quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Chuck:

Not completely sure I understand your question but.....

If you have one ticket per passenger that has been issued by either the airline or travel agent, with all the flights and carriers on it, that is a "contiguous" ticket. You can check your luggage and rifle cases in on your very first flight and don't have to pick them up until you arrive at your destination. Some exceptions to this exist - Like Jet Blue connecting with SAA in JFK. You can check luggage (with ammo) all the way but Jet Blue will only check your rifle case(s) to JFK. You have to claim them there and hand carry to the SAA counter and check them in.

If you have to purchase separate tickets - one with BA to London and one with SAA from London in, even IF they have a baggage handling agreement between them (they do) they STILL might require you to collect your luggage in London and re-check with SAA.

I don't think you need any kind of transit permit for London PROVIDED your don't have to change airports to make your connection. If your asking about transiting via Amsterdam, I THINK they require a transfer permit regardless if you touch the rifle cases or not. Frankfurt was doing this for a couple of years ago. It was started by the Frankfurt Mayor and a real PIA. They drop the transfer permit requirement a couple of years ago and we've flown Lufthansa direct overnight, day room in Frankfurt and overnight on SAA and Lufthansa to J'berg and in to Windhoek a couple of times since. Also did the Frankfurt route and directly in to Windhoek with Air Namibia once. Time wise this was a very good route. Since then, Air Namibia has started charging $100 per rifle case extra, each way and the total cost of tickets makes Delta's Atlanta - J'berg route cost competitive and once less calendar day of travel.

While I haven't specifically flown BA to London and connected with SAA, a couple of years ago I did call BA about the Heathroe/Gatwick transfer with firearms. BA is the one who told me about the specialized courier requirement each way. The agent did offer a routing the would get us into Gatwick directly to connect with SAA. Only reason we didn't go that route is it was two overnight flights - 4+ calendar days of travel.

I've called BA a couple of times and every time the agents have been very helpful. Just need to also be aware of the COMAIR subsidiary of BA the will not carry firearms at all.

Give BA a call or PM me with a phone number and we can discuss further.

quote:

South Africa: Transportation of firearms on BA/Comair/Kulula Flights

Please be advised that with effect from 1 March 2013, Comair will no longer be accepting firearms for carriage on any domestic or regional flight operated by both the British Airways and kulula brands. This includes all hunting rifles, or any weapon requiring special handling, that may not be carried as either hand luggage or checked baggage.

Passengers who hold bookings on any BA/Comair or kulula flight after this date will need to make alternative flight bookings. Please note, this information only applies to southern African flights and does not apply to British Airways international flights between London and South Africa.

Released by: Comair Limited

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
BA has 2 flights a day to JNB from Heathrow. Connecting in Heathrow is a breeze as long as all flights are out of T5. One flight is on an A380 and the other on a 747-400. The A380 is a nicer plane. The 747 are old and in need of updating.