Request for Guidance on Implementation of Fly America Act

GAO was asked to provide guidance on how the regulations limiting air travel to less than first-class accomodations affect implementation of the Fly America Act. The specific issue to be addressed was whether provisions in the Federal Travel Regulations mean that U.S. air carrier service would be considered unavailable when they are able to furnish only first-class accomodations. GAO found no inconsistency between the regulations and the Fly America guidelines. However, it did appear that the requirements of the Act need to be clarified insofar as they pertain to the situation in which a Government traveler is faced with the choice between less than first-class service by a foreign air carrier, and first-class service aboard a U.S. air carrier. If the service provided by the two carriers is distinguished only by the class of accomodations available, and if there is no independent justification for first-class air travel, the employee's travel should be scheduled aboard a foreign air carrier. When a U.S. air carrier is unable to furnish less than first-class service, it is not considered available within the meaning of existing guidelines. The statement that a U.S. air carrier will be considered available even though "comparable or a different kind" of foreign air carrier service is less costly, does not have reference to the cost differential between first-class service by a U.S. air carrier and less than first-class service by a foreign air carrier.