Thanks for your support of this free website. Keep in mind that your category may affect how early you can sign up for Space-A travel. Unsubscribe at any time. It is important to know your category when planning your Space-A travel because your category determines when you can sign up, what paperwork you need, and where you are eligible to fly. 1. Typically they will only give you info on flights departing within the next 72 hours. Poppin Smoke does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. All of the rental car agencies at BWI are co-located off-site, but there is a free shuttle from the terminal. Another option for travel to Dover is Amtrak. Compare the rates, fees, and rewards of top credit cards for military servicemembers and veterans, including cards with waived annual fees under the SCRA. 6. This is one of the most often asked questions. of Defense or any governmental entity. ), - Destination(s) (Sign up for up to five destinations). We returned our vehicle to Avis (off base), and the taxi was able to drive on base and drop us at the Ramstein Inn. Any thoughts? Space-A travelers must be prepared to cover commercial travel expenses ifflight schedulesare changed or become unavailableto allowSpace-A travel (. Have not figured out yet when to show up. Our Military Space A to Ramstein Germany Adventure: We started out after the Christmas holiday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. To reach Frankfurt airport by train, take a taxi to Landstuhl station (about 15). Per the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Space-A had been restricted due to COVID since March 2020. You may fly on a commercial plane, but you could also be in a cargo plane or fuel tanker. Gate checked items (like our stroller) are picked up in baggage claim. Because these are military, not commercial, flights, the military mission is always the priority. Annapolis, MD: The Perfect Military-Style Getaway, Flying Space-A from JB McGuire: 7 Things to Know, European Lodging and Transportation Tips for Space-A Travelers. Most Space-A passengers can fly to or from only three destinations via BWI: Ramstein AB, RAF Mildenhall, and JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. That strategy has always worked for us, along with these other tips for getting Space-A lodging. You can take a "military hop" to all of those places from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Youll increase your chances of success by signing up to fly from all of them. Seating depends on the type of aircraft. Stephanie Montague is the founder of Poppin Smoke, a website designed to encourage members of the military community to use their military benefits for travel. Website. MORE: Learn More About VA Loan Opportunities for Active Duty Military. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a partner the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. Space-A is a privilege that may offer substantial savings for your leisure travel. Ukraine remains in control of a key supply route into the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson has said. The Medevac shuttle transports patients between Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) and U.S Army Health Center in Vicenza. A mortgage licensee. Live about 1.5 hours from BWI. Contact the Vicenza Health Center at +39 0444 61 9050 or LRMC at +49 6371 9464 5899.**. There are multiple flights per week from BWI to Ramstein. What Would a Seasoned Space-A Traveler Recommend? Benefit overview. In other words, don't look at a flight on a particular day of the month and just show-up for that flight expecting it to be exactly on the day on the monthly schedule. Then read on to learn everything you need to know about flying Space-A from the BWI AMC terminal. MORE: Discover the Power of a VA Loan for Veterans and Military Families. Roll Call is conducted on the lower level (usually 3 hours before departure). You can call the flight recording at937-257-6235. PE flights have standard monthly schedules, and all Space-A passenger must pay a small head tax before boarding. Space-A refers to seats aboard military aircraft that are offered on a "space available" basis to active duty personnel, family members and retirees at little or no cost. No tables, rankings or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products. Non-Command Sponsored Dependent Travel Letter(May 2018), Dual Parent/Step Parent Authorization Letter, Military Aircraft Access Requirements Brochure (Aug 2018), An official website of the United States government, Reminder to Space-A travelers: Keep in mind there is no guaranteeyou will be selected for a seat. Enter your information to join our mailing list. Seat releases can be reduced at any time for a variety of reasons such as: If the aircraft mission issues a seat release on arrival it's only firm unless any of the above (or other) issues appear. Ticket prices for the train vary based on the fare class, whether you take an InterCity (IC) or high-speed train, and if you purchase a reserved seat. Recommend you check with the passenger service center for the space available show time for your flight prior to departing the terminal. When terminal staff announces boarding, youll go through security and wait in a secure area. How about Spain or the U.K.? Use this link to create and manage your K-ETA: https://m.k-eta.go.kr/. Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as Social Security numbers. A screenshot of the Passenger Terminal Directory on the AMC Travel Site. The roll call time is when terminal staff announces who has been selected for the flight. Retirees and others not stationed in Europe can purchase any non-rationed items. For travel-related questions, contact your nearest terminal. You will also receive news and updates tailored to military travelers like you! fuel weight, weather en route or even maintenance. Answer 25: Yes. Since my husband retired from the Army in 2015, we have been using our military benefits to fly Space-A on military aircraft and stay in military facilities all over the world . Passport control is available for all inbound missions to Ramstein, so you do not need to worry about returning to the terminal to get your passport stamped if you arrive late at night. What are the Patriot Express Schedule/Routes? Hi Denise, What does "No First Time Entry" (NFE) mean on schedules from Overseas