Thread: Flying with Firearms with Qatar Airways

Not sure where to post this but has anyone flowen with Qatar airways with rifles? They offer the best price/route to our destination but wondering if they or Emirates would be the better option when traveling with fieramrs.

Cheers in advance

@30.06king

@3hundred win mag @7mmwsm

Not Qatar but I have flown Emirates several times. Their system works really well and I've had no hiccups. Would use them again anytime.
Happy to chat about it @3hundred win mag if you want to PM me.

Unless is a gold ak i dont think they will carry it

What does quatar air themselves say? i.e. hotline etc?

Originally Posted by STC

What does quatar air themselves say? i.e. hotline etc?

I'm sure Qatar's website will have info on travelling with firearms and procedures to follow. I have never read the info.
Only from what I've read online of others taking firearms on Qater it seems more of a lottery compared to Emirates.
Not judging one or the other but Qatar's system seems not as streamlined or user friendly. Take that for what's it's worth.
If travel and tickets are being booked with a travel agent would suggest asking for their advice. Good agents will have the inside intel.

Thanks for the replies. Qatar's website says they are ok with sporting fieramrs, was just after some real world experience with them. Will compare flights with Emirates and go from there. Will also flick you a message @30.06king. cheers

Hi. So having quite a bite of experience with both of them now , I would now fly emirate rather than Qatar with my guns . Qatar is still good though, it is just that their process system and the inexperience of the staff ( or sub security contractors at the end of certain routes ) is a bit of a pain in the butt.

First thing , is make sure that your destination airport does accept firearms. That is in no way Qatar ‘s or Emirates fault but February last year, Manchester security airport decided to stop processing any guns at departure or arrivals. I know of at least two people who had to change their plans , including flying with out their gun for one of them.

Next, fill the form from the airline and supply all necessary documents at least 4 weeks in advance if I remember well. That is where Qatar can be a pain and emirate system is better . Don’t forget also to apply for your re import permit on the nz side when you come back at least 1 month and 1/2 in advance.
Last time with Qatar I had to pay extra for the couple of kg I had too much as with emirate it was never an issue.

I know that with Qatar , you can do a stop over of several days and they will keep your gun safely at the airport in Doha but you must plan for a small luggage containing your ammo separately to stay at the airport as well. While you have your main luggage with you when you exit for your stop over . A mate of mine who hunt in Africa every year now only fly with them for that reason.

I m not sure if emirates (dubai) offers that option but it might be possible. Just be prepared to spend a bit of time on the phone till you have spoken to the proper person to have your answer.

Again , all the info I have just given you might have changed since.
Make sure you keep all your paper work tidy, have spare a4 paper sheet with your name , address of destination ,flight number and date of travel with some extra plastic sleeve and sticky black tape that you can stick to your case for each flight . An extra set of padlocks can be useful. And if you travel with ammo , it has to be locked in a small case and be less than 5 kg.

Good luck . Where are you flying too if it is not indiscreet?

Thanks for the reply @Friwi, all very useful info. Heading off to Kazakhstan in September to chase Maral and Ibex

Originally Posted by 3hundred win mag

Thanks for the reply @Friwi, all very useful info. Heading off to Kazakhstan in September to chase Maral and Ibex

@3hundred win mag
You know how to make a guy jealous . Best of luck on your hunt and hope to catch up for a report when you return.
Cheers

Originally Posted by 30.06king

@3hundred win mag
You know how to make a guy jealous . Best of luck on your hunt and hope to catch up for a report when you return.
Cheers

Anything that ends with ".....stan" scares the crap out of me.
But the Maral and Ibex sound exciting.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Anything that ends with ".....stan" scares the crap out of me.
..

Yeh, you could run into Borat

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Anything that ends with ".....stan" scares the crap out of me.
But the Maral and Ibex sound exciting.

A certain amount of due diligence is sensible and probably not stupid to accept with their history of occasional volatility that things could unexpectedly go pear shaped in a heartbeat. Choosing a reputable outfitter is important. You want both certainty of hunting in a good area for what you seek plus being kept clear of any zones where trouble could erupt. I haven't hunted any "stans", only Turkiye where at least one member of the hunt team was with me at all times except when back at the hotel. But out and about I felt 100% safe. Throughout that part of the world the culture is generally one of friendliness and courtesy and if you behave that way without loudly proclaiming Western values you can expect to be welcomed.
It's wise to remember Islam is the predominant religion and behave accordingly.

Yes, the hunting is awesome.

@Friwi When travelling with Qatar/Emirates did you book an extra bag for your firearms? Or can you split your baggage allowance between normal luggage and your firearm?

you can spit your allowance for the class you fly in. ( if you have 32kg of total luggage, you can have say 20kg of bag and 12kg in your case with the rifle )
But any excess weight you need to buy online in advance , at least for Qatar . Emirates were more tolerant and closed their eyes on the excess weight. But I have not flown them for 4 years so I m not sure how they are like now.