Need an affordable way to travel from a location outside the continental United States (OCONUS)? Flying Space-A (space-available) can help make that trip a reality!
Previously, we highlighted the top CONUS locations to catch a Space-A flight, including the types of aircraft you’re most likely to encounter when flying from each base.
This post focuses on major OCONUS bases with the most frequent Space-A activity.
1. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
Located next to the civilian airport on Oahu and sharing a runway, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) is one of the most active Space-A hubs in the Pacific.
Many of the flights from JBPHH are headed to destinations in Asia and the Pacific, such as Japan, Korea, and Guam. You will also see regular missions to bases in Alaska. Frequent CONUS destinations include Travis AFB and JB Lewis-McChord. JBPHH also has flights to bases in the central part of the country and even the East Coast, but those missions are less frequent.
Hawaii is a top destination for military travelers, offering standard base lodging across Oahu, plus many amazing MWR lodging facilities on three different islands. But keep in mind that if Hawaii is not your destination and you are simply "hopping" through JBPHH, you should pad your budget accordingly. Space-A travelers often wait a few days for a flight, and costs in this location add up quickly.
Most missions via JBPHH are on cargo aircraft.
2. Andersen AFB, Guam
The Andersen passenger terminal doesn't have as many Space-A opportunities as JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, but it’s part of the Patriot Express (PE) or "rotator" route between Seattle International Airport (SeaTac) and Japan.
Andersen has two monthly rotator flights to SeaTac and two to Kadena AB in Okinawa, Japan. Those missions are on regular passenger aircraft. Other missions, mostly to Japan, Hawaii, and Travis AFB, are typically on cargo planes.
3. Yokota AB, Japan
Only about an hour by train from Tokyo’s famous Shibuya crossing, Yokota is a convenient Space-A gateway to the excitement of Japan.
Yokota is on multiple Patriot Express routes, connecting it with other bases in Japan, Osan AB in South Korea, and SeaTac. Yokota also supports a contracted flight to and from Paya Lebar AB in Singapore. Like the rotator, that contracted flight is on a regular passenger plane.
Frequent destination for cargo missions from Yokota include JBPHH, JB Elmendorf, Travis AFB, and JB Lewis-McChord.
4. Kadena AB, Japan
Located on the island of Okinawa, about three hours from mainland Japan, Kadena AB is another top location to fly Space-A from Japan.
The rotator will take you to other bases in Japan and Guam and to SeaTac. Other locations with regular missions from Kadena include JBPHH, Andersen AFB, and Travis AFB.
5. Osan AB, South Korea
Osan is about 90 minutes from South Korea’s capital city of Seoul. The shuttle between Osan and Seoul Incheon airport makes it easy to combine Space-A travel with a commercial flight.
Osan is served by two separate Patriot Express routes. One stops at Yokota AB and SeaTac. The other goes through Misawa AB (another air base in Japan) and SeaTac.
Other Space-A opportunities, although somewhat infrequent, are most often to bases in Japan, Hawaii, or Travis. Those missions are usually on cargo aircraft.
Seoul, South Korea. Photo by fotoVoyager from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com.
6. Ramstein AB, Germany
Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is the most accessible base in Europe for Space-A travelers, and its central location makes it a great starting or ending point for exploring the region.
Frequent Space-A flights connect Ramstein with several CONUS passenger terminals, including Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Dover AFB, JB Charleston, and JB Andrews.
Ramstein also has frequent missions to other bases in Europe, such as NAVSTA Rota (Spain), NAS Sigonella (Italy), and RAF Mildenhall (UK).
Flights to BWI are on the Patriot Express. Most others are cargo flights.
7. NAVSTA Rota, Spain
Rota is a busy air base, but it has access restrictions that Space-A travelers must understand in advance. In short, unless you are stationed in Europe or hold a Spanish passport or residence card, you can depart Rota on a Space-A flight, but you are not eligible to fly to Rota from the States.
Rota has regular Space-A flights to Norfolk, including a bi-weekly rotator and frequent cargo missions. It also has flights to Dover, JB Charleston, and other bases along the East Coast. They have occasional flights to Travis or JB Lewis-McChord, most often with a stop or two along the way.
Common destinations within Europe include Sigonella, NSA Souda Bay (Greece), NSA Naples (Italy), and Ramstein AB.
Preparing for Your Space-A Flight
Now that you know where you can fly Space-A, take the next steps!
Learn the rules and process for flying Space-A so that you fully understand how it works.
Also, start following the flight schedules for any bases you might fly to or from. Except for the Patriot Express (published monthly), most flight schedules are only posted 72 hours in advance. That means you need to monitor them regularly to get a feel for where and how often each military passenger terminal has flights.
Finally, learn what to do the day of your Space-A flight so that you’re ready to go when it’s time!
Find more travel tips, including Space-A flight info in our free travel guide below.
