If you’re looking for a location with frequent Space-A flights to Germany, Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport is it! Although it’s a civilian airport, it has more missions to and from Ramstein AB than most military passenger terminals in the U.S.
BWI has an Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal and is one of the few civilian airports in the United States from which you can take a military flight.
The missions from BWI to Ramstein are Patriot Express flights (aka “rotators”), which are commercial charter flights contracted by the Department of Defense. You can “hop” these flights as a Space-A passenger and enjoy all of the services and amenities of a commercial flight without the expensive fare!
If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Military Flights first to get a basic understanding of how Space-A works. Then read on to learn everything you need to know about flying Space-A from the BWI AMC terminal.
Contents (click to expand)
1. Most Space-A passengers can fly to or from only two destinations via BWI: Ramstein AB and JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The AMC terminal at BWI has one or two missions per week to Ramstein, Germany and one to JB McGuire. In general, all eligible Space-A passengers can take those flights. (Some travelers in Category 6 are not eligible to fly Space-A to foreign countries).
BWI also has missions to Pituffik SB, Greenland, but only duty personnel stationed there and sponsored guests are eligible for that flight. The missions to Turkey, Kuwait, and Qatar are exclusively for duty personnel.
2. All missions to and from BWI are Patriot Express (PE) flights.
The Patriot Express — also known as the “rotator” — is a commercial charter flight used primarily to transport PCSing service members and their families. PE flights have standard monthly schedules, and all Space-A passenger must pay a small head tax before boarding.
| Related Reading: What You Should Know About Flying Space-A on the Patriot Express
The PE flights from BWI to Ramstein are usually on alternating Sundays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. The McGuire mission is on Fridays.
NOTE: Flight schedules from BWI change periodically, particularly during PCS season. Visit the BWI Passenger Terminal page on the AMC website to view the current schedules.
3. The AMC terminal is located in Terminal E at BWI.
If you fly commercial to BWI and arrive in another terminal, you must exit the secure area and re-enter to get to Terminal E.
The AMC counter is on the upper level, and that is where you mark yourself present when you arrive. You must mark yourself present no later than 1 hour prior to Roll Call. On their web page, the BWI AMC terminal recommends that Space-A passenger arrive 5 hours prior to Roll Call time in order to ensure time for processing.
Roll Call is conducted approximately 4 hours before departure.
4. When you arrive at BWI from overseas, you will go through U.S. customs with commercial travelers.
Customs staff may designate separate lines for active duty in uniform, retirees, and other military families. However the process is organized, if you arrive at the same time as other commercial aircraft, the area will be crowded, and you can expect a wait.
If you have Global Entry, use it to expedite your processing.
Note for travelers with noise sensitivity: the Customs and baggage area at BWI can be exceptionally loud, particularly if your flight had many PCSing families whose dogs were in the cargo hold. These slim-fit foam earplugs will come in handy.
5. Flights at BWI board using a jetway.
Unlike Space-A flights on cargo planes, which usually board using an external staircase, flights at BWI board using a jetway. These flights are some of the best options for Space-A travelers who use a walker or wheelchair.
6. BWI has a large USO located near the AMC terminal.
The BWI USO is on the lower level between concourses D and E. It is open from 0600 to 2200, but they may extend their hours if a military mission is scheduled to arrive. Active duty travelers have priority when the USO is crowded.
In addition to the usual TVs, computers, and snacks, services at the BWI USO include a sleeping room and a family room with cribs, toys, and a movie library.
7. The closest lodging options are civilian hotels.
There are dozens of hotels near BWI, most of which have an airport shuttle. Many of the hotels also offer free hot breakfast, including the following (click the links to see pricing):
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson BWI Airport
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Baltimore BWI Airport
- La Quinta by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport
Fort Meade and the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay are the closest military lodging options and are both about 10 miles from BWI (in opposite directions). Neither facility has an airport shuttle.
Candlewood Suites at Fort Meade is privately managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). They offer a leisure rate for active duty travelers and a retiree rate. Please note that the retiree rate may be lower. Both rates are taxed, and hot breakfast is included.
The Coast Guard Yard has a small number of rooms in their Guest Housing and Berry Hall Guest Quarters. Rates vary by pay grade/room type and are not taxed.
8. You have several options at different price points for parking near BWI.
BWI has two large long-term parking lots. The rate is $11/day, and free shuttles to the terminal run every 5 – 10 minutes.
