Summary
- Canadian airlines like Air Canada does not offer discounted fares, but military personnel can have free checked baggage.
- Alaska Airlines offers special military fares with conditions and other perks like discounted food and free checked bags.
- American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines for starters offer military discounts and benefits like free checked bags and early boarding.
Below is a guide to Canada and US airlines that offer US military discount fares and more as of late January 2024. As always, one should check the preferred airline website for the latest discounts and policies prior to booking as airline policies can change with little to no notice.
Air Canada
Air Canada does not offer discounted fares to Canada and US military personnel, but active and retired military personnel can have up to three pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb) each travel free.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines – and the rest of Alaska Air Group, including Horizon Air – does not just say thank you to the troops but offers many perks. One of those perks is special military fares. However, there are some conditions attached to military fares:
1. One has to call into 1-800-252-7522
2. Travel on an official excused absence or,
3. Be discharged and complete the travel within seven days of discharge or,
4. Be in the reserves – like the US Air Force Reserve – and on active duty
Additionally, dependents of US active duty military personnel are allowed to claim such fares if spouses/dependents aged 10 or older with dependent ID or Children (aged 2-9) of active duty US military personnel. But the fares do not apply to military passengers who are on temporary duty orders traveling to/from their temporary duty stations or to retired personnel.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
There are other thank you troops perks. For instance, all members of the US military and their families get a 15% discount on in-flight food after showing a valid military ID. Additionally, US military servicemembers get to board early, with their first five checked bags are free. Finally, Alaska Lounge Day Passes are complimentary for U.S. military personnel traveling on official A
American Airlines
American Airlines offers a military discount for some of its routes. However one has to call 1-800-433-7300 which is the airline’s US reservations line to make those arrangements.
American Airlines also offers five free bags for those traveling on orders, and up to 3 bags, 50 pounds each fjree for personal travel. Finally, American Airlines does afllow active duty milktary to board first on all of its flights.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines does offer a military discount, but only if one calls 1-800-221-1212. Additionally, Delta Air Lines offers generous bag policies.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Finally, Delta Air Lines offers discounted military medical emergency flights. As the ariline explains:
If you have a war-injured immediate family member or domestic partner, you fall under our Delta Medical Emergency policy. To book a discounted military medical emergency flight, you will need to provide your name and relationship to your injured family member or domestic partner; in addition to the name and phone number of the military hospital providing their care.
For an airline prolific in hiring veteran pilots, offering a fare policy few airlines offer is another sign of support for the troops.
Flair Airlines
Canada’s Flair Airlines used to provide a 25% discount off of base fares via the cfappreciation website for all Canadian Armed Forces members, which includes veterans, RCMP and members of the Extended Defence Team. But Flair Airlines’ recent tax troubles may have led to its removal from the website.
Frontier Airlines
For low cost carrier Frontier Airlines, military personnel do not get a discounted faire but those with a Common Access Card (CAC) can have one free personal item, one free carry-on bag, and two free checked bags. This courtesy goes only for the active duty, reservist or National Guardsperson traveling.
JetBlue Airlines
JetBlue Airlines is currently having an uncertain future, but the airline does offer a 5% military discount. Additionally, the airline does offer 2 free bags up to 50 pounds each unless traveling on duty where the limit goes up to 5 free bags up to 99 pounds each.
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines does not offer military fares, but Canadian and US military personnel plus veterans can have three free bags. But those three free bags can exceed 203 cm (80 in) in total dimensions or weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb).
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines, the United State’s premier low fare airline offers military fares to active duty military and dependents by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA or visiting a ticket counter. Additionally, Southwest Airlines says that all active duty servicemembers with valid military ID who do not get into the A group may board between A & B groups with Southwest Airlines’ unique boarding doctrine.
Why Certain Airlines Allow Families And Military Personnel To Board First
A look at how airline boarding is prioritized in the United States
Finally, active duty military can have up to twenty free bags – as long as the bags are less than 100lb in weight and less than 80 inches total of length, height and width.
United Airlines
United Airlines offers special government and military fares for travel on official business. But you have to provide documentation or risk paying back United Airlines the difference.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Additionally, military personnel can check extra baggage free of charge – and in some cases, military dependents can be included in this benefit. Finally, United Airlines says,
We are pleased to invite active duty military members in uniform or with present leave orders or rest and recuperation papers to visit our United Club℠ locations on the same day they are traveling on a United- or United Express®-operated departing flight.
However, as always, valid Military ID has to be presented to use these benefits.
WestJet and WestJet Encore
WestJet has no military fares, but WestJet allows Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members only free bags up to four on WestJet but only three on WestJet Encore flights which use smaller aircraft.
Bottom line
Many airlines offer military discounts, or at least bag fee waivers but all such discounts require valid ID. There is also Veteran’s Advantage, which will soon rebrand as WeSalute that offers verified veterans connections to military discounts with many airlines and other brands but one has to register with the veteran’s organization.
Do these policies towards military travel influence your airline loyalty? Please share with civility in the comment section.
