Frequently Asked Questions
for Commercial Medical Escort flights
At SkyCare, we provide expert medical escorts for patients who need support while flying on commercial airlines. Our service is ideal for medically stable individuals who still require professional oversight—whether recovering from surgery, managing a condition, or simply needing reassurance during travel.
We know that arranging a medical flight for a loved one can feel daunting. That’s why our NHS-trained team—comprising doctors, nurses, and paramedics—handles everything from enquiry to handover. In some cases, when a patient cannot remain seated upright, our Commercial Stretcher Flight may be a more suitable option.
Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about our Commercial Medical Escort service. If you need further guidance, our team is here 24/7.
Commercial Medical Escort FAQs
A Commercial Medical Escort flight involves one of our highly trained medical professionals accompanying you on a commercial airline, providing care and support throughout your journey.
You will travel on a regular scheduled flight but with the added reassurance of having our doctor, nurse, or critical care paramedic by your side at all times.
Medically accompanied flights are a cost-effective alternative to a private air ambulance or road ambulance repatriation and are suitable for patients who are stable but require assistance during travel.
This option is ideal for patients who are older or frail, recovering from surgery, have mobility issues, minor fractures, or for those who simply need medical supervision because family members are unable to travel with them.
Our team ensures you are fully supported from bedside to bedside, making your journey home as safe and comfortable as possible.
Once you instruct SkyCare to assist your family member, we will guide you through every step and take care of everything.
We liaise directly with the hospitals at both ends, arrange medical clearance with the airline, and coordinate all the logistics involved in the transfer.
To help the process move as quickly and smoothly as possible, it’s important that you provide us with full contact details for the hospital where your family member is currently being cared for.
Obtaining medical clearance from the airline is often the most time-consuming part of the process, so the sooner we can start, the better.
You are under no obligation to proceed until you are fully happy to do so.
We do not charge anything to begin the medical clearance process — we simply want to be ready to move quickly once you give us the go-ahead.
You do still have options.
A Fit to Fly certificate is required for travel on a commercial airline; however, this is not required for air ambulance flights. In these cases, the decision is made by our treating doctor, who is specially trained in aviation medicine.
Alternatively, you may choose to wait until the patient’s condition improves and a Fit to Fly can be obtained.
Depending on your location, SkyCare can send one of our ground ambulances to collect and transport the patient.
In summary, if a Fit to Fly cannot be obtained, you have three options:
-
Travel by air ambulance,
-
Wait for the patient’s condition to improve, or
-
Arrange our ground ambulance transport.
Yes, absolutely.
SkyCare can fully manage stretcher flights on commercial airlines.
While these flights are generally more expensive than seated medical escort flights and may take additional time to arrange, they are often the safest and only option to bring seriously ill patients home to their loved ones.
We manage the entire bed-to-bed transfer process, including all medical clearances (such as airline MEDIF approvals) and ground ambulance transfers at both departure and arrival points.
The airline will arrange for the stretcher installation and privacy curtain setup on board, and our team works closely with them to ensure everything is properly in place before travel.
Our experienced team of doctors, nurses, and critical care paramedics provides continuous care throughout the journey, ensuring the patient’s dignity, comfort, and safety are maintained at every step.
Your safety and wellbeing are our highest priority.
Yes, absolutely. We are happy to assist with arranging travel for family members or companions to accompany the patient.
However, we do advise caution.
Medical escort seats and family seats are usually booked together, and because airline prices often increase between the initial enquiry and final MEDIF clearance, any additional seats booked early will also be subject to these price rises.
The more seats reserved at the outset, the greater the potential cost increase for the whole group. For this reason, we recommend limiting accompanying family members to one or two initially.
Once the patient’s seat is booked and confirmed, additional family members can then arrange their own separate bookings onto the same flight. This approach helps to keep your overall costs much lower.
You do still have options.
A Fit to Fly certificate is required for travel on a commercial airline; however, this is not required for air ambulance flights. In these cases, the decision is made by our treating doctor, who is specially trained in aviation medicine.
Alternatively, you may choose to wait until the patient’s condition improves and a Fit to Fly can be obtained.
Depending on your location, SkyCare can send one of our ground ambulances to collect and transport the patient.
In summary, if a Fit to Fly cannot be obtained, you have three options:
-
Travel by air ambulance,
-
Wait for the patient’s condition to improve, or
-
Arrange our ground ambulance transport.
It is very common for patients to require oxygen during a flight, even if they do not normally need it on the ground.
Due to changes in cabin pressure at altitude — even in a pressurised aircraft — oxygen saturation levels can decrease, which may affect the patient’s breathing.
To ensure safety, we routinely carry a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) on most flights.
If a patient is already using oxygen at ground level, we will often arrange for additional oxygen support on board to maintain appropriate levels throughout the journey.
Yes, we can. SkyCare has a team of over 150 medical professionals, including doctors across all specialties, who are able to arrange hospital admissions in the UK.
To do so, we require access to the patient’s medical notes in advance to ensure the most appropriate care pathway is organised.
The price we quote is based on the cost of airline seats at the time of enquiry.
