Space-A Travel Explained

Space-A lets eligible travelers fly on military aircraft using surplus capacity. It is typically free of charge, and it is genuinely space-available — you compete for seats and you can be bumped.

Priority runs in six categories, highest first:

  • Category I — emergency leave unfunded travel
  • Category II — accompanied environmental and morale leave
  • Category III — ordinary leave, relatives, house-hunting permissive TDY, Medal of Honor holders, foreign military
  • Category IV — unaccompanied environmental and morale leave
  • Category V — permissive TDY other than house-hunting, students, dependents, post-deployment and mobilization respite absence, and others
  • Category VI — retired members, Reserve, ROTC, and veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as total

Veterans came into this through the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which extended Space-A eligibility to veterans rated permanent and total. The governing instruction is DoDI 4515.13.

Category VI is the lowest priority, which is the practical reality of the benefit: it works well on routes with spare capacity and poorly on popular ones at holiday periods.

Who is eligible?

Among veterans: those with a permanent service-connected disability rated as total. A total rating that is not permanent does not qualify, and neither does a high combined rating short of total.

The geographic restriction is the part people are surprised by. Unlike retirees drawing retired pay, veterans in this category may travel:

  • within the Continental United States, or
  • directly between CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa, or
  • within those same territories

with transit through Hawaii or Alaska permitted. Overseas Space-A travel is not available on this eligibility.

Family members with a valid ID card may travel when accompanied by the sponsor — so a spouse cannot fly Space-A alone on the veteran's eligibility.

Registration is through the Automated Space-A Email Sign-up Form or your local AMC passenger terminal, and it is worth signing up at several terminals for the same trip. Take your VHIC marked SERVICE CONNECTED along with photo ID, and plan for the possibility that no seat comes up at all — the standard advice is never to book Space-A for travel you cannot afford to miss.

How do I apply?

  • Confirm the rating is permanent and total: A total rating that is not permanent does not qualify.
  • Sign up through the AMC email form or your local terminal: Register at several terminals for the same trip.
  • Plan within the US and its territories: Overseas Space-A is not available on this eligibility.
  • Travel with your sponsor if you are a family member: Dependents cannot fly Space-A unaccompanied on a veteran's eligibility.
  • Take your VHIC and photo ID: The SERVICE CONNECTED marking is the proof of status.
  • Never rely on it for travel you cannot miss: Category VI is the lowest priority and seats are not guaranteed.

Common questions

Can disabled veterans fly Space-A?

Yes, if rated with a permanent service-connected disability rated as total. The FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act extended Space-A eligibility to that group, in Category VI.

Where can a disabled veteran fly Space-A?

Within the Continental United States, directly between CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam or American Samoa, or within those territories. Overseas travel is not available on this eligibility.

What priority do veterans get for Space-A travel?

Category VI, the lowest of the six priority categories, alongside retirees and their dependents.

Can a spouse fly Space-A on a veteran's eligibility?

Only when accompanied by the veteran. Family members with a valid ID card cannot travel unaccompanied on this eligibility.

Does Space-A travel cost anything?

Flights are typically free of charge, though it is worth confirming with your terminal. Seats are never guaranteed.

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