Navigating Space-A Travel: Essential Information for Military Flights

For those in the U.S. military community, Space-Available (Space-A) travel offers a fantastic opportunity for affordable flights. Understanding how to utilize this benefit can significantly enhance your travel options, whether for leisure or emergency situations. This guide provides crucial information and steps to navigate Space-A travel effectively, ensuring you are well-prepared for your journey. While many resources exist, knowing where to start your search for reliable information is key, and increasingly, travelers turn to Travel Websites for planning and details. This article will serve as your comprehensive starting point for understanding Space-A flights.

U.S. Air Force personnel load luggage onto an American Airlines plane at Ramstein Air Base during Operation Allies Refuge, showcasing the role of Civil Reserve Air Fleet Aircraft in passenger movement.

Understanding Space-A Travel: Key Reminders and Eligibility

Before diving into the specifics, it’s vital to remember that Space-A travel is not guaranteed. Flexibility is crucial, and travelers must be prepared to purchase commercial tickets if Space-A options become unavailable or schedules change. This is a fundamental condition outlined in DODI 4515.13, Section 4, Paragraph 4.1.a. Effective use of travel websites and resources can help you stay informed, but always have a contingency plan.

Step-by-Step Guide to Space-A Travel

To embark on Space-A travel, follow these essential steps:

Determine Your Eligibility: Space-A travel is categorized into six eligibility groups, from Category I (Emergency Leave) to Category VI (Retirees and certain Veterans). Review these categories to identify your specific eligibility. Understanding your category is the first step in utilizing travel websites or contacting terminals for flight information.
Explore Destinations: Begin by researching common destinations offered by your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal. Many terminals maintain websites or social media pages that list typical destinations and provide updates. The Passenger Terminal Directory (linked below) is a valuable resource for finding terminal-specific information. These online platforms act as specialized travel websites for military personnel.
Document Verification: Ensure all your travel documents are in order. This includes a valid passport and any necessary visas. Customs and Immigration regulations can change, so it’s essential to confirm current requirements with your departure passenger terminal. The U.S. Department of State International Travel website is another excellent travel website for general travel document information.
Registration Process: Contact your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal to register for Space-A travel. Registration procedures may vary, so direct contact is recommended. While not always through conventional travel websites, this step is crucial for initiating your Space-A journey.
Flight Schedule Information: For the most up-to-date flight schedules, directly contact your AMC Passenger Terminal or check their AFPIMS page for the 72-hour schedule. These official channels are more reliable than general travel websites when seeking real-time military flight availability.
Check-In Procedures: Upon arrival at the terminal, check in at the counter to confirm your presence and receive the latest flight updates. Be aware of baggage weight limits and prohibited items, details of which can be found on the AMC Travel Site FAQs. Await your Space-A call and follow the instructions provided by passenger service agents. This is the final, in-person step after utilizing various travel websites and resources for planning.

Space-A Travel Eligibility Categories: A Detailed Breakdown

Understanding the eligibility categories is paramount for Space-A travel. Here’s a detailed look based on DODI 4515.13:

Category I – Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel: Reserved for emergencies involving immediate family (serious illness, death). This category is for situations defined by DoDI 1327.06 and military regulations and is not a substitute for funded travel. Eligibility extends to:
- U.S. citizen DoD Civilian Employees stationed overseas.
- American Red Cross personnel serving with U.S. military overseas.
- Uniformed service family members whose sponsors are in CONUS and the emergency is overseas.
- Family members of U.S. citizen civilian DoD employees when both are stationed at the same overseas location.
Category II – Accompanied EML: For sponsors on Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) and their accompanied family members. Also includes DoD Dependent School teachers and their families in EML status during school breaks.
Category III – Ordinary Leave, Relatives, House Hunting Permissive TDY, MoH Holders & Foreign Military: A broad category including:
- Uniformed service members in ordinary or re-enlistment leave status.
- Military personnel on permissive TDY for house hunting (and one accompanied family member if for a permanent change of station).
- Dependents of military members deployed for over 365 days.
- Accompanied family members (up to age 23) of service members in ordinary leave status within overseas areas or between overseas stations and CONUS air terminals. (Note: restrictions apply to travel to/from restricted or unaccompanied tours or TDY locations. Limited to round-trip travel with the sponsor for establishing a home).
- Foreign exchange service members on permanent duty with the DoD, when in leave status.
Category IV – Unaccompanied EML:
- Dependents of military members deployed for over 30 consecutive days.
- Unaccompanied family members (18+) on EML orders. (Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member on EML).
- DoDDS teachers or family members (accompanied or unaccompanied) in EML status during summer break.
Category V – Permissive TDY (Non-House Hunting), Students, Dependents, Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence & Others:
- Unaccompanied Command-sponsored dependents.
- Students whose sponsor is stationed in Alaska or Hawaii.
- Students enrolled in CONUS trade schools with overseas sponsors.
- Military personnel on permissive TDY orders for reasons other than house hunting.
Category VI – Retired, Dependents, Reserve, ROTC, NUPOC, CEC, Veterans w/ a Permanent Service-connected Disability Rated as Total, & Surviving Spouses:
- National Guard/Reserve components and Ready/Standby Reserve members on the Active Status List.
- Retired military members with DD Form 2.
- Accompanied family members of retired members (with valid ID).
- Surviving Spouses of service members who died on duty or in training, and their dependents with DoD USID and privilege card. Dependents under 14 need government-issued ID.
- 100% DAV veterans and their accompanied dependents, within CONUS, between CONUS and select locations (Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa), or within Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands.

Important Notes on Eligibility: Space-A travel cannot be used for personal gain, business, employment, establishing a home, or when restricted by international or theater rules. Seat availability is typically confirmed 3-4 hours to 30 minutes before departure. Check with the passenger service center for show times and be prepared for immediate processing and boarding. While travel websites may offer general advice, always prioritize official terminal communications for specific flight details.

Space-A Sign-Up Options and Required Information

Registering for Space-A is a critical step. Here are the sign-up methods:

Automated Sign-up Form: Access the online form (link provided below) to submit your details to your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal. (Note: Be sure to print your completed form as confirmation due to current technical issues with automated emails.)
Manual Sign-up Form: Download AMC Form 140 (link below), save it, complete it, and submit it to your chosen AMC Passenger Terminal. This form may not load directly in your browser; download it to your device first.
Email Sign-up: Email the required personal information (listed below) to your nearest Passenger Terminal. Find terminal email addresses in the Passenger Terminal Directory.

Required Sign-up Information:

Email address
Rank/Grade
Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
Service branch
Military status
Names of dependent travelers
Total seats needed
Travel eligibility category
Leave dates
Overseas travel readiness (documents in hand?)
Destination(s) (up to five)

Do not include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like Social Security numbers. Contact your AMC Passenger Terminal for further details. Refer to the Passenger Terminal Directory below for contact information. While these sign-up methods are not always through typical travel websites, they are essential official processes.

Passenger Terminal Directory

[Click on Location for Details] (This section would contain the actual directory links as in the original article).

Questions & Comments

For Frequently Asked Questions, Click Here. For travel-related inquiries, contact your nearest terminal using the Passenger Terminal Directory. To provide feedback on this page, Click Here to submit an Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) comment. For general information and initial research, travel websites might offer overviews, but always rely on official AMC resources for accurate details.