Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Dakar to Paris: Layover in Algiers or Tripoli?

by Grant Martin (RSS feed) on Apr 24th 2009 at 1:30PM

You think that you know things about airlines until you start searching for flights in and out of African. There, the old knowns of KLM and British Airways go out the window and replacements like Afriqiyah Airways and Air Algerie come into play, carriers that many never knew existed.

The current itinerary on which I'm working involves a one way flight between Dakar and Paris, a three thousand mile trip over the Sahara Desert, Mediterranean Ocean and Southern France. With a connection.

Where is that connection you ask? Depends on the airline. Of the above two airlines, one (I'm sure you can guess which) involves a four hour layover in Algeria's capital, Algiers, in the Houari Boumediene airport. The other offers a similar stay in Tripoli, the capital of Libya.

The most comedic part of the operation in the the fare codes. Typical local carriers have complex fare codes like QE07A0NA to dictate the rules and routes of a flight. On Afriqiyah Airways? My fare basis (copied above) would be "BLOW."

Whatever. The real question is whether I should fly through Algiers or Tripoli. Technically it would be interesting to spend a day or two exploring the cities on my layover (if that's possible,) but North African nations aren't the most welcome place for Americans -- and could I go to a country that bans alcohol? I would have to bring a book or something.

So where would you go?

Filed under: Africa, Europe, Algeria, Libya, Transportation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Moody75 Apr 25th 2009 12:25AM

Before you book on Afriquiya you should know several things:
1) Getting a visa for Libya will be very, very difficult, so you will most likely be stuck in the airport
2) Do some google searches, there are many stories of the nightmare 24hour and 48hour stuck in Tripoli airport on the original "4 hour layovers". Keep in mind that Tripoli airport rolls up the sidewalk around 8pm every night so at very least bring a snack.
3) Afriquiya uses new planes on their Tripoli to Europe routes. The same can not be said for their Tripoli to Africa routes.

Lilia Apr 25th 2009 5:30AM

Definitely Algiers! The reason? Well, I'm Algerian and got to tell you: you're 100% wrong on the assumption that "North African nations aren't the most welcome place for Americans -- and could I go to a country that bans alcohol?":

1st: North Africans, like Arabs in general, are well-known for their hospitality, regardless of the nationality of their 'gust'

2nd: while alcohol is prohibited in Islam, it is, unfortunately, widely available in all of North Africa, including Algeria.

My advice: put ALL your stereotypes about us aside before coming here; you'll be surprised.

Lilia
Algiers, Algeria

Lilia Apr 25th 2009 5:52AM

Of course I meant 'guest' and not 'gust'.

Jeff White Apr 25th 2009 10:00AM

Tripoli's gonna be hard. I'd check the entry requirements for US residents....Libya doesn't grant that many visas to Americans (assuming you're planning on actually leaving the airport).

nzm Apr 25th 2009 3:27PM

Just recently, Libya also demanded that visitors also have an arabic translation of their passport details. Without this translation you will not be allowed to enter. Most tourists are only allowed in if they are going on an organised tour and they have a letter of invitation from their tour company.

Read:
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Libya/Visa
http://www.libyaonline.com/business/pages.php?cid=298
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/apr/19/short-breaks-libya?page=all

Abderrahmane Apr 28th 2009 3:47AM

Hi,

As an Algerian, surely I would say why not Algiers ?

But let me just give one reason, the geographical situation of the country.

As for the life, may be you'll find the country one of the warmest for the foreigners.
and if you do so, surely you might plan a special visit to the country (second in Africa by surface).

You are free to choose....

So long....