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Space-A Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Take a Flight on a Military Hop

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What Are Space-A Flights (AKA, Military Hops)?

Are you eligible for a space-a flight, how does space-a travel work.

1. Identify Your Destination and Possible Routes

2. Follow the Space-A Flight Schedules of the Passenger Terminals You May Use

3. sign up to travel from all possible starting locations, 4. mark yourself present within 24 hours of roll call, 5. listen for your name during roll call, 6. check your luggage and obtain your boarding pass, 7. board the aircraft and pick your seat, what to expect on a space-a flight, pros and cons of flying space-a, the pros: what are the advantages of flying space-a, the cons: what are the disadvantages of space-a, when should you use space-a, what would a seasoned space-a traveler recommend.

Update: On April 22, 2022, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense lifted all restrictions on Space-A travel. These restrictions were put in place in March 2020 to limit the spread of Covid-19. Mask mandates and medical screening protocols may still apply.

Looking for a way to save money on travel ? 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.

Flying Space-A on military aircraft is very different from using commercial air travel, and you can’t just call a military passenger terminal and book your flight. It’s worth learning how Space-A travel works so you can take advantage of this incredible privilege available to eligible members of the military community.

After military flights accommodate all required passengers and cargo, they often release extra seats to service members, retirees and their families. These eligible passengers can “hop” on the flights on a space-available (Space-A) basis. This is where the term “military hop” comes from.

Because these are military, not commercial, flights, the military mission is always the priority. You may fly on a commercial plane, but you could also be in a cargo plane or fuel tanker.

See What You Qualify For

Select an option to continue:

There are six categories, or “cats,” of eligible Space-A travelers, depending on their duty status and the reason they are traveling.

Those in lower-numbered categories receive higher priority for available seats.

Here is a summary of the Space-A travel categories, according to the Military OneSource website :

Cat 1: Emergency leave unfunded travel

Cat 2: Accompanied environmental and morale leave (EML)

Cat 3: Ordinary leave, service members’ relatives, house-hunting permissive temporary duty (TDY), Medal of Honor holders , and foreign military; also includes unaccompanied dependents of service members deployed for more than 365 consecutive days.

Cat 4: Unaccompanied EML; also includes dependents of service members deployed between 30 and 364 consecutive days

Cat 5: Permissive TDY (non-house-hunting), student travel, and post-deployment/mobilization respite absence; also includes unaccompanied dependents of service members stationed outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS)

Cat 6: Military retirees, their dependents, military reserve, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members and veterans who are 100% disabled

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. 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.

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.”

Disabled veterans must have a DD Form 2765, Defense Department ID Card (Tan), to fly Space-A.

The better you understand how to fly Space-A, the greater your chances of having a successful trip.

The first step is to learn which bases have regular flights to where you want to travel. This list of worldwide destinations where Space-A travel may be available includes profiles of some of the terminals and information about typical flight destinations. You’ll want to begin following some of their Space-A flight schedules, which we’ll discuss in the next step.

You may find several possible routes to your desired destination. For example, if you are on the East Coast and want to fly to one of the common destinations, including Spain or Germany, you will likely be able to travel from several nearby bases. Travelers from other parts of the U.S. may need to take two or more hops to get there.

The Space-A Travelers Facebook group can help you put together a flight plan to your destination. You can ask questions and find information about flying to and from specific locations.

You may have to combine Space-A travel with other transportation. For example, you may need to fly or drive to a base with regular Space-A flights to your desired destination. Or you may need to take a train or flight from an overseas base to your final destination.

The Air Mobility Command website maintains a list of all the military passenger terminals , as well as their contact info and links to their websites and Facebook pages.

You’ll find a 72-hour flight schedule for most terminals on their Facebook pages or the AMC website. The schedules include trip destinations, the number of Space-A seats and the “roll call” time. The roll call time is when terminal staff announces who has been selected for the flight.

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.

Click here for more details on how to read the Space-A schedules on Facebook .

When you monitor the flights that depart from your target passenger over several weeks or months, you’ll notice patterns in the location and frequency of their missions.

Determine all the terminals you could depart from to reach your desired destination. You’ll increase your chances of success by signing up to fly from all of them. Signing up is free and takes only a few minutes.

