Quick Links and Resources Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Approval Checklist Memorandum on Premium Class Travel Reporting Requirement - September 7, 2007 DoD Directive 4500.9 Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), Appendix H - Uniformed Service Personnel Joint Travel Regulation (JTR), Appendix H - Civilian Personnel Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Fact Sheet

Other than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation

DTMO provides oversight of the Department's Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation (i.e., Premium Class Travel) policy. DoD policy requires economy-/coach-class travel accommodations be used when performing official government travel. Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation (any travel other than economy-/coach-class) at government expense is permitted on an exception basis only.

The Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) for Uniformed personnel and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for civilian personnel, Appendix H, provides a Decision Support Tool when approving Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation. In addition, the use of the Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Approval Checklist is required when making a determination on authorization/approval for the use of Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation. The checklist must be used and submitted as part of the approval documentation and serves as a record of accountability in which the Approving Official must certify that all decision factors and other alternatives were considered prior to recommending approval. Important items to note:

• Authorization must be obtained on a case-by-case basis.
• Blanket authorization and justification for Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Travel is prohibited.
• Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation must be authorized in advance of the travel. If extenuating circumstances or emergency situations prevent advanced authorization, a traveler has 7 days within the completion of travel to obtain approval.
• Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation, due to a medical disability/special need, may only be used when there is no other means to accommodate a traveler’s condition, such as bulkhead/aisle seating or use of two adjoining seats. A traveler’s condition must be certified by a competent medical authority and authorized by an authorizing official.
• Failure to receive approval for Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation may result in a traveler being financially responsible for costs over the economy/coach airfare.

DoD Components are required to report Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation as directed in the Memorandum on Premium Class Travel Reporting Requirement - September 7, 2007. The reporting offices (approval authority) will submit the report using the Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Reporting Tool.

Please note, as of April 1, 2011, DoD policy no longer requires the reporting of Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation when the Other than Economy-/Coach-Class airfare is less than the economy-/coach-class airfare or the lowest unrestricted economy-/coach-class airfare.

The Other than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Reporting Tool

The Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Reporting Tool automates the collection of other than economy-/coach-class accommodations required by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. The tool consolidates reports at the reporting offices (approval authority) and Service/Agency levels. The Reporting Offices and Service/Agency Representative may view reports any time to monitor and manage use of Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation. To access the tool, click the Other Than Economy-/Coach-Class Transportation Reporting button to the right.