British Airways
has introduced a new policy of accepting the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as a form of ID for domestic flights, becoming the first airline to do so. This will allow Armed Forces veterans to use the card to board BA flights within the UK.
BA now accepts Veteran Card as domestic ID
The British carrier announced the change today, making it easier for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces to fly on its domestic network. Under the policy change, veterans can present their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as a valid form of photographic ID, offering a convenient alternative to a passport, driving license or residency card.
Photo: MOD
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said,
“I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues who have served their country and of the professionalism, skill, and experience they bring to our organization. We know through our conversations with veterans that this card provides them with a way of maintaining a tangible link to their military careers.”
Unlike international flights, domestic travel in the UK does not specifically require a passport but will require some form of photographic ID. BA already accepts Armed Forces ID cards as a valid form of photographic ID for serving military personnel and has now extended this to include former serving members.
Photo: Michael Derrer Fuchs | Shutterstock
Applying for a Veteran ID card is now a lot easier after the UK government introduced a new digital application system which went online earlier this year. The cards were first rolled out in 2019, but were only available to recently discharged veterans – it was then opened up to veterans who had left the Armed Forces prior to December 2018.
Supporting the Armed Forces
British Airways has undertaken several initiatives to support current and former Armed Forces personnel. Most notably, this includes being the first airline to sign the “Armed Forces Covenant,” a UK government-led commitment to ensure military personnel are met with “fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and [to] be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service.”
The carrier has also been diligent in hiring veterans and currently employs hundreds of former military personnel across its operations. It has also established a managed pathway scheme that gives veterans a track into the company, including obtaining the necessary qualifications for roles including engineers and pilots.
Photo: British Airways
The US is another country that invests heavily in supporting its veterans, and the country’s airlines are no different. US veterans are entitled to various benefits when flying, such as discounted fares, increased baggage allowances, priority boarding, and waivers on change fees.
Alaska Airlines recently honored the military with a special livery featuring all six branches of the US Armed Forces, including the Air Force (USAF), Army (USA), Navy (USN), Marine Corps (USMC), Coast Guard (USCG), and Space Force (USSF).
