How to Fly Free with Military Space-A Flights Ultimate Guide
You want to fly free with military flights but all the information is either overwhelming or scattered all over the place? I created this guide for you so that you’re able to take your first flight with confidence. Let’s take the stress out of it so you can use those military benefits to travel the world.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility.
You’ll want to make sure you understand your category placement.
You can take a deeper dive into your specific category here.
Step 2: Find the passenger terminals you’re willing to fly from
You’ll want to start monitoring for your upcoming trip through the Passenger Terminal Directory.
The interactive map attached to this Guide has all the locations listed in the Directory here with information & links to each terminal to make it easier for you. Linked below is also another place to find the information as explained in the video. Here’s the link to the Passenger Terminal
Step 3: Send your Space-A sign up e-mail or form
Keep a copy of this. It expires after 60 days. I recommend e-mailing, over using their online sign-up but I’ll link both below so you can make the decision to do what’s best for you.
Click Here for the Automated Sign-Up form.
Click Here for the Manual Sign-up Form.
Step 4: Watch for flight patterns with the flight route you’re hoping to catch
From here you’ll start watching for flights. East coast easily continues to East locations like Europe where as West Coast generally goes west to Hawaii & Japan. You’ll want to see what passenger terminals are going the direction most frequently you want to go to & then start planning your trip.
Here’s how it works:
You’re catching a flight that is available by space. Don’t ever expect to catch flights with 100% certainty. Depending on routes though it may be easier to gauge what flights go where within a certain timeframe. Here are just a small few examples of flights our family have been able to catch by watching & planning on routes:
- San Antonio, Texas to Ramstein, Germany
- Fairchild, California to Ouahu, Hawaii
- Mildenhall United Kingdom to Baltimore
Two Methods to flying Space-A
You’ll either fly regular cargo military flights or you’ll fly through the Patriot Express. Both are great options that come with their own set of Pros & Cons
Main Space-A Cargo Planes
When flying on the Cargo Planes you’ll most likely be flying on a C5 or C17 and sometimes even the C130. There’s also rare occasions when you may be put onto a different aircraft. I think the mystery can be somewhat fun.
Where to find these flights:
The flights are released 72 hours in advance and will be located on the Passenger Terminals website. Each Passenger Terminal is solely responsible for updating their own flight schedule. A more step-by-step process is located below.
Here’s what the inside of a C5 plane looks like:
Here’s what the inside of a C17 plane looks like:
What Does it Cost to Fly via Cargo Plane?
For the most part the military aircraft missions are FREE 🥳. We have gotten to Germany twice completely free by flying there on C-5 missions.
What’s the Meal Service aboard the Flight?
$6 Per boxed lunch. Usually, you’ll get a main course like a sandwich or chicken strips, chips, fruit, something sweet like a multi-grain bar, a bottle of Soda and a bottle of water. Honestly I don’t think they’re bad but they can get old quick if you’re taking several hops. We bring a collapsable bag of extra snacks and a refillable water bottle with us to kind of break up the food on travel days. Check out my video below to see an example of what’s in a Box.
How it works: Once manifested for the flight at the service counter when checking your bags and getting your boarding ticket they will ask for payment. Generally best to have Cash on you in case their card reader isn’t working. Most of the time the major terminals have an ATM. After you board the aircraft, the meals will arrive and usually the flight crew pass them out before takeoff, but sometimes will pass them out shortly after getting into the air.
What to pack for the Flight?
I linked everything for you here on my Amazon Store. I may get a small commission if you purchase anything at no cost to you. There’s no pressure to purchase anything just use it as a guide to mash up things you already have in your home for the trip. These are all items I have or personally use & love.
On the flight you’ll be required to wear closed toed shoes and sometimes these flights can get cold so a light blanket or jacket may help you be more comfortable.
Patriot Express
When flying the PE you’re going on a fancier commercial plane. These are chartered flights that the military pays for. Mostly the mission for these flights are to help PCSing families be able to PCS easier than going the traditional route through a major airline. More information can be found in the Patriot Express brochure linked below.
Where to find these types of Flights:
These are posted generally at the beginning of each month and will be located on the 30 Day Flight Schedule and will be located on the Passenger Terminals website. Each Passenger Terminal is solely responsible for updating their own flight schedule. A more step-by-step process is located below.
What does it Cost?
International Head Tax Fee: $19.70
Domestic Tax Fee to and from Alaska and Hawaii: $9.90
Domestic Segment Travel within CONUS Tax Fee: $4.50
Federal Inspection and Customs Usage Fees (FIS): $16.95
The cost is based on where you’re flying to and from. If going from Europe back to the United States it’ll cost you $36.65 Per Person (FIS $16.95 + International Head Tax Fee $19.70). When we flew internationally a few months ago from Travis Air Force Base (California) to Germany we were on a military mission flight. It was free. Coming home we flew from the United Kingdom to BWI. Then took a military plane from the East Coast back to Travis. Total Round Trip our flight costs for our family of 4 was $146.60
What’s the Meal Service?
