Do you:
Want to fly for FREE;
Don't mind waiting for flights; and
(Seriously, be prepared to wait)?
Then Space A flights might be perfect for you! As you are dead-last on the priority list, it can be a frustrating experience being continually bumped off a flight. As such, it is IMPORTANT that your travel plans be FLEXIBLE!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
DoD is NOT obligated to continue an individual's travel or return the individual to the point of origin or any other point. You should have enough money to pay for commercial transportation, lodging, and other expenses if space-available transportation is not available. All associated expenses are the responsibility of the traveler.
Eligibility
Your eligibility group determines where you may travel to.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Dependents MUST be accompanied by their sponsor.
P&T Veterans and their dependents CAN only fly within the US its territories.
| Group | C-C | O-O | C-O/O-C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "" Dependents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reserve Retiree NOT drawing pay | Yes | No | No |
| "" Dependents | Yes | No | No |
| P&T Veterans | Yes | No | No |
| "" Dependents | Yes | No | No |
| American Samoa Veterans residing in America Samoa | To and from Hawaii for VA hospital care | ||
| Medal of Honor recipients | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "" Dependents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key
| Code | Explaination |
|---|---|
| C-C | CONUS to CONUS |
| O-O | OCONUS to OCONUS |
| C-O | CONUS to OCONUS |
| O-C | OCONUS to CONUS |
How to Fly Space A
Due to DoD giving locations freedom in how they run Space A terminals. There is not an easy 1 method way in getting aboard. As such, it is CRITICAL that you contact your location ahead of time to learn their specific processes and procedures!
That said, there are some standard documents you need to bring with you:
All* travelers MUST have a DoD ID.
Those going to foreign countries need a valid passport.
Depending on the length of your stay in a foreign country, you may need to get a visa as well.
*The only exception are those Veterans living in American Samoa who need to travel to Hawaii for VA medical care. Those Veterans MUST have a letter from the VA indicating they live in American Samoa and must travel to Hawaii to receive hospital care, along with the dates the care will be provided.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Passengers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of their flight.
Helpful Tips
Check out the Base's Terminal Facebook page. They often provide helpful information such as listing upcoming flights.
Have money - Flights get diverted, planes break down, and sometimes you CANNOT get a flight home. While you may not need emergency cash to get back from say Germany if that was your intended location, you may need money to get back from Ireland because a warning light came on in the cabin and somehow you ended up in another country.
Use a close terminal - Checking in every day makes this a royal pain if its longer than a 15 minute drive, especially as you are carrying bags back and forth in hopes of getting on a flight.
Did I say have a flexible travel schedule?
Passengers with Disabilities
When possible, the aircraft crew members will assist those with disabilities boarding and deplaning.
HOWEVER, if the Aircraft Commander OR Chief of the passenger travel section determines that the passenger would represent a unacceptable risk to the safety or health to themselves or other passengers or crew, or if operational necessity, equipment, or manpower limitations preclude accepting a disabled passenger, service animal, or mobility assistance device. They CAN bar the passenger from the flight!
Service Animals
If you have a service animal, you can bring them along.
Do know that service animals are NOT exempt from quarantine procedures. Owners will be responsible for paying for any required boarding, vaccinations, examinations, and other associated costs.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)/Psychiatric Service Animal
You MUST have the proper documentation dated within a year from the date of your flight:
The letter must be on proper letterhead from your licensed mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker) that states:
You have a mental or emotional disability recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.”
You need the emotional support or psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel or for activity at the passenger’s destination.
The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional and the passenger is under their professional care.
The date and type of the mental health professional’s license and the State or other jurisdiction in which it was issued.
Do know that animals are NOT exempt from quarantine procedures. Owners will be responsible for paying for any required boarding, vaccinations, examinations, and other associated costs.
Pregnant Passengers
Pregnant women up to the 34th week of gestation may travel unless medically inadvisable.
Pregnant women beyond the 34th week of gestation may travel if considered medically sound and certified in writing by a responsible medical professional.
Terminal Locations
Where the terminals are found.
