South African Airlines

[Moonraker68]

I'm about to book a return ticket from Heathrow to Namibia for next June. There's various websites which seem to be offering cheaper flights than SAA itself. Do I need to declare that I'll be taking a firearm and ammunition when I book, or only when I check in? If it's the first, it might be easier to book with SAA by phone even though it will cost more?

 

[EMcC]

So long as the airline accept firearms I have always paid when booking my ticket. In fact Ithink the airline need to know about the firearm in advance anyway to arrange the securety paperwork through the airport.

 

[Bandit]

What Eddie said

 

[XYZ]

I travelled to Namibia last year and have booked my flight again for this year to fly with SAA and was given some sound advice from members here.

I turned up at Heathrow with my firearm and ammunition in two separate locked (obviously) cases and declared them on check in.

My phone calls to the airline were met with misinformation and a sense that the staff didn't really know what they were talking about so the guys here who had made the journey were the best source of information.

I looked for my flights via Skyscanner and various other sources and selected the one that suited me in terms of price and duration, the booking company was Travel Trolley.

SAA don't charge for carrying firearms so take that into consideration, you might pay a little more for the flight but you won't get the excess baggage charge as you might from other airlines so it may work out much the same.

Basically I checked in online, travelled to Heathrow and checked in there.
I made it clear to the staff I had firearms and ammunition to declare so they waved me to a check in desk that was empty and I handed over my suitcase. A supervisor was called at she told the clerk to waive the excess baggage charge because it was sporting firearms.
I double checked that everything would be booked straight through to Windhoek and it would remain in transit in Johannesburg and not have to be imported and exported from SA.

They radioed for someone to come and see to my firearms and I said good bye to my suitcase and waited for about 20 mins for the guy to find me and get my FAC checked and he issued me with a receipt, directed me to go through the security and gave me directions to meet him in the Border Force area which I did.

There they checked my firearm and serial number against my licence and issued me with an export permit. The ammunition was given a cursory glance but the woman had seen I was allowed 600 rounds on my licence so it must be ok.
My rifle and ammunition disappeared, once again I checked that it was booked through to my destination.

On arrival in Windhoek the firearms collection point is just as you exit through to collect your bags. A simple check of serial numbers, export permit and a quick form to fill out and I was issued with an import permit for the duration of my stay.

That's about it. Dead easy and as long as you travel right through with SAA you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[tusker]

Sound advise Adrian. I have flown with SAA 3 times with firearms and never a problem I always book direct with SAA. We are also going to Namibia next June and what I always do is wait till just after Christmas and the price really drops for eg. A year to 10 months prior to flight cost is about £900 wait till after Christmas and you will get it for about £570-£640.
Moonraker, what dates are you flying?
Tusker

 

[XYZ]

I'm flying out on the 30th September and back on the 10th October.
The total price was £818.67 but that may be something to do with the time of year. I was struggling to find a window to get away from work so had to take what was available.

 

[Moonraker68]

Thanks for the replies. I'm flying in June next year.

 

[ljs]

Hi guys SAA always have a sale towards end of year (oct -Nov )seats generally a lot cheaper I always pick mine up then business around £2500 ( I need that bed )

 

[Moonraker68]

Thanks, I'll hold off booking for the moment.

 

[sh1kar]

I'm about to book a return ticket from Heathrow to Namibia for next June. There's various websites which seem to be offering cheaper flights than SAA itself. Do I need to declare that I'll be taking a firearm and ammunition when I book, or only when I check in? If it's the first, it might be easier to book with SAA by phone even though it will cost more?

You'll find this helpful

http://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/

especially to get your paperwork pre sorted and met by them on arrival and whisk you past the queues of other guys filling in paper on arrival I seem to recall it was c $60 when I last used them about 10 years ago

S

 

[tusker]

You'll find this helpful

http://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/

especially to get your paperwork pre sorted and met by them on arrival and whisk you past the queues of other guys filling in paper on arrival I seem to recall it was c $60 when I last used them about 10 years ago

S

He wont need this as he is going to Namibia, so just check everything straight through when checking in at Heathrow. When you get to Namibia it is just a 2 minute check and on you go.
One of the main reasons I no longer hunt in S.A.
Tusker

 

[sh1kar]

Ahh yes. Misled by SAA
S

 

[tusker]

Heads up chaps, SAA are having a sale, Heathrow- Windhoek return next June coming in at about £640.
Tusker

 

[Moonraker68]

Thanks for that, I'll have a look.