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The Military Wallet

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.

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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.

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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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Space Available Flight: How to Register

At most bases, there are four ways to sign up for Space A travel:

• A completed AMC Form 140
• On-line registration (e-mail)

If you are on active duty, you MUST be on leave or pass status at the time you register for Space A travel. You must also be in such status while you're waiting to be accepted.

The following information is generally required for a successful sign up:

• Social Security Number
• Branch of service
• Start and stop dates of leave (for active duty only)
• Category (I - VI)
• Number of passengers traveling with you
• Destination (up to five may be chosen)
• Name and Social Security Numbers of any dependents who will be traveling with you

Sponsors who register in person for family members traveling with them should present all required documents:

• Identification cards (DD Form 2, Armed Forces Identification Card)
• Immunization records
• Visas when required by the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide

Travel documents must be presented when selected for travel. Travelers may select up to five countries. We recommend the "all" choice for the 5th destination so that the traveler may take advantage of unscheduled unique travel opportunities.

After you register, an email will be sent to the selected departure location and to your e-mail address. You will compete for seats within a travel category based on the date and time of your registration. This determines your selection on all flights to your selected destination. When you get to your final destination, be sure to sign-up immediately for your return travel. This will give you the "best" date and time for competing for seats on those flights.

You can sign up at multiple gateways where you think you will originate your travel. Once registered, your names remain on the Space A flights register for whichever occurs first:

• 60 days, or
• the duration of the travel orders/leave authorization, or
• until you are selected for travel

Active duty military may travel on a pass in the CONUS and selected overseas areas but may only remain on the Space Available register for 72 hours.

Passengers authorized (in writing) for a special 96-hour pass will remain on the list for 96 hours. If a passenger subsequently presents a leave order valid for the (pass) day of sign up, during or after the 72-hour period, they must sign up again with a new date and time.

Passengers who possess expired leave authorizations will not be able to register unless a leave extension has been approved. A verbal confirmation will be acceptable. Passengers already on the space available register requesting a leave extension are required to notify passenger service personnel prior to their leave expiration date. Your name will remain on the space available register as long as you are pursuing a leave extension. Passengers will not be selected or moved until an extension has been approved.

There are four types of sign-up:

• Country - Under this program, you may sign up for five different countries rather than five different destinations. You are also eligible for the "ALL" sign-up which makes you eligible for all other destinations served. This gives you a greater selection of destinations from which to choose.
• Remote - Remote sign-up allows passengers to enter the backlog by telefaxing copies of proper service documentation along with desired country destinations and family members' first names to the aerial port of departure. The telefax data header will establish date/time of sign-up; therefore, active duty personnel must ensure the telefax is sent no earlier than the effective date of leave. AMC terminals are not responsible for faxes not received. Mail entries will also be permitted. Some of our AMC terminals now accept e-mail sign-up (see paragraph 11 for those terminals so equipped). The original date and time of sign-up shall be documented and stay with the passenger until his or her destination is reached. On reaching destination, the passenger may again sign-up for space available travel to return to home station. NOTE: If applicable, a statement that all required border clearance documents are current, is required.
• Self - Self sign-up is a program that allows passengers to sign-up at a terminal without waiting in line. Most locations now provide self sign-up counters with easy to follow instructions for registration. Active duty personnel must ensure sign-up takes place no earlier than the effective date of leave. If your travel will take you to a foreign country, ensure border clearance documentation is up to date. If you are unsure, verify it with a passenger service representative on duty.
• All - Eligible to sign up for all other destinations served and gives the traveler a greater selection of destinations from which to choose.

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Space-A Signup: What Military Retirees Need to Know

Knowing how, when, and where to sign up for military Space-A flights is an important part of understanding how to incorporate Space-A travel into your plans.

Space-A travel for retired military is, in many ways, easier than for other military travelers, because you don’t need to worry about leave or travel restrictions. However, since retirees are in the lowest Space-A priority group (Category or “Cat” 6), it’s very important to understand how to maximize your chances of getting a seat.

Here are some specific tips related to Space-A signup that you need to know as a retiree along with a few examples of how the rules work in practice.

Note: These signup tips also apply to other Space-A travelers in Cat 6. Some travelers in this category are not eligible to fly to foreign countries, but the examples below illustrate the rules and process.

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

1. Aim to sign up for Space-A flights 45 to 50 days before your desired travel date.

A Space-A signup is valid for up to 60 days.* After 60 days, your priority is reset, meaning you go to the end of the “virtual” line .

Example : You are at the terminal waiting for Roll Call and you signed up 60 days ago. You will be among the first Cat 6 passengers selected for the flight if seats are available.

But if Roll Call is delayed until tomorrow, you will lose that priority because your 60 days will have expired. You will need to sign up again, meaning your new signup is only 1 day old.

*At certain Naval Air Stations, including NAS North Island and NAS Fort Worth, the maximum advance signup is 45 days. If you plan to travel through these locations, aim to sign up 35 to 40 days in advance.

2. Do not sign up for Space-A flights at the same location more than once before you travel.

Signing up at the same terminal will reset your priority at that location to whatever is the most recent signup date.

Example : If you sign up to fly out of JB Andrews with the intention of traveling 6 weeks from today, do not send that passenger terminal a new Space-A signup “just to make sure they received it” (see tip #4 below). If you sign up at Andrews again a week prior to travel, you will go from having more than 40 days of “seniority” to only 7 days.

On the other hand, if, after signing up at Andrews, you decide that you should sign up for other Washington, DC-area bases such as BWI and Dover to expand your options, those signups do NOT affect your seniority at JB Andrews.

Many terminals will not reply to acknowledge receipt of your signup. To confirm that your signup was received, try calling the passenger terminal directly. You can find a list of all military passenger terminals and their contact info in the Passenger Terminal Directory on the Air Mobility Command Travel Site .

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

3. Sign up for multiple departure locations – everywhere you could possibly want to fly from.

You can sign up for as many departure terminals as you want.

The most efficient way to do it is to send one e-mail and copy all of the passenger terminals from which you may want to fly. You can also use the MilSpaceA travel app (available in the Apple and Android app stores).

Passenger terminal e-mail addresses change periodically, so make sure you have the most current address. The Air Mobility Command (AMC) Travel Site has contact information for all military passenger terminals (scroll down to the Passenger Terminal Directory).

Don’t forget that you should also sign up for the bases from which you may want to return at the end of your travels. Depending on how long you plan to spend at your destination, wait the corresponding amount of time to sign up at your return terminals.

Example : You live on the West Coast and are trying to fly Space-A to Japan . You want to spend about 3 weeks there.

You sign up with the Seattle AMC terminal , JB Lewis-McChord, Travis AFB , Anderson AFB, and JB Pearl Harbor Hickam approximately 50 days prior to your desired travel date.

You should wait at least 3 weeks before sending requests to Yokota AB, Misawa AB, and Kadena AB, which are possible bases from which you may want to return to the U.S.

Advanced Example : You want to go to Osan AB in Korea . Having monitored Space-A flight schedules , you know that Seattle has weekly Patriot Express flights to Osan via Yokota and Misawa, so those are two of the departure bases you sign up for (along with the other locations noted in the first example).

You end up hopping a cargo flight from Travis to Yokota, where you compete for the Patriot Express and get a seat to Osan.

        | Related Reading: 9 Things to Know About Flying Space-A on the Patriot Express

You might also want to return to the U.S. via Yokota. Therefore, as soon as you arrive in Yokota, you send that terminal another signup for your trip back to CONUS.

You must sign up for Yokota again, because after you compete for and are manifested on a flight from a particular base, you are no longer on their Space-A signup list.

If we take this example a step further, we have yet another possible scenario. If you board the Patriot Express in Seattle and are manifested all the way to Osan, the stopover in Yokota will NOT affect your place on the Yokota signup list. You do not need to sign up at Yokota again.

4. Keep copies of your “sent” Space-A signup e-mails.

If the passenger terminal has no record of your signup (as is often the case) when you mark yourself present, they will usually honor your proof of the date/time you sent the request.

At most military passenger terminals, an electronic copy of your signup is sufficient, but it never hurts to have a paper copy.

You can expedite the process of marking yourself present by having all of your required travel documents readily available, including your signup e-mail and the military IDs and passports (if traveling to a foreign country) of all travelers in your party.

          | Related to Space-A Signup: Lessons Learned from Flying Space-A Across the World

When marking yourself present, you should also confirm that any signup information the terminal has is correct, including the date and time of signup, the number of travelers, and the final destination.

Note: Signup dates and times for all terminals worldwide are recorded in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) aka Zulu time.

5. When you receive your boarding passes, verify that the final destination is correct.

Even if your current flight is only the first leg of your journey, your boarding pass should always indicate your final destination. This is particularly important when you hop a flight going to multiple locations, and you are manifested to the last destination.

Example: You are at Travis AFB and want to fly Space-A to Germany . There is a mission on the schedule that stops at JB McGuire before continuing on to Ramstein AB.

You mark yourself present for that flight and tell the agent that your final destination is Ramstein. You are selected for the flight.

When you get your boarding pass from Travis to McGuire, you should verify that two fields are correct. The Destination field should say “McGuire.” The Final Destination field should say “Ramstein.” If it doesn’t, ask the agent to make the correction.

There is a good reason why this is important. If you are manifested to the final destination of a mission that has scheduled stops along the way, you do not need to compete with other Space-A passengers for seats at the interim location(s).

However, in the example above, if your boarding pass does not accurately reflect that you have a seat all the way Ramstein, it’s possible that you would need to compete for Space-A seats again at McGuire.

Final Advice for Retirees Flying Space-A

Military retirees can fly Space-A any time of year. Your best chances of getting a seat are outside of summer PCS season and whenever schools are in session ( the winter holidays are not a good time ).

Following the signup tips above will also boost your chances of getting a seat. To maximize the likelihood that you make it to your target destination, follow our tried-and-true strategies for a successful Space-A adventure !

Ready to fly? Check out these other articles to help you plan your travel:

Space-A Packing List: What to Wear and Bring on a Military Hop

How to Use TRICARE When Seeking Medical Care Overseas

Poppin’ Smoke’s Space-A Location Guides

Top photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement .

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Have a Plan. Register. Have a Back Up Plan. Make Roll Call. Get Selected. Get Airborne. Or access LOCAL INFO--before you depart, just after arrival--anytime. MilSpaceA app allows authorized U.S. government users to register for Department of Defense (DoD) military space-available travel. It is the exclusive app for all DoD travelers wanting a quick, easy, reliable, and authorized means to sign up for Space-A at primary departure terminals. VISITING FAMILY MEMBERS and TDY military & contractors are now using MilSpaceA app as well--there's MUCH MORE here than just space-a signup. Expanded LOCAL INFO: billeting, car rental, dining, Exchange info, links to air terminals' pages, USOs, & more. AIRCRAFT GALLERY: depictions & basic descriptions of DoD pax aircraft TRAVEL ADVISORIES - announcements of temporary conditions affecting space-a SIGNUP ARCHIVE - stored in-app (as well as in user's own e-mail "Sent" items) FOREIGN CURRENCY - daily exchange rates for AOIs DOCUMENT LIBRARY: key space-a documents: policy, guides, handbooks, AMCGrams ENHANCED ONLINE MAPPING: Your location shown relative to points of interest in the app (requires active geolocation & Internet access). First, browse through "Airfields of Interest". Call ahead to various terminals (call-enabled for iPhone) or visit terminals’ flight schedule pages (if they have them--most don't). Then fill in your details, select departure airfields and destination countries, and send out the signup to register for travel. Some terminals will reply; most will not. Just keep a copy of e-mail(s) as proof of signup. • Remote space-a signup for multiple airfields. Prepare off- or online--then transmit when you have connectivity. • Multi-branch terminal support (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Guard & Reserve) • Complies with Air Mobility Command rules: Signups generated by you, your e-mail as the sender & reply-to address. Copies saved directly in your e-mail Sent items, retrievable anytime. • Data privacy: No SSAN required. Exclusive AMC-authorized Pseudo Person ID (PPID) auto-created. (Some Navy locations still insist on SSANs--contact them directly after signup to pass SSAN). • NEW: Now includes optional fields for DoD ID numbers, dates of birth, and passport info. • Full control of your data--ability to purge anytime. *** "My mom came to visit me and she used the app, too (...) It's great for anyone visiting [the base]." - LT "Amazing how easy this app made our trip. This and our books together, because weird or not, I still like the smell of paper" - JD "Great app. Very easy to use" - TT *** Policies governing space-a are implemented in DoD Directive 4515.13-R (Air Transportation Eligibility) and AMCI 24-101 Vol 14. Determine your eligibility before registering for travel. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TERMINAL if you have any questions of eligibility. Refer to http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel for current official AMC policy. Utilize and support pepperd.com, spacea.net & takeahop.org for unofficial discussions, info, and desktop-based space-a signup. Only after mission requirements are met will remaining seats be offered up for space-a. Be prepared for delays or short-notice diversions. Space-A is a privilege, not a right--movement is never guaranteed. UNDERSTAND THE BASICS OF SPACE-A before signing up. More about Take-a-Hop--and its MilSpaceA app) Since inception, Take-a-Hop's platform has generated MILLIONS of space-a signups. Trusted by passengers and passenger service agents (PSAs) alike. Used by tens of thousands of DoD travelers. Solely managed by a USAF veteran who has also traveled military space-a and knows what travelers are up against. MilSpaceA app is not endorsed by the US Federal Government, DoD, or any branch thereof. And still, it's the name recommended by thousands and earning your trust for years. Thanks and Happy Travels! WEB at www.takeahop.com/app LIKE on www.facebook.com/takeahop

Version 3.1

This release contains minor fixes and improvements.

Ratings and Reviews

Works fine for me with a minor flaw.

I have used TakAHop for years. It works fine for me. It works by saving my basic data. I select my departure airbases and target destination. countries. It then generates an email that is sent to the departure airbases. My only complaint is a small one. It will not update my wife’s passport data. So I have to go in and manually change it on the email before it is sent. Not really a big deal as the Air Force desk clerk will update it before a flight. It is not perfect but it saves me the repetition of filling out the same data over and over again. A thumbs up from me.

I have used this app for two years. We are novice Space A adventurers and Take-A-Hop has made the sign up process so simple and convenient. I have the app on my phone and IPad. I keep the email sign up on my phone. We have never had a problem but if there is a question at the AMC terminal about our sign up date, the email with date and time can be shown to the pax rep. Twice I've had questions and used the in-app email. The developer responded expeditiously.

False application

This app is a scam. As you navigate through this application and fill out all the information you believe that it is a form of registration through the app. IT IS NOT! All it does is generate an email for you and send the email with all the information you just filled in. You are paying $6.99 for an email generator… an email that is easier to just type behind a computer. It doesn’t even do it for you! You are still typing everything in yourself then it just organizes it for you!!!! Complete theft. Refund has been requested! Zero stars if I could

App Privacy

The developer, Take-a-Hop , has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

Information

• Enable Skype Calling $1.99
• Developer Website
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A huge solar storm is hitting the US: 6 big questions and answers

The biggest solar storm to hit the United States in more than two decades is underway — with impacts to begin Friday evening. 

That means Americans as far south as Illinois — or even Alabama — may see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. 

Those dancing lights will be the sign of charged particles ejected from storms on the surface of the sun as they collide with the Earth’s magnetic field.

With the Earth increasingly electrified, these storms are potentially disruptive to both radio and the grid — and while this storm is unlikely to cause serious problems, it’s a warning of more serious risks in the future.

“We anticipate that we’re going to get one shock after another, so we’re really buckling down here,” said Brent Gordon, chief of the Space Weather Services branch of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Here are five things to know about the event — and the vulnerabilities it exposes..

What is happening on the sun?

Sometimes the intense magnetic fields from within the sun’s interior push up onto the sun’s surface, forming  dark regions, or sunspots . These are enormous regions — many times the size of the Earth — that are thousands of degrees cooler than sun’s usual surface. 

Solar plasma can gets stuck in these ‘ropes’ of magnetic flux and flung up into the sun’s atmosphere.

They generally collapse back down into the solar surface.

But sometimes, as these ‘ropes’ snap back into the surface of the sun, they fling charged particles from the sun’s corona out into space. That’s called  a coronal mass ejection  (CME), and what’s happening tonight and early tomorrow is a series of CMEs heading toward Earth.

Once it reaches the Earth, it will cause  a “geomagnetic storm”  as the particles hit the Earth’s magnetic field.

How serious is this event?

Experts at NOAA say it’s probably not a big risk to Earth-based systems. But it is a rare and serious event. Like tornadoes and hurricanes, geomagnetic storms are rated on a five-point scale, and this is supposed to be a G4 event.

This is the first such severe storm — and the last “geomagnetic watch” announced by NOAA —  since 2005. There have been more recent storms on the low end of the G4 schedule, including a  brief, relatively weak event  in 2023.

NOAA scientists compared the ongoing “watch” alert to a tornado alert: It means grid managers should go about their business, but be alert. The next level — which the world has yet to hit — would be a warning akin to a tornado warning, which would suggest an ongoing serious event.

But experts emphasized that each “warning” is directed at a specific audience: Tornado warnings go out to everyone in the path of a tornado, but geomagnetic warnings are directed at a much more specialized group.

“For most people on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Robert Steenburgh, another space scientist at NOAA. “They’ll be able to go about their daily lives.”

But for “certain sectors of the economy, industry and aviation. There’s some disintegrating effort, because they’ll have to work around the particular storms,” Steenburgh said.

What disruptions can that cause?

On Earth, these impacts are generally minimal, because the Earth’s magnetic field largely shields society from the onslaught of particles. Impacts are relatively restricted to sectors including high-frequency radio or communications from the ground to GPS or airlines — because the particles generate current in the atmosphere that disrupts radio waves.

But the world is increasingly dependent on electricity, which is to say on electromagnetic waves of the sort disrupted by a geomagnetic storm. It’s also increasingly encircled with bands of metal — transmission lines, railroad tracks or even pipelines — that can be turned into electromagnets by the geomagnetic storm.

“Depending on how much [the CME] interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, the Earth’s field can fluctuate,” sending pulses of electric current down “long conductors like pipelines, railroad tracks and power lines that’s not supposed to be there,” Steenburgh said.

“So our role is to alert the operators of these different systems so that they’re aware and can take action to mitigate these impacts.”

A bigger issue is the world’s reliance on global positioning systems (GPS), which depend on maintaining reliable communication to the network of satellites encircling the globe; GPS was a far less significant part of the economy or navigation system when the last such storm happened in 2005.

Shawn Dahl of the Space Weather Prediction Center said the storm can cause “potential signal loss” between ground and satellites. That means fewer satellites will be able to communicate to the ground at once, making the system’s ability to determine precisely where things are less accurate.

The storm can also “flood” the upper atmosphere with charged particles that persist for days after the storm is over, with real implications for space travel.

Controllers of lower-altitude satellites “are really paying attention now,” Dahl said, because the storm effectively “expands the areas where the satellites are orbiting.” As the atmosphere gets more dense, if controllers aren’t paying attention, their satellites can slow down in the increased friction and begin to drop. “So that’s being accounted for as much as they can.”

One benefit of the reliance on GPS is that the sky is so full of satellites, and the ground so full of receivers, that it helps defray the risk with greater redundancy. “There’s a wide variety of spacecraft providing information, position navigation and timing,” Steenburgh said. “So while the threat is there, it is mitigated.”

How bad can a solar storm get?

The worst geomagnetic storm in recorded history was the 1859 Carrington event, which was named for the astronomer who noticed the unusual spots on the surface of the sun — the effects of which hit the Earth 18 hours later.

That geomagnetic storm — a G5 — caused sparks to fly from doorknobs, blocked telegraph wires and caused auroras to be visible as far south as the Caribbean.

“So completely were the wires under the influence of the Aurora Borealis that it was found utterly impossible to communicate between the telegraph stations, and the line had to be closed,” wrote the telegraph manager of the Rochester Union & Advertiser at the time,  according to Ars Technica .

Many effects at the time were spooky. Birds woke up and sang in the bright light of the storm, and telegraph workers across the Eastern Seaboard were able to shut off their batteries and transmit messages using only the induced current of the aurora for power.

The coming storm could reach levels within hailing distance of the Carrington event, Dahl told reporters. 

While that was an “extreme level G5,” this storm “could reach a low G5, and we are considering that.” But with the sun 93 million miles away, he said, “it’s extremely difficult to forecast with a very good degree of accuracy the arrival of these events.”

Until the CME gets to about a million miles from earth, scientists “have no way of knowing how impactful these may be,” Dahl said. “Our best guess is G3 to G4.”

A modern Carrington-class storm  would be a very big deal , as Kathryn Schulz wrote in The New Yorker. 

A National Academy of Sciences Report, Schulz summarized, found that “extensive damage to satellites would compromise everything from communications to national security.”

That, she wrote, was just the beginning. “Extensive damage to the power grid would compromise everything: health care, transportation, agriculture, emergency response, water and sanitation, the financial industry, the continuity of government. The report estimated that recovery from a Carrington-class storm could take up to a decade and cost many trillions of dollars.”

To make things more concerning, the Carrington event was only the benchmark by the happenstance of it being the CME that hit the Earth — more powerful events have blown right by us, including a 2012 storm that missed the earth by nine days.

A NASA article  didn’t mince words  on the gravity of what had almost happened.

“If an asteroid big enough to knock modern civilization back to the 18th century appeared out of deep space and buzzed the Earth-Moon system, the near-miss would be instant worldwide headline news. Two years ago, Earth experienced a close shave just as perilous,” the agency press team wrote.

“If it had hit, we would still be picking up the pieces,” Daniel Baker of the University of Colorado told the agency.

After writing a 2013  paper on the event for the journal Space Weather, Baker came away chilled. 

“I have come away from our recent studies more convinced than ever that Earth and its inhabitants were incredibly fortunate that the 2012 eruption happened when it did,” Baker told NASA. “If the eruption had occurred only one week earlier, Earth would have been in the line of fire.”

What is being done to protect the grid?

In 2016, then-President Obama issued  an executive order  directing grid operators and infrastructure managers to prepare for “extreme space weather events.”

Space weather, the president wrote, “has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents,” and he called on a wide array of government, industry and civil society to get ready.

In her New Yorker piece, Schulz notes that the space industry is largely unregulated, and Bill Murtagh of the Space Weather Prediction Center told her that “I do not think they are ready for a major space-weather event.”

But the grid, he told her, is likely preparing — at least for an event around as strong as the Carrington storm.

At the Friday press event, Steenburgh acknowledged that the addition of renewables to the grid had made it “different than it was in 2005.”

But he said his group had been “working with the power distribution community over the past decade to help them better understand space weather, and their engineers have taken that information and used it to build systems that can protect the power lines more rapidly than before.”

Much of this comes down to triage: identifying what can be taken offline rapidly to protect it in the event of a serious storm, and hardening systems that can’t be allowed to fail.

Where problems arise, he noted, was on massive high-voltage transformer lines. “It’s not on anybody’s [private] line going from the small transformer to their home.”

But Schulz warned that the federal standard for hardening may be preparing for an event weaker than the Carrington event, which is itself weaker than the near-miss of 2012.

And while this storm is unlikely to cause serious problems, and the sun is nearly toward the maximum extent of its 25-year cycle of activity — which will peak in October — solar flare activity often picks up on the back end of the peak.

That could mean years of increased flares, Scott McIntosh of the National Center for Atmospheric Research told LiveScience.

Who will be able to see the aurora?

For this weekend, however, the NOAA team said there was little to worry about — except the question of whether someone who wants to will be able to see the aurora.

“In general, the most visible manifestation of space weather is if you happen to be in an area where it’s cloud free and relatively unpolluted by light — you may get a fairly impressive, aurora display. That’s really the gift from space weather,” Steenburgh said.

Unless the storm is a strong G4, only those in the northern half of the country — meaning north of Northern California — will be able to see it with their naked eye, and then only if they are in areas with little light pollution and clear sides.

A stronger storm may be visible with the naked eye as far south as Alabama. 

But there’s a hack, Steenburgh said: use your smart phone.

“If you have a clear night, not many clouds and you put your phone to the sky — you may actually get an image. With some of the recent events, we’ve seen them as far south as Texas, or even down in Central America. So it is possible. Not likely, but it is possible.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

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Okinawa prefecture discourages US military flights to pair of islands near Taiwan

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel visits Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Jan. 19, 2024. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Okinawa prefecture has objected to the U.S. ambassador’s upcoming visit to two islands east of Taiwan because he is planning to travel on U.S. military aircraft, according to official and media accounts.

The U.S. military asked the prefecture for clearance to use the Ishigaki and Yonaguni airports on May 17 for “transportation of personnel,” a spokeswoman for the prefecture’s Military Base Affairs Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is expected to visit Japan Ground-Self Defense Force bases and meet city officials on both islands, according to a May 1 report by public broadcaster NHK that cited unnamed government officials.

The islands’ proximity to Taiwan and the Senkaku islets, a Japanese possession, puts them center stage as regional tensions simmer between China and the United States.

A Camp Ishigaki spokesman confirmed by phone Wednesday that the base had been notified of the ambassador’s visit, but he declined to provide further details.

U.S. Embassy Tokyo, U.S. Forces Japan and the Okinawa Defense Bureau did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment Thursday.

The prefecture’s Airport Division approved the Yonaguni stop but rejected the one at Ishigaki because “it is not possible to park the aircraft during the requested time,” a division spokesman said by phone Wednesday.

The base affairs spokeswoman said the prefecture discourages U.S. military aircraft from visiting the islands.

“Civilian airports were built for civilian aircraft; our policy is that the U.S. military should refrain from using the airport except in case of emergency,” the spokeswoman said. “We are requesting it to assure a safe and smooth operation of those aircraft.”

The prefecture appealed Wednesday to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Okinawa Liaison Office and Okinawa Defense Bureau to ask the U.S. military to refrain from using both airports.

“This request does not have a legal binding power, and the U.S. military can use the airport if there is an open spot during the requested time,” the base affairs spokeswoman said.

It is customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to reporters on condition of anonymity.

In March, the prefecture similarly asked the U.S. Navy to cancel a three-day port call at Ishigaki, a popular tourist destination, by the USS Rafael Peralta.

The guided-missile destroyer made its rest stop, but local dockworkers went on strike in protest during its stay.

Yonaguni and Ishigaki are approximately 70 miles and 160 miles east of Taiwan, respectively.

Camp Ishigaki opened with anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles in March 2023. Japan plans to install an upgraded version of its Type-12 surface-to-ship missile there and on two other islands by 2026 to counter perceived threats from China and North Korea.

The Ground Self-Defense Force established a surveillance station at Camp Yonaguni and held a training exercise with U.S. Marines on the island in February, The Washington Post reported in March.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada in April 2023 ordered a Patriot missile-defense system deployed there following reports that North Korea planned a satellite launch.

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I’m a Shopping Writer and These Are the Top Deals on Travel Bags Today

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!

The weather’s getting warmer, and summer’s just about here. That means it’s time to head off on a nice vacation to kick off the season. But whether you want to go on a quick trip or a lengthy globe-trotting adventure, you’re going to need a great bag to take with you, especially one that works as a carry-on.

Related: The Best Travel Kits for Men on the Go

Choosing travel bags and weekender options can be a bit difficult, however, if you’re looking to save some cash on what’s out there. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite picks to help you keep some of that hard-earned money in your bank account while scoring a great bag to take with you on your next adventure. Go see the world with a bag that fits your personality and nees, jet-setter!

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9. Packable Tote: This simple tote bag is the perfect option for a weekend trip with its no-frills yet reliable design – just $18 !

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10. Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag: Keep thieves out of your belongings while carrying all you need from point A to point B – just $37 !

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The Essentials With Megan Roup: Dance Cardio, Intuitive Eating and Vintner’s Daughter

“i wanted to create a class for busy women that was shorter and that simplified dance cardio in a welcoming space,” says the sculpt society founder..

Having spent her entire childhood in the dance studio and her early adult years as a professional dancer in New York City, Megan Roup was used to following other people’s choreography. But in 2017, she officially set out on her own, establishing The Sculpt Society .  With the TSS method, Roup introduced people to a new form of stylized cardio that centered around inclusivity and left out any talk of dieting or weight loss that was (and continues to be) prevalent in the fitness world.

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“I really struggled with body image in my early twenties, and the kind of triggering language that was in magazines or social media with things like before and after photos,” Roup tells Observer. “I didn’t want to be part of the problem that I felt was being perpetuated, and I think we’re just all getting sick of being told, over and over again, this certain narrative around our bodies and what we should look like,” she explains of making a conscious decision to forgo marketing TSS in a results-focused way.

Instead, she prioritized creating a community where anyone could join and get in a good sweat. “Even as someone with a professional dance background, I would walk into some of these fitness classes and feel intimidated,” Roup recalls of her first introduction to the boutique fitness scene while living in New York City. “I wanted to create a class for busy women that was shorter and that simplified dance cardio a little bit in a welcoming space. I wanted someone with zero dance background to be able to walk into my class and feel really successful, but I also wanted someone with a dance background to walk into my class and equally enjoy it.”

Though Roup’s dedicated following now includes It girls like model Miranda Kerr and actress Dakota Johnson , her success didn’t happen overnight. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Roup started teaching fitness classes (and modeling) to help supplement her income as a professional dancer. “I quickly fell in love with teaching and connecting with other women, and it really opened my eyes to the next chapter for me,” she says. In the midst of a boutique fitness boom in New York City, Roup began to explore every kind of workout, from dance cardio to reformer Pilates to Vinyasa yoga, before pursuing her own method. “When I started teaching, there were some days where no one would show up, or two people would show up,” she remembers. “But I knew what I had in the class was special, how I taught it was special and the energy that was created was special—I just needed to get bodies in the room to experience it.” Word of mouth helped to turn more New Yorkers on to The Sculpt Society, and Roup developed a social media strategy that involved working with influencers and models to generate more buzz.

Less than 10 years later, Roup has amassed 500,000-plus followers on Instagram , runs an app with more than 600 on-demand classes, and continues to teach in-person classes (now on a weekly basis in Los Angeles, where she has since relocated). But she’s not done yet. 

As Roup’s own life has grown to include marriage and motherhood, she’s taken The Sculpt Society community on the journey with her. Becoming pre- and postpartum certified, Roup created a TSS Mama program, which includes dedicated classes for each stage of pregnancy and postpartum. She’s also set to launch a fertility program, which she created with the help of Dr. Lucky Sekhon, MD , a New York City-based board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist and obstetrician-gynecologist. “She’s helping guide me on what classes and workouts to do for each section of if you’re trying to conceive, or going through IVF, or freezing your eggs,” shares Roup. “We’re also working with a mental health specialist so that women can feel more supported during their fertility journey.”

From her skincare favorites to her ultimate brunch spot, Roup shares her current essentials with Observer.

Morning skincare routine:  

I don’t wash my face in the morning; I never have because I have dry skin, so I splash my face with water . I love products, so I definitely try a lot of different kinds of products, but I use vitamin C, an eye cream, a moisturizer, an oil and a SPF. Currently, I’m really loving YSE’s vitamin C serum , and I’m using Caudalie’s eye cream and the resveratrol moisturizer . For face oils, I always love Vintner’s Daughter even though it’s a little pricey. U Beauty has a great one, and Naturium has a really great squalane oil that’s more price-sensitive. For SPF, I love Supergoop’s Glowscreen or their Unseen Sunscreen .

The foods that fuel her workouts:

I’m a really big believer in intuitive eating, so if I’m hungry right when I get up, I’ll do something as simple as an apple and almond butter or overnight oats with Califia’s organic line of almond milk or oat milk—it really changes. I love a Good Culture cottage cheese, or sometimes my husband will make me a smoothie, and if I’m wanting something a little heartier, I’ll have Ezekiel toast, smashed avocado and some eggs.  

Her wellness routine:

Movement is such a big self-care tool for me, but as I’ve entered motherhood, it’s just small things. I love an infrared sauna, and I also just got this little lymphatic roller from Love Wellness that takes no time at all. About a year ago, I started getting up before my first child, Harlow, wakes up, and then I had my second child, so even just giving myself 45 minutes to an hour in the morning to take a walk outside, get some vitamin D and get some caffeine, and then it’s back into the thick of things.

Los Angeles coffee and brunch favorites:

I love Verve and Alfred’s, and I know there’s Blue Bottle everywhere, but I like that, too. And then for brunch, Great White . They’ve got their Great White Brekkie that’s really good, and I also really like their avocado toast and folded eggs.  

Favorite vacation spot:  

My family is from Cape Town, and it’s my favorite place to go and visit. I grew up spending the month of December there, but now it’s more like every couple of years that we try to go, because it gets harder to travel with kids.

What she’s traveling with:

I really try to do a carry-on whenever I can, because I’m the type of person who wants to land and get straight to my hotel. I just got a bunch of Calpak pieces of luggage that I really like, and are on the more affordable side. I always have headphones with me, like the Sony headphones for noise-canceling or just traditional AirPods, and then I need snacks in my bag, and a notebook and pen.

The one thing in her wardrobe she refuses to part with:

My whole workout section in my wardrobe! It’s kind of ridiculous, and if you saw it, you would be like, ‘You don’t need 100 leggings.’ But because I’m filming so much, I’m always trying to keep the outfits fresh and mix and match things. We just came out with a little capsule launch with The Sculpt Society, so I’m partial to that, but I like shopping at Bandier , Carbon 38 , Alo Yoga , Vuori , Athleta , Beyond Yoga —there are so many great brands.

• SEE ALSO : Edible Pearls and Red Carpet Parrots: A Look Inside MoMA PS1’s 2024 Gala and Afterparty

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Money blog: 600 new skyscrapers 'on way' for London, report finds

A reader seeks help as her employer of 24 years is bringing in a new clock-in system to pay her by the minute. Read this and all the latest personal finance and consumer news in the Money blog - and share your own problem or dispute below.

Monday 13 May 2024 19:57, UK

• Gen Z would rather deliver parcels than work in restaurants, Michel Roux Jr claims
• 600 new skyscrapers on way for London, report finds
• Money Problem: My workplace is bringing in new clock-in system to pay us by the minute - is this allowed?
• Free childcare applications open for new age band

Essential reads

• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• 'Loud budgeting': The money-saving trend that has nothing to do with giving up your daily coffee
• How to avoid a holiday data roaming charge (while still using the internet)
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Young homebuyers are being forced to gamble with their retirement prospects by taking on ultra-long mortgages, according to a former pensions minister.

Sir Steve Webb described data - supplied by the Financial Conduct Authority to the Bank of England - as "shocking".

It suggests that more than one million new mortgages have been issued over the past three years with end dates beyond the state pension age.

The ex-Liberal Democrat MP, who is now a partner at the consultancy firm LCP, voiced fears that borrowers could be forced to raid their pension savings to clear their mortgage in a worst-case scenario.

Sir Steve saw the potential for harm in any case, as longer-term mortgages deprive people of a period running up to retirement when they could be mortgage-free and boosting their pension.

What does the data say? 

• 42% of new mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2023 - or 91,394 - had terms going beyond the state pension age;
• In the final quarter of last year, people aged 30 to 39 accounted for 30,943 new mortgages lasting beyond state pension age;
• People aged 40 to 49 accounted for 32,305;
• Under-30s made up 3,676 of these mortgages;
• People aged 50 to 59 accounted for 18,854, and there were 661 who were over 70.

Mortgage rates have been rising since the end of 2021 when the Bank of England began action to tackle rising inflation.

Taking home loans with longer maturity dates tends to be more attractive when interest rates are high, as monthly repayments are lower.

You can read more on this story below...

Waitrose has become the only supermarket to receive a royal warrant from the King. 

The recognition means the company has regularly provided the royal household with products for at least five years. 

It also means it can use the King's coat of arms on packaging, as part of advertising or on any stationary it creates. 

Waitrose was first granted a royal warrant in 1928 for supplying King George V with groceries and cleaning materials.

"We are honoured and proud that His Majesty has granted us his warrant," James Bailey, executive director of Waitrose, said. 

"It means the world to all of us, and our farmers and suppliers. There couldn’t be a more powerful symbol of our commitment to service and quality, and our determination to have the highest environmental and animal welfare standards." 

Waitrose was previously granted a royal warrant by the late Queen in 2002 and the King when he was Prince of Wales in 2010.

The Queen has also granted her first royal warrants, picking seven companies, including luxury department store Fortnum & Mason and the florist that supplied her coronation flowers, Shane Connolly & Company. 

The royal nod could be bad news for customers, however, with a brand finance expert telling Sky News that having a royal warrant allows firms to charge a price premium.

David Haigh said his company's research estimated this to be "between 10% and 25%".

A royal warrant says a company or a product is luxurious, high quality and sustainable, he explained. 

He estimates the scheme is "worth billions to UK companies and… therefore it's a very high value to the UK economy".

"And one of the reasons for that is that a lot of foreign tourists and buyers have a preference for royal warrant holder products. We found that 100% of Chinese buyers would pay in excess of 10% for a royal warrant holder product."

Read more on the Queen's choices here :

Gordon Ramsay's restaurants tripled losses to £3.4m last year, as the chef warned businesses in the industry were facing a "challenging" climate. 

The chef's group spent millions opening five new restaurants in 2023, including a Lucky Cat in Manchester, a Bread Street Kitchen in Battersea Power Station and a Street Pizza in Edinburgh. 

Sales at his wide-ranging establishments rose, however, by 21% to £95.6m in the year to August, according to The Telegraph. 

"It's been a really hard-fought year, but at the same time an exciting year, and in tough times it amazes me how strong and vibrant our industry is," Ramsay told the news outlet. 

"It's challenging out there and businesses are battling to stay afloat, rising costs, rent and food costs, multiple strikes. It's a battle" 

He was optimistic, however, saying there hasn't been "so much passion and vibrancy" in the industry since he opened his first restaurant in 1998.

"We've still got something wonderful to celebrate, and I truly believe the industry has never been so exciting."

Once the UK's favourite alcoholic beverage, beer's popularity seems to be fading among the younger drinking generation... 

In fact, only 30% of people aged 18 to 24 ever drink it, according to a study commissioned by the Society of Independent Brewers. 

Instead, younger drinkers say they prefer drinking spirits, wine and cider. 

Pub visits appear to be suffering as well, with almost a quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed saying they have never visited their local. 

SIBA's 2024 Craft Beer Report paints a more positive picture for small and independent brewers, however, with more than 55% of beer consumers saying they now drink "local craft beer". 

It also found average beer production volumes among independent breweries has risen by 14% since last year - a return to pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 4 years. 

"Demand for local, independently brewed beer in the UK is strong, with independent brewers reporting production volumes up by 14%, meaning they have returned to 2019 volumes again," Andy Slee, SIBA's chief executive, said. 

But, he said, it's time for "cautious optimism" only, with the industry still plagued with a number of issues. 

"The short-term issue for small independent breweries isn't demand; it's profitability, rising costs and financial pressures such as lingering COVID debt," he said. 

"Far too many breweries are simply trying to survive rather than thrive, so while there are many positives signs highlighted in the report, for now it's cautious optimism."

Earlier this year, our Money reporter Emily Mee explored whether the UK's big night out culture was dying out. 

Nightlife experts warned we're losing one club every two days at the moment - and if we stay on this trajectory, we will have none left by 2030.

You can read more about her findings here...

A total of 583 skyscrapers are "queuing up in the pipeline" to be built across central London, a development thinktank has said. 

That is more than double the 270 built in the past decade. 

In the eastern borough of Tower Hamlets alone, 71 tall buildings were completed in that time that time, the report by New London Architecture found. 

A further 24 were in the City of London and 27 in Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs. 

The report said the rapid change has been fuelled by a "burgeoning demand" for office and residential space, overseas investment and a supporting planning environment. 

"Tall buildings have changed the face of London substantially over the last 20 years and will continue to do so - the pipeline that NLA has tracked means there is at least 10 years' supply that has already been defined," Peter Murray, the organisation's co-founder, said. 

"London's population continues to grow, passing the 10 million mark at the end of this decade.

"We'll still need tall buildings; and NLA will continue to keep a close watch on what's going on." 

Restaurants might only be able to open three or four days a week due to staffing problems, Michel Roux Jr has warned. 

Speaking to The Telegraph as he gears up to open his new restaurant Chez Rouz, the Michelin starred chef admitted the industry needs to change to accommodate flexible working hours. 

"Just because I worked 80 hours a week or more doesn't mean the next generation should," he said. 

"Quite the contrary. That is something that we have to address in our industry."

But, he warned that the move will come at a cost... 

"It will mean ultimately that going out is going to be more expensive, and that maybe your favourite restaurant is no longer open seven days a week - it's only open three or four days a week," he said. 

The industry is known for its long, unsociable working hours, and Roux Jr explained that the real issue hit after the pandemic, with people no longer wanting to work weekends. 

"People don't want to work unsociable hours and would rather work delivering parcels as and when they want to. It's as simple as that," he added. 

Earlier this year, Roux Jr said goodbye to his famous restaurant Le Gavroche in London. 

It had been opened by his father Albert Roux and uncle Michel Roux in 1967. 

Now, he said it's "brave" to open a new restaurant, with the market "very, very tough". 

"I really feel for anyone that is brave enough to open up a restaurant now. It's incredibly difficult," he added. 

Chez Rouz at The Langham in Marylebone, central London, is due to open on 22 May. 

By James Sillars , business news reporter

A pause for breath on the FTSE 100 after a 3% gain over the course of past week that took the index to a fresh record closing high.

The rally of recent weeks - significant for London's standing and pension pots alike - has been broad based and reflects several factors.

A major driver has been sterling's weakness versus the US dollar.

The US currency has been strong as the Federal Reserve, its central bank, has hinted it will be some time yet before it begins to cut interest rates.

Language out of the Bank of England last week sparked a flurry of bets that UK rates could be cut as early as next month.

A weaker pound boosts dollar-earning constituents on the FTSE 100 because they get more for their money when dollars are converted to pounds.

Also at play is the view that UK stocks represent good value, as they are cheaper compared to many of their international peers.

A few moments ago, the FTSE 100 was trading 6 points lower at 8,423.

A major talking point is the possibility of the Chinese fast fashion firm Shein listing in London.

According to Reuters, the company has shifted its focus to the UK after receiving a lukewarm reception in the United States.

The news agency, citing two sources, reported that Shein was stepping up its preparations for an initial public offering in London that would be expected to be one of the biggest carried out globally this year.

By Emily Mee , Money team

No one likes the date in their calendar when their MOT rolls around. 

But to make things a little less stressful, consumer expert Scott Dixon - known as The Complaints Resolver - has given us some tips on what to look out for to help your vehicle pass with flying colours. 

Some of the most common failures are faulty steering, brakes, suspension, worn or damaged tyres, cracked windscreens and faulty lights. 

Mr Dixon recommends you get your car serviced a couple of weeks before your MOT, in case there are any complex or costly issues. 

This will give you time to get them fixed and get your car through first time without any advisories. 

Aside from taking your car for a service, there are also some easy checks you can run yourself... 

Listen for unusual clunks while you're driving - this could be a sign of a damaged suspension. 

You could also check by pushing the car down on each corner. It should return to normal without bouncing a few times. 

Another option is to look with a torch under the wheel arch, as this should reveal any obvious defects. 

Blown bulbs are a common MOT failure, but they're cheap to fix. 

Walk around your car and check all the bulbs are working - this includes the headlights, sidelights, brake lights, indicators and the number plate bulb.

Mr Dixon says it's "not an easy job" to change the lightbulbs yourself on most modern cars, as the MOT will also check the positioning of the light. Therefore he recommends getting this done professionally. 

Squealing or grinding noises may be a sign your brake pads need replacing. 

You should also check whether your car stops in a straight line, or whether it pulls in different directions. 

Don't forget about the handbrake, too. Test it out on a slope and see if it securely holds the car. If it doesn't, you should get it adjusted. 

It's easy to check if your wipers work okay, but you should also make sure to inspect the blades for tears and rips. 

They should be able to clean the windows with no smears. 

Mr Dixon says you don't need to pay Halfords to change your wiper blade as you can "do it yourself in seconds". All you need to do is look for a YouTube tutorial. 

He also recommends buying the Bosch wiper blades, as he says these are good quality and will also be a sign you've looked after your car well when you come to sell it. 

One thing to look out for is tread depth. You can do this by looking for the "wear bar" that sits between the tread. 

If it's close to 1.6mm and is low, you should get the tyre replaced so it's not flagged as an advisory. 

Also check for perished tyre walls, which can happen when a vehicle is standing for any length of time. 

Uneven tyre wear is another potential issue, and if there are signs of this you should get the tyre replaced and tracking and suspension checked. 

These must be in good condition and working order, with no tears or knots. 

Registration plates

Your number plates should be clean and visible with a working light bulb at the rear. You may need to give them a wipe and replace the bulb if necessary. 

This should be in good condition, without damage such as loose bumpers or sharp edges. 

Mr Dixon advises against using automatic car washes during your car's lifetime, saying they "wreck your car". 

"It's not just your paintwork but they can also damage the wiper blades and the bodywork," he says. 

Check for warning lights

You'll need to take your vehicle to a trusted garage or mechanic for this. 

Exhaust emissions

Some diesel vehicles can fail their MOTs based on emissions. To avoid this, you can buy a fuel treatment pack and take your car for a good run to clear the fuel lines and tank.

Driving for at least 30 to 50 minutes at a sustained speed on a motorway or A-road should help to clear the filter. 

You should make sure the driver's view of the road isn't obstructed, so check for stone chips at eye level and remove any obstructions such as air fresheners and mobile phone cradles. 

What else should you think about? 

Make sure your car is clean beforehand, as a tester can refuse to do your MOT if the vehicle is filthy and full of rubbish. 

