Cost to the Government
When seats go unused on Patriot Express missions and
a traveler flies commercial for official travel, the taxpayer
(you) pays twice for that unused seat. Thank you for
riding Patriot Express!
Baggage Allowance
Each passenger is authorized two pieces of checked
baggage not to exceed 70 pounds and 62 linear inches
(sum of length+width+height) each. Bags larger than 62
linear inches and/or heavier than 70 pounds will be
counted as two pieces. Piece rate prices can vary de-
pending on your destination but will not exceed $116.
Excess baggage/pet fees can be paid by cash, check or
credit card.
Excess baggage is not authorized for
Space A passengers.
Carry-on baggage
must fit under the seat in front of
you or stowed in an overhead bin. Approximate dimen-
sions are 9” x 14” x 22” for a total of 45 linear inches.
Baggage exceeding 80 linear inches and/or
100 pounds WILL NOT be accepted.
Disposition of
unauthorized weight or oversized baggage is responsibil-
ity of the owner/traveler and he/she will have the option
to acquire boxes or purchase luggage on the local econ-
omy to meet authorized weight/dimensions.
Controllable Carrier Delays. Delays that are within the
control of the carrier, e.g., maintenance or late arrivals.
If delay extends over a meal period, all manifested
passengers will receive a meal voucher for a hot meal
and transportation to/from the meal area. If the delay
requires an overnight stay, the carrier will provide
meals, transportation, and billeting (hotel vouchers).
This does not apply to Space A travelers unless aircraft
has blocked (pulled away from gate). If passengers
miss their connecting flight because the mission was
delayed at any point and arrived at the passenger's
manifested destination two hours or more after
scheduled arrival time or the passenger receives their
baggage late, the contractor shall reimburse passengers
for any penalty fees imposed on them by the commercial
airlines in which they have onward transportation.
Contact your airline for reimbursement.
A copy of your AMC boarding pass and documentation from
the airline charging you this fee is required.
Non-controllable Carrier Delays. These delays are not
within the control of the carrier, e.g., inclement weather or
Air Traffic Control delay. The Government assumes respon-
sibility for all manifested passengers. If this type of delay
requires an overnight stay, lodging, to include transportation
to/from, is provided. Meals are responsibility of the traveler
and are reimbursable through official travel per diem.
Patriot Express and Commercial Comparison
PE Commercial
Leg Room 34” 32”
Meals Business Coach
Class Class
For more information, visit our AMC Travel Website:
http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/ or contact one of the AMC
Commercial Locations below, Local Transportation Office or an
AMC Passenger Terminal
AMC Commercial Locations
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
(877) 429-4262
DSN 243-6900 Comm (410) 918-6900
Fax (410) 918-6932 or DSN 243-6932
E-mail: [email protected]
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC)
(253) 982-3504
Flight Recording (253) 982-0555 or DSN 382-0555
Fax (253) 982-3506 or DSN 382-3506
E-mail: [email protected]
HQ AMC Passenger Policy Branch - (618) 229-4593
DSN 779-4593, E-mail: [email protected]
We Answer the Call of Others...
So They May Prevail
Air Mobility Command
Passenger Policy Branch
March 2013
What is PATRIOT EXPRESS?
Patriot Express (formerly known as “Freedom Bird”,
“Rotator” or “Cat B”) is a DOD contracted commercial
charter mission which provides support for duty travel-
ers and their family members. 618 TACC/XOG sched-
ules these international charter flights on a regular ba-
sis to and from commercial airports (AMC commercial
locations) and/or military passenger terminals. These
flights offer an array of in-flight amenities and operate
the same as scheduled commercial airlines.
Patriot Express is also an excellent provider of troop
morale by providing "Space A" travel opportunities to
and from the United States.
Leg Room
AMC and Patriot Express carriers have worked hard to
make sure that you have as much room as possible.
Seat pitch, which can be equated to legroom, is 34
inches on some Patriot Express missions compared to
32 inches on most commercial airlines. Two inches
may not seem like much but on a 12-hour flight it’s a
big difference!
Amenities
Patriot Express provides many amenities. Meals are
comparable to business class and special meals such
as kosher, children’s, diabetic, and vegetarian can be
ordered with a 24-hour notice. Hot towel service may
be provided prior to each meal service. The latest box
office movies are shown and headsets are provided
free of charge during the flight.
Contract Enforcement
USTRANSCOM, HQ AMC, Field Operating Contract
Administrators and HQ AMC Passenger Policy personnel
routinely travel on missions to inspect air carriers for
contract compliance. In addition, each location’s Quality
Assurance Personnel or Contract Officer Representa-
tives perform inspections prior to mission departure. In
this way, we partner with contracted carriers to ensure
our passengers receive the best possible service.
Pets
Families in Permanent Change of Station (PCS) status
are authorized to take two pets (dogs and cats only) as
long as pet containers with pets, do not exceed 150
pounds. Pet(s) must be able to lie down, stand up, and
turn around in their container. The container must be
International Air Transport Association (IATA) compliant
to be approved for air travel. For the safety of your pet,
soft-sided and collapsible kennels are not allowed. Small
pets are authorized in-cabin as long as the kennel fits
under the seat and does not exceed 20” L X 16” W X 8.5”
H. Soft-sided kennels are authorized for in-cabin move-
ment only. Passengers are responsible to obtain all pet
shipment requirements, quarantine, and all costs associ-
ated with shipment of their pet. Depending on your desti-
nation, pet costs can vary but will not exceed $116 for an
average sized pet. Check with your veterinarian for ad-
vice on preparing your pet for shipment, including im-
munizations, feeding, watering, sedative, etc. For re-
quired pet documentation or additional pet information,
check with your local Transportation Office. Additional
information can be found by accessing:
https://tops.ppcigweb.sddc.army.mil/ppcig/menu/query/c
ountry.do
Service Animals
Service animals are authorized to accompany
passengers with disabilities in the cabin of the aircraft.
Identification cards and written documentation are
required and must be issued by an agency verifying
the animal has been trained as a service animal.
Transportation is subject to country quarantine
procedures. Specific information can be found by
accessing: http://travel.state.gov. Recommend you
contact your local Transportation Office or Passenger
Terminal you are departing from to ensure your service
animal can be accommodated.
Required Documentation
Military and DOD Travelers must possess Government
issued ID cards which includes dependents 10 yrs of
age and older, travel orders (NATO travel orders when
required), passports and visas. Responsibility to obtain
and maintain required documentation lie solely with
you, the traveler. Additional information can be found
by accessing: https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/
AMC Commercial Airport Locations
Passenger check-in at AMC commercial airport loca-
tions opens 6 hours prior to departure to allow passen-
gers to check in early and check their bags. If passen-
gers elect not to check in early, the required show time
is no later than 2 hours 20 minutes prior to departure
at BWI Airport and 3 hours 20 minutes prior to depar-
ture at SEA-TAC Airport. Check in times are designed
to ensure on time departures. If you are traveling from
a military installation, you must check with passenger
terminal personnel for specific check-in times. If you
encounter any difficulties during your passenger
processing, ask for an on site military representative.
