§301-70.800. Ensuring that travel on Government aircraft is the most cost-effective alternative.
41 C.F.R. § 301-70.800
Agencies must ensure that travel on a Government aircraft is the most cost-effective alternative that will meet the travel requirement. The designated travel approving official must—
Compare the cost of all travel alternatives, as applicable, that is—
Travel on a scheduled commercial airline;
Travel on a Federal aircraft;
Travel on a Government aircraft hired as a commercial aviation service (CAS); and
Travel by other available modes of transportation; and
Approve only the most cost-effective alternative that meets the agency's needs.
Consider the cost of non-productive or lost work time while in travel status and certain other costs when comparing the costs of using Government aircraft in lieu of scheduled commercial airline service and other available modes of transportation.
The aircraft management office in the agency that owns or hires the Government aircraft must provide the employee's designated travel-approving official with cost estimates for a Government aircraft trip (i.e., a Federal aircraft trip cost or a CAS aircraft trip cost).
When an agency operates a Government aircraft to fulfill a non-travel related governmental function or for required use travel, using any space available for passengers on official travel is presumed to result in cost savings.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Authority
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5701 note; 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); OMB Circular No. A-126, revised May 22, 1992, 57 FR 22150; OMB Circular A-123, Appendix B, revised August 27, 2019.
Source
Source: FTR Case 2025-05, 90 FR 56893, Dec. 8, 2025, unless otherwise noted.