FAQ

Yes! Guardians must be between the ages of 18 and 75. Individuals outside of this age range will be subject to individual review and approval by Honor Flight Maine. All guardians are expected to be in excellent health and fully capable of performing the following essential tasks:

• Lifting up to 50 pounds to assist with wheelchairs
• Pushing up to 200 pounds
• Transferring veterans in and out of wheelchairs and seats
• Pushing or pulling a wheelchair for long distances, equivalent to 8-10 miles daily
• Bending down to tie shoes or retrieve items for veterans
• Multi-tasking to assist two or more veterans as required. 

It is imperative that all guardians meet these requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of the veterans.

Any veteran who served in the U.S. military (including Reserves and National Guard) between the start of WWII (1941) and the conclusion of the Vietnam War (1975) is eligible for an Honor Flight trip. Combat service or foreign deployment is NOT required. The only criteria for eligibility is service in the U.S. military. Veterans who served post-Vietnam may serve as guardians but are not considered eligible for an Honor Flight trip as an honored veteran at this time (unless the veteran is terminally ill as described below).

All terminally ill veterans are eligible for an Honor Flight no matter when they served (i.e., a post-Vietnam veteran is eligible for a trip if he/she is terminally ill). A terminally ill veteran is defined as a veteran who is living with a life-limiting illness who has a doctor’s affirmation that they likely have less than a year to live. These veterans are prioritized and placed on the next available trip.

Our funding comes primarily from individuals across Maine who recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans and want them to visit their memorial before it's too late. Other significant contributors have been fraternal organizations like local American Legion, VFW, Am Vets, DAV, MOPH, posts and chapters, as well as various corporations on a local level.

Honor Flight Maine will make all necessary accommodations possible to welcome veterans who may be on oxygen, use a wheelchair, have a service dog, etc.  

OXYGEN - If needed, oxygen will be provided during the trip. The veteran is responsible to bring any required oxygen tubing and mask or nasal cannula. The veteran will also need to secure a prescription from the physician for the oxygen to be used during the flight and trip.  The veteran is responsible for providing the prescription to the HFM Medical Team Coordinator at least one month before the scheduled trip. 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.

WHEELCHAIRS - Each veteran is given a wheelchair to use throughout the trip as needed.  Our deluxe motor coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts. 

SERVICE DOGS –  Honor Flight Maine uses Allegiant Airlines for chartering aircraft. Allegiant welcomes passengers traveling with a fully task-trained service animal. A service animal is a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform a task for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Allegiant requires the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Transportation Form to be completed at least 48 hours prior to scheduled departure. We recommend carrying a hard copy of the form with you when traveling. In addition, please review the Allegiant’s Service Animal Guidelines below prior to travel:

• The behavior of all service animals will be assessed at the airport. The animal must always remain within the control of the passenger, and be securely harnessed, leashed, or always tethered to the passenger.
• In addition, the size of the animal will be assessed to ensure the dog fits within the purchased foot space. If not, an additional seat may be required to be purchased to accommodate the dog.
• Passengers are limited to two (2) fully trained service animals if required to perform work or tasks directly related to the passenger’s disability.
• All animals must remain on the floor, under the seat or in the lap of the disabled passenger (if the animal visually appears to be less than approximately 30 lbs.).
• All animals are prohibited from sitting on the seat, sitting on or eating from tray tables.
• Allegiant only accepts for transport domestic dogs as a service animal. All animals are expected to be fully task trained to behave in a public setting. Per the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Part 382 (administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation), Allegiant reserves the right to deny transport to any animal displaying disruptive behavior, such as, but not limited to:
  • Growling, snarling, biting, attempting to bite or acting in an aggressive manner
  • Running around or jumping on other passengers
  • Relieving themselves in the airport terminal or in the aircraft cabin
  • Barking excessively (other than alerting passenger as trained) 

If a passenger or a fully trained service animal does not meet the above requirements and/or the requires set forth within our Contract of Carriage, Allegiant reserves the right to deny transport to the animal. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about traveling with your fully trained service animal.

For more information, and to access the required U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Transportation Form, please visit:

Passengers with Special Needs Travel Info | Allegiant®

Yes! All terminally ill veterans are eligible for an Honor Flight no matter when they served (i.e., a post-Vietnam veteran is eligible for a trip if he/she is terminally ill). A terminally ill veteran is defined as a veteran who is living with a life-limiting illness who has a doctor’s affirmation that they likely have less than a year to live. These veterans are prioritized and placed on the next available trip.