Frequently Asked Questions

Fly Veterans is a digital platform that helps Veterans and Honor Flight® operators move from application to Day of Honor with less friction. We centralize communication, paperwork, and trip logistics so operators spend less time on manual tracking and Veterans stay informed.

We currently focus on:

• Accessible Applications: Streamlined digital forms for Veterans and supporters
• Status Visibility: Clear indicators for where a Veteran is in the process (applied, verified, scheduled, flown)
• Trip Readiness: Secure access to itineraries, required documents, packing guidance, and reminders
• Operator Workflow Tools: Rosters, manifest preparation, medical & guardian matching, and communication utilities
• Accuracy & Compliance: Data validation to reduce errors and missing information before flight day

Planned upcoming capabilities include richer guardian coordination, integrated messaging, and multi-hub collaboration features. Our north star is ensuring no eligible Veteran is delayed due to paperwork or process complexity.

To apply for a flight, contact your local Honor Flight® hub. Fly Veterans does not accept applications on this website.

Fly Veterans is not currently affiliated with the national Honor Flight® Network. We operate independently to build technology that supports the shared mission of getting more Veterans to Washington, D.C.

What non-affiliation means:

• We are not an official program or hub of Honor Flight® Network
• We do not make eligibility decisions or schedule Veterans directly for flights
• Official applications, medical reviews, and trip assignments still flow through your local Honor Flight® hub

How we collaborate:
We work with individual operators (hubs) to digitize and streamline their internal processes: managing rosters, guardian matching, manifests, and pre-flight coordination. Our experience running flight-planning and operational workflows for over a decade informs the platform’s design.

Why we exist:
To remove administrative friction so more eligible Veterans can experience their Day of Honor. Everything we build is focused on reducing delays, improving data accuracy, and helping operators scale responsibly.

For official Honor Flight® Network policies, eligibility criteria, or to locate your nearest hub, visit honorflight.org.

Guardians are volunteers who accompany Veterans to ensure comfort, accessibility, and safety throughout the Day of Honor. Matching and requirements are set by local Honor Flight® hubs; the app supports the workflow but does not make eligibility decisions.

Typical guardian requirements (hub‑specific):

• Age 18+ (many hubs prefer 21+); capable of assisting with mobility needs
• Able to walk long distances, push wheelchairs, and assist with transfers
• Attend a pre‑flight briefing/training; follow hub rules and schedule
• Cover their own trip costs if required by the hub (Veterans fly at no cost)
• No alcohol or substances during the trip; conduct befitting the event
• Some hubs may require background checks or medical screenings

Matching considerations:

• Veteran needs (mobility, medical considerations, accessibility support)
• Existing relationship (family member vs. general volunteer)
• Balance across the flight (ensuring adequate support for all Veterans)
• Scheduling constraints and hub‑specific policies

Family members as guardians:

• Many hubs allow family guardians; priority policies vary. The goal is Veteran safety and support first.

What the app does:

• Captures guardian interest and availability
• Surfaces relevant requirements and training info from the hub
• Helps hubs pair Veterans and guardians based on needs and readiness

For exact policies (age limits, costs, training dates), check your local hub’s guidance during the application process. To volunteer as a guardian, contact your local Honor Flight® hub directly — Fly Veterans does not accept applications on this website.

Application statuses help you understand where a Veteran is in the journey to a Day of Honor. Exact steps may vary by hub, but these definitions reflect how the app communicates progress.

Common statuses:

• Applied: We received the application. Next step is identity/eligibility review by the hub.
• Needs Info: Some details are missing or unclear (e.g., contact, medical, service info). Provide the requested updates in the app.
• Verified: The hub reviewed and confirmed key information. You’re eligible and moving toward scheduling.
• Scheduled: You’ve been assigned to an upcoming flight (date may be tentative until final manifest is set).
• Waitlisted: You’re eligible, but all seats are currently filled. We’ll notify you if a seat opens or for the next flight.
• On Hold: Temporarily paused (for example: medical clearance pending, availability conflict, or requested deferral).
• Withdrawn: The applicant or hub withdrew the application per request.
• Flown: You completed your Day of Honor. Welcome home!

What if I’m Waitlisted?

• Hubs regularly adjust rosters up to flight day. Keep contact info current and watch for updates.

Who decides the status?

• Local Honor Flight® hubs control status changes; the app reflects their decisions and sends notifications.

If you haven’t applied yet, contact your local Honor Flight® hub. If you’re already in progress, log in to check your status.

Honor Flight® Network is a non-profit organization that transports America's Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The program primarily serves Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as any Veteran with a terminal illness.

Key details:

• Trips are provided at no cost to participating Veterans.
• Each trip is often called a "Day of Honor" and typically includes visits to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and other significant sites in the nation’s capital.
• Veterans are accompanied by volunteer guardians who help ensure safety, accessibility, and comfort throughout the day.
• Specific eligibility, application processes, and trip details are managed by local Honor Flight® hubs (operators) across the United States.

For official information, including eligibility and how to apply through your local hub, visit the national Honor Flight® Network at honorflight.org.

We treat Veteran and guardian information as sensitive and apply multiple layers of protection. While specific practices can evolve, the core principles below guide the platform design.

Data protection fundamentals:

• Encryption in transit: All traffic between browser/app and our servers is protected using HTTPS (TLS).
• Encryption at rest: Production databases and storage volumes are encrypted at the infrastructure level. Sensitive tokens and secrets are never stored in plain text.
• Scoped access: Internal tooling enforces role‑based and purpose‑based access (principle of least privilege). Operational staff only see the minimum needed to perform approved tasks.
• Audit logging: Security‑relevant actions (login events, verification steps, token operations, role changes) are recorded for traceability and anomaly detection.
• Input validation: Forms apply server‑side and schema validation to prevent malformed or malicious data.
• Segregation of environments: Test/staging environments use synthetic or redacted data; real Veteran data is never used for development experiments.

Data retention & deletion:

• Application and flight operational data is retained only as long as required to support scheduling, compliance, and historical integrity.
• Tokens and session artifacts are actively expired and periodically purged after their useful security window.
• Guardians or Veterans may request correction of inaccurate profile data. Formal deletion ("right to erasure") requests will be honored to the extent permitted by operational and recordkeeping obligations of participating hubs.

Third‑party services:

• Email delivery, infrastructure, and authentication providers are carefully selected for security posture and compliance maturity.
• We avoid sharing unnecessary personal data with third parties; only what is required to fulfill a function (e.g., sending a verification email).

Administrative safeguards:

• Mandatory MFA for privileged operator accounts (where supported in rollout phases).
• Periodic review of access roles and inactive accounts.
• Continuous improvement based on audit log review and security updates.

Future roadmap (security enhancements):

• Granular field‑level encryption for particularly sensitive medical notes.
• Optional end‑to‑end encrypted document exchange between Veterans and hubs.
• Security scorecards surfaced to hub admins (token hygiene, stale accounts, unreviewed access).

Important: Exact retention schedules, medical information handling policies, and compliance frameworks (e.g., HIPAA applicability for certain data types) can vary by local Honor Flight® hub. For a hub‑specific policy, contact your operator directly.

If you believe you have found a security issue, please reach out via our support channel so we can investigate promptly.