The AMC website details the sign-up options, including the required information. You can sign up through their website, by email or in person at the terminal. You can also use the Take-A-Hop app (which costs $6.99). If you’re signing up for several terminals, email and the Take-A-Hop app are the easiest ways to do so.

The sooner you can sign up, the better, as priority within each category is based on the sign-up date and time. So sign up as early as possible. At most terminals, your sign-up is valid for up to 60 days.

Keep in mind that your category may affect how early you can sign up for Space-A travel. For example, active-duty service members (Cat 3) must be on leave before they can sign up. Those in Cat 3, however, have precedence over those in Cats 4 through 6, regardless of when they signed up.

You must mark yourself present at the terminal before roll call to let the staff know that you are competing for the flight. You can do so anytime within 24 hours of the scheduled roll call. Note: roll call times can change unexpectedly, so continually monitor the terminal’s 72-hour flight schedule to ensure you get there in time or, better yet, call the terminal to confirm.

Bring your military ID and any necessary documents, such as your passport, your leave form or your EML orders. If you are an unaccompanied dependent, you’ll need a memo from your sponsor’s command. Also bring a copy of your sign-up email as a backup to prove your sign-up date and time.

At roll call, terminal staff will announce how many Space-A seats are available for the flight and then the names of the selected passengers,  beginning with those in the highest-priority category.

If they call your name, go to the desk and confirm that you and any dependents traveling with you are present. You’ll need to show your military ID and any required paperwork, as well as ID cards for passengers older than 10 years old. For younger passengers,  bring their passports or MilConnect printouts that show the Department of Defense ID numbers.

If they don’t call your name, don’t leave the terminal just yet. Sometimes last-minute Space-A seats become available, so stay at the terminal until boarding time.

Once you and all members of your traveling party, along with all your luggage, must be present when the baggage check begins. This may be right after roll call, or it may be several hours later. You will need to stay in the terminal, as boarding times, like roll call times, can change without notice.

The AMC website’s FAQ page includes detailed information on baggage allowances. Because smaller aircraft may have different weight limits for luggage, it’s best to check ahead of time.

You will generally be allowed to check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 70 lbs each. Similar to many commercial flights, you can also bring one piece of carry-on luggage that fits under your seat or in the overhead compartment. You can usually check car seats and strollers, and they won’t count toward your baggage allowance.

AMC terminals follow the Transportation Security Administration’s baggage screening guidelines , so check their website ahead of time to see what you can bring in your carry-on bag, and what you must put in checked luggage.

Check if meals are available on the flight, as you’ll pay for these when you check your luggage. Some locations offer simple box lunches for a nominal cost.

If you are flying Space-A on a Patriot Express flight , your boarding pass will list your assigned seat.

When terminal staff announces boarding, you’ll go through security and wait in a secure area. With most flights, a bus will take you to the aircraft, and you’ll board from the tarmac.

On most Space-A flights, you’ll choose your seat when you board. On Patriot Express flights, your boarding pass will list your assigned seat.

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Patriot Express flights offer amenities, including meals and in-flight movies. 

Other Space-A flights do not. Snacks and water may be available, but it’s best to be prepared and bring your own.

Seating depends on the type of aircraft. Some have seats that are comparable to commercial airlines. Others have web seating along the sides of the plane. If this is the case, you can stretch out if there’s room.

Patriot Express flights are climate-controlled, but other military aircraft are not. They are often cold or hot, so dress in layers. They can also be loud. The crew usually provides foam earplugs, but it’s a good idea to bring your own.

There are advantages and disadvantages to Space-A travel.

Space-A flights can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over commercial airlines, which is a clear advantage. 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.

When you land, you’ll be able to access base resources, including overnight base lodging and the commissary. You may even be able to purchase discount tickets to local events and attractions through the base’s Information, Tickets and Travel office (ITT).

Being able to stretch out on some aircraft can be another advantage over flying economy in a commercial plane. 

If you’re traveling with small children, you may also find that other passengers are more supportive than with a commercial airline.

And, of course, there may be a greater sense of adventure with Space-A travel.

• Free or low-cost air travel
• Access to base amenities (Base Exchange, Commissary, MWR, ITT, etc.)
• Possibly more space to spread out compared to commercial airlines
• It’s an adventure!