Please be aware that delays between receiving MEDIF (Medical Information Form) approval and confirming the booking can often result in an increase in seat prices.
SkyCare cannot guarantee seat availability or the originally quoted price if there is a delay.
We recommend confirming your booking as soon as possible after MEDIF approval to avoid additional charges.
Read our important notice about seat pricing and availability.
Trusted Service
SkyCare – Everything You Need, All in One Place
Registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with 60 specialist ambulances, a London-based air ambulance service, and a dedicated team of over 150 medical professionals, SkyCare provides complete repatriation solutions you can trust.
Whether you require a Commercial Medical Escort, Air Ambulance, or Specialist Ground Ambulance, we deliver every aspect of your care directly — without relying on third parties.
Unlike many others, we operate our own fleet of ambulances and our own aircraft, ensuring full control, continuity, and the highest standards of care at every stage.
You can call us direct to arrange safe, compassionate repatriation for your loved one — from anywhere in Europe — back to the UK with full medical support, 24-hour monitoring, and dignity every time.
SkyCare – Real ambulances. Real aircraft. Real care.
Learn more about our Commercial Medical Escort Services.
Get a QuoteFeedback
What our clients say.
Airport-to-Hospital Medical Transfer in London
Straightforward and genuine. Craig helped us get our mum safely from the airport to the hospital. Highly recommended.
Commercial Medical Escort from Boston, MA to London
SkyCare made a complex overseas transfer from Boston to London feel effortless. Craig and Sarah were outstanding — calm, professional, and always in touch. They handled everything, from visas to flight logistics, with genuine care and attention. The costs were very reasonable, but it was their empathy and support for both patient and family that made all the difference. I can’t recommend them enough.
Vietnam to London — Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic professional company. We couldn’t have done this without them. My friend suffered a stroke and was paralysed on the right side. Due to a technicality, his insurance wouldn’t cover repatriation, so we had to go private. If anyone is ever in the same position, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare. They made a stressful situation feel manageable, and I’m so grateful for their calm, capable support throughout.
France to UK — Ski Injury Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic service. I was repatriated from France after a skiing accident with multiple injuries. We contacted Craig at 4am and by 10pm I was home — ground ambulance, air ambulance, and ground ambulance again. Everything went smoothly with incredible medical care and kindness. After two miserable weeks in hospital, I finally felt safe and supported. I cannot thank SkyCare enough and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Vietnam to London — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
Amazing team of people. My brother had a stroke in Vietnam and the insurance company were useless. SkyCare guided me through the process, sorted everything out, and got him safely home. The whole team were fantastic, but special thanks to the medical crew — Adam and Sarah — who flew out and did an incredible job. I can’t recommend SkyCare enough for their calm, professional help in such a difficult time.
UK to Malaysia — Long-Haul Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
If you’re in the UK looking for a repatriation company, I couldn’t recommend SkyCare enough. They arranged medical transport for my dad from London to Kuala Lumpur — a 12-hour flight. From my first message, they responded quickly and handled all documents and approvals efficiently. Huge thanks to Craig for making everything smooth and to Nurse Nav for caring for my dad the whole way home.
Spain to UK — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
SkyCare were brilliant with us, helping to bring my dad home to England after he suffered a stroke in Spain. From the moment we reached out to the day of the repatriation itself, the entire team showed professionalism, compassion, and expertise. We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the process. Thank you to everyone involved — I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare to anyone in a similar situation.
Las Palmas to UK — Air Ambulance Repatriation by SkyCare.
Thank you to Craig and Ben for organising our return home from Las Palmas. My dad was extremely anxious about the process, but everything ran so smoothly at every stage. Mum is now safe in Maidstone Hospital, and she’s just happy to be somewhere she can easily communicate. The whole experience was calm, compassionate, and professional — we really appreciate everything SkyCare did to make it seamless.
— Pete McNair (via email)
France to UK — COVID-Era Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
From first contact to the final update confirming safe arrival, SkyCare’s care and coordination were second to none. They handled all COVID testing, documents, and border requirements with professionalism and warmth. Repatriating two elderly parents during a pandemic was daunting, but they made the process seamless — even providing journey tracking door to door. Their genuine care and clear communication reassured us at every stage. I highly recommend SkyCare for compassionate international patient transfers.
Cannot thank the team at BM Ambulance enough for getting my Dad home from Spain. Craig/Sarah/James/Emma & Danny were all absolutely amazing. It was a huge 24 hour journey and they made Mum & Dad feel comfortable and safe the entire way. I don’t think my Dad would have made it without your help. He’s still not in the best of health but at least we have him home. We definitely could not have done this without you. Thank you all involved. Amazing people offering a fantastic service. x
BM Ambulance Service helped my son get home after he fell ill in France. They were fantastic from the start to finish. I do hope we never have to go through this again but if you are unfortunate enough to need this, I would highly recommend.
I would have given more than 5 stars if I could have. A big thank you to Craig, Sarah and John for the safe delivery of our much loved mum, mother in law, Nan and great grandmother from Spain after suffering a stroke.
Accreditations
British Business & General Aviation Association
European Business Aviation Association
Pilatus Fleet
AOC (Air operator certificate) #2480
National Business Aviation Association
