Commercial Stretcher Flights – Medical Repatriation
A safe, cost-effective transport for patients who need to lie flat
Is a Commercial Stretcher Flight Right for You?
If your loved one can’t sit upright but is medically stable, a commercial stretcher flight may be the safest and most affordable way to bring them home. The patient travels lying flat on a scheduled airline, with a medical team providing care throughout — from hospital bed abroad to home or hospital in the UK.
It’s ideal for patients recovering from major trauma, surgery, or neurological events like strokes — especially when an air ambulance is not essential. Each case is medically reviewed and airline-approved in advance.
Stretcher flights take longer to arrange than private air ambulances and are only offered on select routes. But for stable patients, they provide significant savings and peace of mind — often with family able to fly on the same aircraft.
Jump to FAQs About Stretcher Flights or request a quote to speak to our team.
Repatriation Options to Suit Every Medical Situation
SkyCare offers three medically supervised ways to bring patients home — including commercial medical escorts, stretcher flights on scheduled airlines, and private air ambulances. Whether your loved one is in a hospital, care facility, or recovering abroad, we manage every step from bedside to destination.
Each option is carefully matched to the patient’s medical condition, urgency, and budget. With 24/7 support and full clinical coordination, we ensure a safe, smooth, and compassionate repatriation — wherever in the world you need us.
Stretcher Flights
For patients too unwell to sit upright, we offer commercial stretcher flights — a cost-effective alternative to a full air ambulance. This setup involves a row of seats converted into a lay-flat stretcher with privacy curtains and medical oxygen, if required.
A qualified nurse or paramedic accompanies the patient, providing in-flight care throughout. We handle airline permissions, medical approvals, and all travel logistics to ensure a smooth, safe journey home.
Stretcher repatriations take longer to arrange and are only supported by specific international airlines — but they can offer significant savings for stable patients who need to lie flat during long-distance travel.
This option is ideal for cases involving limited mobility, post-surgery recovery, or complex discharges where sitting is not medically appropriate — combining stretcher-level support with more affordable, scheduled flights.
Private Air Ambulance
SkyCare arranges urgent air ambulance flights for patients who need intensive care transport. Whether the patient is in a hospital, private clinic, or recovering at home, our ICU-equipped aircraft and expert medical crews provide safe, bedside-to-bedside care anywhere in the world.
We respond quickly with 24/7 availability, deploying from major international airports and coordinating with local ground ambulance teams for smooth transfers.
Our multilingual medical coordination team handles everything — from clearances and flight plans to hospital liaison and receiving arrangements — ensuring a seamless, clinically led repatriation to the UK or other home country.
FAQs About Stretcher Flights on Commercial Airlines
The cost of a stretcher flight varies widely depending on your location, the destination, and the number of flight legs required. It can range from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds. Factors influencing the price include departure city, airline seat availability, and the medical clearance process required by the airline’s internal team.
Not all commercial airlines support stretcher configurations, and those that do often limit them to specific international hubs. Additional stops or detours may be necessary, depending on which airlines offer medical approval and stretcher-compatible aircraft.
Airline medical clearance is mandatory — even with a local doctor’s ‘fit to fly’ certificate. This process can take several days and must be approved before tickets are confirmed. Airlines may also require multiple seats to be blocked to accommodate the stretcher, which impacts overall pricing.
Fares can change daily, especially while waiting for clearance, so early planning is advised. For a breakdown of how variables influence pricing, read our article: Medical Escort Pricing Explained.
To receive a personalised stretcher flight quote, contact our team or request a quote online.
Typically 3–7 days, depending on airline availability and the speed of medical clearance. In urgent cases, it can be faster — but early planning is always recommended. Some airlines are quicker at approving stretcher requests than others, and during peak travel periods it may take longer. Airlines are often reluctant to cancel booked seats, so availability is a key factor.
No — the patient must be medically stable and declared fit to fly by both our medical director and the airline’s medical team. Commercial flights are not suitable for unstable or high-risk patients, who may require a dedicated ICU-equipped air ambulance instead.
Every case is assessed individually. Airlines are extremely cautious, as a serious in-flight event could lead to a medical diversion — something they actively try to avoid. The final decision rests with the airline’s appointed medical officer, who reviews the patient’s condition and accompanying medical documents before issuing clearance.
Most patients who have been stable for a period of time are often approved as fit to fly — especially if accompanied by a qualified nurse, paramedic, or doctor. However, we strongly advise early preparation to allow time for paperwork, seat configuration, and any airline-specific requirements. Conditions like recent surgery, cardiac events, or infectious diseases may require additional documentation or be excluded entirely.
Yes — in most cases, relatives or companions can book standard seats on the same commercial flight and remain close to the patient throughout the journey. This is often the case with stretcher and medical escort flights, where the patient is accompanied by our clinical team.
Some stretcher-configured flights require different classes of seating for the patient area, but family members can often choose to fly in economy or premium economy to reduce costs. Airlines usually try to seat companions as nearby as possible, subject to configuration and safety protocols.
We’ve explained more on how families can save money while still staying together in this article: Medical Escort Pricing Explained.
We arrange airline-approved portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) or bottled medical oxygen based on the patient’s specific clinical needs. This is coordinated in advance with the airline and is managed throughout the flight by our medical escort team.
Even patients who do not normally require oxygen at sea level may need supplemental oxygen at altitude due to reduced cabin pressure and lower oxygen levels in the aircraft. For this reason, oxygen support is one of the most common in-flight medical provisions we arrange.
All equipment we supply meets airline safety regulations, and our medical team ensures the patient is monitored continuously throughout the journey. Oxygen delivery and flow rate are determined during the pre-flight assessment.
Yes — in many cases, medical repatriation and air ambulance costs can be covered by travel insurance. We provide full documentation, medical reports, and invoices to support your claim, and we can sometimes work with insurers for direct billing if pre-approved.
However, it’s essential to contact your insurance company before committing to any private medical repatriation. Most insurers require prior approval, and failing to inform them may void your claim. They may also have specific providers or processes you must follow.
If the patient has declared their medical conditions accurately at the time of booking the insurance, this greatly improves the chances of coverage. You can read more on this topic in our advice article: Travel Insurance and Medical Conditions.
We handle everything – from the hospital bed abroad to their bed at home.
Need to Bring a Loved One Home Safely?
SkyCare arranges medically cleared commercial stretcher flights with expert clinical support from start to finish. Whether you need urgent help or are planning ahead, we handle the logistics with care, discretion, and 24/7 guidance — so you can focus on your loved one, not the paperwork. Contact us anytime for honest advice and a same-day quote.
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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
AOC (Air operator certificate) #2480
British Business & General Aviation Association
European Business Aviation Association
