I've always flown KLM from Houston to Amsterdam, on to either Arusha or Dar, depending. Aside from the Dutch firearms permit it was pretty easy and never had a problem. Need to go to Dar late August.

But in this post-COVID world, I'm reluctant to try to transit through Amsterdam. Any other good options? I'm going to call Steve Turner next week to solidify reservations, but wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations and advice.

I'm considering Emirates or Quatar based on other recommendations. Any issues with firearms there? Special permits like Amsterdam?

Turkish

I’m flying Qatar SFO to DAR in October. About an 8 hour layover in Doha each way, only stop between the points so it seemed like an easy choice. From what I’ve read so far, Qatar seems pretty simple and straightforward on firearms.

quote:

I’m flying Qatar SFO to DAR in October. About an 8 hour layover in Doha each way, only stop between the points so it seemed like an easy choice. From what I’ve read so far, Qatar seems pretty simple and straightforward on firearms.

Tried and true on travel and firearms. Doha (Hamad) has a lot of shops and good eating places. The Oryx Airport Hotel is nice and quiet.

Thanks all.

I went through AMS in March to Uganda, no problems. But I am flying Qatar to Dar in Oct because I got a crazy good rate on Biz class.

I just spoke with my buddy who is leaving on Qatar this Friday- they are NOT very efficient with firearms travel and have been known to take 2+ hours to get past the ticket counter. Plan accordingly.

Turkish airlines flies to Dar with a change of planes in Istanbul.

. . . Qsuite.

Thanks to everyone for all the comments and thoughts. I'm going with the familiar. KLM -- IAH to Amsterdam to Kilimanjiro/Arusha to Dar es Salaam and charters thereafter.

Last 10 days two clients from the US to Dar flew on Emirates.

We have a group trip, including mjines, bwanajay, and els from AR headed to Dar in October and then on to the Selous. Looked at KLM, Turkish and Qatar. Emirates was not showing any flights out of Houston then to Tanzania in October.

Cheapest for business class was Turkish but tight connections and bad arrival time, we got into Dar at 4 am! No go. KLM was the most expensive so the group of 5 settled on Qatar. Relatively inexpensive for BC and downright cheap for coach, those prices are beginning to jump back to pre-COVID levels. We are arriving a day early to hang out at the Sea Cliff. Tim Herald joins us the next day and we charter into camp. Should be smooth sailing...

Bwanajay and I leave for Botswana Saturday, Qatar from Houston to Jo'burg then SAA Airlink to Maun. Kind of a hassle right now... COVID tests, RSA paperwork to be completed 2 days before arrival but this is the state of international travel today. I would recommend avoiding RSA at all costs unless you have to travel there... just my $.02 worth.

We are booked on Emirates late September, coming back late October??

With others in our party heading to the US afterwards.

But not to IAH - Houston according to TWG...

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
But not to IAH - Houston according to TWG...

Emirates has reduced their flights to all destinations.

A friend last week flew to Dubai on his way to Dar from Dallas.

On his return he flies back to Houston.

I think they have 3 flights a week to both destinations, but not at the same day.

The same for Dar.

They had at least one flight a day to Dar.

Now they are flying 3 times a week

Bottom line- QA is consistently cheaper to Southern Africa and TZ than Emirates,especially in BC. I have flown both numerous times and they are equal in terms of level of service.....

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
Bottom line- QA is consistently cheaper to Southern Africa and TZ than Emirates,especially in BC. I have flown both numerous times and they are equal in terms of level of service.....

I am very happy someone is providing good services like Emirates.

I have given up on American and European airlines doing anything positive for passengers.

I have flown Emirates and QA recently, both were top notch. I am looking forward to flying QA with Bwanamrm to Bots on Saturday.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:

We have a group trip, including mjines, bwanajay, and els from AR headed to Dar in October and then on to the Selous. ..

Damn, and you didn't let me know that you were planning this trip?

Sorry Frank... definitely reach out regarding the next group adventure!