Giving your car a clean can also give you a chance to inspect it, Mr Dixon says. 

Another thing to do is to check last year's MOT for any advisories that might crop up this time. 

These potential issues will still be there - so it's best not to ignore them. 

You can check your vehicle's MOT history using  https://car-check.co.uk . 

Every Monday we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

I have worked at a bank for 24 years - the facilities are outsourced. This new company is bringing in a system where the staff have to click in and out and are then paid by the minute? Is this allowed? Amber

Ian Jones, director and principal solicitor at Spencer Shaw Solicitors, has picked this one up...

Your rights depend on your contract and what it says about payment. Does it specify an annual salary, or payment by time? Does it allow for changes to how payment is calculated?

If the contract does not allow for this type of payment, your employer may be trying to vary the contract of employment unlawfully.

If you're directly employed by the bank, and your pay arrangements are changing because of a new monitoring system, this would be an internal contract variation. If you work in the facilities department and the new contractor is taking over as your employer, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) 2006 may apply. 

In this case, your current terms, conditions and previous service will transfer to the new employer.

TUPE may make the issue sound more complicated but, in practice, either way the changes will be valid only if the employee agrees to them.

If you have not agreed to the change, then this could be a breach of contract. This could give rise to a successful claim in the civil courts or the employment tribunal. 

If the breach is serious (for example, you're paid less than agreed in the original contract) and you resign in response, this could amount to constructive dismissal for which a claim can be made in the employment tribunal. 

It would be sensible to get the contract reviewed by a solicitor for advice. But act swiftly - if you continue working for the employer, you are effectively waiving the breach and accepting the change to your contract.

To make it possible to pay by the minute, employees may be monitored while at work. When collecting and processing data and using it to make a decision, the employer must comply with data protection laws. If not, the employee could be entitled to compensation, depending on the breach, or the employer could be at risk of a sanction by the regulator the Information Commissioner's Office.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about.  Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:

• The form above - make sure you leave a phone number or email address
• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here .

Please make sure you leave your contact details as we cannot follow up consumer disputes without them.

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Human-sounding AI can plan, help book your travel. But can you trust it?

It wasn’t so long ago that travelers planned trips without the internet.

“Back in the day, our parents used to go to these travel agents and really kind of express what they were looking for and what kind of vacation they wanted,” said Saad Saeed, co-founder and CEO of Layla, an AI travel planner whose website launched this year. “Slowly, we kind of acclimatized ourselves to start using these search boxes, clicks, these forms and filters.”

Artificial intelligence-driven tools like Layla can now turn back the clock on that experience, engaging with users almost like humans to customize travel plans with lightning speed plus all the resources of the web. But does AI actually make travel planning easier and can it compare to human expertise? 

Yes and no. Here’s why.

Can AI actually understand us?

It can try. 

“What are you personally looking for in this trip and what do you want out of it?” asked Saeed. “Do you want to reconnect with your partner, for example, or do you want to just feel some adventure and thrill?” 

A human travel agent may ask a series of questions to understand a client’s needs. So can generative AI , which picks up on keywords. Mindtrip, an AI planner launched publicly on May 1, has an actual travel quiz that asks users to rank priorities like “Is your ideal vacation day an exhilarating adventure or a relaxing break?” using sliding scales.

“What we get at the end of that quiz, using the AI, is a really customized description,” explained  Mindtrip Founder and CEO Andy Moss. That then informs what the AI suggests to the traveler. 

Informed suggestions can save users time in narrowing down destinations and experiences, as well as  introduce places users may never have discovered on their own.

AI travel planning is here: How to use it to plan your next vacation and what you should know first

Can AI fully replace humans?

No. Layla may sound human, using conversational phrases like “I've got three cozy nests that won't make your wallet cry.”

“She has a personality. We try to make her funny and so on, where it's really that friend that can get to know you and then recommend you the perfect stuff,” Saeed said.

But part of Layla’s expertise comes from the real-life experiences of some 1,600 travel content creators  the Berlin-based platform has partnered with. Their videos and insights can give users a richer picture of what to expect.

Mindtrip also leans on human expertise, having tapped a limited group of travel influencers for curated content with plans to eventually open it up so anyone can share their travel itineraries and experiences with the public.

Story continues below.

Is AI a threat to privacy?

With all the rapid advancements in AI in just the past year, some users are wary of its safety .

“Data privacy is definitely one of our biggest concerns, and we ensure that none of the personal identifiable information ever reaches basically the model providers. That will all stay with us,” Layla’s Saeed said. “None of their personally identifiable data can ever be basically used to profile them or basically go into any of these systems, which are training these different models.”

Booz Allen Hamilton, the nation’s largest provider of AI to the federal government , focuses heavily on ethical and  secure AI, as well as adhering to the government’s policies on data collection. 

“We collect as little information as we can in order to provide a secure transaction,” said Booz Allen Hamilton Senior Vice President Will Healy, who heads up their recreation work, including Recreaton.gov , the government’s central travel planning site for public lands like national parks. “We don't save your searches. We don't save your credit card data. We're very careful about the data that we store.”

Yoon Kim, an assistant professor in MIT’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department and Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory , isn’t too worried about security in the initial brainstorming stages of travel planning with AI.

“I don't see, at this point, how AI-generated advice is spiritually different from travel guide articles that you might read on certain websites,” he said. “Travel planning is one really nice use case of these models, as narrow as it is, because it's a scenario in which you want to be given ideas but you don't actually need to commit to them.” 

What’s next for AI? 

Things could be different, though, if AI is used beyond trip planning. Deloitte sees AI being woven into all parts of travel.

“There is an opportunity for a real engine – I'm going to just use a generic term, engine – that allows you to search and pull it all together and to sort based off of your personal reasons for prioritization and then not stopping at ‘hey give me a list’ or ‘here's what to do,’ but ‘OK, now go create my itinerary, help me book it, track it all the way through that travel process,” said Matt Soderberg, principal, U.S. airlines leader for Deloitte. 

Deloitte’s Facing travel’s future report, released in early April, identifies seven stages where AI can intersect with a trip, from personalized recommendations based on past travel, online purchases and tendencies to day-of issues to a post-travel pulse, where travelers may be asked about their experience and start thinking about future trips. 

“When you solve across all of those, that's going to be the Holy Grail,” Soderberg said. “The difficulty is that doesn't all sit in one place. And so how do you get the right information and the right data to bring all of that together for a single experience for the consumer? And who's going to own that?”

Layla and Mindtrip, among others, already offer booking through partners like Booking.com. “It's all about making things actionable,” Moss said.

But for now, if issues come up mid-trip, AI tools can’t fix them like humans can. Humans still have to get involved.