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Military Travel Benefits – Space Available Update

March 12, 2023

There’s good news for military hoppers: Space Available flights are back. The pandemic prohibition on passengers has ended.

There are still certain measures to meet before you attempt to hop a MAC flight, however. Learn more in our updated guide to Space-Available travel.

Space Available Travel Reinstated

AMC announced all passenger restrictions are now lifted as of April 22, 2022. Anyone qualified for Space-A travel can once again apply for passenger status.

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Current COVID Restrictions on Space-A

Certain COVID guidelines still apply. AMC continues to mandate masks and full vaccinations for passengers.

Passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 test for U.S. entry, and other situations as outlined on AMC’s travel page. Limited exemptions apply only to emergency or redeployment travel.

COVID tests must also be within 3 days or less prior to departure. On-site testing is not always available. Passengers may have to secure their digital or physical proof of testing before arrival at their terminal.

What Is Space-A?

Flying Space-A refers to hitching a ride on MAC (Military Airlift Command) flights. MAC flights fly CONUS or OCONUS to assigned destinations on military missions.

Anyone who meets eligibility requirements can sign up to “hop” along on these flights. Military hops are generally free, or at very little cost compared to commercial flights.

Who Can Fly With Space-A?

Like all military benefits, there are certain eligibility requirements. Space-A travel is available to:

  • Uniformed service members
  • Military dependents (subject to certain qualifiers)
  • DoD Civilian employees on official orders or emergency leave
  • Reservist and National Guard members
  • Retirees
  • Veterans with 100% permanent service-connected disability rating

Other limited Space-A availability can apply to additional DoD-connected functions. Examples include entertainers, students, and contractors. Passenger hopefuls can check current DoD Instruction 4515.13 to see if they qualify.

Space-A Travel Catagories

It’s important to understand Space-A travel categories before attempting a hop. Passengers selected for a flight can be bumped last minute by higher priority passengers, such as Wounded Warriors or their family members.  

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The current categories are as follows:

  • Category I: Emergency Leave 
  • Category II: Accompanied EML
  • Category III: Ordinary Leave, Relatives, House Hunting Permissive TDY/TAD, MoH, and Foreign Military
  • Category IV: Unaccompanied EML
  • Category V: Permissive TDY (non-house hunting), Students, Dependents, PDMRA, and others
  • Category VI: Retired, Dependents, Reserve and ROTC, NUPOC Candidates, CEC, Qualified Vets and Surviving Spouses, IDT or Annual Training status 

Finances, work schedules, reservations, and other outside factors are not considered. It is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure they have the time and funds needed for travel. 

Space-A Schedules

AMC doesn’t directly manage airport schedules. Passengers must sign up at the applicable terminal gateway page.

There are also no guarantees for space available schedules. This includes takeoff times, passenger status, or arrival.

Flights can even take off but turn around to go back if required. Missions, safety, and other factors are always higher priority than passenger travel.

Flying Space-A to Your Destinations and Getaways 

Space available travel is an amazing benefit for military members and their families. It can help them fly during last-minute emergencies. Or it can help them travel the world without spending thousands on plane tickets. 

Passengers must stay current on rules and restrictions while using military hops. But a little flexibility will help you save big.

For more up-to-date information and news about military benefits, check out the latest articles at USMilitary.org.

This article originally appeared on USMilitary.org and was shared with permission.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Whair says

    December 19, 2022 at 11:57 am

    I am a 90% service connected veteran my wife nor have Received Covid vaccine but have negative results on Covid test. Will We be able to fly space space A flights

  2. Denise says

    September 25, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    Go to your Apps and download this app:
    http://www.take-a-hop.com/app

    Then read, read, read! It has everything you need!
    Enjoy

  3. Suzanne Patton says

    August 28, 2022 at 9:20 am

    I am a widow of a deceased Air Force Pilot.. I have read that widows can be recognized a C=VI. Then I see on this same page. No widows may not fly space A. I have flown several times recently and I notice Military Aircraft are Landing on Civilian Airlines Runways. Would Space A be available on the Civilian runways?

  4. Tony K says

    August 14, 2022 at 10:11 am

    I am a 100% DAV from Viet Nam,and Desert Storm…How do I check scheduled flights on a military hope???

    • Aaron says

      October 9, 2022 at 5:42 pm

      Go to your local base, has to be a air force base

  5. Siti Shaw says

    August 14, 2022 at 9:43 am

    My husband 100% veteran service connected disabled ….he was LTCOL /05 and he passed away tree years ago ….am I qualify for space available flight …,thank you .

