I am flying Dullas - Heathrow - Joberg - Windhoek. You have a 11 hr layover in England going but only a couple on the return flight, but the package is cheaper and you fly 747, 747, 737, 737, 747 and 777 on the various legs.

I spoke with Saeed about the Emirates route a few years ago and the problem with the layover was the rifles. I don't recall the details now as too much time has lapsed but the result was that it was to much of a problem to do it.

Maybe things have been changed to allow this with some sort of overnight firearm storage with the airline? If so then that may be a decent option.

When I leave from the Seattle Airport and fly through Atlanta my distance travelled is just about 12,000 miles. Or 1/2 way around the earth. I can't help but wonder about going the other way through Australia or NZ, at least for the folks on the west coast. I have never done it this way and never even looked into it but it can't be all that much further, unless I'm missing something.

Some of the airlines that provide service on that route are among the best international flights in the world. Quantis, Singapore airlines, Even Northwest provides several flights across the pacific.

Any suggestions on that route?

Heritage Arms.
My family used to fly from Frankfurt, and most of my hunter friends as well. Frankfurt is one of the three largest hubs in Europe, and the first hub to SA, Zim, Zam, Moz and Namibia. What I can say : no troubles as long as the whole paperwork is done. The Germans are real pros and hunt-liking belongs to their culture. So, no sweat about formalities and arms� troubles or disappearance. Hunting is deeply anchored in German heart. The biggest hunting travel agencies in Europe are German and first class. What their customs hate are fresh trophies. Please don�t bring back any fresh tusks in your luggage. Many times I was invited to hunt (illegally) in Germany, bringing guns, hunting without any hunting-license and even once with a bow, what is against the law.

SAEED�s Post makes me fall off my chair and clean my screen, my glasses and my eyes. Lufthansa like SAS, Air France are renowned for first class comfort and service, especially on international flights, which is the case. If you have to travel from smithtown to smithcity (Bilbao-Glasgow, Riga-Bordeaux) you can bet you wont be jet-flying or rent a private jet. JFK-Frankfurt and Fra-Joburg is BOEING. Sure the key is the carrier, cheapest is the flight, worst are the services. But the biggest companies in Europe aren�t cheap.

I have traveled thru Amsterdam and Zurich with guns without a problem. KLM has a good connection to Dar Es Salem via Amsterdamn - only a few hours wait if I recall.

Aleko, I will be there for 3 weeks in Oct as well. Drop me a line and let me know your agenda. Also when you decide on your flight arrangements. I still have to book mine as well.
Mike