Space-A travel is less predictable than flying commercially. Passenger terminals post flight schedules only 72 hours in advance, and you won’t know if you got a seat until the last minute. 

Peak travel times, including summer, winter holidays, and even spring break, are even more competitive. You may need to be more flexible about when you travel and even where you’ll go.

You may incur other costs with Space-A travel, such as transportation to the base you’ll be flying from. You may need to wait for a flight home–possibly for days–and the costs of lodging and meals can quickly add up.

Finally, Space-A travel, unless you’re on a Patriot Express flight, is bare bones. You may find it cold, loud, and uncomfortable. 

• Travel and schedules can vary.
• Seats aren’t guaranteed — you must have flexible travel plans!
• Travel can be difficult during busy times (summer PCS season, holidays, etc.).
• Lodging, meals and transportation costs can add up.
• Military aircraft can be cold and uncomfortable.

If you have the time, flexibility, and patience to wait for a flight, Space-A travel can offer you an adventure while saving you a lot of money. If you’re traveling for an event, such as a wedding, and must arrive by a specific time, Space-A is not the best way to travel, especially if it’s during the peak seasons of summer, winter holidays, and spring break.

Flying Space-A requires planning, patience, and flexibility. Learn as much as you can about the process, and also research desired destinations and passenger terminals so that you can put together a successful flight plan.

When you are ready to leave, make sure you always have a backup plan and ensure you have enough money to pay for commercial transportation if Space-A doesn’t work out. Also, be prepared for a multi-legged journey–several shorter hops that bring you closer to your destination rather than one long direct flight.

About Post Author

Stephanie Montague

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. Stephanie and her husband have been traveling the world since he retired from the Army in 2015. Through Poppin’ Smoke, Stephanie shares everything they learn about Space-A travel and using military benefits while abroad.

See author's posts

Posted In: Military & Veterans Benefits

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ray maring says

December 29, 2023 at 9:17 am

Thank you for hosting this information. I am a guardsman, retired and are interested in traveling now.

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72 HR flight locations ⚠

Report flight data issue, space-a flight email sign up template, general steps for space-a sign up.

• Determine eligibility and category .
• Find a flight on Fly Space-A and verify the flight on the terminal's Facebook page or website.
• Email, call, or fax AMC Form 140 or equivalent information to the terminal. See terminal's facebook page for specific contact info.
• Go to terminal the day of flight and inquire about flight.
• Click for Official Space-A site

What is Fly Space-A?

Fly Space-A shows you upcoming flights for Space-A and provides sign up email template for eligible passengers.

Flights can be filtered by location, departure, and arrival; saving time from reading every AMC Space-A site.

Space Available flight is a privilege for members of the US DoD to be transported on DoD aircraft when capacity allows.

Fly Space-A analyzes official USAF AMC public sites to find flights. Algorithms may be inaccurate at times due to social media post format, terminal personnel updating/removing social media posts, and constrained computing power.

All data is provided as is and the user is responsible for verifying any data and flight information with offical sources.

Fly Space-A is NOT endorsed by the U.S. GOVERNMENT. For more information regarding Space-Available flights and eligibility, click here.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

SeaTac Space-A Terminal

• 17801 International Blvd , Seattle Tacoma Airport , WA
• Passenger Terminal 253-982-3504 24 Hour Flight Recording 253-982-0555 After Hours 253-508-9547
• Posted Flights (See Photos) Posted Flights (See Photos) AMC Travel Website AMC Travel Website Website Website
• SeaTac Space-A Sign up SeaTac Space-A Sign up
• Hours Info Daily 0700-1600 & evenings on nights of departures

Note: After 1 a.m. on nights of flights, call (253) 508-9547

Space Available seats are often limited, therefore, passenger planning and flexibility is key to Space Available travel.

Passengers are reminded that baggage limitations are set for two bags per individual, limited to 70 pounds maximum weight per bag and not to exceed the dimensions of 62 linear inches. Passengers may carry up to one carry-on bag and it must be able to fit under any aircraft's seat.

The AMC Passenger Terminal-JBLM and the SEA-TAC International Gateway are committed to providing you the best possible service. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns during your visit.

Leave a Review

Reviews 0 reviews, there are no reviews yet. be the first to review seatac space-a terminal, sign up or log in, log in or sign up, help us improve.

12 Things to Know About Flying Space-A on the Patriot Express

Have you ever heard reference to the “Patriot Express,” “military rotator,” or “Cat B flight” and wondered what it was? It’s one of many possible aircraft you may “hop” when using Space-A military flights. Some seasoned Space-A travelers would argue that there’s no better way to fly!

The Patriot Express (PE) is a commercial charter flight contracted by the Department of Defense to transport passengers on official military duty and their families. As with other Space-A flights, extra seats on the PE may be available for non-duty passengers after all space-required passengers have been accommodated. 

If you are new to Space-A flying,  read this Quickstart Guide  first to get a basic understanding of how Space-A works.

NOTE: When PCSing on orders, you are not flying Space-A, even if you are on a PE . This brochure explains many of the rules that duty passengers need to know and describes the aircraft’s amenities .

Here’s what Space-A passengers flying on a PE should know.

Contents (click to expand)

1. The Patriot Express is a regular commercial aircraft.

After you board the plane, the experience is similar to a commercial flight. Your boarding pass will have an assigned seat, and the crew are civilian flight attendants.

The PE has full in-flight meal service and other standard amenities, such as movies. It’s also warmer and quieter than military cargo planes.

2. The signup process is the same for the Patriot Express as for other Space-A flights.

When you sign up for Space-A travel, you are signing up to fly from a particular military passenger terminal; you are not signing up for an individual flight.

If you’ve signed up at Norfolk , for example, you can take whatever flight has available seats on the day you want to travel. It could be a PE, or it could be a C-17.

| Related Reading: You need this documentation for all Space-A flights

3. You will pay a small fee to fly Space-A on the Patriot Express.

This fee is charged per passenger (no age minimum) and covers head tax and inspection fees. You pay after you have been selected for a flight and are receiving your boarding passes.

The amount varies depending on where you’re traveling to/from but maxes out at around $40 for flights from outside the contiguous U.S. (OCONUS) to within the contiguous U.S. (CONUS).

Make sure you have cash in USD and a form of card payment, as some passenger terminals only accept one or the other.

4. Patriot Express schedules are posted for one calendar month at a time.

Most terminals post the monthly PE schedule as early as a week before the upcoming month and as late as a few days after the month starts.

Keep in mind that the monthly PE schedules do NOT tell you how many Space-A seats are available. As with other Space-A flights, the passenger terminals share information about seats on the PE a maximum of 72 hours in advance.

Click here for more information about viewing military Space-A flight schedules online.

5. Patriot Express flights have standard routes and schedules.

PE routes and schedules generally don’t change month-to-month except in the case of delays, maintenance, or weather issues. Some missions also change days/frequency during summmer PCS season and the year-end holidays.

Following are the current schedules for PE flights originating in CONUS. Check the OCONUS terminals’ respective pages to see what day of the week the rotator departs from that location.

Flight destinations are listed in order. The return flight simply reverses course.

Some destinations are not accessible to all Space-A passengers. Restrictions are noted with asterisks.

NOTE: Some schedules may differ due to PCS or holiday season adjustments. Please check with the terminals for their most recent schedules by clicking on the passenger terminal name.

Seattle International (SeaTac) AMC terminal PE routes:

• Misawa AB, Japan and Osan AB, Korea (bi-weekly on Sundays)
• Andersen AFB, Guam and Kadena AB, Japan (bi-weekly on Mondays)
• Yokota AB, Japan and Osan AB, Korea (Tuesdays)
• Yokota AB, Japan, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and Kadena AB, Japan (Thursdays)

Baltimore Washington International (BWI) AMC Terminal PE routes (all flights are weekly unless otherwise noted):

• Ramstein AB, Germany and Incirlik AB, Turkey* (bi-weekly on Sundays)
• Ramstein AB, Germany, Kuwait* and Al Udeid, Qatar* (Tuesdays)
• Thule AB, Greenland** (Wednesdays)
• McGuire AFB (Fridays)

| Related Reading: What You Should Know About Flying Space-A from BWI

Naval Station Norfolk  PE routes:

• Naples NSA, Italy; Souda Bay NSA, Greece; Djibouti, Africa***(bi-weekly on Mondays)
• Guantanamo Bay NS, Cuba** (bi-weekly on Tuesdays)
• NAVSTA Rota, Spain; Sigonella NAS, Italy; Bahrain NSA**, Diego Garcia NSF* (bi-weekly on Thursdays)

| Related to Reading: What You Should Know About Flying Space-A via Norfolk

NAS Jacksonville PE routes :

• Guantanamo Bay NS, Cuba** (Fridays)

Travis Air Force Base PE:

Travis has a PE to JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam every other week on Saturdays. This flight rotates back to Travis, but the JB PHH passenger terminal does not post a PE schedule.

| Related Reading: What You Should Know About Flying Space-A from Travis AFB

*Access limited to duty personnel stationed in that location **Access limited to duty personnel and sponsored guests ***No Space-A passengers allowed

6. Arrive early to mark yourself present for a Patriot Express mission.

While arriving one to two hours before Roll Call to mark yourself present is usually enough time for cargo missions, we recommend arriving three hours in advance for Patriot Express missions.

Sometimes passenger terminal staff are processing dozens of PCSing families at the same time as Space-A passengers, so you might need to wait in a long line.

You must be marked present before Roll Call starts if you want to compete for seats on a Space-A flight.

7. The terminal may conduct two Roll Calls for a Patriot Express flight.

If you are competing for a PE that originated at another location, the terminal staff may conduct two Roll Calls: one after the plane lands at your location and another after the check-in time for the last space-required passenger.

Get the full scoop on using Space-A flights and lodging with our free 45-page Guide to Military Space-A Travel.

For example, if you are at Yokota AB awaiting a PE to Seattle that originated at Osan AB , the Yokota passenger terminal will conduct the first Roll Call after the plane from Osan arrives. At that point, they have a rough estimate of Space-A seats.

The second Roll Call takes place after the deadline for space-required passengers (i.e. active duty service members who are PCSing) to check in.

Don’t leave the terminal until after the second Roll Call. Better yet, wait until the plane has boarded; sometimes seats open up at the last minute.

8. The Patriot Express can be the most efficient way to fly Space-A to certain destinations.

As with most Space-A flights, when hopping a PE, it is possible to manifest all the way to the last place the mission is flying. Even if the aircraft stops in other locations along the way, you do not need to re-compete for Space-A seats.

This option is convenient on the PE, because you can get confirmed seats all the way to destinations that would otherwise require you to compete multiple times along the way in some very busy locations.

For example, if your final destination is Kadena AB, and you get a seat on the PE from SeaTac , you will stop at Yokota and Iwakuni along the way. Since you are manifested to Kadena, you can relax during Roll Call. You will not get bumped by Space-A passengers competing at the other two locations, even if they are in a lower-numbered (higher priority) category. (You could lose your seat to a duty passenger).

Flying Space-A to Japan can take longer if you’re not on the PE. While you might get a direct flight from Travis, for example, another option is piecing together a route that could include Hawaii and Guam. If you must compete for flights at both locations, your journey may take a lot longer.

Note: if you are manifested on a PE, make sure your boarding pass lists the correct final destination.

Keep in mind that the PE is not always the best choice. The efficiency and relative comfort make the PE very popular with Space-A travelers, so it’s often competitive to get seats, as explained in #11 below. But when flying Space-A, it’s important to know your options!

9. The Patriot Express is the best Space-A option for travelers with mobility issues.

While the standard advice when flying Space-A is to take the first flight you can get , travelers who use a cane/walker or wheelchair have different considerations. Passengers with mobility issues may have difficulty boarding certain military aircraft.

For example, on windy days when it’s unsafe to use the 35-step staircase truck, passengers on a C-5 may need to climb a steep internal ladder. This brochure from the Air Mobility Command (AMC) explains passenger requirements for boarding military aircraft and includes pictures of the staircases used for boarding.

The PE is a regular commercial aircraft and can accommodate passengers with limited mobility. At some locations, including, Seatac , BWI , Norfolk , and Ramstein , passengers board the PE using a jetway, which is the best option for travelers who have difficulty with stairs.

