Flight FAQs

Can I book my flights through Moonlighttoursexpedition?

Yes, Moonlighttoursexpedition can organize all your flights into and around Africa. Please bear in mind that we only sell flights in conjunction with our holiday packages - we do not sell flights as stand-alone bookings.

What are the weight restrictions when flying to Africa?

Weight restrictions vary between airlines and points of departure but here are some approximate figures for your check in luggage - ensure you double check before you fly.

If you're flying to Africa from Europe, Asia or Australia then you'll need to keep your luggage weight (excluding hand luggage) under 20kg for Economy Class, 30kg for Business Class and 40kg for First Class.

If you're flying from the USA, you are allowed one piece of luggage weighing no more than 23kg or two pieces (each weighing under 23kg) if travelling Business Class.

Remember that when travelling in Africa your luggage should weigh no more than 20kg in Economy and 30kg in Business Class

What about weight restrictions on charter flights around Africa?

Weight restrictions on charter flights vary between operators but passengers are usually restricted to a single, soft-sided bag weighing a maximum of 15kg.

Check with your Moonlight Tours Expedition African Safari Expert to confirm the weight restrictions on your particular charter flight.

Can I fly direct to Cape Town or do I have to go via Johannesburg?

If you are flying on British Airways, Lufthansa or KLM from London, Frankfurt (seasonal) or Amsterdam you can fly direct to Cape Town.

There are no direct flights from the USA to Cape Town; you will need to fly via Johannesburg. The same applies to flights from Perth and Sydney in Australia. Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Canada to South Africa - all flights go via Europe or the USA.

Most flights from other African countries fly to Johannesburg except for limited flights from Mauritius and Namibia that fly direct to Cape Town.

Which major airlines fly to East Africa?

Thanks to alliances between the major airlines, it is now possible to fly from almost anywhere in the world to Nairobi (Kenya) as well as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar (all Tanzania). The airlines with the most regular flight schedules to these destinations are British Airways, KLM, Kenya Airways and Emirates.

British Airways flies direct from London to Nairobi.

Kenya Airways flies direct from London and Amsterdam to Nairobi, and direct from London to Mombasa.

KLM flies direct from Amsterdam to Nairobi and Kilimanjaro.

There are no direct flights to East Africa from the USA, Canada or Australia. American flights go via Europe, Dubai or Johannesburg, Canadian flights via the USA or Europe, while flights from Australia usually fly to East Africa via the Far East or Middle East.

How many times a week do these flights leave?

Flight schedules are available on the internet but should be used as a guideline only: airlines often change these schedules without prior notice or any financial obligation.

Moonlighttoursexpedition's flights team will check flight routes for you and advise you on the best flight times for your holiday itinerary.

How will I receive my ticket?

On confirmation, we will include a copy of your electronic ticket in your itinerary and documentation, all of which will be e-mailed to you.

You can also access your electronic ticket on-line using a reference number that we will provide.

How will I pay?

You can pay for all flights booked through Moonlighttoursexpedition by using our secure online payment system.

Can I reserve a particular seat?

Yes, we can make a request to the airline on your behalf and this will be catered to if possible. It is important to remember that airlines do not guarantee seating and that emergency exit seats are only allocated on the day of departure at the airport. Some airlines only permit advanced seating by means of a pre-payment which can be done online.

Can I request certain meal types?

Yes, we can notify the airline of your meal preference on your behalf. All meal requests have to be made at least 72 hours prior to departure, although it should be noted that nothing is guaranteed.

Can I request special assistance?

Yes, we can notify the airline of your needs - such as wheelchair assistance - on your behalf. You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire.

What extras might I be required to pay?

All extra payments and taxes are calculated beforehand and included in your ticket price. However, there are certain government levies that can only be paid in cash at the airport - please check with your African Safari Expert.

What are schedule changes?

Schedule changes are changes to flight times made by the airline. Moonlighttoursexpedition will inform you of any changes to your flights booked through us, and will ensure that your itinerary and transfers all connect accordingly.

All scheduled flights booked through Moonlighttoursexpedition can be viewed via the following link: www.checkmytrip.com using the reference number that we provide you with.

Will you help me retrieve lost luggage?

Yes, but lost luggage must be reported immediately to the relevant airline and a reference number obtained. We will need the reference number to follow up on your behalf.

Do I need to reconfirm my flights?

No, if you have booked your flights through Moonlighttoursexpedition our flight department will do this on your behalf. However, some confirmations come through after office hours so it is always advisable to have your concierge check with weekend or public holiday departures.

Can I use my air miles to get a free ticket?

Airlines allocate only a small number of seats for air mile tickets on each flight so it helps to be flexible with your travel dates. However, you will still be liable for the airport taxes which usually comprise a large proportion of the overall ticket price, so even with air miles your ticket will not be completely free.

We recommend that you book the best possible fare available to suit your holiday itinerary and then redeem your miles on other merchandise available to you - car rental, accommodation and so on. You will need to arrange your own flight arrangements with the Frequent Flyer program concerned.

Can I use my air miles to upgrade to Business Class?

All airlines require you to purchase a minimum air fare in order to upgrade to Business Class with your air miles. This minimum fare is usually much higher than the cheapest Economy Class fare or seat sale specials you might have initially been offered. This means that you can easily pay three or four times more for your ticket than you expected in order to redeem these miles.

However, once you have purchased this ticket, your upgrade is not guaranteed as airlines only allocate a certain number of seats per flight for upgrading.

We strongly recommend that if you do not have enough miles for a full ticket, you don't use your air miles for a Business Class upgrade. Your flight could end up costing you a lot more than necessary. Should you be happy to incur these costs however, our Flights Experts can help you purchase upgradable tickets.

My passport is still in my maiden surname but I would like to travel under my married surname after our wedding. What do I need to do to make this happen?

The name on your ticket must always match the name on your passport so if you want to travel under your married surname, then you will have to have a passport which matches your married surname. Airlines no longer accept a marriage certificate as proof of the name change. If you are unable to obtain a new passport before you travel, you will have to travel under your maiden surname.