I am going to Namibia with a rifle in July. Trying to find best value air tickets. Does anyone have any personal experience with British Air? Thanks

Yes, no direct flight from/to London. You will have to travel to Jo'berg. In the RSA, British Airway is really Comair, and they do not carry guns, so you will have to travel on another carrier from RSA to Namibia. Their is no problem traveling thru the UK with a Gun. You must call BA at least 72 hours before your international flight and call back at 48 hours to confirm the carriage of your gun. Also, BA has a "gun handling fee of 100 Pounds." Watch out for baggage charges.

Weshelton:
Thank you for your reply.
I went to Namibia last year but didn't take my rifle, so no problem. Traveling with a rifle is getting to be more and more difficult.

Tom,

I've personally used BA a dozen times and recommend my clients use BA when appropriate. They have their own rules about traveling with guns but they are very careful with them.

Mark

Mark:
Thank you for your imput. I am worried about getting through Jburg and on to Windhoek. Any thoughts would appreciated.

Tom

If you are taking your gun, you will need to book BA to JNB. And book South Africa Airways to Windhoek. BA has two flights a day into JNB, if you get the early flight, you will have plenty of time to connect to Windhoek.

There are several good threads about this if you search back a couple of years.

I went on BA last with no difficulties. You have to follow their rules and have the appropriate paperwork but that is the same in all cases.

Tom.

My advise is to arrange your travel through a travel agent specializing in travel with guns. Let them set up your itinerary using a meet/greet service in JNB to receive your kit at O.R. Tembo and help you get it checked onto your Windhoek flight. It's a good feeling to have seen your guns and luggage in JNB.

Mark

My advice is, if you are traveling BA, not to use an agent. The agent will have control of your ticket, which means you have no ability to choose your seats and you lose your ability to check in on-line or your mobile BA app, if your agent places more then four flights on your reservation. Plus you will have to call BA to transport your gun. I travel BA regularly, but used an agent to RSA summer 2016, because I was traveling with a gun and it was recommended to use a agent that specializes in Africa hunting travel. I will never do that again. Lesson learned.

Thank all who have responded to my question.
It is always a crap shoot to travel anywhere with a rifle now and this is especially true in Africa.

Tom,
If you are flying out of the UK,which I presume you are ,take a look at South African Airways.
Check in at LHR T2 and check your gear through to Windhoek. No charge for firearms. You don't need to clear customs in jo,burg.
Com air do not carry firearms.

I flew NY to J-burg to Windhoek and it worked out great on South African Airways. It was quite simple and the fare was excellent. SAA had no problems with the firearms and they arrived in Windhoek at the same time I did!

Has anyone flown Air Ethiopian from the US to Windhoek and checked a rifle? Seems as if there are really good connections from Dulles.
Thanks for your imput

Going back some years British Air was a horror story, today they seemed to have cleaned up their act..but Im still suspicious..I know one thing for sure I will never ship my trophys home on British Air..They will gouge you.