Space-A Travel Eligibility 2026 — All 6 AMC Categories

How Space-A actually works

Space-Available (Space-A) is the program by which the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and other DoD operators offer unused seats on military aircraft — primarily KC-135s, C-17s, C-5s, C-130s, and Patriot Express commercial-charter flights — to eligible passengers. The premise is simple: if a plane is flying anyway and seats are empty, fill them.

Cost: Most flights are free. Patriot Express and certain contract flights charge a head tax (typically $20–$40 per leg). In-flight meals on some C-5 or commercial-charter legs cost $5–$15 cash. There are no booked reservations and no refunds — you sign up, you show up, and you go if a seat clears.

The category priority rule

The 6 categories form a strict priority queue. Every flight clears Category I passengers first, then Category II, then III, then IV, then V, then VI — until seats run out. Within a single category, passengers clear in first-in, first-out order based on sign-up date/time, NOT travel date.

Practical implication: Sign up the moment you have leave approved (at most 60 days in advance for CONUS/short-haul; longer windows for OCONUS). A retiree (Category VI) who signs up 60 days early can clear ahead of a retiree who signs up 1 day early IF no higher-category passengers compete for the same seats.

Sign-up methods (3 ways)

AMC online portal: Visit amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel/Space-A-Travel and submit Form AMC 140 up to 60 days in advance of travel. Your sign-up time stamps when AMC receives the form.
In-person at passenger terminal: Walk into the Space-A passenger terminal at your departure base (Andrews JBA, Travis AFB, McGuire JB-MDL, Hickam JBPHH, Ramstein, Yokota, Kadena, etc.) and sign up at the desk. Sign-up time stamps when the terminal logs you.
Email/fax: Many bases accept Form AMC 140 via email to the terminal's published address. Sign-up time stamps when the email arrives (NOT when you sent it — internet delays can move you down the list).

Show time: Once at the terminal, you must show up for "roll call" (typically 2–3 hours before flight) to be marked present and eligible for that flight. Miss roll call = no seat that day. Your sign-up date is still good for the next flight, though.

Documentation checklist

Photo ID: CAC for active duty; military ID for family; retiree ID for retirees. ALL passengers (including infants) must have valid ID.
Travel authority: Leave form (active duty), retiree ID (retirees), or EML orders.
Passport + visa: Required for nearly all OCONUS destinations. Tourist passport works for retirees; active-duty members and their families generally use a no-fee passport (must be applied for via installation passport office). Some countries require visa in addition.
Vaccination records: A few destinations still require yellow card or specific vaccines.
Cash: $50–$100 for head tax, in-flight meals, and lodging at destination if your hop is delayed.

Tips that actually work

Have flexible dates and multiple destination options. Listing "Anywhere" on your sign-up doubles your chances vs. listing a specific country.
Check the flight schedule daily. AMC posts "72-hour" and "30-day" schedules at terminals and on the AMC mobile app. Patterns emerge — certain routes fly every Tuesday/Thursday, others are sporadic.
Avoid peak holiday weeks. Mid-December and mid-June see massive Category VI volume (retiree travel) that can stretch waits to 5+ days even at major hubs.
Sign up at multiple terminals. If you're flexible, sign up at Norfolk, Charleston, Travis, and Hickam simultaneously. Higher chance one terminal clears your category.
Use Patriot Express (commercial charter): AMC contracts Patriot Express on routes from CONUS to OCONUS (Germany, Japan, Korea, Guam, Bahrain). PE flights are commercial 767s with usually 30+ Space-A seats per flight, making them more reliable than C-17/C-5 missions.
Travel light and have backup lodging: If your Space-A hop returns empty, you may be stranded at the destination. Have a Plan B (commercial booking on points, billeting reservation, etc.).

