Kadena AB, Japan
infoDAF Privatizing On-Base Lodging Beginning Fall 2027 (US & Territories)
The DAF has selected IHG Hotels and Resorts and Centinel Public Partnerships, LLC to execute a 50-year lease, starting Fall 2027. The first 23 installations scheduled for transition are: • Altus Air Force Base, Okla. • Barksdale AFB, La. • Beale AFB, Calif. • Buckley Space Force Base, Colo. • Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. • Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. • Edwards AFB, Calif. • Eglin AFB, Fla. • Goodfellow AFB, Texas • Hurlburt Field, Fla. • Joint Base Andrews, Md. • JB Charleston, S.C. • JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska • JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. • Little Rock AFB, Ark. • MacDill AFB, Fla. • Maxwell AFB, Ala. • Nellis AFB, Nev. • Robins AFB, Ga. • Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. • Shaw AFB, S.C. • Sheppard AFB, Texas • Travis AFB, Calif. See the full story here: https://www.afimsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4487502/daf-selects-partner-for-commercialized-on-base-lodging/
Space-Available flights from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa — the AMC passenger terminal serving Japan, Korea, Guam, and the U.S. West Coast.
Kadena Air Base anchors Okinawa, and its AMC passenger terminal — run by the 733d Air Mobility Squadron, the “En Route Pacesetters” — is one of the busier hubs in the Pacific. The schedule has two distinct halves: a Saturday Patriot Express rotator that carries most of the terminal's traffic, and a thinner spread of regional flights across the rest of the week, reaching the other Japan bases, Korea, Guam, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast.
For a Space-A traveler, Kadena rewards flexibility. Regional hops around Japan and the Pacific, and the runs up to Alaska, tend to leave with seats to spare — those are easy boards. The trip home to the mainland is the hard part: the Seattle Patriot Express is the most contested flight Kadena flies. Cat VI travelers reach the manifest on most categorized flights, but reach tightens through the busy winter and spring, so the season you travel matters.
The move at Kadena: decide early whether you're chasing the Saturday Patriot Express home or a quieter midweek regional flight, and sign up the moment your window opens — Saturday competition is real. If you're a retiree or otherwise non-SOFA, build in time for the off-base immigration stop before departure. And lean on the live 72-hour schedule: the weekly rhythm is lopsided, and it's the surest way to avoid a wasted trip to the terminal on the wrong day.
Terminal Information
Flight Schedule PDFs
AMC's official scheduling PDFs, opened in a new tab.
At a Glance
Editorial summary of the live numbers below.
- Saturday is Kadena's big flying day by a wide margin — the Patriot Express rotator goes out then, and a large share of all Kadena departures fall on a Saturday. It's also the most contested day. The rest of the week is quieter, carrying smaller regional flights spread thin from Tuesday through Friday.
- Seats are usually available, but Kadena isn't wide open the way the emptiest terminals are. A typical flight leaves with room to spare, but the average hides a wide split by route — the trip home to the U.S. mainland is far more contested than the regional hops.
- Cat VI reach is solid but not guaranteed — retirees and other Category VI travelers reach the manifest on most categorized flights and have boarded whenever they competed, but Kadena is more contested than the wide-open CONUS hubs. Reach has run noticeably tighter in winter and spring than in the fall, so sign up early in the busier seasons.
- Destinations split sharply by competition. The trans-Pacific run to Seattle is Kadena's most contested flight — it's the main way home to the U.S. mainland, so its seats fill far heavier than anything else Kadena flies. The regional and Alaska runs stay much emptier, so an intra-theater hop or an Elmendorf leg is a far easier board than the trip stateside.
- Yokota, near Tokyo, is Kadena's single busiest destination — a frequent short hop up the Japanese islands and the terminal's regional workhorse. If you're moving around Japan, it's the most dependable Kadena route.
