Lufthansa vs. United or Delta?

[Nosler guy]

I didn’t get the temporary German import permit for my rifle though I know many have. Had our flights been disrupted necessitating leaving the airport for a hotel, that permit would have been critical as I understand it.

This is a very good piece of advice, even if you are using a bona fide hunting travel and guns agency.

Both times that I flew Lufthansa, I was assured (and I double and triple checked) that my luggage and firearms were checked right thru to Windhoek. Half way across the Atlantic, they changed the terminals, and announced that everyone would have to claim baggage and transfer terminals, and recheck bags. Talk about a headache with the German authorities, very unreasonable and impractical and the Lufthsansa people were absolutely no help whatsoever.

 

[wesheltonj]

You have lots of choices to pick from. Discover Air does have a direct flight from Frankfurt, which avoids JNB. As you are not flying with firearms, you have several EU and Gulf carriers to choose from, but they all go into JNB. Frankly, I try to avoid US carriers when traveling Long Haul. The EU and Gulf Carrier FA are not as old, overweight and grumpy as US carriers. Although I've been on some BA flights where I thought the FA's were on loan from AA.

 

[Doug3006]

I’ve flown each of them to Africa at one time or another. Of the non-middle eastern carriers, Lufthansa is my favorite. There’s a direct flight 6 days a week from my home town, St. Louis, to Frankfurt. Then Frankfurt to Windhoek. Super convenient. Frankfurt isn’t much of a tourist destination. There is a nice natural history museum downtown.

My one trip on United from Newark to Johannesburg was actually quite nice with no surprises. However, Newark airport sucks…plus flying United has a bit of a Vegas aspect. You’re gambling that the flight leaves and arrives somewhere near the scheduled times. If not, you’ll be hostage to the single worst customer service in the modern world.

Delta just plain sucks. Old equipment, Atlanta Hartsfield and crew that flew with Orville and Wilber.

 

[DAK]

This is a very good piece of advice, even if you are using a bona fide hunting travel and guns agency.

Both times that I flew Lufthansa, I was assured (and I double and triple checked) that my luggage and firearms were checked right thru to Windhoek. Half way across the Atlantic, they changed the terminals, and announced that everyone would have to claim baggage and transfer terminals, and recheck bags. Talk about a headache with the German authorities, very unreasonable and impractical and the Lufthsansa people were absolutely no help whatsoever.

What a nightmare man. How did you get it sorted out?

 

[Hutch01]

I’ve flown that route on Lufthansa three times hunting Namibia with Phil Hennings at Khomas Highlands. During one layover, I toured Wiesbaden with a nice lady who also worked as an aide to the Frankfurt mayor. She was extremely knowledgeable.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I can relate to the Delta cabin crew resembling escapees from the retirement home. Flying international on any airline from other countries is a refreshing experience. Better service, better food, better. Looking at Lufthansa shows that I can get options from Dulles, O'Hare, Atlanta and Newark to Frankfurt but none of those locations are exactly gun friendly and I would want to bring my own rifles.

Am working on a plan to hunt Namibia in the Northeast near Etosha and would Love to find an alternative to Delta. I found one Lufthansa flight out of Denver but since I am in KY, that is a bit out of my way. Will need to research this further. If you have flown thru Frankfurt with rifles what were your experiences? I get the temp rifle import permit to Germany. Makes sense.