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.
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.
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.
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
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
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?
I am a 100% DAV from Viet Nam,and Desert Storm…How do I check scheduled flights on a military hope???
Go to your local base, has to be a air force base
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 .
No. You can only fly accompanied by the sponsor.
Who’s considered a qualified vet for travel?
I am 100% permanently disabled veteran . Do I qualify.
Yes you do.
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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I’m a widow of 100percent disabled air national guard retired veteran. How do I get information to travel
I am a widows a 100 % disable Lt. Co?Ander of the Navy who passed from Agent Orange. Would I qualify?
Love the Mac oght starting back
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.
In order to use the MAC one needs Covid-19 testing three days prior to travel? I’m not sure I understand this.
I believe you need to have a negative test within 3 days of departure
My question can a disable veteran with 100 percent unemployable qualify for military hops
Yes
what proof document do i need to fly space-A i am 100%unemployable i am 83 years old . ?
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!
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.
I’m retired national guardsman and my question is CAN I USE SPACE A ALONG WITH MY WIFE ??
Just curious
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 !!
Who can I contact about flying from the East coast to Europe?
Contact number space A in Honolulu, Hi
contact # travel space A from Honolulu,HI…
I am not very excellent with English but I find this very easy to translate.
Can a widow of a former Navy sailor ride on a plane?
No authority for a widow to SpaceA
You damn sure should! Steven P.
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?
No must be 100% P&T
[email protected]
Is an 80% service connected disabled veteran being paid at a 100% eligibility ?
No you must be 100% P&T
can my wife be included in the travel space a rules
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.?