Let me start by saying I live in the Atlanta area and flying Delta straight to Johannesburg is by far the easiest route to travel. But, a few years ago I was able to take this trip on a first class ticket in Delta One with the lay down seats. Having traveled this way on such a long flight I’ll definitely try to fly that way from now on. If you’ve never flown in first class on an international flight, my advice is DON’T!! It will spoil you completely and you will be never want to go coach again.

Earlier this year I booked a hunt in Zimbabwe and I’m here now on day 1 of the safari. While shopping around for flights to get here I found a straight flight from Newark, NJ to Jo’Berg at a fraction of the cost of flying Delta. Now, to be clear, my reservation “started” in Newark. I did buy a separate round trip ticket from Atlanta to get to Newark that cost about $300. Had I started my international reservation in Atlanta, the cost was actually more than Delta One.

I was able to get my baggage checked all the way through to Jo’Berg from Atlanta even though I had two separate reservations.

Other than an hour delay to wait on “food catering” to stock the plane, the flight was about as good as Delta. I do think the seats might be an inch or two more narrow but a lie down seat on a 15 hour flight that costs just slightly more than a coach ticket is well worth the money spent IMO.

Now, if you are a total price shopper, look at United’s coach tickets as they are ridiculously inexpensive.

I much prefer to fly Delta, but for the money, I find this hard to beat.

Unlike the other post that referenced United, I didn’t have any issues. I return home in a few weeks so I will update the return leg on another post.

I had a good experience on United as well. No complaints from takeoff in Chicago all the way back.

I flew United Anchorage to Jo'burg and return twice this past summer. No problems at all with United, low fares, good food, and I returned twice with a third bag and was not charged extra.

I'm sure you all have seen the multi gun rack offerd for sale here in the US--kind of a British style--for $1000-1200. I bought one each trip and returned with it for no extra bag charge. The cost in SA? $250! Contact Uvami Gun Accessories.