United States/Territory Locations
Europe (EUCOM)
| State | Location/Website | Phone Number | Facebook Page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | NSA Bahrain | 011-973-1785-9591/6178 | FB Page | BAHRAINSPACEA@ME.NAVY.MIL |
| Germany | Ramstein AB | 06371-46-4441/4442 | FB Page | 721aps.ramsteinspaceasignup@us.af.mil |
| Germany | Spangdahlem AB | 011-49-6565-61-8866 | FB Page | 726ams.trp@us.af.mil |
| Greece | NSA Souda Bay | 011-30-282102-1275/1383 | FB Page | spaceasoudabay@eu.navy.mil |
| Italy | Aviano AB | 011-039-0434-03-7680 | FB Page | AvianoSpaceA@us.af.mil |
| Italy | NSA Naples | 011-39-81-568-5283/5369 | FB Page | spacea.naples.it@eu.navy.mil |
| Italy | Sigonella NAS | 39-095-86-5576/6725 | FB Page | spaceasiz@eu.navy.mil |
| Portugal | Lajes Field AB | 011-351-295-57-3961/3227 | FB Page | 721APS.OL-A.1@us.af.mil |
| Spain | Rota NAS | 34-95-682-2411 | FB Page | spacearota@eu.navy.mil |
| Turkey | Incirlik AB | 90-322-316-6425/6001 | FB Page | 728AMS.SpaceA.SignUp@us.af.mil |
| United Kingdom | RAF Mildenhall | 01638-54-2248 | FB Page | 727ams.spacea@us.af.mil |
East Asia (PACOM)
| State | Location/Website | Phone Number | Facebook Page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | RAAF Richmond | 011-612-4587-1652 | FB Page | 735amsdet1.richmondausspaceasignup@us.af.mil |
| Diego Garcia | Diego Garcia | 246-370-2795 | FB Page | 730amsdet1.spaceavailable@us.af.mil |
| Japan | Kadena | 011-81-611-734-6487/2159 | FB Page | 733ams.space-available@us.af.mil |
| Japan | MCAS Iwakuni | 011-81-827-79-5509 | FB Page | M_IWKN_SMBIwakuniSpa@usmc.mil |
| Japan | Misawa AB | 011-81-176-77-2370/2371 | FB Page | 35fw.spacea@us.af.mil |
| Japan | NAF Atsugi | 81 467-63-3118 | FB Page | airopsodo@fe.navy.mil |
| Japan | Yokota AB | 011-81-3117-55-7111/5661/5662 | FB Page | 730ams.org@us.af.mil |
| Philippines | Clark AB | 011-63-45-499-8157/8396 | FB Page | 733ams.cabsa@us.af.mil |
| Singapore | Paya Lebar AB | 65-6280-0624 | X | AMCSingapore.PS@us.af.mil |
| South Korea | Kunsan AB | 011-82-063-470-4666 | X | kunsan.SPACEA@us.af.mil |
| South Korea | Osan AB | 011-82-505-784-6883/1854 | FB Page | osanspacea@us.af.mil |
South America (SOUTHCOM)
| Country | Location/Website | Phone Number | Facebook Page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honduras | Soto Cano AB | 011-504-2713-5123x6636/6665 | FB Page | southcom.sotocano.jtfb-asa.list.space-a-scab@mail.mil |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Outside the peak PCS travel and holiday periods: So, February-May and September-November are the times you want to try and hitch a ride.
-
DoD-policy-wise, you are permitted up to 2 checked bags with a maximum weight of 70lbs each. However, motorized mobility devices may NOT weight over 100lbs.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Certain bases/flights CAN have more restrictive weight restrictions!
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If you are flying aboard a military aircraft such as a C-130. You may find the noise to be excessive. While the aircrew should provide you with earpro, it would be a good idea to come prepared with your own just in case.
-
No.
-
Military aircraft can get pretty hot/cold, so come prepared.
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Commercial aircraft that DoD have under contract to transport personnel/equipment.
Thanks
Thanks to u/TSSki for their helpful tips on using Space A.