Honor Flight in VT, LA, DE, CT & NH: 2026 Guide

Honor Flight for Veterans in Vermont, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire

Honor Flight is a nonprofit program that flies eligible veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to visit the memorials built for their service. Vermont, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire each have a designated local hub. Veterans apply through the hub that covers their area—not through a national office—and should apply early because waitlists can be long.

What Honor Flight Is and Why It Matters

Honor Flight is a national nonprofit network that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials dedicated to their service. The trip is free for the veteran. The network says its mission is to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at the nation’s memorials. Most trips include the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Wall, and Arlington National Cemetery as time permits.

The program matters because many veterans have never seen the memorials built in their honor. For older veterans, the trip can be physically difficult to arrange alone. Honor Flight removes the logistics and cost: transportation, meals, and a trained guardian are provided. The Honor Flight Network brings more than 20,000 veterans to Washington annually, and nearly 50,000 were on waitlists as of early 2026.

What veterans should do next: identify the hub that covers your state, confirm your service era qualifies, and submit an application as early as possible. Do not wait until health declines. If you have a terminal illness, tell the hub immediately because most hubs move terminally ill veterans to the top of the list.

Honor Flight Eligibility in 2026

Honor Flight eligibility is set by the national network and applied by local hubs. The core rule is that any veteran who served in a branch of the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War, or Vietnam—or any veteran from any service era who is currently terminally ill—is eligible to go as an honored veteran free of charge. Veterans do not pay for transportation, food, or lodging during the trip.

Who Qualifies

The national baseline is service during one of three war eras or a terminal illness. In practice, hubs apply additional criteria. Several hubs use a service-date cutoff, such as service before May 7, 1975, which is the end of the Vietnam War era. Capital Region Honor Flight, which covers Delaware, accepts applications from veterans who enlisted prior to May 7, 1975. Other hubs may accept veterans who served outside basic training or who have a VA-recognized condition. Always confirm the exact criteria with the hub before you apply.

Priority Order and Terminal Illness

Most hubs do not fly veterans strictly by application date alone. They use a priority order. The common order is:

1. World War II veterans.

2. Terminally ill veterans from any eligible era.

3. Korean War veterans.

4. Vietnam War veterans.

Honor Flight New England states that top priority goes to World War II veterans and all other veterans with terminal illness, followed by Korean War veterans and then Vietnam War veterans. North Country Honor Flight, which covers Vermont, gives top priority to World War II and Korean War veterans and is actively recruiting Vietnam-era veterans. Honor Flight Louisiana gives priority to World War II veterans throughout the application process, while also accepting Korean War and terminally ill veterans of any major conflict. Connecticut gives top priority to World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and terminally ill veterans from all wars, and takes veterans on a first-come, first-served basis within those groups.

Terminal illness is the one factor that can override application date at many hubs. Honor Flight New England operates a TLC Program that moves terminally ill veterans, including World War II veterans, to the top of the list for the next departing flight.

Guardians and Spouses

Every Honor Flight veteran is accompanied by a guardian—an able-bodied adult who assists with boarding, deplaning, wheelchairs, meals, and other needs throughout the trip. Guardians are usually required to pay a fee or make a donation toward their own travel. The amount varies by hub.

A spouse generally cannot serve as a guardian. Honor Flight New England states plainly that spouses are not allowed due to the high number of veteran requests and limited seats; the only spouses permitted to go are those who are veterans themselves. North Country Honor Flight states that a spouse, significant other, or partner is not eligible to serve as guardian for their own veteran. Connecticut’s application says the spouse of the veteran may not serve as guardian. Louisiana allows family members to apply as guardians but cannot guarantee they will be selected. Capital Region Honor Flight, which covers Delaware, also does not allow spouses to serve as guardians.

What Honor Flight Does Not Cover

Honor Flight covers the trip for the veteran, but it does not cover everything a family might expect. It does not typically cover spouses’ travel, souvenirs, or incidental expenses. It is not a medical transport service, and veterans who need oxygen or complex medical support must coordinate with the hub in advance. It is also not a repeat benefit: veterans may travel only once with any hub in the Honor Flight Network.

