Air ambulance and medical flights

Who accompanies the patient on an air ambulance?

A doctor and a paramedic accompany the patient for the whole flight. The transfer takes place on an ICU-equipped air ambulance aircraft, and both the aircraft and the medical team are provided through licensed operators.

YetkinJet is a charter broker, not an operator or a medical provider. Our role is to find a suitable aircraft and team through licensed, AOC-holding and insured operators, coordinate the details and stay in touch with you until departure. Our broker disclosure explains this role in more detail.

What information do you need for a medical flight request?

The request form asks for the information operators need to assess a medical flight. Sharing it as accurately as possible helps us reply with useful next steps rather than more questions:

• Departure and destination cities
• When the flight is needed: as soon as possible, or on a specific date
• The patient's condition: travelling on a stretcher, or able to sit
• The number of companions travelling with the patient

Because the request includes health information, the form asks for your explicit consent to the processing of health data before it is sent. If you would rather talk the details through, the 24/7 phone line and WhatsApp are always available.

What happens after you send the request?

We reply within 30 minutes, at any hour, and check the availability of a suitable air ambulance with the operator straight away. The quote, with the aircraft and pricing, follows by email after operator confirmation.

Once you approve the flight and the price, we collect the patient and companion details, the medical report and the hospital details, and the operator runs its final check with them. The departure time depends on the aircraft, the medical team, airport slots and any permits, so we do not promise it until the operator has confirmed. For travellers who need a quick departure but no medical care on board, our last-minute private jet service may suit better.

Which documents are needed before the flight?

After the flight is approved, the operator asks for the following documents to finalise the transfer. Starting early speeds things up:

• The patient's up-to-date discharge summary (epicrisis report)
• The patient's ID or passport, and visa details if required
• The receiving hospital and its letter of acceptance
• The companion's ID or passport, and visa details if required
• A fit-to-fly report
• Details of the ground ambulances at the departure and arrival cities

Once everything is in, the operator completes its final check and the departure time is confirmed. If you are unsure where to obtain a document, our 24/7 line can help.

How many companions can fly with the patient?

One companion can travel with the patient on the ICU-equipped air ambulance. A second companion is at the captain's discretion, which is why the form asks for the number of companions.

Some passengers with limited mobility travel on a standard private jet charter instead, particularly when they can sit for the whole flight. Our article on special assistance and medical flights looks at the difference, and the guide to customs for private flights covers travel documents.