Military Space-A Travel (Air Force, Navy, reserve, officers)

[AGreekDude]

I've been looking everywhere for discount military airfare. I understand that some airlines will give discounts for certain flights but does anyone know of some great deals on flights? I've even heard that you can fly free on a military plane but never knew where to go to take advantage. Any help would be great.

[ArmyPoohFan317]

If you are a service member you and your family can travel Space A.

Mil Space-A Travel - Online Signup Request
My ex and I used this form and the process was fairly simple. There is also decent info at most military installations.

[Crew Chief]

AGreekDude, my past experience was that "military" fares were usually more expensive than other types of fares available to everybody. Online fare searches nowadays can save you lots of money. I'd check on the "military" dicount as you check into other discount fares.

As for 'Space-A" travel (thanks, ArmyPoohFan317) there are several guides on how to use Space A that you can usually find at the BX/PX or Navy Exchange (NEX?)

I've used Space A a number of times. It can be quite an adventure, can result in some interesting adventures and you MUST have the resources to return to your duty station comercially if your Space A flight cannot get you there on time.

[AGreekDude]

Originally Posted by ArmyPoohFan317

If you are a service member you and your family can travel Space A.

Mil Space-A Travel - Online Signup Request
My ex and I used this form and the process was fairly simple. There is also decent info at most military installations.

Thanks for that site...I was reading the fine print and it seems that I can only use this while on active duty? I'm in the guard and just trying to set up a vacation to Hawaii

And crewcheif i did find that most flights that a civilian can get are about as cheap as you can get.

[Submariner]

Space A is all about priority.

AD Officers [on orders];
AD officers [by rank];
AD enlisted [on orders];
AD enlisted [by rank];
part-time officers on orders;
part-time enlisted on orders;
Retired Officers;
Retired enlisted;

You can 'setup' a flight, be on time, and have your luggage in hand. If 1 minute before boarding someone else shows up, and they are 'above' you in that ranking, then they get that open seat.

If you live near an Air force base, it is great!

They will put your name on a list, and call you an hour before any flight that you qualify to go on. They will send a van to get you and your luggage.

[Crew Chief]

Forest Beekeper, I believe Space-A travel is based on your category and being officer or enlisted makes no difference. I believe the categories are:

- Emergency leave
- travel on official orders
- active duty non-duty
- active duty dependents on EML leave from remote overseas tour
- Retirees

The USAF's Air Mobility Command sets the rules for AMC-controlled flights. The other services may have different rules for non-AMC flights from their own installations.

All categories are based on first sign up-first to fly. Now, it's been awhile since I've looked at the Space-A regs and I believe they've changed some things. Like spouses flying from overseas locations used to have to get off the flight at the first U.S. landing the aircraft makes. I don't believe that's the case now.

AGreekDude, I know Guard/Reserve members can fly Space-A; I'm just not sure what the ins and outs are. Like I said, get one of those Space-A books from the BX/PX or google "Military Space-Available travel. Good luck!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Forest Beekeper, I believe Space-A travel is based on your category and being officer or enlisted makes no difference. I believe the categories are:

- Emergency leave
- travel on official orders
- active duty non-duty
- active duty dependents on EML leave from remote overseas tour
- Retirees

I goofed the categories.

It is by rank though.

Traveling on orders, the highest rank are boarded first, and they go down through the ranks until all seats are taken.

[AGreekDude]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Forest Beekeper, I believe Space-A travel is based on your category and being officer or enlisted makes no difference. I believe the categories are:

- Emergency leave
- travel on official orders
- active duty non-duty
- active duty dependents on EML leave from remote overseas tour
- Retirees

The USAF's Air Mobility Command sets the rules for AMC-controlled flights. The other services may have different rules for non-AMC flights from their own installations.

All categories are based on first sign up-first to fly. Now, it's been awhile since I've looked at the Space-A regs and I believe they've changed some things. Like spouses flying from overseas locations used to have to get off the flight at the first U.S. landing the aircraft makes. I don't believe that's the case now.

AGreekDude, I know Guard/Reserve members can fly Space-A; I'm just not sure what the ins and outs are. Like I said, get one of those Space-A books from the BX/PX or google "Military Space-Available travel. Good luck!

Thanks for all the help guys a free flight would be great.

[alicejb]

AGreekDude, I don't know which branch you're in..but the AF (mine) has ITT or Tickets and Tours--they always have some kind of specials going on whether discounts for theme park tickets (Disneyland, etc) or flight tickets and such. You could try checking out with your MWR (if you're in the other branch) and see if they have something equivalent to ITT.

[thechappells]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I goofed the categories.

It is by rank though.

Traveling on orders, the highest rank are boarded first, and they go down through the ranks until all seats are taken.

that's because of protocol and nothing else. if you are on orders (being the key word) you wouldn't be travelling space-a.

but back to travelling space-a. its a great beni when you can use it. i used it a couple of times, but i also made sure i had enough leave on the books and money in the bank if i couldn't get on (which i did! whew!)