Farewell to the Norfolk Space A Rotator: One Last Chance for Adventure

Time to head out on your adventure!

After decades of faithful service, the Navy Norfolk Space A Rotator—the trusted contracted commercial flight that ferried military personnel and families between the U.S. and Europe—will make its final trip on October 1, 2025.

If you’re eligible for Space Available travel (Space A) and haven’t yet taken advantage of this incredible benefit, now is the time. In less than 90 days, this route will retire—and with it, one of the most convenient and nostalgic ways to reach the Mediterranean.

A Legacy of Service

The Norfolk Rotator wasn’t just a flight—it was a connection to duty stations, reunions, and adventures across the world. It serviced legendary bases like:

• NS Rota, Spain

• NSA Naples & NAS Sigonella, Italy

• NSA Souda Bay, Crete (Greece)

• Incirlik AB, Turkey

Thousands of service members, dependents, and retirees used this route as a launching point to explore Europe and the Middle East—often for little to no cost.

My Family's Space A Adventures

We’ve flown the Norfolk Rotator multiple times, and the experiences were nothing short of amazing.

• After landing at Sigonella, we made a family pilgrimage to Rome—gelato at the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Mass with the Pope in St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basillica and the Sistine Chapel, the Spanish Steps and open-air cafes.

• In Naples, we ate real Neapolitan pizza from the birthplace of pizza and survived the "Mr. Magoo" italian dwarf cab driver who not only had to use stilts to reach the pedals but also insisted on looking at me when he was practicing his english instead of the red lights we ran. Yes, this is where my instant grey hair appeared. Nevertheless, the memories haunt us with laughter!

• 

  Chania Harbor looking south toward the Leak Originally Mountains.

• Crete remains a favorite—My time in Chania, visiting with my deployed son walking along the harbor, spotting sealife in the crystal clear turquoise waters, and enjoying local food, is forever etched in my memory.

These weren’t just vacations—they were opportunities made possible by Space A travel.

A Few Changes Over Time

As many of you know, one key change they implemented a bit ago on this route: Rota, Spain no longer allows Space A passengers to disembark as an official Schengen entry point. That means if your destination is Spain, you’ll need to enter the Schengen Zone via another country before you can stay or explore there.

Even with these changes and some travel gymnastics, the adventure remained worth it.

Less Than 90 Days Left

If you’ve ever thought about taking a Space A flight but haven’t yet, now is the time.

The Norfolk Rotator will be gone after October 1, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to use this trusted route one more time.

Here’s how to get started:

Check Eligibility: AMC Eligibility Guidelines

Sign Up for Space A: AMC Space-A Sign-Up Page

Explore More Info: SpaceA.net — packed with guides, schedules, and tips from real travelers.

Thank You, Norfolk Rotator

To the Rotator: thank you for the memories. Thank you for connecting families, facilitating adventure, and offering a gateway to the world for decades.

And to my fellow travelers—don’t let this final opportunity pass you by. If you’re eligible, sign up today, grab your passport, and take flight.

The world is waiting—and this historic route is about to take off one last time.