Space-A Travel: Your Ticket to Free (or Nearly Free) Military Flights!

Military personnel have access to some of the best travel perks, and Space-A Travel (Space Available Flights) travel is one of the greatest benefits you don’t want to miss! If you’re not taking advantage of it, you’re missing out on massive savings. Here’s how you can fly for free or nearly free:

• Space-A travel lets you fly on military aircraft when seats are available, which means you’re flying on a “standby” basis. The military uses cargo and transport planes for these flights, so while it’s not the same as flying on a commercial airline, it’s a great option for military members and their families who are looking to travel without spending a lot of money.
• Here is the website to their page: https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Space-Available-Travel-Page/

• Important: Space-A travel is not always available, and flights are not guaranteed. You are flying on a “space-available” basis, so your travel plans should be flexible.

Space-A is available to a range of individuals based on their military status, and there are different priority categories depending on your specific situation.

Here’s a breakdown of the categories:

Category	Description
Category I	Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel: Emergency travel for family emergencies (serious illness, death, or impending death of immediate family). Covers U.S. citizen DoD civilians, American Red Cross employees, and dependents of service members.
Category II	Accompanied EML: Sponsors on environmental and morale leave (EML) with accompanied family members. Includes DoD Dependent School teachers during school holidays.
Category III	Ordinary Leave, Relatives, House Hunting Permissive TDY, MoH Holders & Foreign Military: Ordinary leave, house hunting TDY, dependents of deployed military, and foreign military personnel in leave status.
Category IV	Unaccompanied EML: Dependents of deployed military (over 30 days), unaccompanied family members on EML orders, DoDDS teachers and family members in EML status during summer break.
Category V	Permissive TDY (Non-House Hunting), Students, Dependents, Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence & Others: Includes unaccompanied command-sponsored dependents, students whose sponsor is stationed in Alaska or Hawaii, and military personnel on non-house hunting TDY.
Category VI	Retired, Dependents, Reserve, ROTC, NUPOC, CEC, Veterans w/ Permanent Service-connected Disability & Surviving Spouses: Includes retired military members, dependents of retired military, surviving spouses of deceased service members, and veterans with permanent service-connected disabilities rated as total.

Space-A flights are available to a wide variety of domestic and international destinations. It ultimately depends on what base you travel from. Common routes include:

• Europe
• Hawaii
• Japan
• Guam
• South Korea
• Alaska and more!

Space-A Travel: AMC Terminals

Below is a list of AMC (Air Mobility Command) terminals for CONUS, EUCOM, INDOPACOM, CENTCOM, and SOUTHCOM regions.

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CONUS Terminals

Terminal	Location
Baltimore-Washington Int’l (BWI), MD	Maryland
Dover AFB, DE	Delaware
Fairchild AFB, WA	Washington
Joint Base Andrews, MD	Maryland
Joint Base Charleston, SC	South Carolina
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA	Washington
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ	New Jersey
Little Rock AFB, AR	Arkansas
MacDill AFB, FL	Florida
McConnell AFB, KS	Kansas
NAS Jacksonville, FL	Florida
NS Norfolk, VA	Virginia
Pope Field, NC	North Carolina
Scott AFB, IL	Illinois
Seattle-Tacoma IAP, WA	Washington
Travis AFB, CA	California

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EUCOM Terminals

Terminal	Location
Aviano AB, Italy	Italy
Incirlik AB, Turkey	Turkey
Lajes Field AB, Portugal	Portugal
NAS Rota, Spain	Spain
NAS Sigonella, Italy	Italy
NSA Naples, Italy	Italy
NSA Souda Bay, Crete, Greece	Greece
RAF Mildenhall, UK	United Kingdom
Ramstein AB, Germany	Germany
Spangdahlem AB, Germany	Germany

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INDOPACOM Terminals

Terminal	Location
Andersen AFB, Guam	Guam
Clark AB, Philippines	Philippines
Diego Garcia, UK	United Kingdom
Eielson AFB, AK	Alaska
JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK	Alaska
Kadena AB, Japan	Japan
Kunsan AB, ROK	South Korea
JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI	Hawaii
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan	Japan
Misawa AB, Japan	Japan
NAF Atsugi, Japan	Japan
Osan AB, ROK	South Korea
Paya Lebar AB, Singapore	Singapore
RAAF Richmond, Australia	Australia
Yokota AB, Japan	Japan

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CENTCOM Terminals

Terminal	Location
Kuwait Cargo City Gateway Terminal	Kuwait
Al Udeid Terminal	Qatar
NSA BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN	Bahrain

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SOUTHCOM Terminals

Terminal	Location
Soto Cano AB, Honduras	Honduras
NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba	Cuba

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These terminals are key points of departure for Space-A flights in their respective regions. Depending on where you are stationed or traveling to, you’ll need to check with the appropriate terminal for flight schedules, availability, and eligibility.

Each terminal has its own policies and guidelines for Space-A travel, so it’s important to stay updated on any changes that might affect your travel. Make sure to confirm your eligibility, sign up early, and be flexible with your travel plans!

Booking Space-A travel can be a game changer for military members and their families, offering the chance to fly for free or at minimal cost. Here’s a step-by-step guide to booking your Space-A flight:

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Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before you can book a Space-A flight, ensure you qualify for the program based on your category. Space-A categories include Emergency Leave, Accompanied EML, Ordinary Leave, Unaccompanied EML, and others, with priority given to higher categories (Category I being the highest). You can refer to the Space-A eligibility guidelines to determine your status.

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Step 2: Research Destinations

Once you’ve determined your eligibility, identify your destination. Space-A flights go to various domestic and international locations, but not all flights are available at all times. Popular routes include:

• Europe
• Hawaii
• Japan
• Guam

Check the Air Mobility Command (AMC) website or follow their social media accounts for flight availability and updates.

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Step 3: Sign Up for Space-A

You’ll need to sign up for Space-A at the base where you want to depart. Most bases have a Passenger Service Desk or a Space-A office where you can register in person. Some bases also allow you to sign up online. Be sure to:

• Provide your military ID and documentation (such as orders or leave forms, if applicable).
• Make sure you know your Space-A category (higher categories get priority).
• Sign up early, as some flights may fill up quickly.

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Step 4: Wait for Available Flights

After registering, check flight availability regularly. Some bases provide a Space-A flight schedule online, while others may require you to call or visit in person for updates. Air Mobility Command (AMC) often posts real-time availability on their Facebook pages, so follow them for instant notifications.

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Step 5: Be Flexible

Space-A flights are often on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s crucial to remain flexible with your travel dates and times. You may need to adjust your travel plans depending on the availability of flights, especially if you’re in a lower-priority category.

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Step 6: Confirm Your Seat

When a flight becomes available for your category, you’ll be placed on a standby list. You’ll need to confirm your seat with the Space-A office:

• Arrive early on the day of departure.
• Stay near the gate in case your name is called.
• If you’re traveling with family, ensure their spots are confirmed as well.

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Step 7: Show Up for the Flight

Once you’re confirmed for a flight, be ready to board when instructed. Make sure you have all required documents, including your military ID and any paperwork that confirms your status. If you’re traveling with dependents, make sure their paperwork is also in order.

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Step 8: Enjoy the Flight!

You’ve made it! Space-A flights are often on military cargo or transport planes, which may not have the luxury amenities of commercial airlines, but they get you where you need to go—at little to no cost. Enjoy the ride!

Start booking those trips! Whether it’s a vacation or a mission, these perks make it easier and cheaper to get where you need to go. Comment below your experience!