Questions about Commercial Airline Ticket Provided by USAFA

L

long_runner

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The 2026 Appointee Handbook recommends requesting a Comercial Airline Ticket Provided by the Air Force Academy if you are traveling alone to I-day. I have been talking with my parents and we have decided that it is a better option for me to request a flight plan from the Academy since I am traveling alone. I had a couple of questions about how this transportation works, when you normally leave, and when you are normally notified of your itinerary.

1st Question - Around 2 weeks ago, I put in my appointee kit that I am requesting a government flight. I have not yet submitted my appointee kit. When should I expect to receive information about the itinerary of my flight? Also, will I receive this information even if I have not submitted the full appointee kit (I just need to complete the math diagnostic tests)?

2nd Question - When do you normally leave on a government-requested flight? Is it normally 1-2 days before I-day?

Final Question - I have heard that the academy will provide a full itinerary from my house to the academy on I-day. Is everything from flights to transportation to hotels to food planned? Basically, is there anything I should be worried about when traveling with a government ticket and without parents?

Thank you ahead of time for reading my long post and for answering some of my questions.
 
It was my understanding they provided airline ticket only. The handbook mentioned taxi companies that could transport from airport to hotel (that I thought you would need to book) and then you would be on your own to arrange taxi transportation to the Academy on iday or try to tag along with another cadet family. Keep all receipts for your travel expenses (haven't seen or heard anything about food reimbursement, just transportation and hotel) and you will file a travel voucher to be reimbursed. Be aware not many hotels will allow under 21 year olds to reserve rooms. Check policies first.

I hope someone has better confirmed information for you, but this was my understanding. We originally planned for DS to travel alone, but have since decided 1 parent will go with him to reduce stress.
 
USAFA will provide airline ticket only to arrive the day before I-Day. You will need to make a hotel reservation and arrange for transportation from hotel to USAFA on I-Day. Keep all receipts for hotel & transportation expenses to file a travel voucher for reimbursement.
Recommend the Academy Hotel that's located near the south gate of USAFA. Many appointees & their families usually stay there and you should be able to arrange a ride to USAFA the morning of I-Day with one of the other families with no problem.
 
We gave a ride to a cadet who was traveling alone. His mom posted on the parent FB page asking if anyone could give him a ride. Lots of requests like that and lots of offers. Academy Hotel will have alot of cadets there. Might me a good hotel to contact.
 
The taxi’s get overwhelmed on I-Day. We were leaving the hotel to take our daughter to the drop point on I-Day and saw a cadet standing outside the hotel looking for his taxi. The taxi had not arrived and forgot about him. We offered to give him a ride and he gladly accepted. I would try to get someone to take you if possible who is also dropping off their cadet.
 
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