- April 2026 saw an unusually high spike in flight volume across many AMC terminals — probably driven by real-world operations rather than typical cadence. Weight the other months more heavily when planning your trip.
| Type | Date | Departure | Destination | Roll call | Arrival | Code | Released | Claimed | Fill % | Sel cat | Sel signup | Comp | Comp cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-04 | Kadena AB, Japan | JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK | 1530 | — | T | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-06-04 | Kadena AB, Japan | JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI | — | 0415-0515 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-03 | Kadena AB, Japan | Andersen AFB, Guam | 1540 | — | T | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-05 | Yokota AB, Japan | Kadena AB, Japan | 1315 | — | T; PE | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-04 | Seattle-Tacoma IAP, WA | Kadena AB, Japan | 0430 | — | T | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-04 | Yokota AB, Japan | Kadena AB, Japan | 1800 | — | F; OF | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-06-04 | Andersen AFB, Guam | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 1200-1300 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-06-04 | Yokota AB, Japan | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 0725-0825 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-03 | Diego Garcia, UK | Kadena AB, Japan | 0625 | — | F | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-03 | Travis AFB, CA | JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI Yokota AB, Japan Kadena AB, Japan | 0725 | — | T | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-03 | Yokota AB, Japan | Kadena AB, Japan Diego Garcia, UK | 1735 | — | F; OF | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-03 | Travis AFB, CA | JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI Yokota AB, Japan Kadena AB, Japan | 1740 | — | T | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-06-03 | Andersen AFB, Guam | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 1555-1655 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-02 | JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK | Kadena AB, Japan | 1130 | — | TBD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72-Hour | 2026-06-02 | JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI | Kadena AB, Japan | 1240 | — | TBD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-30 | Diego Garcia, UK | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 0615-0715 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-29 | JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 1430-1530 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-23 | Eielson AFB, AK | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 0340-0440 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-22 | MCAS Iwakuni, Japan | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 1945-2045 | PE | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-22 | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 2130-2230 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arrival | 2026-05-15 | JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI | Kadena AB, Japan | — | 2045-2145 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Patterns Over the Past 12 Months
See the past 12 months of patterns at this terminal — busiest months, day-of-week cadence, fill rates, and top destinations.
Pattern charts — flight cadence, fill rates, and top destinations — are a premium feature. Upgrade to plan trips against real history for this terminal.
See pricingHow to Sign Up
Methods, contacts, and terminal-specific quirks.
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Plan Your TripQuirks Worth Flagging
- Roll call is conducted 3 hours before departure. Space-A seats out of Kadena are often limited — plan for flexibility and mark present early.
- Patriot Express pre-booked passengers: check-in doors open no earlier than 6 hours before departure, and you must be in line no later than 3 hours before departure — miss that and you re-book through your booking agency. Early-bird check-in runs the day before; bring all documents, checked bags, and any pets in their carriers.
- Kadena splits Space-A sign-up by travel category: the online AMC Space-Available sign-up form is for Category VI travelers (retirees and their dependents) only. Categories I–V must sign up by email to the terminal — and Category VI travelers may use email instead of the form if they prefer.
- Baggage allowance is 2 checked bags per traveler, up to 70 lbs and 62 linear inches each, plus 1 carry-on (max 45 linear inches) and 1 personal item that fits under an aircraft seat. Smaller aircraft are tighter: C-12, C-21, and UC-35 allow 30 lbs of baggage total per passenger, and C-9 and C-40 allow 2 bags up to 40 lbs total.
- Passports for Japan: travelers flying to Japan on leave need a Regular (blue tourist) passport, though military members on leave returning to their unit of assignment in Japan may instead use a military ID card and travel orders. Separately, since January 10, 2026, eligible family members and DoW civilians traveling on official orders to Japan or South Korea must carry a Special Issuance Passport.
- Space-A passengers flying to the U.S. on the Patriot Express pay a head tax of $41.63. In-terminal Space-A meals are $8.75 and cash-only — bring exact change.
- Non-SOFA travelers — those not covered by the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement, such as retirees, Japanese passport holders, and dependents not stationed in Japan — must clear immigration at the off-base Government of Japan office. Within 24 hours of departure, get a departure slip or boarding pass from the terminal, then go to the Kadena Branch Immigration Office for your exit stamp. Arrange your own transportation; the terminal doesn't provide it.
- 100%-disabled-veteran travelers who don't hold a DoD ID card showing “Retired” status are limited to CONUS-to-CONUS travel under DoDI 4515.13, Table 3 — Space-A travel will be denied out of Kadena.
When You Show Up
Parking, lodging, food, and what to do if you don't get on.
Parking
Check-In
Check in at the AMC Kadena AB Passenger Terminal, 733rd AMS, Bldg. 3409 Schreiber Ave. Bring a valid ID, your leave or travel orders, and a printed copy of your Space-A sign-up email. Roll call is held 3 hours before departure.
