Patriot Express

The Patriot Express (PE), formerly known as a CAT B flight, is a United States government contract flight which provides support to U.S. military members and their families. Flights are operated by various commercial airlines and provide service worldwide, mainly across the Pacific and Europe.

Air Mobility Command, the air component of United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), manages the PE program on behalf of the United States Department of Defense. The PE program was advertised as being more economical for the United States government while freeing United States Air Force planes for primary military missions. In addition, using chartered commercial aircraft eliminates potential hardships that could arise if a higher priority mission was to divert a military aircraft. Military personnel and their families can also take advantage of the program for Space A Travel.

Across the Pacific, the PE program uses Boeing 767 commercial aircraft. These flights arrive and depart from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the United States.

European routes originate at the Baltimore International Airport in the United States, stop in Europe, then continue on to Southwest Asia before returning. Space-A travel is not allowed on routes to and from combat zones.

Inflight service on board PE flights is similar to that on normal commercial aircraft, providing such amenities as business class meals, inflight movies, snacks, and reserved seating. Several of the changes were made in 2003 in an effort to attract more passengers to the program.

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