Air ambulance · Airline medical escort
Flying on a scheduled airline, with medical support alongside.
For patients who are stable enough to fly commercially, a doctor, nurse or paramedic escort can be more comfortable and more proportionate than a dedicated aircraft. Airlines require their own medical clearance, usually based on a form completed by the treating doctor, and may need advance notice for stretchers, oxygen or wheelchairs. We coordinate the clearance, the seating or stretcher arrangements, the escort and the ground transfers at both ends.
How it works
- Assessment. The treating doctor confirms the patient's condition and what support they need during the flight.
- Airline clearance. We coordinate the airline's medical clearance form and any requests for stretcher, oxygen or wheelchair assistance.
- Escort and bookings. We arrange the medical escort, flights and ground transport, and send you the written plan and quotation.
- Travel day. The escort accompanies the patient from bedside or home to the destination, and the family is kept informed.
Through the airport
Support from the bedside to the destination.
Wheelchair assistance, priority check-in where the airline offers it, oxygen or stretcher requests made in advance, and a medical escort who stays with the patient through every step of the journey.
Knowledge library
Guides for families
Air ambulance Air ambulance or a commercial flight with a medical escort?
How doctors decide between a dedicated air ambulance and a scheduled airline flight with a doctor or nurse alongside, and what each option involves.
Read the guide
Air ambulance Fitness to fly, and what doctors assess before a patient travels
Who decides whether a patient is fit to fly, what they look at, why the cabin environment matters, and what families can do while the decision is made.
Read the guide International patients Returning home after treatment in India
How international patients prepare to fly home after treatment: fitness to fly, discharge documents, medicines, travel support and what to arrange at home.
Read the guideQuestions families ask
Who decides whether a commercial flight is suitable?
The treating doctor assesses the patient, and the airline's medical team decides whether to accept the patient on board. We coordinate the paperwork between them.
Can a patient travel on a stretcher on a commercial flight?
Some airlines offer stretcher arrangements on some routes, with advance notice. Whether it is possible depends on the airline, the route and the aircraft. We will check the options for your journey.
Who is the medical escort?
A doctor, nurse or paramedic, chosen according to the patient's needs as assessed by the treating doctor.
Coordination desk · 24 hours a day
Planning a flight with medical support?
Call the coordination desk or send an enquiry, and we will explain whether a commercial flight with an escort is a realistic option.
In a medical emergency, call 112 in India or your local emergency number first.