Anybody recently flew with Turkish? I will go to Kyrgizia over Istanbul next month for Ibex and roe deer and not sure about their actual politics about gun transport. They have no internet site about travelling with guns as far as I know so I called them. Don`t know how many calls I made but nobody knows exactly and they always gave me other phone numbers... So far I declared my rifle, nr, weight, ammo but I dont know how they want the ammo be packed. I think I will put my ammo in a lockable box. This way I can either put in my suitcase or ship it seperately depending on the mood of the counter guy. Any actual experiences with Turkish Air? Heard they are quite gun friendly...Thanks in advance for your comments

Guav,
The only problem, knock on wood, that I have ever had traveling with firearms was in Turkey. I changed my itenery up to go through Istanbul so I could try a different route. On the way home, they took my rifle and bow case off the plane and just put them in a corner hoping that I would forget them. It took 6 full weeks for them to find my 2 missing cases and put them on a plane for the US. Make sure and get insurance.

Insurance is no problem. As far as they loose my rifle AFTER the hunt I don`t care that much. Before it is a bigger problem.
Always same BS with rifles and flights. Everything will depend on the counter guy/woman because Turkish Air denied to send me a paper/ email for the permit.

Guav,

Can you get on the Turkish Air website and print their rules and regulations? May save a hassle when checking in.

I did not found anything on their german site but I found something in English. Thanks Impala good advice. `must be proberly packed` and they say one should follow the IATA rules (5kg maximum for ammo). I will take my remington in my storm case and put the ammo in a small pelicase 1200. Maybe I will label the cases with a selfmade `IATA proved` label Nobody flew in the last six month with Turkish? No experiences?

Ammo must be separate from gun and in a locked case. Going to Kyrgyzstan they were fine with it inside checked luggage but coming back they will make you take it separately and charge you for an extra bag. Easier to just leave it there. You will need to fill out some paperwork but it's not difficult. Make sure it's checked right through and you don't have to handle it in Istambul. They lost our guns for two days on way there but the came home fine.

Thanks for your experience sheephunter.

I flew Turkish last Nov to Kyrgyz.
No issues going, and leaving the only hang up was them not letting me put my ammo with my checked luggage. They wanted to check it as a separate bag.
In Istanbul, both ways, they checked the piece of paper that the airline had us fill out when we checked in with the firearms.

Very nice new planes and all the stewardess' were very beautiful. A very nice airline for sure.

Thanks Scottyboy, what kind of paper? Could you download it or did you get it at your check in?

quote:

Very nice new planes and all the stewardess' were very beautiful.

Any pics?

quote:

Originally posted by Guav:
Thanks Scottyboy, what kind of paper? Could you download it or did you get it at your check in?

We flew out of Chicago on Turkish leaving the US.. When we arrived in Chicago, Turkish Air had us fill out a form at the check in gate. We then presented this form to the asking airline offical when we arrived in Istanbul. Same thing on leaving Bishkek.. Same form shown in Istanbul on the way back home.

Sorry, no pics!!

Thank you for your help guys ! Will send a report in beginning of september.

Haven't flown Turkish with guns in a couple years but in the past they have always been very easy and I've never had any problems--even flying between 2 questionable destinations like Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

Planes and service are good.