The military provides many benefits to service members, including help with travel costs in certain situations. Here is a quick overview of when the military pays for plane tickets:
Moving to a new duty station
When military members receive orders to move to a new permanent duty station (PDS), the government will pay for transportation costs for them and their dependents. This includes plane tickets. Members can choose to receive reimbursement for actual travel costs or a flat monetary allowance based on mileage.
Temporary duty travel
When military personnel must travel away from their permanent duty station for temporary duty (TDY), such as for training or a special assignment, the government will pay for transportation expenses including airfare. Rules and allowances for TDY travel can vary based on the specifics of the mission.
Emergency leave travel
If a service member needs to take emergency leave due to a family emergency or crisis, the military may authorize funded travel home and back. This includes emergency situations like the death or serious illness of a family member.
Separation or retirement travel
When military members separate or retire, the government provides allowances to cover travel costs for their final move home. This includes plane tickets for the service member and dependents.
Space-available travel
Military and dependents can fly free on a space-available basis on military aircraft. Space-A flights are not guaranteed and are offered first-come, first-served. But they can provide a very low-cost travel option if seats are available.
Other situations
There may be other situations where military plane tickets are authorized, such as certain types of leave or dependent student travel. Rules and eligibility vary based on circumstances.
When the military does NOT pay
In general, military personnel must pay their own airfare for personal vacation travel. The government does not fund leisure travel for service members or families.
Conclusion
The military covers air travel costs for relocation, TDY, emergency leave, separation moves, and space-A flights. But personnel must pay for their own transportation when taking ordinary leave or vacation. Policies differ based on the situation, so speak to your chain of command to learn about authorized plane ticket benefits.
Detailed Explanations and Examples
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel
When military members receive PCS orders to a new duty station, the government provides allowances to cover travel costs for them and their authorized dependents. This includes airfare or mileage reimbursement. Some key things to know about PCS travel benefits:
- Service members can choose between two options:
- Receive reimbursement for actual travel costs, such as purchased plane tickets
- Get a monetary allowance based on the official mileage between old and new duty stations
- The mode of transportation authorized is typically the least costly option – so flying instead of driving long distances
- Family members traveling with the service member also receive funded tickets
- There may be limits on the number of funded tickets based on dependents
- Temporary lodging and rental cars may also be authorized for PCS travel
So in summary, PCS-related plane tickets are covered both for service members and authorized family when relocating between duty stations.
PCS Travel Allowances
Here are some example PCS travel allowances to give an idea of the benefit amounts:
| Rank | Number of Dependents | Mileage Between Stations | Monetary Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | Spouse | 1100 miles | $726 |
| O-3 | Spouse + 2 children | 2200 miles | $1,848 |
Allowances vary based on rank, dependents, and distance traveled. The JTR regulates specific PCS allowance amounts.
Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel
When military personnel must travel away from their permanent duty station for TDY, such as for training, conferences, or special assignments, transportation costs are covered.
- Government procured airfare is typically authorized for long distances
- Reimbursement provided for using personal cars for short distances
- Lodging, rental cars, and certain meals are often covered during TDY travel
- Rules and allowances can differ between branches and situations
So in general, paying for a service member’s plane ticket for official TDY is standard protocol in the military.
Sample TDY Airfare Authorization
Here is an example of how TDY plane tickets might be handled:
- Airman Jones stationed at Nellis AFB in Nevada is ordered to attend 3 weeks of training at Lackland AFB in Texas
- His orders state he is authorized government procured airfare for the travel
- His unit DTS approver books a roundtrip plane ticket from Las Vegas to San Antonio for the dates of training
- Airman Jones is reimbursed for transportation from San Antonio airport to Lackland AFB
So in this situation, the Air Force would purchase the plane ticket since it was authorized and necessary for the TDY mission.
Emergency Leave Travel
If there is a family emergency or crisis, military members can request emergency leave. The government often provides funded travel in these situations. Some key things to know:
- Unit commander can authorize emergency leave if the situation warrants it
- Roundtrip tickets can be authorized if the emergency is due to an immediate family member’s death, critical illness, or other crisis
- Government travel offices can arrange emergency leave travel very quickly when needed
- Emergency situations are evaluated case-by-case to determine if funded travel is approved
So funded plane tickets for emergency travel situations are possible depending on the circumstances.