You get whatever the airline has planned for the inflight meal. This does not cost anything extra, it’s included.
Pros of Flying Patriot Express
Generally these flights are a little more reliable so you can plan better for a super cheap flight utilizing it. You get inflight entertainment, better meals and the seats are generally more comfortable than the C-17’s & C-130’s.
Cons of Flying Patriot Express
They’re assigned seating. If you get put in Economy it’s going to be like flying commercial. Younger kids & animals are on these flights with parents who are overwhelmed. These flights have a longer Roll Call Period of waiting around an additional 1-2 hours before leaving on top of the 2-3 hours it usually takes after Roll Call. You’re paying the Head Tax.
Patriot Express Brochure
Tips & Things to Know:
Passenger Terminal Travel Grams
A lot of the Passenger Terminals have something called a Travel Gram. If you’re headed to a location where you may not have Data Coverage consider downloading this ahead of time. If a terminal has one it’ll be located on each location here in the interactive map or you can get it by going to the passenger directory and looking up the specific terminal.
Parking
Most Terminals have a 30 day rule where you can leave your vehicle parked on base in a designated parking lot. If you need longterm parking try to get that figured out ahead of time. You’ll want to check the Passenger Terminals rules on leaving your vehicle so that there’s no surprises the day you’re trying to fly out.
Baggage
Each Person is allowed two pieces of luggage up to 70 pounds and 62 linear (length+width+height) inches each. Plus one, 45-linear inch, hand-carried item, e.g. small suitcase, garment bag, backpack. This item must fit under the seat or in available overhead compartments in the cabin area. You’re also allowed, One hand-carried, personal item, e.g. cosmetic case, purse, briefcase. Anything carryon plays by TSA rules. You can also “pool” luggage meaning per family if there’s 3 people you’ll have up to 6 checked items allowed.
Simply put: Each person can have 2 checked bags, 1 carryon and 1 personal item.
Traveling with Kids
A lot of the main Passenger Terminals have family lounges. Some include Toys for kids, a private Nursery, Refrigerator, Restrooms, and Playgrounds. We really think this is a huge plus to flying SpaceA especially with kids.
Children over the age of 11 will need to have their military ID with them from DEERS. Children younger can fly with a passport or birth certificate. It’s always best to have their Benefits ID Number on you (can get this easy through MilConnect).
Traveling with Pets
We don’t have pets nor have we ever flown with them ourselves, but we have seen a ton of families do it. Here’s more information linked HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of all the FAQ’s that get asked with the Answers. If you have any that aren’t on this list or that weren’t answered in this Guide, feel free to message me on Instagram @SaltyVagabonds. Here’s the FAQ’s on the AMC Website for more.
Can Veterans Fly on Space A flights and if so where and who can I bring?
Yes! But it depends on what type of veteran you are. To put it the most simple way… if you have a USID card that has “100% American Disabled Veteran” designation on it then you can take flights. You can bring your dependents but they must be in possession of their own ID card as well associating them with you. If they are under the age of 11 you can go to the ID office nearest you to have them print their eligibility for you to bring with you to the terminal. (Reference 45.15.13 Air Transportation Eligibility page 6).
Where Can Veterans Travel on Space A Flights?
Authorized veterans and their dependents (when accompanied by their sponsor) traveling in the CONUS or directly between the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa (Guam and American Samoa travelers may transit Hawaii or Alaska); or traveling within Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands (Reference 45.15.13 Air Transportation Eligibility page 46)
Im a Surviving Spouse, can I fly on Space A flights?
Yes! Surviving spouses of Service members who died while on active duty, inactive duty training, or annual training status as well as retired military members, and their accompanying dependents, must have a DoD USID and privilege card. Dependents who are under the age of 14 must possess a Federal-, State-, local-, or tribal government-issued identification.
Where can Surviving Spouses travel using SpaceA Flights?
You can fly on CONUS to CONUS flights. Reference 45.15.13 Air Transportation Eligibility page 36 & 46 for eligibility specific to your situation.
Interactive Passenger Terminal Directory
Each Location here on the Map is a Passenger Terminal. Included is the information for each one so that it’s easier to visually plan your trip. I manually input every single one of these and as I get more information on each location I will update this guide to include that. You can currently access it for free HERE. Download the app to have it handy to reference while you travel. Enjoy.
Here’s a video on how it works:
