There is no list price for an air ambulance flight. Two patients flying the same day can receive very different quotes, and both can be fair. The figure depends on the trip, the aircraft, and the care the patient needs on board. This post explains those drivers so you can read a quote with confidence.
The main cost drivers
Distance. Flight time is the largest single factor. A short turboprop leg between neighboring states costs far less than a transoceanic jet mission with fuel stops.
Aircraft. Distance decides the aircraft, and the aircraft decides much of the price. Our fleet includes Learjet and Gulfstream jets alongside King Air and Cessna turboprops. We match the aircraft to the route rather than defaulting to the largest jet.
Medical acuity and crew. A stable patient who needs monitoring travels with a smaller crew than a ventilated ICU patient. Specialized equipment such as a ventilator or a neonatal incubator adds to the figure, as does a larger or more specialized team.
Ground ambulance at both ends. Bedside-to-bedside transport includes ground legs to and from the airports. Their distance, and whether the patient needs an ALS crew, a BLS crew, or non-medical transport, shape the total.
International permits and handling. Flights that cross borders need overflight and landing permits, fuel planning, ground handling, and customs clearance. We arrange these in-house, and they are part of the quote.
Urgency. A flight that must depart within hours costs more than one scheduled a few days out, because the aircraft and crew have to be positioned on short notice.
What a quote should include
Ask any provider whether the quote is complete. Ours is one all-inclusive figure: aircraft, medical crew, and ground ambulance at both ends, unless you ask us to arrange part of it yourself. There are no line items to reconcile after the flight.
Lower-cost alternatives
A private jet is not always the right answer. If the patient can sit upright for takeoff and landing, a medical escort on a scheduled airline costs a fraction of a private flight. If the patient must lie flat but is stable, a commercial airline stretcher can save families up to tens of thousands of dollars on long-haul routes. For destinations within driving distance, a long-distance ground ambulance is usually far less than any flight. Our flight coordinators will tell you when one of these fits.
Paying for the flight
We accept private, government, and corporate pay. We can also assist in verifying your insurance coverage and benefits, may assist in obtaining pre-authorization where possible, and can assist in submitting a claim on your behalf once the transport is complete. See our companion post, Is an air ambulance covered by insurance?
Get a figure for your case
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. If you receive a better quote elsewhere, we will do our best to match it. Request a quote or call +1-800-633-3590. A flight coordinator answers live, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.