FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF FLYING NURSES INTERNATIONAL

How much notice do we need?
Once a physician has cleared the patient for travel and a receiving facility has been secured, Flying Nurses International can organize travel plans within 48-72 hours of your initial phone call.

Are medical transports covered under insurance?
Coverage for non-emergent flights will vary with each individual’s private insurance plan. Many plans will provide some form of coverage for travel on a commercial airline if a medical escort is deemed necessary by your discharging physician.
Travel Insurance that is purchased for vacation protection generally provides for emergency medical evacuation to the nearest suitable medical facility and will also provide medical repatriation on a commercial aircraft when you are ready to return home.

Can someone travel on a commercial flight if they are unresponsive?
Yes. 1st class reclining seats with footrests or stretcher service can be arranged. For 1st class travel, our flight nurses can safely support the patient when seated upright for take-off and landing. Thereafter, the patient is fully reclined in a sleeping position for the remainder of the flight.

Can someone travel on a commercial flight if they are non-ambulatory?
Yes. Most of our patients are unable to ambulate onto the aircraft or within the aircraft cabin. Special arrangements are made to safely transfer the patient on and off the aircraft, to their seat, or to their stretcher.

Can someone travel on a commercial flight if they have complex oxygen needs?
Yes. By receiving a physician’s order for oxygen, a commercial airline can generally provide for supplemental in-flight oxygen within 48 hours of making the request. However, each carrier has specific guidelines as well as limitations with the amount that they can provide. Your flight nurse will be able to monitor and regulate your oxygen requirements with the use of a portable oxygen monitoring device.

Can someone travel with IV fluids on a commercial flight?
Yes. Due to the decreased humidity when flying, adequate fluids are of particular importance. If your condition does not permit you to drink fluids in-flight, our nurse will administer IV fluids whether traveling in 1st class or stretcher service.

How much does it cost to travel on a commercial flight with a R.N. medical escort vs. an air ambulance?
The cost will vary depending on the distance and days traveled. Generally, someone can travel on a commercial airline within the 50 states for approximately $3,500.00 to $8,000.00 and to International destinations for approximately $6,000.00 to $18,000.00 all inclusive of first class air and ground travel costs for both RN and patient.
Respectively, traveling with a private air ambulance could range from $15,000.00 to $90,000.00.6

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