Qatar Airlines experience

[KyleS]

Their policy on travel with firearms says they allow them for hunting or sporting purposes. Does anyone have any experience flying with them?

 

[Beretta391]

The wife and I flew Dfw-Doha-Windhoek last year with firearms . No problems at all. They were very nice. We were supposed to leave in 2 weeks for Dfw-Doha-Johannesburg. Flight was cancelled and Qatar refunded our money. Now we are scheduled for 2021!!

 

[JKS]

They require advanced notice of number of firearms and weight of ammunition, as I've been informed. I'll be flying with them in July of 2021.

 

[Areaonereal]

Yes, very cooperative and easy to deal with traveling with firearms.

 

[trunctj]

My wife and I flew them to J'burg (got a great deal on business class tickets and splurged). Service was great, and they were helpful at departure (from Philly) getting my bow/arrows with broadheads into South Africa (apparently an agent in Philly thought they would be confiscated upon entry into S.A.).
We booked our flights so as to have a 1 day layover in Doha. That was quite an eye opener. Going to Old Market (Souq Waqif) was a scene out of Casablanca, although the wealthy women (in their burkas) were arriving in Mercedes, clutching their Louis Vuitton purses and Apple IPhones. Quite a dichotomy.

I wouldn't hesitate flying Qatar Airlines.

 

[Tgood1]

flew with qatar to johannesburg in 2016. excellent flight and service. no issues with firearms.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Their policy on travel with firearms says they allow them for hunting or sporting purposes. Does anyone have any experience flying with them?

I've flown on both Qatar and Emirates. Both very easy to work with, as noted advanced notice required for firearms. I would fly either airline again, but I did have what I considered a somewhat better experience with Emirates at the airports, particularly on departure from the U.S. Qatar usually looks to be a bit cheaper, but read carefully how many checked bags are allowed for the flight cost you're looking at. You don't want that surprise that you are over your baggage limit at the airport I promise you.

 

[Mort Hill]

Very gun friendly. Particular as has been stated, but very attentive to insuring guns are inspected, safe, and at destination when you arrive. In fact, as I stated in other threads, and I have flown with them four times hunting, they collected my gun case and all other luggage when I returned to states, and escorted me through customs and to checkin counter for final leg home stateside. They actually said they had to carry the gun case to the counter. Great folks to deal with and will be flying again with them in 2021.

 

[Areaonereal]

I had a young lady insist that she was the only one to carry my firearm thru customs in Chicago on my way back from SA last year...she was there before us and retrieved my firearm off the carousel.

 

[MarkCZ]

I will be using them in 2021 to fly to Namibia depending on plague status.
Markcz

 

[BWH]

If/when I go back.... I think I will use them out of DFW. Unless something changes significantly. I’ve done Delta, Emirates & British Airways. Like to give them a try.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Using them June 2021 Houston to Johannesburg. Business class. Only a 4.5 hour layover going and 2.5 coming back. Got a good deal on flights earlier this year

 

[tyson426]

This is a very informative thread. I'm seriously considering qatar air for Namibia 2021. Slightly off topic but I was wondering if anyone has used the Oryx Hotel in the airport for the layover? I'd be traveling with my wife and 2 kids, so I think the trip might be better if we spent the 9 hours in that hotel. Thanks in advance!

 

[Philip Glass]

This is a very informative thread. I'm seriously considering qatar air for Namibia 2021. Slightly off topic but I was wondering if anyone has used the Oryx Hotel in the airport for the layover? I'd be traveling with my wife and 2 kids, so I think the trip might be better if we spent the 9 hours in that hotel. Thanks in advance!

Interested as well. It’s such a long flight compared to Delta, so getting others thoughts is good.

 

[SafariA]

We did Oryx 2 weeks ago was great. Overall you will not.mame a mistake using Qatar. We had great service all round ....I can see why they have been best airline in the world 5 times including 2019.

They are about the only airline that never stopped flying with these lockdowns.

Their pricing cannot be beat currently with a lot of the repatriation flights happening.

We obviously flew one way got tickets for $615 from LAX to JNB . I have assited some others one way for.as low as $495 from Boston..

They are strict on hand lugguage and limit to 15 lbs including a laptop. You can up your checked bag with 20 lbs for $50 currently. Can do this on both.

The Oryx hotel was very convenient but not cheap. It is beyond security. We paid $242 for a King room . Google to find best price. You can also add lounges straight on your booking. $50 for 6 hrs with showers snacks and resting place.

Happy Hunting !à

This is a very informative thread. I'm seriously considering qatar air for Namibia 2021. Slightly off topic but I was wondering if anyone has used the Oryx Hotel in the airport for the layover? I'd be traveling with my wife and 2 kids, so I think the trip might be better if we spent the 9 hours in that hotel. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rare Breed]

Wow! I had to pay $2100 or Delta premium class which gives me a nice bulk head seat and is only 15 hours direct and back. My hunt is this April. I had found a Quatar flight round trip with stops for $850 coach. This will be my second safari to Africa and 15 hours on my rear is about my maximum. More about rear end wear than money. Lol

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

One of the reasons I chose Qatar over Delta for 2021 trip is Qatar lands in Johannesburg at 4:30. That basically gives me an extra day in camp to unpack, check rifles and get rested before hunt starts.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Flew Qatar in Feb 2020 $715 RT from Houston to JBG. As above got in at 430 am got to Limpopo ranch by 930 had a full day to sight in and evening hunt. Just along flight no matter how you carve it up but have to pay to play. No issues but did not pack a rifle used the PHs 375, made travel easy.

 

[rookhawk]

I'd be damned careful using Qatar airlines for a safari with guns. For whatever geopolitical reasons, things are not good between Saudi and Qatar right now and haven't been for awhile. The US is taking Saudi's side on the politics. The past two US administrations have been messing with the Qatari government and may continue to do so.

The two arab carriers that are world-class and that are in favored status as carriers with the US because they are favored nations with US diplomacy are Emirates and Etihad. They by coincidence are also 2 of the top 3-5 airlines in the world for overall quality.

 

[wesheltonj]

Etihad stopped flying from DFW before COVID. Rumor was Emirates was going to take them over before Covid.