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Medical Flight Escort

Internationally recognized for safe, compassionate care, Flying Nurses International specializes in medical flight transport.  With over 30 years of experience, our RN flight nurses accompany patients on commercial airlines, delivering safe, professional, in-flight medical support as a cost-effective alternative to traditional air ambulance services.

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What Is Medical Flight Transport?

Medical flight transport is designed for patients who are medically stable but require professional nursing assistance throughout their trip. Unlike air ambulance providers, Flying Nurses International arranges travel using commercial airline travel. This approach is:

  • More affordable than private medical jets
  • More comfortable for patients and families traveling in first or business class
  • Proven safe, with a 100% safety record across 100+ countries

Our nurses coordinate every detail — from medical clearance and hospital communication to in-flight monitoring and bedside-to-bedside transfers.

Medical Escort: Our Specialty and Most Frequently Requested Service

The RN flight nurse will accompany you in the business or first class cabin of a major commercial airline. Business or first class seats offer a reclining position for patients who are immobile or unable to care for themselves during their flight. International carriers often offer sleeper seats in their first class cabin that recline to a bed position and provide for additional privacy.

To ensure safe travel we secure required medical clearances, coordinate all ground and air transportation and arrange for any specialized medical equipment that you require. With expertise in long distance medical transportation services, we ensure that all aspects of your journey are handled seamlessly.

We closely monitor your medical status from your first phone call until reaching your destination. Under the direction of your personal physician and health care team, we receive updated medical reports until your departure to ensure that we modify your flight plan to secure a safe arrival. All treatment administered in-flight follows medical orders provided by your primary care physician. Emergency treatment is performed in accordance with the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Standards.

Upon arrival at your destination your commercial flight nurse will provide a detailed briefing to the receiving medical facility. If your home is your final destination, your flight nurse will help you and your family make an informed and comfortable adjustment based on your medical needs.
Our Services

Our Medical Flight Transport Services

Our medical flight transport program includes specialized options for patient needs, from hospital transfers to international travel. These services include:
  • Long Distance Medical Transport – safe transfers across states or overseas
  • Patient Transport Services – bedside-to-bedside coordination from one facility to another
  • Air Medical Transport – a cost-effective alternative to private air ambulance travel
  • Medical Tourism – available for patients traveling internationally for treatment

  • Seating and Comfort During Flight

    Patients travel with their RN flight nurse in the business or first-class cabin of major airlines. These seats recline, making them suitable for patients who are immobile or unable to care for themselves during the flight. International carriers may also offer sleeper seats that recline fully into a bed.

    During the flight, our nurses help maintain patient safety and comfort by:

    • Adjusting positioning and performing range-of-motion exercises to promote circulation
    • Elevating legs to reduce swelling and risk of blood clots
    • Providing privacy and reassurance in a quieter cabin environment
    • Monitoring vital signs, pain level, etc.
    • Administering scheduled medications as well as other medications as needed
    Plan Your Medical Flight Transport

  • USE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT:

    To ensure patient safety, all in-flight medical equipment must be FAA-approved and cleared by the airline’s medical department before departure. Our team manages this process to confirm acceptance.

    Commonly approved devices include:

    • Portable oxygen concentrators
    • Medical devices that are FAA approved
    • Battery-operated equipment (gel-cell or lithium-ion)

    We ensure all required equipment is approved and authorized before the day of travel.

  • CLASS OF SEATING:

    The patient and commercial flight nurse travel in the business or first class cabin, with the flight nurse traveling to and from their base in economy class. The flight nurses carry specialized equipment to safely transfer patients to their seats. We commonly lift patients and place them in a reclined business or first class seat.

    Other important details addressed in flight: Changing a patient’s position by shifting them in the seat, elevating their legs, and performing range of motion to their extremities is imperative to maintain adequate circulation, limit edema and decrease the risk of blood clots. The business or first class cabin offers more privacy, a quiet environment and added space if a medical emergency were to occur.

  • USE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT:

    In-flight use of medical equipment must first be accepted by the medical department of each airline. They review the specifications and manufacturer of each device. Only equipment that has been FAA approved can be used and most often it must be gel-cell or lithium ion battery operated. Certain airlines rarely allow the use of their power system for auxiliary use.

  • CARE OF PATIENT DURING FLIGHT

    Many of our patients are unable to ambulate, converse, support themselves in a seated position or care for any of their needs. We commonly lift patients and place them in a reclined business or first class seat. Changing a patient’s position by shifting them in this larger seat, elevating their legs, and performing range of motion to their extremities is imperative to maintain adequate circulation, limit edema and decrease the risk of blood clots. The business or first class cabin offers more privacy, a quiet environment and added space if a medical emergency were to occur.

