Air ambulance: a medically equipped aircraft for one patient
When a patient needs continuous care, cannot travel on a scheduled flight or must be moved urgently, an air ambulance flies them with a medical team on board, from the departure hospital to the receiving hospital.
What an air ambulance is
An air ambulance is an aircraft fitted out to carry a patient lying down, with the medical equipment and the team the patient’s condition requires. The flight is dedicated to the patient: the departure time, the route and the airports are chosen for the mission, not taken from an airline’s timetable.
It is used for a medical evacuation, when the patient must reach a hospital able to treat them, and for repatriations of patients who are too unwell for a scheduled flight. The decision is always medical, made by our medical team with the treating doctor.
When an air ambulance is usually considered
Continuous care in flight
The patient needs monitoring, oxygen, infusions or ventilation that an airline cabin cannot accommodate.
Urgency
The patient must be moved quickly and no suitable scheduled flight is available in time.
No suitable airline
The airline cannot accept the patient, the route has no direct flight, or the connections would be too long.
These are general situations. Only the medical assessment of the patient decides the type of transport.
Aircraft, team and equipment
The aircraft is chosen according to the distance, the airports and the patient’s needs: [aircraft types used, their range and their medical equipment]. Flights are operated by [operator(s) of the aircraft and their air operator certificate, or “our own aircraft”], departing from [bases of departure].
On board, the medical team is adapted to the patient: [composition of the medical team and specialities]. Equipment is planned for the whole journey, including possible waiting time on the ground. Our accreditations: [accreditations and authorisations held by the company, with reference numbers].
How an air ambulance mission runs
- Your call or quote request, with the patient’s location, destination and condition in a few words.
- Medical assessment with the treating doctor, based on a recent medical report.
- Written quote, and guarantee of payment when an insurer is involved.
- Bed confirmed at the receiving hospital, landing and overflight permits, flight plan and crew.
- Ground ambulance from the ward to the aircraft, flight under medical supervision, ground ambulance to the receiving hospital.
- Handover to the receiving team with a transfer report.
Our usual time from agreement to take-off is [usual time from agreement to take-off]. Permits, airport opening hours and the receiving hospital’s confirmation can change it: see our guide to medical repatriation from Africa.
Cost and payment
An air ambulance is the most complete option, and the price reflects the aircraft, the flight hours including positioning, the medical team, the ground ambulances and the airport fees. We send a free, itemised quote. Our page on medical repatriation costs explains what drives the price, and our page for insurers and assistance companies describes how we work on a guarantee of payment.
Questions about air ambulances
Can a relative travel in the air ambulance?
Often, depending on the aircraft and the patient’s condition: [whether and how many relatives can travel on board]. Tell us when you make your request.
Is an air ambulance always necessary for a patient lying down?
No. Some airlines accept a stretcher on a scheduled flight with a medical escort. Our guide air ambulance or stretcher explains how the choice is made.
Who operates the aircraft?
[Operator(s) of the aircraft and their air operator certificate, or “our own aircraft”]. The operator’s name appears on the quote.
Can the flight leave at night?
It depends on the opening hours of the airports at departure, at arrival and at any stopover. Some airports open outside their hours only on request, with advance notice.
An air ambulance to organise?
Send us the patient’s location, the destination and their condition in a few words. Our medical team reviews the file and we reply with a written quote.