An air ambulance international flight provides medical transport to and from remote locations. These flights often use commercial aircraft with rows of seats removed to accommodate patients traveling on a stretcher with a medical team accompanying them.
All aircraft are staffed with two pilots with specialized training to handle critical care. These crew members take breaks on the ground to maintain their health and safety throughout each flight.
What is an Air Ambulance?
An international air ambulance is a specialized aircraft used to transport patients needing emergency medical assistance. Also known as a medical evacuation helicopter or plane, an air ambulance flies critically ill patients over long distances or in remote areas. The aircraft is fully staffed with the medical flight crew and carries lifesaving equipment such as oxygen, ventilators, an ECG and monitoring unit, CPR equipment, and medications.
An air ambulance is typically used when minutes matter, and a patient would not survive a trip to the hospital in a ground ambulance. However, an air ambulance can also be arranged for non-emergency cases.
Air ambulances are often privately owned and operated, although, in some countries, they may receive limited government subsidies or funding from businesses. They have the call sign MEDEVAC and fly with sirens and lights on to show their priority in air traffic control. REVA’s air ambulance international services also include private jet options that are equipped for ECMO and ICU-level care.
How Does an Air Ambulance Work?
An air ambulance is a specially equipped plane that transports patients too sick to travel by land or commercial flight. The aircraft is staffed by a medical flight crew and carries equipment such as oxygen, medication, an ECG monitoring unit, CPR equipment, stretchers, and more.
Air ambulance companies work with local EMS to ensure proper treatment is promptly available. Depending on the situation, they may also coordinate with a commercial airline to facilitate the final leg of the trip home.
During an air ambulance international mission, the aircraft will make multiple stops to refuel and change pilot crews. These stops help to keep the unit rested throughout the trip and allow for better coordination between teams. Each visit is carefully planned so the patient will be transported to their destination with minimal disruption.
What Type of Aircraft is Used?
Air ambulances operate at a wide variety of speeds and altitudes. They are staffed with medically trained crews that provide care on the flight. They use the call sign MEDEVAC and receive priority handling in flight and on the ground.
Helicopter air ambulances can land at traditional airports and helipads, but they can also reach remote locations that are difficult or impossible for conventional vehicles to reach. They are equipped to transport patients in various situations, from car accidents to medical emergencies, to remote sites.
Air ambulance companies may use a mix of private jets, military aircraft, and commercial aircraft. Generally, they are either fee-for-service or privately funded by charitable donations. They often receive limited government support to supplement their philanthropic contributions. Regardless of the type of aircraft used, they all meet the high standards the Mayo Clinic sets for safety and medical care in flight. They provide medications and equipment comparable to those in a hospital emergency department or critical care unit.
How Much Does an Air Ambulance Cost?
While extreme cases of air ambulance price gouging do make the news, the truth is that most medical air transport services are incredibly affordable. The cost of an air ambulance international depends on the patient’s condition, how much the airline charges for ground transportation, and whether the client has insurance.
The exact amount can vary, but a good air ambulance company will be upfront about costs and provide a precise quote. They will also be transparent about any circumstances that may alter the rate.
Medically stable patients often save money by piggybacking on the flights of other medically sound patients rather than flying on an exclusive charter. Stable patients may also qualify for reduced rates on commercial planes, medical escorts on Amtrak trains, and long-distance ground ambulance transportation. Contact a REVA Patient Transport Specialist for more information about these cost-saving options. Insurance reimbursement specialists are also available to help individuals find coverage that removes financial barriers to their healthcare needs.