How the Five-State Hub Map Works

The Honor Flight Network is made up of independent local hubs, not a single national scheduling office. The national organization sets general protocols and provides oversight, but applications are handled locally. That means a veteran in Vermont applies to a different organization than a veteran in Louisiana, and the wait time, trip format, and guardian rules can differ significantly.

Vermont: North Country Honor Flight

Vermont’s designated regional hub is North Country Honor Flight, based in Plattsburgh, New York. It is the official regional hub of the Honor Flight Network for the North Country of New York and Vermont. Since 2013, the organization has flown more than 1,100 veterans from Plattsburgh to Washington, D.C., free of charge.

• Trip format: Same-day airline trip departing from Plattsburgh.

• Priority: World War II and Korean War veterans receive top priority; the hub is actively recruiting Vietnam-era veterans.

• Application: Download the veteran or guardian application from the hub website, print it, complete it, and mail it to P.O. Box 2644, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

• Guardian: Guardians are asked to contribute $400 toward the flight and must be able to push a wheelchair for most of the day. Spouses and partners cannot serve as guardians for their own veteran.

• Contact: 518-364-6503; northcountryhonorflight@gmail.com.

Vermont veterans should not assume that a New Hampshire–based hub is their primary application route. North Country is the designated hub for Vermont. If a Vermont veteran lives far from the North Country service area, the hub can clarify coverage.

Louisiana: Honor Flight Louisiana

Honor Flight Louisiana is based in Baton Rouge and serves veterans from Louisiana and Mississippi. The organization flies veterans to Washington, D.C., for an all-day trip to the memorials, with priority given to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veterans.

• Trip format: Same-day airline trip from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

• Priority: First-come, first-served within priority groups. The FAQ emphasizes World War II priority, but recent missions have carried large groups of Vietnam War veterans—74 Louisiana veterans returned from an April 2026 trip that included 71 Vietnam War veterans and three Korean War veterans.

• Application: Veteran and guardian applications can be downloaded from the hub website or requested by phone at (225) 521-9301.

• Guardian: Guardians must be at least 18 and no older than 64, able to lift 100 pounds, and must attend mandatory training. Guardians pay $650 as of September 1, 2026.

• Address: 7770 Bluebonnet Blvd., STE E241, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

Delaware: Capital Region Honor Flight

Delaware is covered by Capital Region Honor Flight, a hub operated by the Honor Flight Network national office. Capital Region serves Maryland, Delaware, and the D.C. area. Its Delaware trips are not chartered airline flights. They are one-day bus trips for about 25 veterans and their guardians.

• Trip format: One-day bus trip to Washington, D.C., departing from locations within the service area.

• Priority: World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. The hub accepts applications from veterans who enlisted prior to May 7, 1975.

• Application: Online application link through the Capital Region Honor Flight website.

• Guardian: Family guardians may serve if qualified, but spouses are not allowed. Family guardians pay a $100 tax-deductible fee to help cover meals and a keepsake T-shirt.

• Schedule: The 2026 schedule includes an April 28 trip that is full and an October 10 trip that is accepting applications.

Delaware veterans who expect an airline trip should understand this difference before applying. The bus format is still a full day of honor at the memorials, but it is not the same as the chartered flights offered by the other hubs in this guide.

Connecticut: Honor Flight Connecticut

Honor Flight Connecticut is a hub of the National Honor Flight Network and flies veterans from Connecticut to Washington, D.C., at no cost. The organization uses Bradley International Airport for its flights; a May 2, 2026, flight carried 67 veterans from all five branches.

• Trip format: Same-day airline trip from Bradley International Airport.

• Priority: Top priority is given to World War II veterans, Korean War veterans, Vietnam veterans, and terminally ill veterans from all wars. Veterans are taken on a first-come, first-served basis within those groups.

• Application: Veteran application form is available through honorflightct.org. The form asks for service history and a DD-214 if available.

• Guardian: Guardians must be able-bodied, between 18 and 70, and ideally one generation removed from the veteran. The spouse may not serve as guardian. A guardian fee of $350 covers travel and meals and must be paid one week before the flight.

• Note: Veterans are eligible only once for the Honor Flight experience.

