§ 301-10.100 Use of other than coach class accommodations.

Employees are authorized to use the least expensive class of accommodations (e.g., coach class) necessary to meet their needs and accomplish the agency's mission. Employees may be authorized to use accommodations other than coach class only when the agency head or designee specifically authorizes or approves such use under specific circumstances. Except as otherwise indicated in this section, agencies should authorize the lowest level of other than coach class accommodations, starting with premium economy, then business, then first, with much higher agency scrutiny on each increase in class level authorized. The agency head or designee may authorize other than coach class accommodations when— (a) Such accommodations are required to accommodate a medical disability or other special need (see part 301-13 of this subchapter); (b) Exceptional security circumstances, as determined by the agency, require other than coach class accommodations; (c) Regularly scheduled service between origin and destination points provides only non-coach class accommodations; (d) Common carrier costs are paid in full through agency acceptance of payment from a non-Federal source in accordance with chapter 304 of this subtitle; (e) The use results in overall cost savings to the Government by avoiding additional subsistence costs, overtime, or lost productivity time; (f) No coach class space is available that allows arrival in time to accomplish an urgent mission; (g) Coach class accommodations on an authorized foreign carrier do not provide adequate health or sanitation standards; (h) The origin and/or destination is/are OCONUS and scheduled flight time, including stopovers and change of planes, is in excess of eight hours, in which case agencies can authorize or approve premium economy class accommodations; (i) The origin and/or destination is/are OCONUS and scheduled flight time, including stopovers and change of planes, is more than 14 hours, in which case agencies can authorize or approve business class accommodations; (j) No coach class, premium economy class, or business class accommodations are available on a common carrier scheduled to leave within 24 hours of the proposed departure time, or scheduled to arrive within 24 hours of the proposed arrival time, in which case agencies can authorize or approve first class accommodations; (k) Such accommodations are required because of agency mission; or (l) The agency determines other than coach class accommodations are more advantageous than authorizing a rest period.