"I awalys treat myself to first class ....."



I don't believe there have been any complaints about SAA's first or business class but only in economy class.



SAA is the fastest way to South Africa going.

With all the complaints about the SAA problems. Is there a better Alternative to get to SA on another carrier. I awalys treat myself to first class so I'm not prive sensitive. New York & London worrie me because of the guns. Please if you have any ideas ona different route/carrier I would appericate the input . Thanks ahead. P.S. I'm leaving on about Nov 24th.

Since you are west coastish, why not LAX to HongKong or similar and then SA? About the same either direction.

Brent

You can check with TAP (Air Portugal).
They fly New York � Lisbon and Lisbon � J�oburg (direct or via Maputo).
The service is great and no problems with guns.

B.Martins

Eric- Wonderful news from the other post! I have been checking on the routes just this last two weeks. My problem with all the alternatives are that they end up costing us at least 2 days. We have considered going west through HK, east through London or Spain and there are some good options out there. Steve at Gracy is finding that the BA route thruogh London is becoming quite popular.You, from LV, could pick up a non-stop to London from 4 or 5 US cities including a choice or two from the left coast.Have a great hunt.PS- Check with Gracy on the gun thing;they seem to have it wired.

I just returned from Zimbabwe three weeks ago. I just couldn't take another 17 1/2 hour return trip from JoBurg to Atlanta on SAA. I had done it seven times and had had enough. This time I flew Northwest/KLM from Detroit to Amsterdam (8hrs.), 2 hour layover, then Amsterdam to JoBurg(10hrs.), JoBurg to Harare (1hr 40 min.). The trip wasn't too bad, however the first leg was on an Airbus and the seatback angles and styles were designed by sadists. The best part about this route was that it breaks up the trip and you don't get as fatigued.

Geronimo

Emirates ( http://www.emirates.com/ ) flys New York (JFK) - Dubai - Johannesburg. Fares look reasonable. Just fooling around on their web site, with dates of July and August 2005, I'm seeing round trip fares in the USD $1,500 range (Economy).



I know New York isn't the greatest to go through with guns (rifles) but what about Dubai (the U.A.E.)? Would there be any problems taking rifles through the U.A.E.?



-Bob F.

The last time I flew through JFK with guns was on my way to Russia to hunt bear. On arrival in Moscow, my 3 gun aluminum case(you know the kind) had a V-shaped dent in the end which was across the entire width of the case and about 6 inches deep. The piano hinge rivets were popped at that end and the lid was badly buckled. It took about 2 hours with a 9lb sledge hammer and a piece of 2x4 just to get the lid so it would close properly. The case looked as if it had been hit at 10 mph by a HiLo(accidentally of course). Miraculously, there was no damage to any of the weapons. When we showed the airline agent the damage and filled out the form, I was assured that I would get a full refund. Believe it or not, I did. The airline was Delta. But no thanks, I'll pass on that JFK route.

Geronimo

Any gun problems in Amsterdam? That sounds like a plan to me. I age about 5-7 years for every 20hour flight leg I take. Im 37 so I have only a few more trips left in me unless I find a solution. Seriously this Airbus mess is terrible and Biz class for what it costs isnt worth it.

First class was only a thousand more ant you got a bed and everything its a much better value than biz in the 747.

.

LV, no problems what so ever. If you have time, there are showers available also. The people in the airport shops are very friendly and seem to be among the few people left in the world who actually like Americans.

Alf, I'm sure we all hear you on the rudeness thing. But here in the US we seldom have to endure it for more than a couple of hours. I think too, that when folks detect that you are not from around here they take that as a license to be extra rude. Sick but true. My only complaint is the length of the flight and the fact that you can no longer get a seat in the "bubble" with standard fare.

The very first time I went to Zimbabwe I flew British Air. Seating was tight(I hear that has been improved), but they fed you or offered you liquids about every 90 minutes and kept juice and water on a tray near the attendants station for the full flight. The other thing I enjoyed about BA was that it was a 7 1/2 hr. flight from Detroit to London, 6hr. layover, then 11hrs direct to Harare. The layover allowed us to get a hotel room in the airport, take a 5hr. nap, shower, change clothes(advised by a friend to bring a change in my carry-on, bags and guns remain checked), then on to an 11hr. flight direct to Harare, refeshed and with very little jet lag on the other end. This was in 1996, and I've been advised that since then: 1) BA no longer flies direct to Harare and 2) You can no longer transport firearms via UK. If these are not factual, someone please step up and set the record straight, because, for me, this was the least strenuous way to go and I go almost every year.

Geronimo

We flew thru Amsterdam twice this year. No problems with guns. Nice clean Airport. Just be sure to advise KLM you have guns checked in before you leave.