KLM was described by people much more travelled than me as the new preferred route. Gets into Jburg late, have to stay over, but it is also a chance to rest up. Outfitter likes it as he gets to get the hunter out hunting by midday. I will research all three routes, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and with help of the outfitter, travel agent, and Hunter's Support, make the best decision.

Lets see now...
When you go into the airport and go to a kiosk you put your credit card in and it pulls up your flight information. You take it step by step and put in bags and you walk to the counter and get your red card to add to your rifle case and put your tags on all bags. walk your rifle case to security for check-in and your off. you get your airline tickets and way you go.

In Africa i give them my credit card and again i get my tickets and every thing matches up to my travel documents.

Have not had a glitch in my travels. Our company travel service is the one that indicated you should travel with the credit card you make your reservations. if you change cc cards let your travel agent know and they will match your new card up to your travel documents. I have done this many times as my cc number has been borrowed many times over the years. and at times while i am on the road.

Never used a CC in the kiosk. I just type in my FF number and my tickets come out. Many times however the screen says "see agent" because I selected one of the checked bag choices that requires special handling.

They are both very good airlines. I use Lufthansa for going to Namibia via Jo'berg and also for fishing trips in India. I have used KLM a lot going out to the Middle East.
The main reason I don't use KLM for Africa is because price, second is taking firearms through Amsterdam, which requires more red tape, which I can do with out.
If the price is right and timings , and you don't mind the extra paperwork , then go for KLM.
Just avoid London and BA at all costs, Heathrow can be a real pain.
The times I have had to wait for over an hour to have my gun box carried 50ft across the baggage reclaim area by G4S to Customs is unbelivable. Its really fustrating when you can see your box, but you arn't allowed to pick it up! Crazy place.

Last trip to S. Africa on SAA I booked my wife in business class, through Delta using Frequent Flyer points. She was mad as a wet hen when she met me in S. Africa, because SAA put her in coach, not business. Said it was what was booked and either that or no go. Since I was already there, she took it.

When I complained to the Delta rep in J,Berg, she said it happens all the time. SAA will accept the "free" booking from Delta but if they can sell the Business seat later for full fare, they do so and just dump the person in coach. Not my words but those of the Delta agent in J,berg: They do it all the time.

I have flown to S. Afr. about a dozen times over the last 15 years ago. Service on SAA has gone from :is there anything we can do to make your flight more pleasant? to: You don't want anything do you!

Of course I am just a novice with only 40 years on International travel and about 7 million miles so your milage may vary. TM

PS I am on United in May to J,berg.

I didn't know UAL flew to Joberg....where are you leaving from on United?

My bad. Meant to say flying on SAA booked by United, through Washington. Would prefer Delta but my friend had travel points through United and wanted to go that way.

I have flown multiple airlines to Joburg, including Delta, SAA, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. Delta is by far the best, especially in business class.

A few years ago both Delta and SAA had to land either at Dakar or Isla del Sol to refuel between Atlanta and J'burg. Delta doesn't land there any more. does SAA still land there?

It adds about three hours to the flight.