Common confusions clarified

"Can I bring my civilian friend?" No. Only the listed eligible persons in DoDI 4515.13 Table 3 may fly Space-A. Civilians can occasionally accompany under specific Foreign Government Sponsorship or DoDEA teacher rules but not as "+1 of a member."
"Can my Reserve sponsor bring family without me?" Reservists with a 20-year letter (gray-area) and their FAMILY can fly Space-A — but the Reservist must be present on the hop. Family-without-sponsor is not authorized for gray-area Reservists.
"Do I need orders for ordinary leave Space-A?" Yes — a valid leave form (paper or DTS) is required. "Permissive Leave" or "Day Pass" is not sufficient.
"Can I check bags?" Yes — up to 2 bags at 70 lb each per traveler (varies by aircraft). C-17 / C-5 missions sometimes allow heavier baggage including pets in cabin. PE flights follow commercial 50-lb rules.
"Are pets allowed?" On most AMC flights, yes — in approved kennels in the cargo hold. Patriot Express accepts pet shipping for a fee. Service animals fly in cabin. Pet policies vary by aircraft type and route; always verify with the terminal.

Space-A travel — frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Space-A travel?

Per DoDI 4515.13 (Air Transportation Eligibility) Table 3: active-duty members and their accompanying families; family members on EML; DoDEA teachers on school break; permissive-TDY travelers; students who are dependents; retired military and their accompanying families; Reservists with a 20-year letter (gray-area) and accompanying family; veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as total ("100% DAV" USID card) and their accompanying dependents; and surviving spouses of members who died on active duty, in IDT or annual training status, or of retired members, with accompanying dependents. Eligible passengers are sorted into 6 priority categories (I = highest, VI = lowest).

What are the 6 Space-A categories?

Category I: Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel. Category II: Sponsored EML. Category III: Ordinary leave, R&R, house-hunting PTDY, Medal of Honor recipients, Foreign Cadets. Category IV: Unaccompanied EML and DoDEA teachers on break. Category V: Other PTDY, students, convalescent leave. Category VI: Retirees, gray-area Reservists, 100% DAV veterans, surviving spouses, Foreign Government sponsored. Higher categories ALWAYS clear before lower.

How much does Space-A cost?

Most military missions (C-17, C-5, KC-135, C-130) are free for Space-A passengers. Patriot Express commercial charters charge a head tax of $20–$40 per leg. In-flight meals on some flights are $5–$15 cash. No advance ticket cost, no refunds because there are no reservations — only sign-ups.

How do I sign up for Space-A?

Three ways: (1) Online via amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel/Space-A-Travel using Form AMC 140, up to 60 days advance. (2) In person at the passenger terminal at your departure base. (3) Email/fax Form AMC 140 to the terminal. Sign-up time stamps when the form is RECEIVED by AMC. Within a category, first-in-first-out applies.

Can my family fly Space-A without me?

Generally only when on EML (Environmental and Morale Leave) orders — that's Category IV. For ordinary leave, family must travel with the active-duty sponsor. Retirees' families can fly without the retired sponsor in Category VI if they have valid retiree ID and proof of dependency.

Do I need a passport for Space-A?

For nearly all OCONUS destinations, yes. Active-duty members and their families generally need a no-fee passport (applied for via installation passport office, takes 4-8 weeks). Retirees use tourist passports. Some countries require visas in addition. CONUS-to-CONUS hops require only a CAC/military ID.

What if my Space-A hop strands me at the destination?

Always have a backup plan. If your return Space-A flight fills up or cancels, you may wait days for the next available flight. Strategies: (1) Be flexible on return date. (2) Have backup commercial booking on miles/points. (3) Have lodging budget for unexpected nights. (4) Travel during shoulder seasons (not December or June peaks) when retiree volume is lower.

Can Reserve members fly Space-A?

Generally yes if they have a 20-year letter (gray-area Reservists, age 60 onward eligible for retired pay). The Reservist must be present on the hop — gray-area family-without-sponsor is NOT authorized. Reservists on active orders fly under their active-duty category (I-V depending on travel reason).

Space-A Travel Eligibility