Looking into this for next year. We live 1/2 way between Chicago, and Indianapolis. Checing airfares for both, we could fly delta, Indy to Atlanta, 2 1/2 hr. layover, then Atlanta to Joberg. Or, we can go to Chicago, and fly Chicago to JNB direct, with one layover for fuel[1 hr]. Costs are within a $100 of each other. Which to choose? On the Delta flight can the guns/luggage be checked all the way thru to JNB? I could use some insight. Thanks.

Mad Dog

Things change.....my flight was some time ago.....but today I'd ask what plane am I on.....If I could choose between the 747 and the airbus I'd take the path of the 747 any day.

I know you didn't ask that.....but I thought it might be worth thiking about.

Guns can be checked from Atl or Chicago to Jo'burg not problem.
Thanks
wesleyt1

Wes, I meant can they be checked from Indy straight thru to JNB, without having to recover them in Atlanta, on the way over. I understand I would have to recover them in Atlanta, on the way back, before going on to Indy.

Mad Dog

Take the chicago route....any time you can skip changing aircraft you eliminate one possibility that your guns will not make it...and it will save you time. BTW the Atlanta flight stops to refuel in Dakar too! Go Chicago

I'd like to hear from anyone that has experience on the new Delta flights. Most of us here have substantial experience with SAA and none with Delta to JNB - how are they doing?

Roscoe, I tend to agree with you, except that it is a little easier to get to Indy, and while I haven't flown SAA airbus, I have flown Delta 767, and it was pretty decent, although only a 4 hr. flight. Granted, what I'm about to say was a domestic flight to Idaho, last fall, but we had 2 plane changes out, and 2 back on Delta, and guns/luggage/bear hides made it back to Indy without a hitch. But I hear you about direct over and back, plus you wouldn't have to recover gus/luggage until we were back on the ground in Chicago, ready to drive home. Another plus, is one of the guys going, lives in Chicago, and his wife can take us to the airport, and pick us up.

Mad Dog

If SAA still flys the Airbus, avoid that flight if at all possible. It has to be one of the most cramped longrange aricraft I have ever flown in & I am only 5'-10"/190#. I'm even concidering flying through Germany next time just to breakup the trip & fly on a 747 again.

I have not flown Delta yet...but my PH just got off that flight. He said that in the future he will use SAA because he likes the free drinks and individual seat entertainment that is available on the Airbus. He is not very tall so the seating was not an issue on either airline. I am 6'3" and have a hard time fitting into the Airbus however the new seat profile or "Pitch" is much better than the original Airbus profile. In the end...both airlines have their problems. If it were me I would choose the direct flight...it is going to be a long trip no matter which one you choose and since cost is not much difference then pick the one with the potential for fewer problems. I hope that Delta will offer a better entertainment package in the future...but it is not something I expect will happen.

You would not need to reclaim your baggage at Hotlanta, it would be checked right through.

Oh crap! I've made the trip home two different times on SAA when my entertainment screen was broken and it was extremely painful. I can't imagine not having that on a 19 hour haul from Atlanta to Joberg. If Delta doesn't even offer it, I'd have to think seriously about looking to SAA.

Fredj338,
I'm 6'3 275# and you think you had it rough?
A 747 has length and width, for us big boys unless you have the extra bucks for 1st class. Yes uncomfortable could mean a little more killin' once you start huntin'

Maxon - You are right that your bags are checked right on thru but you do have to reclaim them in Atlanta, proceed to clear US Customs then put them back on a conveyor, then proceed to go through Security and then off to your next gate.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by GMaxson:
You would not need to reclaim your baggage at Hotlanta, it would be checked right through.

surprised the added competition hasn't brought the fares down any.

has anyone tried the priceline.com trick on these two flights to see if one of the two is ready to drop their drawers?

I liked SAA because of the drinks and the in flight entertainment center. The time flew by with a few drinks...few movies...and a few video games...then again I'm 5'7".

I'm booked on the Delta flight in July. I sure didn't know that they don't have seat-back entertainment. It's going to be a very long flight without it. Can't complain though, the flight costs $53 since I'm using FF miles. I'm "stuck" in bus class on the way back because the coach ff seats were gone BUT it cost an extra 20k miles. I say I'm stuck because that extra 20k miles is a fourth of another RT ticket.

I'm leaving Thur on a flight thru Amsterdam to Nairobi. Can anyone comment on these flights? No guns, just $20k/30# of photography gear.
Memphis to AMS is Airbus A330-200 (NWA)
AMS to Nairobi is 767 (Kenya Airways)
Nairobi to AMS is 777 (KLM)
AMS to Memphis is Airbus A330-200 (NWA)

Thanks
Cindy

I haven't flown Delta yet, just SAA (sore ass airlines) but the current flights I am booked on are going Dulles to Jo'burg in just under 16 hours due to not stopping in Dakar. Last year Dakar told us "no fuel for you" and we had to fly back out to Sol. That fiasco set us 5 hours behind schedule. What you must stay up on is itinerary changes. SAA has changed mine EVERY flight I've made. Granted I normally book a ways in advance, but you have to stay on top of this or trust your travel agent to do this job for you. Going over, the Airbus isn't too bad for most of us. Some get sleeping meds from their DR and sleep most of the way over. Myself, I'm too keyed up and spend time fooling with the entertainment center (movies/music) or talking to other hunters. Coming home is a bummer. I'm tired and kinda on the cranky side. That's when I really notice the seats were removed from Imhotep's torture chamber, the aisles are actually raceways for field and track runners; every one of them just has to bump, kick, slap or jerk you out of your coma, and the decent food you received going over was replaced with DR Tongue's 3-D house of horrors road kill. But hey, as mentioned the drinks are free, the personnel (that I've met) have been excellent hosts, and most of us had a great hunt and can't wait to get back. It pays to check around on airfares, but don't cheat yourself. Having a good agent will pay you back in Aces. Most are very competitive but their personal service will mean the most in the long run, especially if you run into any problems. If you can go via the direct flight itinerary, I would. Less hassle and potential problems. There are specials right now with SAA: buy one get one free (free flight pays only taxes) until March. Good hunting, David/Gray Ghost

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
There are specials right now with SAA: buy one get one free (free flight pays only taxes) until March. Good hunting, David/Gray Ghost

Is that for booking by march or travel by March?

quote:

Originally posted by AfricanHunter:

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
There are specials right now with SAA: buy one get one free (free flight pays only taxes) until March. Good hunting, David/Gray Ghost

Is that for booking by march or travel by March?

Ifound the answer on SAA web site. Need to fly not just buy before March. I think it said you could return in first half of March, lost interest quickly, so didn't read closely.

Yes AH: I'm heading over to Zim in 3 weeks via Jo'burg, but I may turn around and go back to RSA in early March. I booked for June some months ago and paid the same as this trip. Good hunting, David