Airfare rates

[xbr897]

June '22 - British Airways Seattle-London-JNB in First Class at $3900. Didn't realize at the time how ridiculous of a deal that was. Was 'downgraded' from First Class to Business on the flight to London so they also refunded me something like $600 and then the London-JNB flight was so late that we got the delay compensation from BA. Think my net cost was a shade under $3k.

June '24 - Delta Premium Select one-way Cape Town->Atlanta->Seattle for $1200. Seemed to be abnormally low and only showed on one day the whole month.

March '25 - Qatar Q Suite Seattle-Doha-Johannesburg quote was $5200 round trip. Qatar economy was $1200 on Qatar and ~$1600 on Delta. Went with Delta for shorter overall flying time in economy and will hope for a good buy-up offer to premium seats or even Biz class.

 

[Sika98k]

April 2024, Dublin to Jo,burg return €495 or $546us. That was with Lufthansa but they wanted €500 to carry my rifle

 

[thi9elsp]

When I talked to Jennifer Ginn @TRAVEL EXPRESS the higher quotes I was getting was for travel June and July 2025 - prime season. Close to double flying off season (October / November).

 

[Firebird]

Just finalized my July 2025 flights through Gracy travel. Delta comfort plus bulkhead, aisle seat round trip was $4700 give or take. My wife was planning to go but she finally came to me and said for the plane ticket and daily rates and activities she wanted to do, she would rather stay home and spend those monies doing “her stuff.” I agreed fully and will now be going it alone next summer.
Peak travel time of the year, but much higher than my last trip ticket, felt the pinch on this one-same as everything else, grocery store, clothing etc etc

 

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass

Thanks for the tip on Google Flight Alerts. I just put in for a potential trip next summary: Depart Tampa 6/26 (6/25 on Qatar due to extra day) and return from Johannesburg 7/13.

Premium Economy on Delta is $4,450 per person
There are rates as low as $3,100 but not flights I would want to take - especially with firearms.
Qatar Airway's site is showing about $8,000 for business class per person

John

That is the top price for Qatar. This means they have not released all the fare classes yet. Have to keep watching. I am out above $3500 on Delta premium. I’ll likely be in Confort+ next year unless things change.

 

[thi9elsp]

That is the top price for Qatar. This means they have not released all the fare classes yet. Have to keep watching. I am out above $3500 on Delta premium. I’ll likely be in Confort+ next year unless things change.

Thanks for the guidance. Will continue to monitor with Jennifer.

 

[TaylorM456]

Great price on airfare, but "without luggage"? Are you going hunting or vacationing at a nudist camp? LOL

I did the same route except out of DFW. zero problems going from American to BA with rifle. Just make sure you call AA and tell them about the rifle and they will reach out to BA. But definitely call and make all this clear to them and you should be in good shape! Good luck!!

 

[Firebird]

One thing I greatly appreciated-
Gracy sent my finalized itinerary with diagrams of the plane showing where I would be sitting.
I bought now for next July flights and literally had my pick of seats. I guess you could wait and see if prices drop but I like the peace of mind having it complete and out of the way

 

[robertb4wd]

My group is looking at BA this year Houston-Johannesburg. I am reading BA will charge 125 euros each way for the rifle, did anyone get charged for the carriage on their ammo? Also, it states you need to call BA at least 72 hours before departure to notify the and get approval for the firearm. Was this a difficult process and do you have to call at least 72 hours again before the return flight?

 

[TaylorM456]

Truth on both accounts, but zero issues at all. Don’t loose sleep about it. And good luck on your hunt!

 

[wesheltonj]

My group is looking at BA this year Houston-Johannesburg. I am reading BA will charge 125 euros each way for the rifle, did anyone get charged for the carriage on their ammo? Also, it states you need to call BA at least 72 hours before departure to notify the and get approval for the firearm. Was this a difficult process and do you have to call at least 72 hours again before the return flight?

You call BA right after you make your reservation, and have them enter the gun into their system. You call again at 72 hours before your flight to confirm its been approved. No, you only have to call on the starting flight.

• If you're travelling to/from South Africa, Italy, or from Romania, check in your firearms and ammunition in individual locked cases, separate from any checked bag with your personal belongings. In this instance, you will not be charged an extra baggage fee for the separate ammunition case if you exceed your free baggage allowance.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I am booked Delta Premium Economy Plus for next April cost from So Dakota is 3900.00, and now they are offering me First Class for an extra 3200.00. I am going to wait and see if the add on price keeps dropping as the have a lot of open first class seats available up to 28 on the first flight and 22 on return flight.

 

[wesheltonj]

Latest booking for May 2025:
IAH/DOA/JRO, Business, Qatar $4544.41

 

[Hyena]

Newark to Jo’Berg and back. In steerage. Non stop only way for me. Patience too thin for multiple stops. Around $1700 plus Airlink. Looking around $2100.00.
Don’t sleep the day before(too excited anyway), maybe a scotch or three, sleep and watch movies my wife hates. Makes it easier