What is a Travel Companion and Who Qualifies
The Western ND Honor Flight will have dedicated Honor Flight volunteers and medical staff available and ready to assist you if you need extra help during the trip. However, some Veterans request to have someone accompany them on the trip for mobility, medical needs, or other reasons. This is your trip, and we want it to be as enjoyable as possible for you. Travel Companions must be in good physical shape, capable of handling your carry-on luggage (no checked bags), be able to assist you with a wheelchair, if needed, and be fully aware of your medical needs and medications.
Unfortunately, the Honor Flight guidelines state that spouses, significant others, partners, or fiancées are unable to serve as Travel Companions. This is a policy followed by all Honor Flight hubs. The only spouses who are permitted to go are those who are Veterans themselves. These trips are dedicated to our Veterans and with limited space, we must ensure that every available resource is allocated to their accommodation. Adding spouses simply isn’t an option for our program. In addition, our experience has shown that Veterans spending time with their fellow comrades proves to be helpful and healing for them.
Ideally, an adult child or grandchild could serve as a Travel Companion with the goal being that you share your military memories with younger generations. The Travel Companion fee is $1,200.00. We ask that this fee be paid by the pre-flight meeting or earlier.
Duties of a Personal Travel Companion
- The Travel Companion will stay in the same hotel room with the Veteran.
- The Travel Companion must be able to push the wheelchair of the Veteran, if needed.
- The Travel Companion must be able to carry their own luggage as well as the Veteran’s.
- The fee for a Travel Companion is $1,200.00, which will cover airline, hotel, bus and meals. The Travel Companion fee can be paid when you return this form or can be paid at the pre-flight meeting.
- While there will be a medical team on the trip, the Travel Companion must be knowledgeable of the Veteran’s medical concerns and medications.
- Please be aware that the Honor Flight committee may ask you to assist with other Veterans.
- You must be able to assist with lifting and mobility services to the Veteran you are a Travel Companion for, if needed. This requires all Travel Companions to be in good physical shape.
- The Travel Companion will not leave the Veteran unattended at any time.
- Spouses, significant others, partners, or fiancées are unable to serve as Travel Companions.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Your name must match EXACTLY to the government issued picture I.D. that you plan to use at the airport security checkpoints. Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
ONLINE FORM: Please fill out the online form in its entirety. Click the button below to get started.
MAIL-IN APPLICATIONS: If you would prefer to mail in your application, please download our paper application form. Our mailing address is provided on all the forms. Please note: For mail in applications, date stamp is the date of acceptance. We look forward to hearing from you!
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