In my previous 9 safaris, I flew on South African Airways from Dulles to Johannesburg and then on to Harare. Today I just returned from safari #10 in Zimbabwe, and based on all of the positive comments from members on this site, I flew Emirates for the first time. There were a lot of plusses on Emirates - the flight attendants for the most part looked like fashion models and were very friendly and service oriented. The food was better quality than on SAA, and the Airbus I flew between Dulles and Dubai was more spacious than the SAA Boeing 777. The free hotel room in Dubai on my return trip was great, but then again I had a 19+ hour layover. There were also some downsides to flying Emirates. Checked free baggage was limited to 2 pieces whereas SAA gives you your third bag for your rifles free of charge. Carry on baggage on Emirates is limited to one piece of 15# or less, and they were weighing carry on bags in Dubai. SAA allows a carry on as well as a personal item. Security for guns was much more stringent on Emirates. My guns were checked carefully and ammo weighed at Dulles and both checked against the firearms approval form I had to get in advance. SAA has no such rules. Last year when I upgraded from economy to business class on the Johannesburg to Dulles flight, SAA charged me $1100. I thought this charge was reasonable, and I upgraded. When I inquired about upgrading on my Emirates flight from Dubai to Dulles on the way home this time, I was told the charge would be $2300 and I could only upgrade at the ticket counter at Dubai airport or on the plane. I found this amount outrageous, and I did not upgrade. This was especially frustrating as I was told by the Emirates representative that there were several business class seats available just hours before the flight. Taking everything in total, and disregarding the fact that I got sick as a dog from my flights from Dulles to Harare this trip, I will most likely fly SAA next time. The planes and service on Emirates were better, but the combination of long layovers, stringent firearms policies, costly upgrade policy,and baggage restrictions make SAA a better choice for me next time.

I have flown 5 times with SAA and I am really satisfied with the experience.I never flew on the Boeing.SAA always used the Airbus.I booked again with SAA for my next trip.Only once did I book with another airline on my return and I got screwed.When I arrived at the airport I was told that my Lufthansa flight had been cancelled due to a strike in Germany.Guess which airline helped me out and found me a spot.As far as rifles go, South Africa seemed about the only place where I felt the least stress travelling with a rifle.Dulles was not too bad either.I always enjoyed my meals on SAA.I believe that if it were not for SAA my trip would be less enjoyable.Although I have not transited a European country with a rifle, I am not too crazy about the idea.I forgot to mention that I love that South African accent of the lady who is heard over the speaker on the flight.It sounds very glamorous.There are plenty of souvenir shops at O.R Tambo airport and a good hotel conveniently located there.

As mentnioed in a past post, I will probably return to Delta for next year's safari. I agree, Emirates' planes were nicer and the women were hot but the firearms security and weighing carryons could have been a serious problem. It is nice, however, to fly directly into Zim and avoid the SAP 520 and the overnight at City Hotel.
It's probably 6 of one adn a hlaf dozen of the other. Emirates was, $1500 less money than Delta this year.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
As mentnioed in a past post, I will probably return to Delta for next year's safari. I agree, Emirates' planes were nicer and the women were hot but the firearms security and weighing carryons could have been a serious problem. It is nice, however, to fly directly into Zim and avoid the SAP 520 and the overnight at City Hotel.
It's probably 6 of one adn a hlaf dozen of the other. Emirates was, $1500 less money than Delta this year.
Cal

So you would spend $1500 more plus overnight at JNB then take a better flight on Emirates because they weight the carry-on and make sure your firearms are on the flight with you. To each his own.

Business or First Class??
I fly Delta to JNB. Direct and efficient. I wanted to try Emirates this year but I can’t justify the much longer itineraries.
Delta is usually $1800-$2000 and 15 hours
I’m not a huge fan of Delta but I can’t justify the difference between Emirates in itinerary and time
SAA?? No way....why stop in Dakar??

Given an options, I will always fly Emirates..