Air Ambulance FAQs
Your questions about air ambulance services, answered.
Your Guide to Air Ambulance FAQs
Searching for reliable answers about air ambulance services? These Air Ambulance FAQs explain what to expect—clearly and simply. At SkyCare, we’ve supported hundreds of families, insurers, and hospitals through medical repatriations. This section brings together the most common questions, so you can feel confident before taking the next step.
What Do Air Ambulance Services Include?
We don’t just fly patients—we manage the entire journey. Every air ambulance mission includes a clinical team, critical care equipment, and all ground transfers. Our team also works with hospitals on both sides to ensure seamless coordination. Because we plan everything in advance, there are no surprises or hidden costs.
How We Tailor Each Flight
Every case is different. That’s why we assign staff, equipment, and aircraft based on the patient’s needs. For example, a standard transfer may include a doctor and critical care nurse. A paediatric flight, however, could involve a neonatal team and incubator. We review all clinical reports before confirming the final plan.
Why Our Air Ambulance FAQs Matter
When you’re under pressure, clear information makes all the difference. Our Air Ambulance FAQs give you a fast overview of how the service works, what it includes, and how to get started. If you still have questions, our team is always available to help—24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Ready to Speak With Us?
Whether you’re dealing with an emergency or planning ahead, SkyCare is ready. Contact us now for a fast, clear, and fully personalised quote.
An air ambulance is a medically equipped aircraft used to transport patients who require urgent or specialist medical care during flight. It functions like a flying intensive care unit and is staffed by experienced medical professionals trained in in-flight care.
SkyCare operates air ambulances across the UK, Europe, and worldwide, ensuring fast, clinically safe transfers for both critical and non-critical patients. In addition to urgent medical cases, we also support private clients and high-net-worth individuals seeking faster, more personalised medical transport with full discretion and comfort.
You can take a virtual tour of our aircraft to see the onboard setup, or meet the SkyCare team who deliver care throughout each journey.
An air ambulance is necessary when a patient cannot safely travel by commercial means due to their medical condition, or when rapid transport is required between hospitals or across borders. Common examples include ICU transfers, neonatal care, stroke recovery, or access to specialist treatment abroad.
It’s also the safest option for immunocompromised patients, or those who are unable to obtain a fit-to-fly certificate for a commercial flight. In such cases, a medical escort or air ambulance may be the only safe alternative. You can read more about returning home when sick abroad in this guide.
Specialist Care for Complex Cases
SkyCare air ambulances are equipped for intensive care transfers. Our medical teams include doctors and nurses trained in critical care medicine. They manage complex cases in-flight, including ventilated or intubated patients and those who need cardiac monitoring or continuous IV support.
Advanced Equipment Onboard
We carry advanced tools like arterial blood gas (ABG) monitoring systems and a full range of emergency medication. Each intensive care mission is led by a consultant-level intensive care (ITU) doctor, who provides clinical oversight from departure to arrival.
Our goal is to ensure that patients receive the same level of care in the air as they would in a hospital. Learn more about our intensive care air ambulance service here.
Absolutely. We have dedicated paediatric and neonatal air ambulance teams with specialist training and equipment. Our aircraft are equipped with neonatal incubators, paediatric ventilators, and warming systems to ensure safe, stable transport for infants and children of all ages.
These missions are coordinated with specialist clinicians and always supported by staff experienced in paediatric intensive care. Learn more about our neonatal air ambulance services.
Ways to Contact Us 24/7
You can arrange a transfer with SkyCare 24/7 by contacting us via:
- Phone: +44 203 150 3999
- Online enquiry form
What Happens After You Contact Us
Once we receive your request, our operations team collects the necessary patient information, assesses clinical requirements, and provides a detailed quotation.
When you’re happy to go ahead, we arrange everything. We assign the right medical team, book the ground ambulance, and manage all flight logistics—including clearances and permissions.
We also speak with both the sending and receiving hospitals, keeping you updated at every stage of the process. That way, you always know what’s happening and what comes next.
Our mission is simple: we handle the stress and coordination so you can focus on what truly matters—supporting the patient and your own wellbeing.
In urgent situations, we can often dispatch an air ambulance within just a few hours of confirmation. Our operations team works 24/7 to mobilise the medical crew, coordinate hospital handovers, and secure all necessary regulatory clearances.
Timings may vary depending on aircraft availability, weather conditions, destination, and seasonal demand—but we always prioritise speed and safety.
Each flight is staffed with a specialist medical team tailored to the patient’s condition. Typically, this includes a doctor and either a critical care nurse or a paramedic.
For neonatal and paediatric missions, a neonatal nurse, consultant, or paediatric intensivist may also be part of the team.
All clinical staff are assigned based on the patient’s medical reports and specific care requirements to ensure safe and appropriate in-flight treatment.
Critical Care Technology
SkyCare air ambulances carry advanced medical equipment designed to provide intensive care during every flight. We equip each aircraft with ventilators, monitors, defibrillators, infusion pumps, oxygen systems, and suction units. This allows our clinical team to treat a wide range of conditions safely while in the air.
Specialised Equipment for Complex Cases
We also include arterial blood gas (ABG) monitoring, a full formulary of emergency medications, and—when needed—neonatal incubators or Baby Pods. These tools allow us to maintain constant clinical oversight and deliver hospital-level care, even thousands of feet above ground.
Because we plan for every scenario, our equipment setup always matches the patient’s specific needs. That way, nothing is left to chance.
We’re Fully Regulated
SkyCare holds full regulation from both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These bodies inspect us regularly to verify clinical quality, safety, and operational compliance.
We Use Approved Operators
Our medical flights operate through certified air carriers that meet UK and international aviation medical standards. We choose only trusted partners, ensuring each mission meets the highest expectations.
Compliance You Can Trust
Because we follow strict regulatory frameworks, our patients and partners receive consistent, reliable care. Every detail is planned, checked, and delivered with professionalism.
We Plan and Deliver Every Step
From clinical assessments to clearances, our team handles everything…
Costs vary depending on factors such as distance, clinical requirements, and the type of aircraft needed.
We provide transparent, fully detailed quotations that include flight time, medical crew, equipment, ground ambulance transfers, and all coordination.
For an accurate and personalised quote, contact us.
Our expert team is ready 24/7 to guide you, answer your questions, and arrange everything you need—fast.
Need Help with a Medical Repatriation?
Still have questions? Our medical repatriation team is available 24/7 to help you. Contact us now for fast advice or a personalised quote.
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What our clients say.
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)
Accreditations
British Business & General Aviation Association
European Business Aviation Association
Pilatus Fleet
AOC (Air operator certificate) #2480
National Business Aviation Association
