Virgin / South Africa
- Thread starter Jon P
- Start date
With Virgin you are allowed 1 hold bag and 1 free sporting equipment. This means they charge you £65 for the ammo box each way. If you shoot out the ammo or leave it there no charge on the way back. I now only take a hand luggage case and a rucksack so never pay for the ammo as your rifle acts as the hold baggage and the ammo box is the free sporting equipment.
I think you are nearly better buying your ammunition in Jo,burg when you arrive. There’s a big sports store nearby. all the popular calibers will be available. I used to use a Peli 1750 case but the grief of trundling a large case like that around has made me use a 3220. I take the stock off. You are going to rezero on arrival so it’s no real grief.
With Virgin I just said that as it was not my choice to have the ammo packed separately and, in doing so, create an additional bit of luggage it seemed a little unfair to charge for it....it was hardly as if it was excess shoes and handbags etc and they've always been really good and waived the charge.
Obviously done with humour, a smile and hamming up the shoes and handbags bit.
FN
Obviously done with humour, a smile and hamming up the shoes and handbags bit.
FN
It wasn't the Virgin Check in but security staff at Heathrow said the ammo couldn't go in my luggage even though behind the Virgin desk there was a poster saying it could go in my hold luggage, the check in staff apologised for the mix up and waived any extra charge.
My PH had gone through what paperwork SAP's and how to fill it in correctly, he was also there to greet me and go to the police office to pick up my rifle and ammo cases, it went smoothly and cost nothing extra.
My PH had gone through what paperwork SAP's and how to fill it in correctly, he was also there to greet me and go to the police office to pick up my rifle and ammo cases, it went smoothly and cost nothing extra.
Dorsettaff
Well-Known Member
Flew Virgin to Jo'Burg last year in Feb. Easy check in and no charge for rifle and ammo case at Heathrow. Usual phaff with security and customs but went smoothly and collected everything at Police Desk at OT in Jo'Burg.
Make sure you have a few bags of Haribo or chocolates...amazing how a smile and a bag of chocolate makes things run even more smoothly with the SAP.
Used Airlink for internal flight to East London.....That was about £50 for the return trip.
Be careful if you check your bags straight through back to LHR as we had a minor issue with both suitcases being put in my name straight to LHR. When we arrived in Jo'Burg and had to check the rifles through Virgin tried to charge us even though my travelling companion effectively didnt have any bags.
We paid £200 to get the rifles back to UK and then complained to Virgin, advising them of the cock up in East London/Jo'Burg and they kindly refunded the charge.
All in all very impressed with Virgin
Make sure you have a few bags of Haribo or chocolates...amazing how a smile and a bag of chocolate makes things run even more smoothly with the SAP.
Used Airlink for internal flight to East London.....That was about £50 for the return trip.
Be careful if you check your bags straight through back to LHR as we had a minor issue with both suitcases being put in my name straight to LHR. When we arrived in Jo'Burg and had to check the rifles through Virgin tried to charge us even though my travelling companion effectively didnt have any bags.
We paid £200 to get the rifles back to UK and then complained to Virgin, advising them of the cock up in East London/Jo'Burg and they kindly refunded the charge.
All in all very impressed with Virgin
I travelled to JNB from Manchester with Qatar. Baggage allowance is 2 pieces of checked baggage. Economy is 2 x 24kg and business is 2 x 30kg.
No charge for transporting firearms and no charge for the extra ammo case.
Rifles and ammo checked through Doha with the rest of our luggage.
A very comfortable and hassle free trip.
No charge for transporting firearms and no charge for the extra ammo case.
Rifles and ammo checked through Doha with the rest of our luggage.
A very comfortable and hassle free trip.
direct? or now many stops?
Via Doha(one stop). About 2 hour layover on the way back and an hour on the way out.
The total trip from Manchester to Joburg via Doha is about 2 to 3 hours longer than through London. The half way break and leg stretch made up for it. And not paying stupid amounts to BA also off set the layover.
The total trip from Manchester to Joburg via Doha is about 2 to 3 hours longer than through London. The half way break and leg stretch made up for it. And not paying stupid amounts to BA also off set the layover.
that's really useful to know and you were able to book your bags and firearm all the way through?
Yes, booked straight through. The checkin was also very easy and friendly.
I use PHASA in SA to complete all my documentation and to facilitate the SA exit and entry process.
Met at arrivals in Joburg taken through the SAP clearance process (15 minutes from entering the SAP office to walking out the door)and escorted to my vehicle to ensure that I got my rental car and left without hinderance.
Two days prior to my return flight I got a message to arrange the departure meet up.
On arriving at the airport I was taken to the Qatar checkin, the guy then ensured that both my rifles and ammo were checked in correctly and on their way to the correct destination.
Great service!
Cost was $150 to PHASA
I use PHASA in SA to complete all my documentation and to facilitate the SA exit and entry process.
Met at arrivals in Joburg taken through the SAP clearance process (15 minutes from entering the SAP office to walking out the door)and escorted to my vehicle to ensure that I got my rental car and left without hinderance.
Two days prior to my return flight I got a message to arrange the departure meet up.
On arriving at the airport I was taken to the Qatar checkin, the guy then ensured that both my rifles and ammo were checked in correctly and on their way to the correct destination.
Great service!
Cost was $150 to PHASA
Similar threads
Available:
South Africa (Limpopo) October 2026 onwards