locations to USA? 1 talking about this. The Ramstein Inn is located across the street from the passenger terminal in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC). They can also use MWR facilities, such as Outdoor Recreation, the golf course, and the movie theater. JB Andrews and Dover AFB have Space-A flights and are both within a 2-hour drive, but neither base has a military shuttle to/from BWI. You will need to stay in the terminal, as boarding times, like roll call times, can change without notice. The Pros: What Are the Advantages of Flying Space-A? i leave in shreveport louisiana, i am about two miles from barksdale afb. Current rules require that a pallet position be left open as needed to accommodate passenger baggage if there are 20 or more passengers. There are also various combinations of trains, metros, and buses you can use to make your way to JB Andrews. The KMCC also houses the AAFES Exchange, a movie theater, and other MWR activities, along with various restaurants and eateries. Flying Space-A on military aircraft is very different from using commercial air travel, and you cant just call a military passenger terminal and book your flight. Click on the names to see reviews, rates, and availability. Flight schedules | For specific travel information, contact your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal or check their AFPIMS page to see the 72-hour flight schedule. If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. It would behoove you to carry a copy of a DD Form 2131 (flight manifest form) with you when flying just in case the flight crew does not have one with them. The only costs you might incur are a low per-passenger fee on Patriot Express flights, and you may be able to purchase low-cost meals at some terminals that offer meals for purchase. Space-A is a privilege that may offer substantial savings for your leisure travel. Dependents of military members deployed for more than 365 consecutive days. Each time you make a purchase, the cashier will record it on the form so that you can pay tax on the items before leaving the country. Click the "+" sign to open individual passenger terminals' details. Bring supplies for a comfortable flight. If you don't find what you're looking for or have questions concerning travel with AMC, please contact your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal for additional assistance. Lodging, meals and transportation costs can add up. Note that you will transfer at least once along the way. There are also regular, but not as frequent, flights from several bases in other parts of the U.S., including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Travis Air Force Base, and Joint Base San Antonio. Trek over to the FBO building with your bag (under 30 lb for these small aircraft) and let the FBO staff know you are waiting on a military flight coming in and where it is going to. Please take some time to explore the site. In the Space flight experiments . If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flightsfirst to get a basic understanding of how the process works. Travelers from other parts of the U.S. may need to take two or more hops to get there. Therefore, for planning purposes, 19 seats are normally listed in advance and adjusted as needed nearer flight time depending on required mission cargo. Counters open for check-in 6 hrs prior to departure. Emergency travelin connection with serious illness, death, or impending death of a member of the immediate family of the following: Sponsors on environmental and morale leaveand accompanied family members. How do I get other flight schedules and information? (read more) . Engineers suspect a tiny pin may be protruding. Only answers by Spangdahlem Passenger Terminal Representatives are official responses. What Are Space-A Flights (AKA, Military Hops)? Wright-Patterson AFB has regular flights but does not post flight schedules online. Question 23: . Here's a link to another FBO Locator. Any Idea about what SpaceA travel is like during Min January time frame out of BWI to Ramstein? For more information, please see our Advertising Policy. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a50bc1ac9fbd27fff898eaa09aff8863" );document.getElementById("e335739449").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. You can find cheaper, high-quality options off-base. Ramstein Air Base is in the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), the largest U.S. military community in Europe. You may also find information about recently departed flights, including how the number of Space-A seats and how many passengers competed for those seats. (Some travelers in Category 6 are not eligible to fly Space-A to foreign countries). Its one of many fun things to do in Dover!). NOTE: Flight schedules from BWI change periodically. TBD (To BE Determined): Means that the Pax Terminal cannot determine a seat release because final mission/cargo details are unknown. Click here for the latest pricing. NATO's largest ever air deployment exercise, set to take place in June, is unlikely to lead to commercial flight cancellations, Europe's lead air traffic manager said, after Germany's aviation . MORE: Veterans: Unlock Your Homebuying Dreams with a VA Loan. Some commercial publications but don't put too much faith in these schedules and use them as a guide only as they are most likely out-of-date before the book hits the bookstores. Its a scenic 12-hour ride aboard a comfortable tour bus with two rest stops along the way. Flight controllers in Germany plan to fire the spacecraft's engine in hopes of shaking the pin loose. Flying space-available (Space-A) on a military flight can be a fun and inexpensive way to see the world, as airfare to and from U.S. military bases can cost you next to nothing. Ensure you do not exceedbaggage weight limitsand are not traveling with anyprohibited items. Sandy, Its possible, but I dont recommend trying it. We were competing for seats to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. If you fly commercial to BWI and arrive in another terminal, you must exit the secure area and re-enter to get to Terminal E. The AMC counter is on the upper level, and that is where you mark yourself present when you arrive. The schedule is also posted at the bus stop outside terminal building. Automated Sign-up Form |Clickto fill and submit our automated sign-up form to your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal (See Directory Below). A classic example of this would be non-US citizens that have married a military member stationed overseas. Check Your Luggage and Obtain Your Boarding Pass. If you are staying at one of the other buildings on Ramstein, the Ramstein Inn provides a shuttle for check-in and check-out only. The AMC terminal at BWI has three missions per week to Ramstein, German y, two to JB McGuire, and bi-weekly missions to Mildenhall. Then get near a window and keep an eye out for a military aircraft. Places where we fly often (Germany) are much easier than low frequency areas (Australia or New Zealand). If youre looking for a location with frequent Space-A flights to Germany, Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport is it! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cancelled stamps/envelope from East Germany (1978): Joint space flight USSR-DDR at the best online prices at eBay! Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the . Determine all the terminals you could depart from to reach your desired destination. They offer a leisure rate for active duty travelers and a retiree rate. Contact the flight crew when they come into the terminal, introduce yourself (Rank, name and branch) and advise them that you would like to catch a ride with them (Space-A). The sooner you can sign up, the better, as priority within each category is based on the sign-up date and time. of Veterans Affairs, the Dept. However, due to changing mission purposes, flights and seats are always subject to change without notice. moving/relocating) to the USA for the first time then it does apply to you. Check if meals are available on the flight, as youll pay for these when you check your luggage. Retired military members who are issued DD Form 2 and eligible to receive retired or retainer pay. * After 60 days, your priority is reset, meaning you go to the end of the "virtual" line. This means retirees, dependents or civilians etc can't travel if the flight is listed as "Active Duty Only.". Family members under 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member who is traveling EML. First, you probably won't find any recordings for flight info at these non-military locations. You can hop these flights as a Space-A passenger and enjoy all of the services and amenities of a commercial flight without the expensive fare! Local taxis have base access, so you shouldnt have a problem getting to the passenger terminal. One way to get schedule information is to phone/visit the terminal and ask the PSAs about their nominal schedules. Technically they can refuse to take you because they don't have a manifest form. Therefore 20 or more passengers would mean (at least) one less pallet position available for mission cargo. Table 3 in Section 4.11 of Department of Defense Instruction 4515.13 has more details on eligibility by category and approved geographical travel segments. They can also be loud. Joint Base Charleston is a very active Space-A base, so that would be a great place to end up. Under the Space-A program, eligible passengers can fill unused seats on DoD-owned or -controlled aircraft once all the space-required (duty) passengers and cargo have been accommodated.. You can also take local taxis to/from locations on base. European Lodging & Transportation Tips for Space-A Travelers covers advice on many topics related to travel within Europe, including on- and off-base lodging, train travel, and driving tips. Military personnel traveling on permissive temporary duty (TDY) orders for house hunting. Once you get through customs (which just wanted no fee passports and cac card) you go to baggage claim. For younger passengers, bring their passports or MilConnect printouts that show the Department of Defense ID numbers. Space-A flights can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over commercial airlines, which is a clear advantage. Here's some tools you can use to review "historical" info on flight frequencies and routes: Another traveler (jkeaty) has some route information available on his public onedrive channel that is accessible from his facebook channel here: Historical route information can only give you an "indication" of past flight routes and frequency based on "past" flight schedules (no guarantees that same routes or frequencies would continue). Landed in Germany and was directed to security and customs. Click here to search for other rental car agencies near Ramstein. Example: You are at the terminal waiting for Roll Call and you signed up 60 days ago. T (Tentative): Means mission/cargo details are planned but factors remain where the actual number of seats can not be finalized i.e. USO Information -The main Spangdahlem USO is located on Arnold Boulevard and can be reached at DSN: 452-8042 or Comm: 0656-61-8042. Its 90 minutes from Frankfurt and about 4 hours from Paris, making it a great starting point for exploring Europe or other places in Germany. MORE: Unleash the Full Potential of Your VA Home Loan Benefits. There was an error submitting your subscription. Note: All the above numbers are after duty pax and cargo have been considered. Learn more about military hops including eligibility, priority access, how to book a flight, and more. Transportation by the most expeditious routing only for bona fide immediate family emergencies, as determined by DoDI 1327.06 and military service regulations. My husband os active and will be woth me any suggestions. Customs and Immigration requirements may change. Also, be prepared for a multi-legged journeyseveral shorter hops that bring you closer to your destination rather than one long direct flight. Hi, my name is Stephanie! Depending on where your room is located, you may be able to see the flight line from your window. Lesser known Commercial-contract Missions: Not necessarily. Eligibility Note for Veterans with a 100% Disability Rating: According to the AF.mil website, veterans with a service-connected, permanent disability rating of 100 percent will be able to travel in the Continental United States or directly between the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa (Guam and American Samoa travelers may transit Hawaii or Alaska); or traveling within Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands on flights operated by Air Mobility Command..