At most other locations, the PE boards using an outside staircase, which may pose a problem for some passengers. Check with passenger terminals directly to confirm whether they can accommodate specific mobility challenges.

10. Space-A passengers cannot bring pets on the Patriot Express.

Pets are not authorized to fly Space-A on any aircraft unless they are registered service animals.

11. Think twice before flying Space-A on the Patriot Express during PCS season.

PCS season is a tough time to fly Space-A in general, especially to/from OCONUS locations. Getting a seat on a PE is even more difficult at this time, because the PEs are full of families PCSing on orders.

Most AMC passenger terminals that are part of a PE route also have other Space-A flights (i.e., on military cargo planes), so if you are traveling from one of those terminals, you may have multiple options.

One notable exception is Seatac, which does not have any other Space-A flights besides the PE. If you are in the Seattle area during PCS season and want to fly Space-A, it’s best to try JB Lewis-McChord or Whidbey Island.

12. When hopping a Patriot Express, the usual Space-A advice applies.

Space-A is never a good option when you need to be somewhere by a certain date, whether for a family event, a cruise departure, or Christmas dinner .

The PE is not an exception. Despite the fact that you can see the schedule in advance, a PE is by no means a sure thing for Space-A travelers, even those in low-numbered categories.

You may know when a flight is scheduled to depart, but you won’t know until, at most, 3 days in advance if there are any Space-A seats, and you won’t know until the last minute whether you’ve made the flight.

Now that you know all about Space-A on the PE, give it a try! Don’t forget to check back and let us know if you like it better than military cargo planes!

Related Reading

Flying Space-A to Osan AB: 7 Things You Need to Know

How to Read Space-A Flight Schedules

Do’s and Don’ts for Taking a Military Space-A Flight

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5 iconic buildings inspired by the Space Age

Posted: December 7, 2023 | Last updated: December 7, 2023

The midcentury architecture of the Space Age in 5 essential Googie buildings

Googie architecture touched down in Los Angeles in 1949 thanks to John Lautner's futuristic design of the long-gone Googie's Coffee Shop in Hollywood. Even though Lautner designed mostly private residences ( like the one Gwyneth Paltrow bought in 2014 ), his style and fixation with the Space Age set the path for his architectural style (initially belittled by his peers) to become one of a kind.

Bold structures and upswept roofs combined with glass, neon, and fluorescent lights invaded the streets of Los Angeles and neighboring cities and later expanded to Las Vegas, Seattle, Phoenix, New York, and beyond.

From the late 1940s and far into the 1960s, roadside businesses—gas stations, motels, car washers, drive-in restaurants, coffee shops—as well as entertainment venues, like bowling alleys, cinemas, auditoriums, and even churches, started evoking flying saucers, launching pads, and airstrips, while commercial signage began displaying stars, blasts, boomerangs, parabolas, comets, and other astronomical and atomic figures.

This combination of galactic shapes with neon outlines couldn't be ignored and would become a staple of the American midcentury lifestyle, not to mention an effective marketing tool to attract passing motorists. The golden arches of McDonald's, originally an architectural feature of the restaurant and later the main element of its logo, were conceived during this time.

Using various architectural, design, news, and travel sources, Living Spaces chose five iconic Googie buildings that hark back to simpler times, when outer space seemed just within reach and flickering lights on the way home compelled people to imagine the future.

A crowd pleaser: 300 Bowl in Phoenix

On 300 Bowl's opening day in 1958, ads hailed this eye-catching red-and-white structure with soaring triangular roofs as " America's most beautiful family recreation center ."

The bowling alley and diner have been turning heads ever since, though the name of the architect who designed it remains a mystery to this day. Three exaggerated-angle rooftops reached for the sky, while large sheet glass windows brought in generous sunlight and afforded patrons a view of the outdoors surrounded by palm trees.

The building, one of the few surviving Googie-style landmarks in Phoenix, still operates today as the AMF Christown Lanes.

Watch your step: Theme Building in Los Angeles

The iconic structure, which greets millions of travelers every year, was a result of a collaboration between many leading names in LA architecture: Gin Wong, a chief architect; Paul R. Williams, an American architect; and leading firms Pereira & Luckman Associates and Welton Becket & Associates.