COMMERCIAL AIRLINE STRETCHER SERVICE 

While some international airlines offer stretcher service, it is not available in the United States and is rarely the most comfortable or cost-effective option. Even though we can still assist with stretcher service, in most cases, Flying Nurses International’s medical flight transport via business or first class seating  provides greater safety, comfort, and accessibility.

Comparison: Flying Nurses International vs. Commercial Stretcher

Flying Nurses International Commercial Stretcher Service
Comfort Reclining or sleeper seat with privacy Narrow frame and thin pad
Mobility Patients can be repositioned and supported Restricted with multiple straps
Respiratory Support Seat recline supports breathing Limited incline may hinder breathing
Care Access Nurse can assist from all sides Nurse restricted to one side
Cost More cost-effective and transparent Often cost-prohibitive internationally
Transport Inquiry Form

COMMERCIAL AIRLINE STRETCHER SERVICE 

While a commercial airline stretcher service exists on some international flights, it is not currently available anywhere in the United States. Moreover, it is often cost-prohibitive and uncomfortable for patients.

Commercial airline stretcher service involves setting up a platform on the backs of seats within the Economy class section. A gurney is placed on this platform, allowing limited space between the patient and the luggage compartment above. 

This arrangement has several drawbacks and is generally not recommended for the following reasons:

Narrow Frame and Thin Pad: The airline stretcher kit features a slim frame and thin pad, which can compromise patient comfort and support.

Limited Mobility and Repositioning: The patient must be secured with multiple straps across their chest and legs, resulting in restricted mobility. This narrow width makes turning or repositioning the patient during the journey difficult.

Respiratory Restrictions and Comfort: The stretcher's head and back support rise approximately 12 inches, preventing the patient from sitting reasonably upright. This limitation can hinder respiratory efforts and overall comfort.

Limited Accessibility for Caregivers: Placing the stretcher along the window restricts the nurse's ability to care for the patient to only one side. While a privacy curtain is available, the nurse must always maintain visual contact with the patient, exposing their care to multiple passengers.

Flying Nurses International understands the challenges patients face requiring medical transport, particularly when it comes to commercial airline travel. We prioritize your well-being and ensure a comfortable and safe medical escort experience. However, upon evaluating your medical flight transport needs and consulting with your healthcare providers, we can assist in securing authorization for stretcher service if deemed medically necessary.

This process involves obtaining approval from the airline's medical department which requires the completion and approval of a detailed medical clearance form. The authorization process may take between seventy-two hours to two weeks, depending on the airline's policies and procedures.

Your dedicated RN Flight Coordinator works closely with you and your healthcare providers to facilitate the necessary arrangements and ensure your journey is as seamless and comfortable as possible. We understand the unique requirements of medical escort services and are committed to providing the highest quality care throughout your travel experience.

Please contact Flying Nurses International to discuss your specific medical flight logistics needs and allow us to assist you in arranging the most suitable and comfortable transportation option available.

Transport Inquiry Form

Who Benefits from Medical Flight Transport?

Flying Nurses International provides professional medical transport services nationally or internationally for patients who:

  • Need transfer between hospitals or rehabilitation centers
  • Require assistance traveling home after surgery or treatment
  • Have mobility limitations or chronic conditions needing monitoring
  • Depend on oxygen therapy or ventilator support
  • Are seniors relocating closer to family with medical support

Medical Flight Transport FAQs

We can typically mobilize within 48–72 hours, depending on the patient’s condition, healthcare coordination, and airline availability.
Our RN flight nurses manage positioning, circulation, and oxygen needs throughout the journey. In business or first-class seating on international flights, patients have access to reclining or sleeper seats that allow for safer, more comfortable travel.
We coordinate with the airline’s medical department to approve all devices in advance. Commonly approved equipment includes portable oxygen concentrators and battery-powered devices such as suction units or ventilators.
We provide several types of medical flight transport, from hospital transfers and long-distance flights to international medical tourism, each tailored to patient needs.
Transport Inquiry Form

Start Planning Your Medical Flight

At the heart of our medical flight transport program is a focus on seamless transfer to or from hospitals and medical facilities. From bedside pick-up to hand-off, Flying Nurses International ensures every step is coordinated with safety, comfort, and expert RN care.

Start Your Medical Flight Planning

Contact Information

Flying Nurses International, LLC
250 Palm Coast Parkway, NE
Suite 607-265
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Phone: 1-877-521-1333
Fax: 1-904-621-9924

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