How does getting a seat on a military flight work? Is it even worth my time vs getting a regular flight?

2019-05-28T19:56:00-04:00

Anybody know now getting a seat in a military flight works? Or how/who to even go talk to for that? I have leave coming up in about a month from now as was talking to a buddy of mine who mentioned it to me. Is it even worth my time vs getting a regular flight?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 8:13 PM

2019-05-28T20:13:47-04:00

Google "space A travel"
Best to book a civilian flight, as space A is not a guarantee.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 28 at 2019 8:49 PM

2019-05-28T20:49:01-04:00

Trying to get space on a military flight is "as available" status. Meaning that you have no idea IF or even when a flight might come available. For leave it is far better for you timewise to simply book a civilian flight and be done with it. You know when and where you will depart and can similarly tell that same information of arrival to anyone meeting you on the receiving end. Plus, when scheduling there is sometimes a discount for a round trip returning flight.

Out of a dozen times I have done military space available flights, I have only lucked out timing wise with two of them failing close to the start of my leave.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 9:11 PM

2019-05-28T21:11:59-04:00

I've taken Space A flights only once from Carson all the way to Guam. Let's just say I almost used up all my leave just waiting for a flight to Guam while in Hawaii. I ended up purchasing a tickets.
Check the AF websites nearest to you, and see where their destination is and how many seats are available. There is an online portion or a form you are supposed to fill out. Also, you will be categorized between all other Space A passengers meaning, if you are just taking regular leave, you will be bottom priority vs someone who is taking emergency leave or someone who is on R&R leave from a combat deployment. Then there is the actual seat availability. If a certain flight will have 4 seats available and you have a family of 5, you're SOL, even if there are seats available. If not, you're stuck and you will have to wait for the next flight which depends. There's also the course of the flight destinations. When I went from Carson, we flew all the way to Maryland, stayed the night for the next flight then we flew all the way to California. We went the opposite direction, which in turn, wasted a whole day.
They don't serve food but I know you do have a chance to buy a boxed lunch for like $5 before hand. So to answer your question if it works, yes. Is it worth it, if you have the time available plus it's virtually free. It's just too time consuming.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made May 28 at 2019 9:21 PM

2019-05-28T21:21:06-04:00

I would avoid it. As others have said you pay for the free flight in time wasted if you get on the flight at all. Pretty sure it is also rank based meaning a flag officer can make up a reason to fly Space A and bump you if they wanted. If your looking for cheap flights, Southwest Airlines or if you buy tickets over the Internet in advance, American Airlines has some cheap fare deals.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 28 at 2019 9:52 PM

2019-05-28T21:52:41-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member google space available travel. You'll have to call the termnals you plan to use. It's all supposed to be standardized, but here to tell you it ain't. They all have their different application of the rules. Flying alone as an AD SM on leave will up your priority but unless you have time on your hands, you can't depend on it. Some PAX terminals allow you to sign up on line and submit your DA31 to get on the list ahead of time. Then again, some won't. It really is random and capricious. You have to be financially prepared to buy a no notice ticket to get back. OBTW Air India sucks...ask me how I know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 10:29 PM

2019-05-28T22:29:59-04:00

If you are on a time constraint, I highly suggest you purchase your ticket. You can literally use over half, if not more of your leave days waiting to get a flight to your destination. Because you’re on ordinary leave, your priority is low and you can easily get bumped by someone who is PCSing or someone who’s on emergency leave....good luck to you...

Response by SSG Jeffrey Leake made May 28 at 2019 10:52 PM

2019-05-28T22:52:57-04:00

Better off purchasing tickets. Space A is great, if you have "spare" time. AD in uniform have priority and will bump you from a flight.

Response by SFC James Pritchert made May 29 at 2019 3:29 AM

2019-05-29T03:29:33-04:00

I am sort of interested in using this service when I fully retire; that is after retiring from civil service after retiring for the Army. If time available is not the issue, what are the thoughts of the respondents here?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made May 29 at 2019 6:01 AM

2019-05-29T06:01:39-04:00

Not worth less you are on a high military traveled destination and still , it worth. You’ll be on standby meaning you’ll need all of the flexibility in the world. Pay your ticket and don’t take any chances

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 6:52 AM

2019-05-29T06:52:43-04:00

Like the other respondents have stated; what you don't pay in dollars you pay in time. It's all dependent on whether you value your time over the cost of a ticket. When I got back from deployment and didn't have a job lined up for when I got home (I was reserves at the time), I used it to great success. I didn't have anywhere to be and all the time in the world. But now between my part time military career and full time civilian career, I don't have the time.

Response by PV2 Ross Bryan made May 29 at 2019 8:00 AM

2019-05-29T08:00:55-04:00

IF OUR MILITARY OR ANY OTHER AGENCY HAS A PLANE GOING ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME WITH A EMPTY SEAT, AN ACTIVE DUTY
PERSON NEEDING A RIDE IS DAMN WELL
ENTITLED TO IT IN MY OPINION!
AND YES THIS INCLUDES AIRFORCE#1!!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 29 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-05-29T08:48:14-04:00

It depends on where you are and where you are going and how much time you are willing to spend to get a free flight. Priority on the flights are anyone flying on orders, meaning PCS moves, going to school, etc. That includes civilian contractors on orders too. Then there is a descending list of who has priority and you can get bumped by anyone on leave that out ranks you. If you are near a busy airfield, it's worth a look, but I would have a back up plan.
I flew into GITMO to visit my son, Space A was so iffy that I took the only civilian flight allowed to land there simply because my schedule didn't allow me to sit around a couple of days both ways.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 5:50 PM

2019-05-29T17:50:09-04:00

I never have take a space A flight but my buddy had years ago. If I remembered right ensure you have enough money to get a return flight on a commercial airline in case there isn't any seats available on your return day or make arrangements for another day. Not on your last day of leave. That is what happened to my buddy flying back from Australia. As a retired service member couldn't tell you

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2019 8:59 PM

2019-05-30T20:59:07-04:00

Space A flying.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jun 1 at 2019 8:27 PM

2019-06-01T20:27:50-04:00

Not sure how it works today, but when i was in you were allowed to use space a travel to GET to your leave destination, but you had to have a COMMERCIAL ticket showing you could get home at the end of the leave. Space A travel is very hard to get and very unreliable.

It may cost you, but commercial is the bets way to take leave , in my opinion.

Response by SFC Juan Haynes made Jun 3 at 2019 1:50 PM

2019-06-03T13:50:24-04:00

I agree with all the comments, but it is a great way to travel if you; 1- have the time 20-30 days of vacation. 2- you are Retired and want to travel the states or the worlds. If you taking 15 days or lest its not worth your time unless your at a active AMC Air Forces Base like; Travis AFB, Charleston AFB and or McCord AFB (WA).

Response by SGT Michael Ovitt made Jun 17 at 2019 8:58 AM

2019-06-17T08:58:33-04:00

Mac flights are decent the seating is shitty and you have to wear your uniform but if you can get the right schedule it can save you coun