Flying to Johannesburg?

[TakeMeLord]

Do you prefer the non stop from Atlanta, or fly through Europe, or other?

 

[Firebird]

I always fly delta so through Atlanta. It’s not bad and I’ve never had any problems. My only advice would be to get comfort plus seating at a minimum!

 

[Rubberhead]

The one time I did it, it was straight through Atlanta to Jo'burg. I'd do it the same way again, fewer risks.

 

[Andrew62]

If I fly from the US to JNB, I avoid Europe and the 9-10 hour layover. I’d rather land at 6pm, get a hotel room, eat a steak dinner and get some sleep. I’ve noticed most flights through Europe get you to JNB at 9-10 am. If you’re the type of person who can sleep on a plane, maybe consider Europe. For me, I’m all about getting there asap.

I’ll be flying United next Friday, Pit-Newark-JNB.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Have flown the Atlanta route on Delta a few times. Unless you're a top tier skymiles member, no guarantee the seat you book will be the one you get. BTDT. Last three out of Newark, shorter flight but standard delays of an hour or more to takeoff.

 

[ru4elk]

Flown thru Amsterdam once and did not like... flown direct from Atlanta multiple times and prefer. Flight is long, but better than two long flights and a layover. And if you bringing guns, stay away from Europe!

 

[trperk1]

Non stop as I wouldn't want the headache traveling with a rifle would be if you had an unexpected delay in Europe

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have flown Delta, United and Qatar.
Qatar Q suite when was cheap right after Covid was great. Short layover.
I would not fly it in coach.
United 1 time in business and it wasn’t worth it or gun hassle.
Delta now only as they know how to handle guns and shorter travel time is always the best. Comfort plus at a minimum on seats. I have never been bumped out of my seat choices on Delta. In fact already booked 2026 June flights thru Travel Express
Jennifer got me good price on Comfort and seat I wanted.

 

[Denvir Tire]

Flying with rifle or not?
Now that I'm bringing a rifle every trip, I fly direct from ERW to Joburg. Usual arrival is early evening, spend the night in Joburg, Afton or African Sky, and start the day and safari well rested.
Flying for years without rifle, take the "RedEye" overnight to London, Frankfurt, etc., arrive early morning, spend the day downtown, museums or shopping, and then late night flight to SA.
Two vacations in one

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Do you prefer the non stop from Atlanta, or fly through Europe, or other?

If you are flying with a rifle, go straight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. I just left a Facebook group I'm in, just to see what's being said. It's a group where people from around the world celebrate the death of hunters in Africa. Someone was just killed by an elephant. It's really sick people in there, and several people in that group work for the airlines. Many times when you travel through Europe on "Air France, British Airways, the one from Germany, and even US carriers. They will delay or hide your rifle so you miss 3-4 days of hunting time. Many times, they will also try to crush your rifle case, slam it, throw it, or drop it from somewhere really high, and I've heard that they will run it over with the luggage transport vehicles. It's also shorter when you go through Atlanta on Delta.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Flown thru Amsterdam once and did not like... flown direct from Atlanta multiple times and prefer. Flight is long, but better than two long flights and a layover. And if you bringing guns, stay away from Europe!

Been to Africa 5 times now. Was forced to go through Amerstand due to Covid in 2021. That was a miserable flight. 9 hours to Amerstam and it took 11 hours to fly there to S Africa. Atlanta to JBurg is 15 hours.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Just heard from a bud in Joburg who's on his way home via Delta to Atlanta. United cancelled the flight to Newark, everyone scrambling for alternatives. Wonder what happens to guns.

Live Airline Flight Cancellations Info & Statistics - FlightAware

Real-time cancellation statistics and flight tracker links for cancelled airline flights. View top cancellations by airline or airport.

www.flightaware.com

 

[375Fox]

Just heard from a bud in Joburg who's on his way home via Delta to Atlanta. United cancelled the flight to Newark, everyone scrambling for alternatives. Wonder what happens to guns.

Live Airline Flight Cancellations Info & Statistics - FlightAware

Real-time cancellation statistics and flight tracker links for cancelled airline flights. View top cancellations by airline or airport.

www.flightaware.com

They are having an issue with air traffic controllers in Newark and FAA is now restricting the number of flights allowed into Newark per hour. I expect it will be an unstable route for a while.

 

[375Fox]

I wouldn’t consider flying through Europe. The added travel time is too long for no benefit. I’d prefer to arrive to Johannesburg that evening and get a hotel for some proper sleep then start in morning fresh rather than arrive in the morning tired after a series of long flights and long layovers. The direct flight also eliminates a lot of variables with rifle in event of delays or missed connections.

 

[Flipper Dude]

I’ve flown Qatar, Emirates, SAA, United and Delta. I hear business and 1st class on Qatar and Emirates is worthwhile, but I’m not dropping that $$. Delta 200 or United is the quickest way to Africa. Hell, I can stand on one leg for 15 hours.

 

[Andrew62]

I’ve flown Qatar, Emirates, SAA, United and Delta. I hear business and 1st class on Qatar and Emirates is worthwhile, but I’m not dropping that $$. Delta 200 or United is the quickest way to Africa. Hell, I can stand on one leg for 15 hours.

I’ve flown business class on both United and Qatar, without question Qatar is Way more comfortable and you get Way better service. Having said that, I’m headed back next Friday and I’m doing Economy Plus on United, 10-12k for business class just isn’t worth it, I can take a Buffalo hunt for the difference I’m paying and what business class costs this year.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Delta direct from Atlanta wasn’t terrible with some meds and the right attitude.

 

[Ridge-runner86]

I was told to avoid Europe while flying with guns. I remember it being way cheaper and I did consider it. I ended up flying united straight through. While I was across the pond I ran into another hunter in another camp and heard of the absolute horrors of two day travel and layovers one way and didn’t regret my decision one bit!

 

[Ridge-runner86]

If you are flying with a rifle, go straight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. I just left a Facebook group I'm in, just to see what's being said. It's a group where people from around the world celebrate the death of hunters in Africa. Someone was just killed by an elephant. It's really sick people in there, and several people in that group work for the airlines. Many times when you travel through Europe on "Air France, British Airways, the one from Germany, and even US carriers. They will delay or hide your rifle so you miss 3-4 days of hunting time. Many times, they will also try to crush your rifle case, slam it, throw it, or drop it from somewhere really high, and I've heard that they will run it over with the luggage transport vehicles. It's also shorter when you go through Atlanta on Delta.

Nothing surprises me anymore

 

[WAC62]

I did SYR-ATL-JNB last year without any issues. Long layover in ATL both ways return flight was Memorial Day weekend so ATL was packed. Just made reservations for same trip June 2026 to Namibia.