I recently returned from a trip to Zim and flew Emirates. The Emirates option appealed to me for several reasons. First, Emirates flies direct from Houston to Dubai thereby eliminating a connection in Washington or Atlanta. Second, the Emirates option was much less expensive, round trip was just over $1600. Third, Emirates flies Boeing 777's from Houston to Dubai versus the Airbus on SAA. Fourth, Emirates has a reputation for good service. Overall, I was not disappointed. It was nice to not have to worry about delays in Houston that might cause missed connections. Limiting connections also means fewer chances to mess up the firearms. I had no problems with firearms on both legs. You do need a permit in Dubai but Travel With Guns took care of that through the airline without any problems (you check your bags all the way through to Harare and do not claim them on the overnight in Dubai).

The only drawbacks. One, it is a long flight from Houston to Dubai, almost 16 hours on the return leg. A long time to sit in an airplane seat. Two, you overnight in Dubai going so you have a hotel expense to deal with. That was actually okay though. It was a chance to get a shower, a nap and a shave before the Harare flight. Three, you stop in Lusaka. No change of plane just a short stop. Good news is that Lusaka is so close to Harare, it is hardly a stop at all.

Needless to say, for my future travel plans to Africa, Emirates will be my first choice.

Mike, how long is the flight from Dubai to Lusaka and then the continuation on to Harare?

Dubai to Lusaka is about 7-8 hours, Lusaka to Harare is under an hour.

I presume you were in coach based on the price. Is the seat layout any better than a domestic coach flight or are you packed in.

Mike-

Glad you enjoyed Emirates, but I won't be flying them again anytime soon.

We flew San Francisco to JNB last month because the Zim flights only fly 5 days of the week and we needed the days they don't. This meant a 24 hour overnight in JNB going into Zim. 15 hour SFO-Dubai, 9 hour layover and then 8 hours to JNB. Same on return with 4 hours in Dubai. I flew a combination of business and coach.

Emirates simply takes too long to get you hunting. I also understand they will no longer provide a comp Dubai hotel room for 8+ hr layover (coach) and you are lucky if you get 4 hours sleep between the transfers and having a meal.

My partner flew the Houston route and feels the same about the travel time; just too long.

Mike thanks for the information I am flying SFO to Harare today on SAA makes me feel that I made the right choice

I think it comes down to picking your poison. I do not like connections. I do not like the possibility of weather delays or mechanical issues meaning missed flights or mad scrambles to make a connection. I also do not like sitting around an airport for two or three hours waiting for a connection. For me, being in Houston, the Emirates option eliminates one connection each way, the connection at Dulles. That also means one less connection where your luggage can get lost or mishandled. Coming back -- to Houston -- there is no loss of time, you have a two hour layover in Dubai and then on to Houston. Going you do have the overnight. The good news is that travelers have choices and each person is able to select the option that represents the best balance for them. I also found the price difference compelling. And anytime you can fly on a Boeing versus an Airbus, well I will take the Boeing.

Most important is 1-most direct,2-best price,3-most reliable,4-most comfortable.I have flown three times using the SAA Dakar option.I am kinda happy with it.I have not found anything better even though I looked.I use expedia to book and the price varies.Next time I will put a little more effort in getting an aisle seat on the window side.I don`t think that I can get any sleep if I were to stay over on a connecting flight.I am open to alternatives and would like to make the trip more pleasant and exciting.Dubai seems like a gun friendly and interesting place.

By flying Emirates via JNB it actually took me 61 hours to get from San Francisco to Chenji airstrip in Chewore South. That is simply too long! Return took 39 hours; not too bad, but about 10 hours more than the best case.

I do agree that flying on Boeing equipment beats the Airbus. Emirates staff are great and easy to look at. Their Business Class was very nice, although I found the cocoon seats somewhat uncomfortable. Coach pricing on Emirates can be very good and we got a special BC upgrade at SFO to Dubai for only $999 - a helluva deal.

I've flown down from SFO via London, Miami, Seattle/Amsterdam, Atlanta, NYC and Dubai using American, South African, Virgin Atlantic, Northwest, Delta, Emirates, British Air and Luftansa. All the routings and all the airlines have benefits and deficits and political considerations.

Here's something I've learned: A great trip one year has zero bearing on the following years trip. BTW, using SFO as my return port of entry is better than any other PoE I've ever been through. Customs and Immigration are exceptional.

Mike

Thanks for the info. The less connections, the better for me. I flew from Harare to Joburg to Dulles to Houston to Midland with 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 hour conections and then a six hour drive home. Just the Joburg to Washington part was 17 hours. It wasn't fun. Something needs to be different next time.

Casey

I highly recommend Emirates when flying with kids. They have the best entertainment selection to keep them busy and my boys loved the attention the flight attendants gave them.

The only problem we had with Emirates was when my eldest son decided to bring back a live 375 shell in his carry on. The security missed it in Durban but the Dubai security found it at 5 in the morning when we disembarked.

Dean

Update on the Emirates option. I am booking to travel in March and learned that Emirates is now flying Boeing 777's on both the Houston to Dubai leg and the Dubai to Harare leg. This year the Dubai to Harare leg was an Airbus. Compared the pricing between SAA, Delta and Emirates and Emirates was $250 cheaper than the next lowest fare. Rebooking with Emirates.