Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a "Real ID" to travel?
Mandatory REAL ID Policy: Due to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements, anyone traveling with Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico on or after May 7, 2025, must possess a valid REAL ID. This credential is required for both air travel and access to Arlington National Cemetery with our group. Learn more at www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions.
What will we see?
Our priority is to ensure our Veterans have the opportunity to reflect at the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The trip also includes the deeply respectful Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. For flights including female Veterans, a stop at the Women's Memorial is added, subject to accessibility. We may visit the Lincoln Memorial and other sites as time permits, but please note that the itinerary is subject to change with little or no notice.
Will I be on my own during this trip?
No, Each Veteran travels with a Guardian who is responsible for ensuring their comfort, assisting with mobility, and addressing any needs that arise during the trip.
Who can serve as a guardian?
Any adult family member or friend is welcome to serve as a Veteran's Guardian, but they must be physically able to push a wheelchair and walk 3–5 miles to ensure the Veteran's safety and comfort. Spouses are not eligible to serve as Guardians. This policy ensures the Veteran can fully engage in the trip's purpose without being distracted by their spouse's needs. Guardians pay a fee of $1,500. This cost covers their airfare, meals, bus transportation within Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and two nights in a double-occupancy hotel room.
Application and Assignment: If a family member or friend wishes to serve as Guardian, please notify us as soon as possible so they can complete the required application. If a Veteran does not have a designated Guardian, Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico (HFNNM) will provide one.
Application and Assignment: If a family member or friend wishes to serve as Guardian, please notify us as soon as possible so they can complete the required application. If a Veteran does not have a designated Guardian, Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico (HFNNM) will provide one.
If a family member serves guardian, will he/she share a room with the veteran?
Guardians and Veterans stay in separate rooms during the trip. We intentionally pair Veterans with other Veterans to increase the opportunity for them to connect, bond, and share experiences of their wartime service. Exceptions to this separate-stay policy can be made for extreme medical reasons.
Can my wife/ husband serve as my guardian?
No, spouses cannot serve as guardians.
Can my wife/ husband travel with us?
We generally do not permit spouses to travel on the trip. Exceptions may be considered in specific circumstances, such as an anniversary coinciding with the travel dates. If approved, the spouse travels as an "Angel" and must be 100% self-reliant. The focus of all Guardians and Coordinators will remain exclusively on the Veteran. The fee for an Angel is $1,500, which covers airfare, meals, bus transportation within Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and a two-night, double-occupancy hotel room shared with the Veteran.
Can we bring additional family members?
We do not allow additional family members to join the Honor Flight group. If adult family members choose to travel independently to Washington, D.C., they must handle all their own arrangements for travel, lodging, meals, and transportation. It is mandatory that the Veteran remain with the Honor Flight group and stay at the designated hotel, even outside of the planned itinerary. We advise against bringing children.
If family members go, can they share a room with a veteran and a familiar guardian?
No. Since HFNNM rooms are paid for on a double-occupancy basis, we strictly limit room occupancy to two individuals (the Veteran and their assigned Guardian, or two Veterans/two Guardians). Our goal is to ensure the maximum comfort and space for the Veteran during their trip.
I’ve heard we leave very early in the morning and I live out of town. What should I do?
For any Veteran living outside a 75-mile radius of our typical departure site (the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Pan American Fwy in Albuquerque), HFNNM will cover the cost of a hotel room for the night before departure, if needed. Please notify us if you require these arrangements.
I need oxygen. What should I do?
HFNNM does not provide medical equipment for oxygen needs. Veterans must coordinate directly with their providers and insurance carriers to acquire all necessary equipment. When arranging for a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC), Veterans must ensure the unit is accompanied by sufficient battery power to operate for a minimum of four hours, accounting for potential flight delays.
Can we apply our frequent flyer miles to the flight?
No, frequent flyer miles cannot be applied.
If a veteran has family members in the Washington D.C. area, do they have to return to Albuquerque with the rest of the group?
All Veterans and travelers participating in the Honor Flight are required to remain with the group throughout the duration of the trip, including the return flight to the Albuquerque Sunport and the Welcome Home ceremony. Separating from the group in Washington, D.C., is not permitted.