New Hampshire: Honor Flight New England

New Hampshire is served by Honor Flight New England, a New Hampshire–based nonprofit based in Hooksett. It transports veterans from New England to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials. Its flights depart from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; a June 2026 flight carried 60 veterans on the organization’s 70th trip.

• Trip format: Same-day airline trip from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

• Priority: First-come, first-served, with top priority currently given to World War II veterans and all other veterans with terminal illness. Second priority is Korean War veterans, then Vietnam War veterans. Applications are date-stamped upon arrival.

• Application: Veteran and guardian application forms are available through honorflightnewengland.org/apply.

• Guardian: Spouses cannot serve as guardians unless the spouse is also a veteran. The program director and committee select guardians based on the medical and physical needs of the veteran group; medically trained applicants, active-duty personnel, and prior Honor Flight participants are given priority.

• Cost: Free for World War II and terminally ill veterans; other eligible veterans also fly free under the Honor Flight model, but confirm details with the hub during screening.

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Five Hubs

How to Apply, Step by Step

Applying for Honor Flight is not complicated, but it requires attention to detail. The most common reason veterans wait longer than necessary is an incomplete application or an application sent to the wrong organization.

1. Confirm your service era. Check your DD-214 or military records. If you served during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, or if you have a terminal illness from any era, you likely qualify. If you are unsure, call the hub before applying.

2. Find the hub that covers your state. Use the state sections above. Do not send an application to the national Honor Flight Network office unless the national office directs you to a specific program. Applications are handled locally.

3. Download or request the veteran application. Some hubs offer online forms; others require you to print, sign, and mail a paper form. North Country, Louisiana, Connecticut, and New England all use downloadable forms. Capital Region provides an online application link.

4. Gather your DD-214. Most hubs require a copy of your DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22. If you do not have your DD-214, you can request it from the National Archives or through VA.gov. Black out your Social Security number if the hub instructs you to do so.

5. Complete the application honestly and fully. Include your service history, current contact information, emergency contacts, and any medical needs such as oxygen or wheelchair use. If you want a family member to serve as guardian, indicate that on the guardian application.

6. Submit and confirm receipt. Mail paper applications with tracking, or submit online if the hub offers it. Ask the hub to confirm that your application was received and date-stamped.

7. Respond to screening calls. Hubs may call to verify eligibility, discuss medical clearance, and confirm your availability. Answer calls from unknown numbers during the application period.

8. Attend the pre-flight briefing. Most hubs require veterans and guardians to attend a briefing or training session before the trip. This covers schedules, safety, medication, and what to expect.

Documents You Need

The exact document list varies by hub, but the core items are consistent:

• DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22. This is the most commonly requested proof of service. Some hubs ask for a copy with the Social Security number redacted.

• Photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport is needed for airline travel.

• Emergency contact information. Include a spouse, adult child, or caregiver who can be reached on flight day.

• Medical information. List prescriptions, mobility devices, oxygen requirements, and any allergies. If you use oxygen, the hub will need a prescription that identifies the delivery method, frequency, and flow rate.

• Guardian application. If a family member or friend will accompany you, that person must submit a separate guardian application and pay the guardian fee.

• Proof of terminal illness if applicable. If you are applying under the terminal illness priority, the hub may ask for a physician’s statement or medical documentation.

Waitlists and Processing Times

Waitlists are the single biggest practical issue in Honor Flight. The national network reports nearly 50,000 veterans on waitlists, and some local hubs have waits of two years or more. The wait is not evenly distributed. A WWII veteran may be scheduled quickly because the number of WWII veterans is smaller and they receive top priority. A Vietnam-era veteran may wait longer because more Vietnam veterans are applying and because hubs are actively recruiting them.

Processing time depends on four factors:

• Your service era. Earlier war eras generally move faster.

• Your health status. Terminal illness can move you to the top of the list.

• Your application date. Within the same priority group, date-stamped applications are usually processed in order.

• Flight capacity. Each hub has a limited number of seats per flight, and some hubs fly only one or two trips per year.

Veterans should apply as early as possible, even if they are not ready to travel immediately. An application on file preserves a date stamp. If a veteran’s health changes, the hub can update the file and reprioritize.

