Info Please on Flying Delta Airlines Non Stop from Atlanta to Africa....

[KuduKiller]

I think someone spoke of it a bit but watch your layover in ATL coming home if you have guns. I give myself a minimum of 4 hours. By the time you get your guns to CBP, they check them, spray your boots down and you recheck you might be cutting it close with only a few hour stop. I think they only let 3 or 4 people in that room at a time to check rifles and figure there’s prolly 30+ hunters packing rifles on that plane. Also, for the love of god make sure you’ve got your 4457 or a copy with you. I saw then rake a guy across the coals because he misplaced his last trip.

 

[KuduKiller]

With what rare breed said about the City Lodge at OR Tambo. My outfitter isn’t taking anyone to camp anymore if you arrive past like 4pm so the last 2 trips we’ve stayed at City Lodge. Pretty cheap, rooms aren’t too bad, cheap drinks and great pizza. The breakfast is pretty damn decent too!

 

[jpr9954]

Do you recommend?

Compare to overnight in Europe?

How did Delta Airlines handle firearms?

Any other info you can offer?

Thanks!

I have only flown ATL to JNB twice. I cannot compare to overnight in Europe. That said, I was pleased with my flights and food.

I flew once with firearms and once without. Delta handled the firearms well. I did put an Apple AirTag in my gun case.

My second flight was standby on a Delta buddy pass. I did not take a firearm on that trip because you never know when you are going to get bumped. The outbound flight was without any incidents. I did get stuck in a middle seat but it was OK.

The altitude of Johannesburg plus freight loads makes weight an issue. On the return trip we were bumped even though there were only five of us flying standby. We had to spend an extra night in Johannesburg and it was quite the hassle having to wait for luggage and clearing customs again. If I were ever flying standby to South Africa again on a buddy pass, I'd go to Cape Town. I should say that my ticket cost $800 R/T versus about $2200 in regular economy.

I should add that economy seating is not that bad to me. However, I am short - 5'7" - so had enough leg room.

 

[Sabre]

I like delta to fly more direct. I would prefer not to have an overnight layover in another country if I can help it. And I don't want to worry about firearms laws of other countries like in Europe.

 

[Green Chile]

If time is less of an issue...or you have lots of air miles...or you want to layover and visit something...then you have lots of options. If you want to get to Joburg ASAP then Delta is the main option these days.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Do you recommend?

Compare to overnight in Europe?

How did Delta Airlines handle firearms?

Any other info you can offer?

Thanks!

Advantage of Delta is obvious in the direct out of USA into Joburg flight. The disadvantage in my opinion is the arrival time in the evening. I have found it easier to adjust to Africa time if I arrive in the morning and force myself on day 1 to stay awake all day, or at least as best I can so I can sleep that first night.

I've flown Delta twice to Joburg and both time it took me several days to adjust. You arrive, get thru the airport, have a late dinner and go to bed. Two hours later I'm awake and I can't sleep.

If you are not hunting within a relatively short drive of Joburg, you'll likely have to overnight there too. City Lodge is attached to the airport and is the simplest option. But regardless you still have to overnight somewhere.

Even if the drive is only a couple hours away, I have no desire to be driving the RSA countryside late at night. Between farm animals and whatever else, no thank you.

Qatar Airways and Emirates have flights that arrive at about 10am in Joburg. This gives you plenty of time to travel by car to your outfitter during the day or if you need to take a regional flight that can be accomplished too. And for me, I can adjust more quickly to Africa time by arriving in the morning as mentioned.

Now you will have to overnight with those two airlines either in Doha or Dubai. You can get hotel rooms there on the air side which are very nice. They are indeed pricy, but more on that in a moment. The level of service on these two airlines, let's just say puts Delta to shame. You're treated like royalty nearly, not like livestock. Both airlines are also bordering on OCD in handling your firearms. They take that part very seriously and I have absolute confidence they won't forget and/or lose my rifle case.

EDIT: I messed up in flight searches. QA and Emirates used to be cheaper than Delta. Not so much any more. Delta will still be cheaper in most cases. But QA/Emirates has a much higher level of service. Do your comparisons and decide.

 

[Rare Breed]

With what rare breed said about the City Lodge at OR Tambo. My outfitter isn’t taking anyone to camp anymore if you arrive past like 4pm so the last 2 trips we’ve stayed at City Lodge. Pretty cheap, rooms aren’t too bad, cheap drinks and great pizza. The breakfast is pretty damn decent too!

Evening buffet not too bad either!

 

[wesheltonj]

Generally - Direct Non-Stop is best, with Direct a close second. But that's not alway the case. Delta arrives late, requiring an overnight either at JNB or around JNB. The European carriers arrive morning and Gulf carriers arrive very early morning making a connection easy and without an overnight in JNB. However, it's a longer flight time, with layover either in Europe or the Gulf States.

Another advantage is those carriers will be less then Delta into JNB. Sometimes enough to fly Business for the same price a Delta Cattle class. You just have to shop price and maybe make a day or two shift.

I've flown a lot of long-haul in cattle class when I was younger, it did not bother me money was tight and sometimes business with a cheap or free upgrade (those days are over). Business lay-flat you can get a decent sleep time.

 

[JimP]

Flying Delta direct has been beaten to death on the forum here I believe and not just in this thread.