Example of Emergency Leave Travel
Here is a scenario where emergency leave airfare might be authorized:
- Petty Officer Smith’s father has a heart attack and is hospitalized in critical condition
- PO Smith requests emergency leave to fly from his station in Hawaii to his family’s home in Florida
- His command approves the emergency leave and funded plane tickets
- The Navy books and pays for roundtrip airfare so he can travel quickly
With a bona fide family emergency, the military will fund travel like this when possible.
Separation and Retirement Travel
When military members separate or retire, the government helps pay for their final move home via the following benefits:
- HHT – Allows members to take 10 days of house hunting leave and receive funded travel to their planned retirement/separation location
- Separation travel – Transportation allowance paid for travel to home of record for members being involuntarily separated
- Retirement travel – Transportation allowance paid for travel to retirement home location for retiring members
So separating and retiring service members receive allowances to cover their (and dependents’) travel costs, which can be used for plane tickets.
Retirement Travel Example
Here is an example of how retirement travel benefits could be used:
- CMSgt Jones is retiring after 30 years of service, currently stationed in California
- He plans to return to his home state of Florida after retiring
- CMSgt Jones can receive reimbursement for airfare for him and dependents
- Instead of submitting receipts after purchasing tickets, he opts to receive the monetary allowance
- This allowance covers costs of driving or flying to Florida
So the allowance received upon retirement can offset the purchase of plane tickets to the member’s planned retirement home location.
Space-Available Military Travel
Military members and dependents can fly free on military aircraft on a space-available basis. Here are some key aspects:
- Space-A seats are not guaranteed – first come, first served
- Flights offered only if empty seats are available after space-required passengers
- Must sign up at airport and wait for flights
- Cannot choose destinations – seats available on various routes
While not reliable for ordinary travel, Space-A flights can provide essentially free air transportation if you have flexibility.
Using Space-A Travel
Here is an example of how Space-A travel might work:
- Spc. Walker is on leave and wants to fly from JFK Airport in NYC to visit family in Los Angeles
- He goes to JFK passenger terminal and signs up for the Space-A flight manifest
- A flight to LAX with open seats departs later that day, and Spc. Walker gets a seat
- He flies for free on the military transport flight
With some luck and flexibility on timing, Space-A travel can gain free flights around the world.
Other Possible Situations
There may be some other situations in which military plane tickets are authorized, such as:
- Funded dependent student travel – dependents traveling to distant schools may qualify
- Certain types of extended leave – rules differ between branches
- Overseas accompanied tours – programs that allow families to accompany overseas
- R&R leave from overseas deployments – may receive funded roundtrip tickets
These represent some potential scenarios where taxpayer funded air travel could occur outside of ordinary PCS and TDY moves. The circumstances impact which travel costs are permitted.
When the Military Does NOT Pay
While the military covers travel costs related to PCS, TDY, and certain other situations, there are times when service members need to pay their own way. Key examples include:
- Personal vacation travel for leisure and tourism
- Taking ordinary leave to visit friends or family
- Traveling prior to reporting to initial training
- Flights home during holidays like Christmas when not on official leave
So outside of specific approved situations, military personnel must pay for personal air travel like ordinary citizens.
Ordinary Leave Example
Here is a scenario where a service member would need to pay for airfare:
- HM2 Rivera is stationed in San Diego and wants to visit home in Miami for a 2-week vacation
- He puts in leave papers for the time, which are approved by his command
- Because this is personal leave, HM2 Rivera has to purchase and pay for his own roundtrip plane ticket
- The military does not authorize or pay for plane tickets for ordinary leave
During non-official travel periods, personnel must fund their own transportation including airfare.
Conclusion
In summary, the military will purchase plane tickets for relocation (PCS), temporary duty (TDY), emergencies, separation, and certain other approved situations. But service members need to pay for their own airfare when taking ordinary leave or vacationing. Military travel offices can provide details on exactly which travel costs are authorized based on individual circumstances and orders.
