Why Does the Price of an Air Ambulance Vary So Much?

No two missions are alike

People are often surprised that quotes for an air ambulance can differ a lot, even for patients who seem to be in the same situation. There is no standard price list, because a mission is built around a patient, an itinerary and a medical need. We give no figures here, and we explain below what moves a quote and how to compare two of them.

The factors that shape a quote

• The route. The distance flown matters, but so does the route: the airports available, the airspace crossed, and whether the aircraft has to position before the patient is collected and return empty afterwards.
• The aircraft. A turboprop, a light jet and a long-range jet do not cost the same to operate. The choice depends on the distance, the runway, the patient's condition and the equipment needed on board. See how to choose the right air ambulance aircraft.
• The medical team. A physician and a nurse, an intensive-care team, or a pediatric or neonatal team do not represent the same resources. The more complex the condition, the more specialized the team.
• The equipment. A ventilator, an incubator, an ECMO system or an isolation stretcher mean specific equipment and sometimes a specific cabin configuration.
• The waiting time. If the aircraft and crew have to wait for the patient to be stabilized, or for a hospital to be ready, the time on the ground is part of the mission.
• Permits and handling. Overflight and landing permits, airport fees, handling and crew accommodation vary a lot from one country to another.
• Ground transfers. The ambulance from the hospital to the aircraft, and from the aircraft to the destination hospital, can be small or significant depending on the distances.
• The urgency. A mission organized within hours is not the same as one planned several days ahead.

What is included in a quote

Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same things. Before comparing the totals, check what each one includes:

• the aircraft and the flight crew;
• the medical team, and its composition;
• the medical equipment and consumables;
• the ground ambulances at both ends;
• airport, handling and permit fees;
• the seats for accompanying relatives;
• what happens in case of a delay or a change of date.

Questions worth asking

1. Which aircraft, and why this one for this patient?
2. Who is the medical team on board, and who is the physician in charge?
3. Are the ground transfers and fees included, or billed separately?
4. Can a relative travel, and at what conditions?
5. What is the operator's accreditation, for example among the air ambulance operators accredited by EURAMI, and is one available for these dates?
6. What happens if the date changes or the mission is cancelled?

A low quote is not always the best one

A quote that looks lower can hide a smaller medical team, an aircraft not suited to the patient, or costs that will be added later. In an air ambulance, the medical and safety standards matter more than the price alone. When the insurer organizes the transfer, it generally selects and pays the provider; when the family organizes it, we give a written quote before departure.

In short

• A price depends on the route, the aircraft, the medical team, the waiting time, the permits and the ground transfers.
• Compare what each quote includes, not only the total.
• Ask for the medical team and the aircraft to be named and justified.

To go further, read the difference between an air ambulance and a commercial flight with medical escort and whether your travel insurance covers an air ambulance.

General information only — not personalized medical, legal or insurance advice. Your insurance contract and the treating physician's opinion prevail in your situation.