Everything you need to know before you call

We select from a curated fleet of medically configured jets — from a Cessna Citation V or Learjet 45XR for fast regional transfers to long-range Challenger 604 and 650 aircraft, fully equipped for ICU/ECMO, on intercontinental repatriations. The aircraft is chosen mission by mission based on distance, patient condition and required equipment.

Every ICU-level mission carries fixed intensive-care equipment: ventilators, cardiac monitors, infusion pumps, defibrillators and, where required, ECMO-compatible configurations — the same standard of monitoring as a hospital intensive-care unit.

Yes. We coordinate the full journey — ground ambulance from the originating hospital, airport transfer, the flight itself, and ground ambulance to the receiving hospital — so the patient is never left to manage a leg of the journey alone.

Yes — for children and newborns we provide specialist neonatal incubators, pediatric-trained flight nurses and physicians, and, whenever medically appropriate, a seat reserved for a parent.

Absolutely. Not every mission is a same-day emergency — we regularly organize planned repatriations scheduled days or weeks in advance, at a lower cost than an urgent mobilization.

Yes. Selected aircraft and stretcher systems are rated for higher weight capacities, and we plan crew and equipment accordingly — let our medical coordinators know the patient's approximate weight when you first call so we can select the right aircraft.

Yes. For patients whose condition can't tolerate a standard cabin altitude — including recent chest, abdominal or eye surgery, pneumothorax, or decompression sickness — we can configure select aircraft to maintain cabin pressure at or near sea level for the full flight.

Depending on the aircraft selected, missions range from short regional hops of a few hundred kilometers to true intercontinental flights of 6,000+ km without a fuel stop on our longest-range jets.

It can, which is why our flight physicians assess each patient's tolerance to cabin altitude before departure, and why our aircraft can be configured to fly at lower cabin altitudes when a patient's condition requires it.

For very long distances, yes — our operations team plans refueling stops at airports with appropriate medical ground support, timed to minimize disruption to the patient's care.

Whenever medically and operationally possible, we reserve a seat for one accompanying family member at no extra charge.

On a case-by-case basis, depending on aircraft, mission length and any destination country import rules — ask your coordinator when you call.

Several aircraft in our network are certified for short and unpaved runways, which matters for retrievals from smaller regional airports where a larger jet could not land.

A flight physician and a critical-care flight nurse accompany every ICU-level mission, in addition to the flight crew — team composition is adjusted to the patient's specific condition.

Yes. Flight physicians and nurses hold critical-care or emergency medicine backgrounds and additional aeromedical transport training, covering the physiological effects of altitude on critically ill patients.

Yes, within the scope of the flight physician's authority and the patient's treatment plan, coordinated in advance with the referring and receiving medical teams.

Yes — our flight physician reviews the medical file with the referring physician before departure and hands over formally to the receiving team on arrival.

Yes, with a crew and cabin configuration adapted for comfort and dignity, coordinated closely with the family and the receiving care team.

Always. Our flight physician reviews the medical file and, where needed, consults the treating doctor to confirm the patient can safely tolerate the flight, and to define any precautions required in the air.

Every aircraft we charter operates under a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and our brokerage activity follows the safety and coordination standards of the Jet-VIP group.

Each aircraft is checked for airworthiness and medical-configuration readiness before departure — this is never a standard cabin adapted at the last minute.

Standard aeromedical infection-control protocols are followed for every mission, with additional isolation and biocontainment-capable configurations available for infectious cases.

For the aircraft types we operate on ICU-level missions, yes — a two-pilot crew is standard practice for long-range and critical-care flights.

Our flight physician will say so plainly before a mission is confirmed — patient safety always takes priority over completing a booking, and we will advise on the stabilization steps needed before flight becomes possible.

Yes, our operations are covered by the appropriate aviation and medical liability insurance required to carry out international medical transport.

Cost depends on distance, aircraft type, medical equipment and crew required. Short regional missions typically start in the low tens of thousands of euros; long-haul ICU transfers can be higher. We always provide a written, itemized quote before departure. See our full breakdown of what affects the price.

Our quotes clearly itemize aircraft, medical crew, ground ambulances and standard logistics, so you know exactly what is included before confirming — any exceptions are flagged upfront, not discovered afterward.

In many cases, yes. We work directly with insurers and assistance companies worldwide, provide full medical and cost documentation, and can coordinate billing directly with them when authorized.

For most missions, yes — a deposit secures the aircraft and crew; the balance is settled per the terms agreed in your quote.

Bank transfer is standard for the amounts involved in air ambulance missions; card payment can be arranged for smaller components on request.

Yes — we set up dedicated coordination agreements with assistance companies and insurers who manage medical evacuations regularly, with streamlined billing and priority response. See our dedicated partner page for details.

Typically a copy of the patient's passport, relevant medical records, and — for cross-border repatriation — any documents your insurer or assistance company requires. Our coordinator will give you the exact list for your case.

We can advise and coordinate where needed, particularly for time-critical missions crossing borders with complex entry requirements, though final visa issuance always rests with the relevant consulate or authority.

It varies enormously with distance and connections — from a few hours for a short regional transfer to over a day for a complex intercontinental repatriation with multiple legs. Your coordinator will give you a clear estimate once the mission is defined.

Yes, subject to aircraft configuration and each patient's medical needs — let us know at the first call if more than one patient requires transport.

Our medical coordinator contacts the receiving hospital or ambulance service directly to confirm bed availability and handover logistics before the aircraft departs.

In many cases, yes, working with local ground and air resources to reach locations without direct commercial access — feasibility depends on the specific location, so call us to assess it.

Yes — we have coordinated missions to more than 120 countries, including complex, multi-leg intercontinental repatriations.

Yes, overflight and landing permits are arranged by our operations team as part of standard mission planning.

We can facilitate communication where relevant, particularly for mortal remains repatriation or complex documentation cases, working alongside the family's or hospital's usual channels.

Medical and personal information is handled confidentially and shared only with the parties directly involved in the mission — the medical crew, the receiving facility, and, where authorized, your insurer.

Only where a credible risk assessment confirms it is safe to do so for crew and patient — some locations require specialized humanitarian evacuation partners instead, and we will advise honestly if that's the case.

Every chartered aircraft operates under its national aviation authority's regulations (e.g., EASA in Europe, FAA in the US), and our medical crews follow the clinical governance standards of their home medical systems.

We are the dedicated medical evacuation division of Jet-VIP: every mission is coordinated by people who understand both aviation logistics and critical care, not a general charter desk handling a medical request as an afterthought.

Yes — one dedicated case manager coordinates the aircraft, the medical team and your family from the first call until the patient is handed over at the receiving hospital.

Our desk is staffed 24/7/365; for genuine emergencies, an aircraft can often be mobilized within a few hours of the medical assessment being confirmed.

Every aircraft is inspected and equipped specifically for the patient's condition, every crew is matched to the mission's medical complexity, and every case is followed personally by your case manager rather than handed between departments.