Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost? How much money do I need to bring?
The cost is FREE for any WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, or Cold War veteran going on the flight. You do not need to bring any money unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.
Can my spouse go with me?
No. At the present time, we have several veterans on our waiting list and many more who will apply this year. Our mission is to get to every deserving veteran in time. The only spouses who are permitted to go are those who are qualified veterans themselves.
Are veterans with serious medical conditions given any special priority?
YES! Such veterans go to the top of the list for the next flight departing to Washington D.C. as part of our TLC Program. Not only are World War II and Korean War veterans given this top priority, but any veteran with serious medical conditions, who has never been able to visit their memorials, is given the same priority under our TLC Program. Please contact us for more information.
What if the veteran is on oxygen or will need a wheelchair?
WHEELCHAIRS – Honor Flight Austin provides wheelchairs for our veterans who need them.
OXYGEN – If the veteran requires oxygen, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the veteran’s healthcare provider, identifying the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (2-3 liters per minute). Honor Flight Austin will provide an FAA-approved oxygen concentrator for use during the trip if local oxygen equipment is not available. Veterans on oxygen are required to have oxygen cylinders available from their home to the departure airport and also on the return from the airport back to their homes. No oxygen cylinders are permitted to be used on the aircraft.
Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a guardian?
Only under certain limited circumstances. Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the veterans. Who will or will not serve as an Honor Flight Austin Guardian, and how many Honor Flight Austin Guardians will be needed, is the sole responsibility of our Medical and Administrative Board Members. That decision is based upon many factors, such as but not limited:
- How many disabled veterans are scheduled to go
- Of the disabled veterans going, how many will have to be physically assisted in getting on and off the bus
- Which guardian applicants are most qualified
Medically trained, active duty military personnel and veterans who have previously participated in an Honor Flight are given top priority and serve as leadership members. The applicants physically capable of assisting in the lifting of our veterans are also a top priority. Once the Medical and Administrator directors feel enough of those positions to have been filled, other applicants are then considered. Again, these decisions rest solely with the Medical and Administrative Directors.
How do you decide which veterans get to go?
Veterans are flown on a “first come, first served basis.” Within the applicants, the top priority is currently given to World War II veterans and Korean War veterans, and all veterans with serious medical conditions. Vietnam War veterans will be our next priority, followed by Cold War veterans.
Can I make donations to Honor Flight Austin?
Honor Flight Austin gratefully accepts donations from anyone EXCEPT our World War II veterans. We feel that World War II veterans have given enough. This is our way of saying “Thank You!”
How are you funded?
Honor Flight Austin’s funding comes primarily from individuals and companies across the great state of Texas who recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans by honoring them with a “Trip of a Lifetime” to visit their memorials.
What type of ID is needed to travel with the Honor Flight?
Effective May 7th, 2025, TSA will require you to be Real ID compliant with your Identification.
A Texas driver’s license or ID is considered REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. Texas has been issuing REAL ID-compliant cards since October 10, 2016. If your card does not have a gold star, you can get one when you renew your card or request a replacement. You can apply for a new REAL ID-compliant card in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, or you may be eligible to renew online.
- If you have a U.S. Passport that is current, that will be accepted.
- A U.S. military ID, including those for retired personnel, is considered compliant with REAL ID requirements in Texas starting May 7, 2025
Expired Identification will no longer be accepted starting May 7,2025
*** If you are 75 years or older, you do not need to remove your shoes. ***
To determine if you are eligible to renew online or need to obtain a replacement card, visit www.texas.gov.
Other Forms of ID Accepted For Flying:
Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.
- Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
If the Veteran does not drive anymore and only has an expired ID, please have them bring one of the following forms of ID above, along with the expired license.
I am the widow of a World War II veteran. Can I go?
Sadly, the answer is “no”. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program at this time.