What to Expect on Flight Day

Flight day is long and structured. Most hubs ask veterans to arrive at the airport before dawn. The group travels together, visits the memorials, and returns the same evening. Guardians stay with veterans throughout the day. Medical personnel are often on the flight; North Country Honor Flight provides medical personnel on every flight.

The day typically includes:

• Early airport check-in. Expect a send-off from family, volunteers, and sometimes active-duty service members.

• Chartered flight or bus to Washington. Meals and snacks are usually provided.

• Memorial visits. The group typically visits the WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery may be included as time permits.

• Wheelchair support. Hubs provide wheelchairs and guardians to push them; the pace is designed to be manageable.

• Return home. Many hubs arrange a hero’s welcome at the airport, sometimes with a water-cannon salute, cheering crowds, and media coverage.

Veterans should bring only what they can carry comfortably: ID, medication, a light jacket, and any comfort items. Souvenirs are not covered by Honor Flight.

Guardians: Costs, Rules, and Training

Guardians are essential to the program. They are not tour guides; they are responsible for the veteran’s safety and comfort for the entire day. The national network describes a guardian as an able-bodied adult who assists with boarding and deplaning, wheelchair pushing, meals, water, and other needs.

Rules vary by hub, but common requirements include:

• Age: Generally 18 to 64 or 18 to 70, depending on the hub. Louisiana caps guardians at 64; Connecticut caps at 70.

• Physical ability: Guardians must be able to lift and push a wheelchair. Louisiana asks guardians to lift 100 pounds.

• Relationship: Spouses and significant others generally cannot serve as guardians. Adult children, grandchildren, friends, and colleagues are usually allowed.

• Training: Most hubs require a mandatory training session before the flight.

• Fee: Guardian fees range from about $100 for a family guardian on a Delaware bus trip to $650 for a Louisiana flight. North Country asks for a $400 contribution; Connecticut charges $350.

If a veteran does not have a guardian, the hub will appoint a volunteer guardian. Veterans should not skip the application simply because they do not have a family member available.

State Differences and Recent Changes

The five states in this guide illustrate how much local hubs can differ. Delaware’s program is a bus trip, while Vermont, Louisiana, Connecticut, and New Hampshire use airline travel. Louisiana covers two states—Louisiana and Mississippi—while Connecticut serves only Connecticut and New Hampshire’s hub serves the broader New England region. Vermont’s hub is headquartered in New York but designated for Vermont.

Recent changes worth knowing in 2026:

• Louisiana guardian fee: Honor Flight Louisiana’s guardian fee rose to $650 as of September 1, 2026.

• Vietnam-era recruitment: North Country Honor Flight is actively recruiting Vietnam-era veterans and has published a 2026 flight schedule that includes May 16, June 20, September 5, and October 3.

• Capital Region 2026 schedule: The April 28 trip is full; the October 10 trip is accepting applications.

• Honor Flight New England milestone: The hub completed its 70th flight in June 2026, carrying 60 veterans from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

• Connecticut flight activity: Honor Flight Connecticut flew 67 veterans from Bradley International Airport in May 2026.

Common Questions

Is Honor Flight really free for the veteran?

Yes. The veteran does not pay for transportation, food, or lodging during the Honor Flight trip. Guardians usually pay a fee or make a donation, and veterans may want spending money for souvenirs, but the program itself is free. If a hub asks a veteran for a mandatory payment, ask for clarification in writing.

Who qualifies in Vermont, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire?

The national baseline is service during WWII, the Korean War, or Vietnam, or terminal illness from any era. Local hubs may apply additional criteria, such as a service-date cutoff. Delaware’s hub uses service before May 7, 1975. Vermont, Louisiana, Connecticut, and New Hampshire each publish their own priority rules, but all four focus on WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and terminally ill veterans.

Can my spouse come as my guardian?

Generally, no. Spouses are not allowed to serve as guardians at Honor Flight New England, North Country Honor Flight, Connecticut, or Capital Region. Louisiana allows family members to apply as guardians but does not guarantee selection. The only common exception is when the spouse is also a veteran.

