Who has flown Qatar?

Mark Biggerstaff

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I have flown Delta my last 2 trips from Houston-Atlanta-Johannesburg, with Delta increasing costs and new planes for 2020 the prices for Delta Premium looks close to Qatar business class. Would just like some input from those that have flown Qatar business class. How is Qatar with firearms as I will be taking mine? Qatar has a flight from Houston Doha Johannesburg.
Same route coming back. Any information would be appreciated.
FYI. Jennifer at Travel Express will be handling everything before someone suggests it!
 
+1 on this as I have booked my 2020 flight from DC to Doha to Jo'berg and return. Both lay overs in Doha are 3 hours going and between 4-5 hours on return.

I will also be traveling with rifle and ammo.
 
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I have flown Delta my last 2 trips from Houston-Atlanta-Johannesburg, with Delta increasing costs and new planes for 2020 the prices for Delta Premium looks close to Qatar business class. Would just like some input from those that have flown Qatar business class. How is Qatar with firearms as I will be taking mine? Qatar has a flight from Houston Doha Johannesburg.
Same route coming back. Any information would be appreciated.
FYI. Jennifer at Travel Express will be handling everything before someone suggests it!

Long story, but I did the Houston to Doha to Joburg flight in May. You have to email QA with information regarding your firearms, but overall it went fine.

Look up my hunt report from June and you'll see more details. Also @lwaters has flown QA to Africa too. I'd fly them again, but I do prefer Emirates.
 
PHOENIX PHIL, I think it was your report I read that influenced me to use Qatar and the Doha lay over.

I was hoping some others here on AH might have used Qatar and would share their experiences.

What was your timeline for contacting QA regarding traveling with your weapon and ammo?
 
I echo Phoenix Phil. I am flying again this year in 2 weeks from Chicago to Joberg business class. There is a good Qatar thread if you search that gives great detail of my previous flight. Travel agent can handle the emailing Qatar with rifle info. They were easy to deal with. Great flights and service, and well worth the money.
 
Using Qatar in May for the first time. Out of Chicago the rate was <$800 and elected to do the long Doha layover rather than push all the way through as in the past. I believe we are resting up at the Zubarah boutique hotel before pressing on. Getting a 96 hour transit visa was free and easy on line and all the weapons instructions are available too.
 
What was your timeline for contacting QA regarding traveling with your weapon and ammo?

Somewhere along the line I saw to no more than 30 days in advance but at least 2 weeks prior, contact QA with the firearms info. So always one to err on the side of caution, I emailed them on day 29. I sent the following:

1) A copy of my passport license
2) My 4457
3) Invitation letter

And I emailed this to specialservices@us.qatarairways.com

I received a confirmation email back from QA quite quickly confirming all was good. Now this is one place where we had a hiccup at the airport. @AZ KJ and I were the first in line to check-in. QA rep who apparently is one who has been trained in handling firearms was there. He had all the info he needed for Kevin, but not for me. But not that big of a deal, I had paper copies of what I'd emailed. He handled it all and did so I think about as quickly as he could. Just remember to bring those paper copies or at the very least have them available on your phone/tablet/laptop.
 
I have not flown Qatar to SA before.. but I have flown on Qatar several times to and from the US to the middle east, and also flown with them regionally from country to country in the middle east (UAE to Doha.. Riyadh to Doha, etc..)..

I find them to be an excellent airline, with very good pricing..

Its my plan to fly with them for my 2020 SA hunt.. the Dallas - Doha - Jo'berg route is pretty inexpensive.. I like the airlines.. and everything I have read here is that firearms are no big deal at all as long as you follow their rules/regulations..
 
I flew Oslo - Doha -Joburg - return in march this year..

Lots of fuss regarding moving firearms both in Oslo and on the return flight from Joburg....the problem is that their staff have no clue on regulations regarding firearms...almost missed the flight out og Joburg due to this..and I had e-mailed them all the info the needed....but they could not find my mail.. :(

But firearms handling aside...nice modern aircraft with good onboard service...Doha Airport easy to navigate..
 
I've been six times with firearms to RSA and I still use Gracy to handle everything, so here's my 2¢. Don't wing it with firearms. Use Gracy or Travel Express. They'll make sure all the documents are filed and ok and you'll have a better chance of zero glitches. For a couple hundred bucks on a four or five figure safari, it's peanuts for the peace of mind. Having said that, I'm finished with Delta and SAA. Next year it's Qatar and they fly out of Philly so no long drive to Dulles or the Philly to Atlanta leg and goat rope coming back. Layovers are 4-5 hours. I'll admit it's more actual time in the air but for one third the price, I'll deal with it.

Edit: For the QATAR fliers, sign up for the frequent flyer Privilege Club. You know you'll be going again. :D
 
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I have flown on Qatar the last two trips to Africa, as I use a african friends rifles I skip the import-export hassels. and I live in central pa. I drive to philly and use a car storage place and take a shuttle bus to the airport. very easy in and out and the flight cost 954.00 USD last may(2019). I would fly on Qatar again with no quams.

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I have flown on Qatar the last two trips to Africa, as I use a african friends rifles I skip the import-export hassels. and I live in central pa. I drive to philly and use a car storage place and take a shuttle bus to the airport. very easy in and out and the flight cost 954.00 USD last may(2019). I would fly on Qatar again with no quams.
Sounds good i wont fly delta out of philly any longer .going qatar this time delta priced themselves out for me.what a savings difference gives me more money for animals.
 
Well I am booking Qatar for my 2020 trip. Jennifer at @Travel Express has gotten me a quote that I can live with for Business Class for June 2020 trip. Its my birthday trip as I will have my 57th birthday while there so I decided to treat myself to a really nice flight to get there and back along with a great hunt at Bos en Dal with Gerrit and the crew.
 
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I’ll be on the Chicago-Doha-JoBurg Qatar flights on September 21st and returning October 5th. Any AH members on any of these flights?
 
Just getting back on Qatar on Sept 7 in Chicago so miss you by a couple of weeks. Will let you know how things go @whitetail.
 
Just getting back on Qatar on Sept 7 in Chicago so miss you by a couple of weeks. Will let you know how things go @whitetail.

Looking forward to the report already!... I’ll be hunting DG in the Chete Safari area right on Kariba.
 
@whitetail and @Mark Biggerstaff and @Mort Hill

What kind of cost savings are you all seeing with Qatar? (Apples to apples comparison). I’m planning 2020 in Namibia for my family of 4, so reduced airfare will make a big difference.

I think my tix in May were about $400-500 cheaper than anything else.
 
@whitetail and @Mark Biggerstaff and @Mort Hill

What kind of cost savings are you all seeing with Qatar? (Apples to apples comparison). I’m planning 2020 in Namibia for my family of 4, so reduced airfare will make a big difference.

As for business class about $6000 cheaper than Delta One and it was $1400 more than the new Premium Select.
I did not compare on coach pricing as I will not fly coach. At my age and size comfort has become important to me.
 
@whitetail and @Mark Biggerstaff and @Mort Hill

What kind of cost savings are you all seeing with Qatar? (Apples to apples comparison). I’m planning 2020 in Namibia for my family of 4, so reduced airfare will make a big difference.

I’m flying in the regular seating but will save over $800 by flying Qatar instead of Delta this time around
 

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