    • Caroline says

      September 11, 2022 at 10:53 am

      No. You can only fly accompanied by the sponsor.

  6. Shateka says

    July 1, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    Who’s considered a qualified vet for travel?

    • John says

      July 17, 2022 at 8:51 pm

      I am 100% permanently disabled veteran . Do I qualify.

      • Chad says

        October 9, 2022 at 2:51 pm

        Yes you do.

      • David says

        November 20, 2022 at 12:16 pm

        What about his wife ? Can she fly with him.? If not, his ability to fly space-A is worthless to him and most disabled veterans

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  9. Donna Krohmer says

    June 17, 2022 at 3:31 pm

    I’m a widow of 100percent disabled air national guard retired veteran. How do I get information to travel

    • Pamela PhillipsAPhillipsllips says

      July 2, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      I am a widows a 100 % disable Lt. Co?Ander of the Navy who passed from Agent Orange. Would I qualify?

  10. Rick J Thomas says

    June 17, 2022 at 2:52 pm

    Love the Mac oght starting back

  11. graliontorile says

    June 14, 2022 at 2:51 pm

    Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style. “Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember and be sad.” by Christina Georgina Rossetti.

    • Cheryl D Baardsen says

      June 16, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      In order to use the MAC one needs Covid-19 testing three days prior to travel? I’m not sure I understand this.

      • Raymond Williams says

        September 11, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        I believe you need to have a negative test within 3 days of departure

  12. Charles Slater says

    June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm

    My question can a disable veteran with 100 percent unemployable qualify for military hops

    • John Joseph says

      June 11, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Yes

    • joseph weaver says

      July 17, 2022 at 10:20 am

      what proof document do i need to fly space-A i am 100%unemployable i am 83 years old . ?

  13. RuthAnn Coulombe says

    June 8, 2022 at 6:02 am

    I don’t believe that our government takes care of service connected disabled veterans or disabled veterans enough, especially when it comes to a veteran who may require more help or private pay home care. A veteran should NOT have to leave their home and live out their life in a nursing home because the V.A. only allows a few hours of care a week!

  14. Ralph says

    June 5, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    How do I find out what flights to Europe are regularly scheduled that usually have room for passengers.. I am a 60 % disabled retired O-6 with a wife.

  15. Javier Mery says

    June 3, 2022 at 5:03 pm

    I’m retired national guardsman and my question is CAN I USE SPACE A ALONG WITH MY WIFE ??

    • Alejandro Campos says

      June 10, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Just curious

    • J.C.Snyder says

      June 17, 2022 at 4:51 pm

      I have traveled alone+ with my filipina wife on space A b4 the pandemic- it’s great but be flexible- 4 ex: I got stuck in Gaum ~9 days !!

  16. Mike says

    June 3, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    Who can I contact about flying from the East coast to Europe?

  17. Stephen K. Kalili says

    June 1, 2022 at 10:17 am

    Contact number space A in Honolulu, Hi

  18. Stephen K. Kalili says

    June 1, 2022 at 10:14 am

    contact # travel space A from Honolulu,HI…

  19. zoritoler imol says

    June 1, 2022 at 1:16 am

    I am not very excellent with English but I find this very easy to translate.

  20. Florence Kidd says

    May 27, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    Can a widow of a former Navy sailor ride on a plane?

    • Joe says

      June 3, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      No authority for a widow to SpaceA

    • Steven Parry says

      June 17, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      You damn sure should! Steven P.

  21. Laura George says

    May 26, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    Va gave me a rating of 70% with unemployabilty total and permenat I get paid at 100%. Do I qualify to be able to take a hop?

    • Al Young says

      June 3, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      No must be 100% P&T

  22. Paul says

    May 19, 2022 at 9:36 am

    [email protected]

  23. William Tarver says

    May 6, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    Is an 80% service connected disabled veteran being paid at a 100% eligibility ?

    • Chris Garito says

      October 9, 2022 at 10:32 am

      No you must be 100% P&T

  24. RAYMOND MCGRATH says

    May 6, 2022 at 8:28 am

    can my wife be included in the travel space a rules

  25. William Thomas says

    May 4, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    Are dependents of veterans that are a 100% service connected disabled now allied t accompany a 100% veteran on a space A flight. What are the regs.?

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