Do I need a DD-214 to apply?

Most hubs require a copy of your DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22. If you do not have one, you can request military records through the National Archives or VA.gov. Some hubs will help you verify service if records are missing, but having the document speeds up the process.

How long is the waitlist?

It varies. Some hubs report waits of two years or more, and the national network has nearly 50,000 veterans on waitlists. WWII veterans and terminally ill veterans usually move faster. Vietnam-era veterans may wait longer because more are applying and hubs are actively recruiting them.

Can terminally ill veterans go faster?

Yes. Most hubs move terminally ill veterans to the top of the list, regardless of service era. Honor Flight New England’s TLC Program sends terminally ill veterans to the top of the list for the next departing flight. If you have a terminal diagnosis, tell the hub immediately and provide medical documentation.

Does Delaware have an Honor Flight by plane?

No. Delaware is covered by Capital Region Honor Flight, which operates one-day bus trips to Washington, D.C., not chartered airline flights. The bus trip is still free for the veteran and includes memorial visits, but the format is different from the airline programs in the other four states.

Can I apply if I served after Vietnam?

Possibly, but the five hubs in this guide currently prioritize WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and terminally ill veterans. Some hubs outside these states have expanded to Cold War or later eras. If you served after Vietnam and are not terminally ill, call the hub to ask about future eligibility before submitting an application.

What if I use oxygen or a wheelchair?

Hubs accommodate wheelchairs and oxygen with advance notice. Honor Flight New England provides wheelchairs and uses coaches with wheelchair lifts. Veterans who need oxygen must provide a prescription that identifies the delivery method, frequency, and flow rate, and must arrange oxygen from home to the departure airport and from the return airport home. Tell the hub about these needs during screening.

Can I go on Honor Flight more than once?

No. Veterans may travel only once with any hub in the Honor Flight Network. The program is designed to give as many veterans as possible the opportunity to visit the memorials.

What happens if I do not have a guardian?

The hub will appoint a volunteer guardian. Veterans do not need to find their own guardian to apply. If you want a specific family member or friend to accompany you, that person must submit a guardian application and be approved by the hub.

Is Honor Flight a government program?

No. Honor Flight is a nonprofit network, not a VA or Department of Defense program. It receives no government funding and relies on donations. VA.gov is useful for obtaining military records, but it does not process Honor Flight applications. Applications go through local hubs.

Key Takeaways

• Honor Flight is free for eligible veterans and takes them to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials built for their service.

• Eligibility is based on WWII, Korean War, or Vietnam War service, or terminal illness from any era; local hubs apply additional rules.

• The five states in this guide use different hubs: North Country (Vermont), Honor Flight Louisiana, Capital Region (Delaware bus trips), Honor Flight Connecticut, and Honor Flight New England (New Hampshire).

• Apply through the local hub, not the national office. Applications are date-stamped and usually processed first-come, first-served.

• Terminally ill veterans can move to the top of the list; tell the hub immediately if this applies.

• Spouses generally cannot serve as guardians, and guardians usually pay a fee that varies by hub.

• Waitlists are long nationally—nearly 50,000 veterans—so apply early even if you are not ready to travel.

• Delaware’s program uses a one-day bus trip, not an airline flight; the other four hubs in this guide use airline travel.

• Bring a DD-214 or equivalent service record, photo ID, and medical information; ask the hub for its exact document checklist.

• Veterans can fly only once with any Honor Flight hub, so plan accordingly.

Official Resources

• Honor Flight Network — national nonprofit overseeing the hub network: honorflight.org

• North Country Honor Flight — Vermont and North Country New York hub: northcountryhonorflight.org

• Honor Flight Louisiana — Louisiana and Mississippi hub: honorflightlouisiana.org

• Capital Region Honor Flight — Delaware, Maryland, and D.C. area hub: capitalregion.honorflight.org

• Honor Flight Connecticut — Connecticut hub: honorflightct.org

• Honor Flight New England — New Hampshire and New England hub: honorflightnewengland.org

• VA.gov — Get Military Service Records — official source for DD-214 and military records: va.gov/records

• USA.gov — government services and benefits portal: usa.gov