When to Arrive
The terminal is open for in-person service 6 am to 10 pm daily, with the phone line staffed around the clock. Kadena's Patriot Express runs on Saturdays, so Saturday is by far the busiest flying day — and the most competitive — while regional flights spread across the rest of the week. The terminal is under renovation, so amenities are limited: free Wi-Fi, vending machines, and Family, Business, and USO lounges, but no DV lounge. Food is thin most of the week — an Exchange mobile food truck sets up for Saturday Patriot Express departures, but plan to bring your own otherwise. Mark present as early as you can and check the 72-hour schedule for posted roll-call times.
On-Base Lodging
- Shogun Inn (Kadena AB)098-962-1010 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-962-1010 (from the U.S.) / DSN 315-632-1010 — front desk. Reservations: 098-962-1100 / 011-81-98-962-1100 / DSN 315-632-1100.Kadena's main on-base billeting.
- Navy Gateway Inns & Suites (Kadena AB)098-961-0677 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-961-0677 (from the U.S.) / DSN 315-634-0677
- WestPac Inn (Camp Foster)098-970-2455 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-970-2455 (from the U.S.) / DSN 315-645-2455On nearby Camp Foster.
Off-Base Lodging
- Crown Hotel · 098-933-2551 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-933-2551 (from the U.S.)
- Deigo Hotel · 098-937-1212 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-937-1212 (from the U.S.)
- Grand Mer Hotel · 098-931-1500 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-931-1500 (from the U.S.)Reservations also at 098-931-1526.
- Kafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo Hotel · 098-964-7000 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-964-7000 (from the U.S.)Rate includes breakfast.
Transportation
- Panda Cab Group · 098-937-3100 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-937-3100 (from the U.S.)24-hour taxi service.
- Military Taxi (Kadena AB) · 098-961-0604 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-961-0604 (from the U.S.) / DSN 315-634-0604On-base shuttle — restricted to TDY travelers and air crew.
- Kadena ITT OfficeInformation, Tickets and Travel — leisure-travel and tour booking. Email itt@kadenafss.com.
- Times Car Rental (Kadena AB) · 098-966-7445 (from Japan) / 011-81-98-966-7445 (from the U.S.)On-base car rental.
Food on Base
Common Destinations
Editorial notes to complement the live counts on the flight tables above.
- Kadena's single busiest destination — a frequent short hop up to the Tokyo area, and the terminal's most dependable regional route.
- A regular run to the Marine Corps air station in southwestern Japan — modest seat counts, but a steady, easy-to-catch hop toward western Honshu.
- The trans-Pacific Patriot Express run home to the U.S. mainland — Kadena's most contested flight, since it's the main way back stateside. Sign up early and keep a backup.
- A regular run to Hawaii and the central-Pacific transit hub — a useful midpoint for chaining a flight onward to the mainland.
- A regular hop down to Guam — a major Pacific hub and a handy connection point for travel deeper into the theater.
- Kadena's link into Korea — Osan flights run with large seat counts and almost no competition, one of the easiest boards Kadena offers.
- An occasional long run up to Anchorage — infrequent, but nearly empty when it goes, an easy board for travelers headed that far north.
- Kadena's other route back to the U.S. West Coast besides the Seattle Patriot Express — an airlift link into Northern California.
Related Terminals
Geographic and functional alternatives.
FAQ
Travelers ask these about this terminal specifically.
I know flights are based on mission requirements. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of making the flight?
Sign up early, and show up early to mark present. If only a few Space-A passengers have marked present shortly before roll call, terminal staff will tell mission planners that cargo can be added to the pallet positions that would have held seats. On certain aircraft, that means fewer Space-A seats than there are travelers waiting. The fix is to mark present as early as you can — don't wait until just before roll call.
Do I really need to bring a copy of my sign-up email?
Yes — always bring a hard copy of your sign-up email, and make sure it shows a date and time stamp. Terminal staff use that stamp to confirm your priority on the manifest at roll call.
Will they let me on the flight if my ID is expired?
No. Check every ID before you travel, and if any will expire during your trip, renew them now. Expired IDs (including your CAC, dependent ID, and passport) will keep you off the flight.
Helpful Links
AMC PDFs, terminal-specific guides, and external resources.
Guide last reviewed . Sources: AMC Travel and Space-A+ historical data.
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