Many hotels in the area also offer longer-term parking options for guests who stay the night before departing from BWI. Inquire with your hotel, because their rates may be cheaper than BWI’s parking lots, particularly when you need to park for more than a week.
The Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay is another possible option. It’s about 10 miles from BWI, and you can park for free, but expect to pay at least $20 for an Uber or taxi back to BWI.
9. Find rides to and from BWI in ride share Facebook groups.
The Facebook group DMV Military Rides is a great place to find a ride from a fellow member of the military community, particularly if you need someone who has base access. “DMV” stands for “DC, Maryland, Virginia,” but you can post a request for rides to any location in the general area, and may even find someone to take you to neighboring states (e.g. Dover AFB in Delaware).
Rules for the DMV Military Rides group are short, but read them carefully to understand how the process works.
There is also a Facebook ride share group for Space-A travelers, but it is not specific to the Baltimore/DC area.
10. The closest military bases with Space-A flights are JB Andrews and Dover AFB.
No luck getting a seat at BWI? JB Andrews and Dover AFB have Space-A flights and are both within a 2-hour drive, but neither base has a military shuttle to/from BWI.
To travel to JB Andrews, the easiest ways are to take Uber or use the DMV Military Rides Facebook group mentioned above.
There are also various combinations of trains, metros, and buses you can use to make your way to JB Andrews. Most of those options will take significantly longer, and in most cases, you still need a ride for the last portion of the journey.
For travel to Dover AFB, one-way car rental can be a good option, particularly if you share a car with other Space-A travelers. All of the rental car agencies at BWI are co-located off-site, but there is a free shuttle from the terminal.
Click here to search for rental cars near BWI.
(If you have extra time while you’re there, check out the Air Mobility Command museum at Dover AFB. It’s one of many fun things to do in Dover!)
Another option for travel to Dover is Amtrak. The train/bus combination from the BWI Amtrak station via Wilmington, DE takes about 4+ hrs, depending on the time of day.
You can also post a ride request in one of the Facebook groups referenced in #9. Wes Loukota, a retiree who lives near Dover AFB, provides rides from BWI to Dover and posts his availability in the Space-A traveler ride share group.
Finally, check UJ Space-A Info for more links to transportation options near BWI.
11. Travel to downtown Baltimore or Washington, DC. using light rail, bus, or metro.
BWI offers a free shuttle to the nearby train station, which is serviced by Amtrak, Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) Light Rail, and the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train. These trains offer convenient, inexpensive access to DC and Baltimore.
BWI also has buses that connect to various metro stations.
Visit the BWI transit page for more details.
Ready to Fly Space-A from BWI?
In preparation for your trip, remember to review the Quickstart Guide to Space-A flights so you’re familiar with the process and know how to boost your chances of getting a seat.
Also, if you’ve never flown Space-A on the Patriot Express, here’s what you need to know.
Finally, don’t forget your passport and any other documentation you need!
Related Reading
Annapolis, MD: The Perfect Military-Style Getaway
Flying Space-A from JB McGuire: 7 Things to Know
European Lodging and Transportation Tips for Space-A Travelers
Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay.
FYI when food has not been available at US MAC terminals, we have secured a list of places that deliver food to the terminal from the USO, like at McGuire., etc. worked great!!
Great suggestion! The USO is a wealth of information.
Hi Denise,
I am a 100% disable veteran. I would like to travel on Space -A- Flight or Patriot Flights to Spain. Can you tell me what are the possibilities of getting on flights out of Dover or McGuire air base
John – Unless you are also retired from the military (blue ID card), you are not eligible to fly Space-A to foreign countries. You can fly within the U.S. and to U.S territories.
Any Idea about what SpaceA travel is like during Min January time frame out of BWI to Ramstein?
In January your chances of getting a seat should be pretty good. I recommend waiting until the second half of the month.
Thanks, so I have been following the social media pages for BWI and Ramstein. Have not figured out yet when to show up. Live about 1.5 hours from BWI. Any suggestion on show times for the PE at BWI. Would like some advice.
Greg
I recommend arriving 3 hours before Roll Call. For most Space-A flights, we arrive an hour or two in advance, but with a Patriot Express, you may have longer lines because passenger terminal staff are also dealing with many duty passengers.
Is it possible to get flights during the christmas holidays?
Sandy
It’s possible, but I don’t recommend trying it. Christmas = more competition for fewer seats: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/avoid-space-a-travel-holidays/