Built in 1961, the structure was once home to a restaurant and an observation deck offering 360-degree views of the newly built airport around it. As the airport and traffic grew around the building, however, business suffered, and increased security post-9/11 made it even more difficult to roam the airport as travelers once did.

However, the building is set to take its place in the spotlight again. The city is building an elevated electric train expected to open in 2024 that will run on the north side of the iconic structure, level to its glass-enclosed body.

Currently, the Theme Building houses the Bob Hope USO organization.

Everybody lookin' at me: TWA Flight Center in New York

In 2019, Eero Saarinen's landmark TWA Flight Center—originally a terminal for the defunct Trans World Airlines—was reborn as a hotel, the only one inside John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Built in 1962, Saarinen was commissioned to design not just a terminal but a grand structure representing and advertising the airline, an assignment he flourished. The terminal embodied modernity, featuring an elevated footbridge, large windows, and red velvet lounge chairs. Red carpet whisked travelers to and from the terminal.

From the outside, its aerodynamic design (a key component of Googie architecture) features a four-part thin-shell concrete rooftop composed of slanting and angled segments that, together, resemble a bird or a supersonic jet in flight.

Let's spin: Space Needle in Seattle

Midcentury society's fascination with the Space Age was crystalized at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962. It left an eternal witness of the city's forward-thinking spirit and a skyline icon: the Space Needle.

The 605-foot-tall structure's UFO-shaped top features 360-degree indoor and outdoor city views and the awe-inspiring natural landscapes surrounding it. The Space Needle was first imagined by hotel executive and 1962 World's Fair Chief Organizer Edward E. Carlson, who doodled his idea on a paper napkin. Carlson's musings were realized by architect John "Jack" Graham Jr., who designed the top house, and architect Victor Steinbrueck, who conceived the hourglass-shaped tower based on an abstract sculpture of a woman dancer.

Your Highness: Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California

In the mid-1960s, architect Adrian Wilson was entrusted with creating an eye-catching arena in Anaheim that would fit in seamlessly with the futuristic aesthetics of Disneyland's Tomorrowland, located across the street from the multipurpose venue.

Wilson took his assignment seriously. Faithful to the reigning architectural style of the time, in 1967, he landed a spaceship among palm trees, so to speak. Anaheim was already predicted to be a tourist epicenter in Southern California by then, and the original Googie-style building boded well.

Since it opened, the convention center has hosted the likes of the Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and the "King of Rock and Roll" himself, Elvis Presley. After seven expansions over five decades, the Anaheim Convention Center spans 53 acres.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

This story originally appeared on Living Spaces and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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Space-A Schedules

• Many Passenger Terminals post their schedule on their Terminal Page.  Check the listing at https://www.spacea.net/social or the Terminal Page link from the Location List at https://www.spacea.net/spacea-locations Flight Destination Database - Another traveler (jkeaty) created a "database" that can provide an "indication" of past flight routes and frequency based on "past" flight schedules (no guarantees that same routes or frequencies would continue). 
• Typical Flight Routes - Fellow Space-A Traveler (Craig Hullinger) has put together some maps showing "typical" routes.
• Kaneohe Bay Flight Schedules
• NAS Fort Worth Flight Schedules - no longer available in the old format - now posted on the NAS Ft Worth FB Page
• NAS Norfolk Schedules - no longer available in the old format - now posted on their Passenger Terminal FB Page
• NAS North Island Flight Schedules - no longer available in the old format - now posted on their Passenger Terminal FB Page
• NAS Whidbey Island Flight Schedules - no longer available in the old format - now posted on their Passenger Terminal FB Page
• Operational Support Airlift (OSA) Schedule (only from .mil computer using a Common Access Card (CAC). The OSA schedules is also known as the JOSAC schedules and searchable by departure or arrival point approx 5 days in advance.
• Air National Guard - check with ANG bases in your area for potential flights

LA Times Today: Sensational things to do in Seattle

Watch l.a. times today at 7 p.m. on spectrum news 1 on channel 1 or live stream on the spectrum news app. palos verdes peninsula and orange county viewers can watch on cox systems on channel 99..

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