Another Travel Route Question Please

[JGRaider]

I'm wanting to booking a hunt for May '17, and would like some guidance please.

Route will be Dallas to JNB, will not fly business class because I'd rather spend the $$$ on trophy fees.

1. Delta-done this 4 times, upgraded to economy comfort every time for about $400. Haven't had any issues.
2. Emirates--I know I said this would be my last resort in the past, but it is significantly cheaper ($500 app).
If flying economy, is there a specific seat/exit row, etc to try and snag? Will bags be checked all the way
through to JNB from Dallas, resulting in no transfer permits, etc in Dubai? Only a 2.5 hr layover there, which may be a good leg stretcher. Overall travel time is about the same as Delta, flight times a bit longer by about 3 hours.
3. South African Air-Dallas-Washington-JNB. Overall thoughts? Is there an economy comfort option?
4. Qatar airlines?

Thanks.

 

[VonJager]

SAA does not have economy comfort to my knowledge.

My only complaint about delta economy comfort is around meal service it is very difficult to use the facilities because you are next to first class and the aisles are blocked by the carts for beverages, then food, then trash pickup.

 

[accipiter]

3. South African Air-Dallas-Washington-JNB. Overall thoughts? Is there an economy comfort option?
Thanks.

Be careful with this SAA flight - it may stop in Senegal for fuel and fumigation. Take a look at the New York JFK to JNB flight - I have done this once twice and it is direct.

I have flown Emirates before for a family vacation and it was excellent. I am thinking about using them for my next safari.

 

[BRICKBURN]

If you want to figure out which seat could cause you issues. Sites, such as the following, can help you figure out the plane on a particular route.
https://www.seatguru.com/findseatmap/findseatmap.php

(That does not mean the Airline will not change the plane at the last minute and who knows what you get.)

 

[cpr0312]

Out of those choices and not doing business class go with Delta, especially since you already have done it a few times. Unless the $500 savings is worth it to you for Emirates. In my experience Delta is only about $100-$200 ore than SAA and better and a more direct route

 

[redassnavajo]

Same as Reedy Delta food and service is much better than SAA . And food for though even though short layover in Dubai you still need firearm permit for there, as I have been told.

 

[wesheltonj]

You have several choices out of DFW other then Delta and Emirates. I quick search on https://matrix.itasoftware.com will give you lots of choices. Right now its showing BA the cheapest, but its Iberia back to the USA. Yes, I had a few problems at check in with BA with the Gun, and it cost 100 pounds to carry it. That said that might make Emirates cheaper all in. There are a lot of DSC folks in Dallas that think Emirates is great, but I think they are traveling Business and not coach. Emirates does not have a e+ service, but Delta e+ is not a separate class of service just a couple of inches of leg room. Also the A380 business class is what everyone thinks is great, that there other business class is great too. Emirates does have a flight that arrives in the early morning, like BA & LH, which gives you lots of time for a connection or a full day in Jo'berg. While you can't book with Matrix, you can cut and paste into https://bookwithmatrix.com/ or https://www.hipmunk.com.

For checking seat, www.seatguru.com or the airlines own website is best.

I know nothing about Qatar other then you can also earn AA or BA miles on them. I have heard no booze, but don't know for sure. Etihad is supposed to the be best, but not sure about guns and you change carriers with them.

Another possibility but more expensive is to take business over, that will give you a bed to sleep and coach back.

 

[JGRaider]

Thanks for the replies guys. It appears Delta would be the choice over SAA, and I kind of suspected it would in my case. Problem with Delta is EC availability is next to nothing for the dates I need. Looking more like Emirates may be the ticket this time. I'm sure Travel with Guns or Lori here at Travel Express can handle the Dubai firearms permit?

 

[wesheltonj]

Emirates firearms application is here:

https://www.emirates.com/us/english/help/contact-emirates/bgfa/baggage/

 

[CAustin]

If you want to figure out which seat could cause you issues. Sites, such as the following, can help you figure out the plane on a particular route.
https://www.seatguru.com/findseatmap/findseatmap.php

(That does not mean the Airline will not change the plane at the last minute and who knows what you get.)

Yep seat guru will help a lot!

 

[JimP]

I flew SAA coach and had no problems being comfortable. I'm 6'4" and 230 lbs. At the time SAA was $1500 cheaper than Delta.

For meals they were OK but they were airline meals......what can you expect unless you are flying first class.