I have been over twice. The first time was through NY. I flew Delta out of Denver to Salt Lake, then to NY where I moved over the now de-funk SAA to Joberg. All in cattle class.

The second trip was Denver to Dallas on American and then on Qatar to Doha, and Joberg. This flight was degraded from cattle class to sardine class. There wasn't a spare seat on that plane. Service was next to miserable besides being shoehorned into the plane. My travel agent that will remain nameless didn't want to book my flights when I wanted to or I would of been in business for a couple hundred dollars more than my sardine class cost me.

If I go back it will be Delta all the way Denver to Atlanta, to Joberg. I could care less if I have to overnight in Joberg. Being on a plane that long a nice bed would be a luxury.

Now for most reports on this thread I am guessing that they flew business class on the airline of their choice, which makes life a whole lot nicer on a long flight.

 

[KuduKiller]

First trip over was on SAA and the stop in Senegal was hilarious. Can’t get off the plane and they walked down the aisle firing off bug bombs literally! Security came on for spot checks but only checked good looking women,,, hmmmmm.

 

[fourfive8]

Been a few times. Each trip I've used Gracy Travel to reduce stress. I've done the old SAA Dulles to Dakar, fuel stop, then on to JNB a couple of times. All other times Delta ATL-JNB. Choose seats carefully. Premium economy seats help for the long, miserable flight. Overnight if needed at City Lodge at JNB to relax- a no brainer. Delta ATL-JNB is probably best bet overall.

 

[BryceM]

I've done it many different ways. I've transited in Europe twice -- once via Amsterdam (no rifles) and once via Frankfurt (both trips were to Windhoek). Gracy took care of the rifle paperwork for Germany and it was reasonably straightforward on Lufthansa. I enjoy Europe, and stayed for a day or two both times. It really broke up the travel into manageable segments. The 16 hour flight is painful, and I'd rather spend my $ on trophy fees than first class seats.

My last trip in June was on the Delta ATL-JNB. Lost luggage on the way over and a total disaster coming home. The flight was cancelled while we were in the air from Windhoek to Johannesburg. We ended up coming back the next day on Latam airlines through Sao Paulo, and then to Chicago on United. That was a three continent trip. That re-route would have never worked with rifles, and we would have been delayed in Joberg several days. My checked bags arrived at my house 5 days later.

The ATL-JNB is probably the easiest, and it usually works, but my luck hasn't been great since COVID.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

One thing I’ve learned is that I don’t like airplane food. It just doesn’t agree with me so I take a bit of food that is bland and agreeable and pass on the rest of it. The flights are so much better without an upset stomach! Also take some Imodium with you for the start of trips that have different water and food than is normal. I like Delta because it gets me there the fastest and doesn’t waste precious hours on layovers.

I’m with you on airplane food. I drink bottle wate on the plane and maybe a coke or two. Take my own snacks. I usually eat a meal in Atlanta airport about 2 hours before boarding Then after arrived Johberg.

 

[Sabre]

I’m with you on airplane food. I drink bottle wate on the plane and maybe a coke or two. Take my own snacks. I usually eat a meal in Atlanta airport about 2 hours before boarding Then after arrived Johberg.

The only issue there is when they confiscate everyone's water before boarding and then are super stingy with the water on the plane. The last time I flew internationally they did that and then wouldn't give you a bottle of water, just the tiny cups that they half filled.

 

[Green Chile]

I took a work team through Doha to Thailand. We bought water bottles next to our gate at a kiosk behind security. They ran a 2nd screening at the gate and took our water bottles bought right beside the gate.

 

[Sabre]

I took a work team through Doha to Thailand. We bought water bottles next to our gate at a kiosk behind security. They ran a 2nd screening at the gate and took our water bottles bought right beside the gate.

Yep, I have had the same thing happen. I also once had a water bottle in my hand and one on the side of my backpack. They told me I couldn't bring any water on the flight, so I had to drink the one in my hand or throw it away. I drank the little bit that was left in it. They looked at the one on the side of the bag that was full and didn't care about that one.

 

[Philip Glass]

Do you recommend?

Compare to overnight in Europe?

How did Delta Airlines handle firearms?

Any other info you can offer?

Thanks!

Delta is the default choice for many. They have good service, good planes, huge network, and are gun friendly. They are not the cheapest. Look at Delta Comfort+ as a good economical option.
THE most important thing you can do is contact a hunting travel agent for help. It is a small cost and will keep everything on track for your great adventure!

 

[AZDAVE]

Have flown delta 6 times and Qatar 2 times. Both have given us good service.

I prefer the delta out of atlanta option. Get the rifles checked in Tucson and see them again at SAPS in joberg. Never had any problems. Overnight at the city lodge and then a short flight or ground transport the next day depending on where your safari is. My preference is to just get there and the flight is passed with reading/movies/sleep.

Both Qatar flight were in 2021 and the service was good. Had all the COVID checks and balances going on that complicated the travel and qatar was one of the few airlines flying. The benifit of Qatar was that the Doha to joberg leg you arrived in the morning and could complete your travel the same day. But it was a 15 hour flight from Dallas to Doha than a 3 hour layover followed by a 8 hour flight Doha to joberg.

My choice is to take delta. and get a good nights sleep in Joberg then continue the travel.