COMMON QUESTIONS

Please review the answers to frequently asked questions below.

VETERANS of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and terminally ill veterans from other wars, are placed on our waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis. Terminally ill veterans should contact us at 281-652-5072 for specific instructions.

GUARDIANS are selected by our Flight Selection Team based on a number of factors. For a typical flight, the Guardian-to-Veteran ratio is held at a one-to-one ratio. (Guardians can be assigned more than one veteran, but a veteran will never be assigned more than one guardian.) Guardians must be at least 18 and no more than 64 years of age. Guardians age 65-69 may be considered with a medical review from our medical team. Many times guardians will be assisting veterans into or out of wheelchairs, up and down stairs, etc. Guardians do pay for their trip and must attend a mandatory training session.

Important Note: Family members of veterans are invited to apply to be part of our guardian team. However, we are unable to guarantee they will be invited on the flight. When filling out a guardian application, it is important that you indicate on the guardian application the veteran you wish to fly with. In order to ensure the safety of all on our flight, guardians are selected based on a number of factors. Each veteran is only allowed one guardian.

Unfortunately, veterans cannot choose what flight they will travel on due to medical and logistical issues associated with the flight process.

We are unable to accommodate spouses unless they are eligible veterans themselves.

Sadly, the answer is “no”. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program at this time.

Veteran and Guardian applications can be downloaded from our website or, you may call us at 281-652-5072 to request that one be mailed to you.

Our veterans have already sacrificed and given so much through their service to our country, therefore we feel they should not have to pay for the trip. All expenses for their Honor Flight are covered.

Flights are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other groups who wish to be an important part of honoring these heroes and recognize the need to get our veterans to see their memorial before it is too late. No funding is received from the government. Guardians pay $720.00 each for the honor of escorting a veteran to Washington DC.

No. A guardian will be provided for each veteran, unless a family member has sent in a guardian application requesting to fly with a specific veteran. (See above for guardian requirements)

Guardian fees are due once a guardian has been notified they are on a specific flight. Guardian fees can then be paid with a credit card, through our PayPal account, brought to the mandatory guardian training session, or mailed to Honor Flight Houston, PO Box 73145, Houston, TX 77273.

You are required to provide your own transportation to and from Houston Hobby Airport.

Every person has to have some form of government photo ID to get through security. This includes a driver’s license (must have Gold Star), passports or birth certificates if they have a photo identifying them. You can also go to the DMV and get a state issued ID.

Breakfast is offered at the airport prior to boarding the plane. Lunch and dinner are provided during the trip.

Please check our website and Facebook page periodically for flight updates. The general public is always invited to welcome our returning heroes home the evening of the flight. (Due to security restrictions, it is not recommended that the public come to the airport the morning of a flight.)

DONATIONS are gratefully accepted from all Non-Veterans and more information is available on the “Donate” page on this website. There are also various events held around Houston throughout the year to help raise the necessary funds.

WHEELCHAIRS – A number of our veterans require wheelchairs, and our deluxe motor coaches are ordered based on how many require a wheelchair lift. We provide a wheelchair for each and every one of our veterans. If further information is needed, email us at veterans@honorflighthouston.org

OXYGEN – If a veteran requires oxygen, their health care provider must supply a prescription for it which identifies the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (liters per minute). Oxygen concentrators will be provided on the airplane for those that require them. Once in DC, you will be on bottled oxygen while we have the concentrators re-charged for our flight back to Houston.

Honor Flight Houston, Inc. is part of the Honor Flight Network whose governing board establishes general protocols, policies and credentialing, maintains a national website and oversees several programs. Honor Flight Houston, Inc. has an independent board of directors from various backgrounds, all dedicated to the success of the mission to bring our WWII , Korean, and Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C. for a day of honor. To read about our board of directors, click on the “About” button.

As a Veteran or guardian, you will receive a shirt or jacket from us depending on the time of year. Veterans, please feel free to wear all or any part of your uniform.

Medications DO NOT need to be in their original containers. Please bring a two-day supply just in case.

No. Veteran applications are filled on a first come, first served basis. Donations are always accepted but cannot be dedicated to a certain veteran.

Our funding comes primarily from individuals across the great state of Texas who recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans and want them to see 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.

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