080 6500 6179
October 13, 2026
Red HealthShort answer: a stretcher on a commercial flight costs about Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh within India. A chartered air ambulance costs about Rs 5.5 to 15 lakh, depending on the route. The stretcher option works only for a patient who is stable, does not need intensive care in the air, and can wait for a seat on a scheduled flight. For an ICU or ventilator patient, or when time matters, a chartered air ambulance is the safer choice.
What is a stretcher on a commercial flight?
Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo can remove a few rows of seats on a scheduled flight and fit a stretcher for a patient lying down. A doctor or paramedic travels with the patient, and oxygen can be arranged. The patient flies on the airline’s normal timetable, with other passengers on board.
Stretcher flight vs chartered air ambulance
| Stretcher on a commercial flight | Chartered air ambulance | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost within India | About Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh | About Rs 5.5 to 15 lakh, by route |
| Who it suits | Stable patients who need to lie flat | Critical, ICU, ventilator or post-surgery patients |
| When it can leave | Only when the airline has a flight and a stretcher slot, often 24 to 72 hours | Usually within 3 to 4 hours of confirmation |
| Medical care in the air | Doctor or paramedic, oxygen, basic monitoring | Full ICU set-up: ventilator, monitors, infusion pumps, critical-care doctor |
| Airline approval | Needed (medical form signed by the treating doctor) | Not needed |
| Family | Usually one attendant, on a paid ticket | Up to 2 family members fly with the patient at no extra cost |
| Bed-to-bed transfer | Ground ambulances arranged separately | Ground ambulances at both ends included |
How to book a stretcher on a commercial flight
- Ask the treating doctor whether the patient is fit to fly on a scheduled flight. The airline will ask for this in writing.
- Fill in the airline’s medical form (often called MEDIF). The treating doctor signs it. The airline’s medical team reviews it, which can take a day or more.
- Book the stretcher and seats. The stretcher takes the space of several seats, so the fare is several tickets plus a stretcher charge.
- Arrange the medical escort, oxygen and equipment, and the ground ambulances to and from the airports.
We take care of all four steps end to end, including the airline paperwork, so the family does not have to deal with it during an emergency.
When a stretcher flight is not a good idea
- The patient is on a ventilator, needs ICU-level monitoring, or is unstable.
- The transfer cannot wait for the next available flight.
- The patient has a condition the airline is unlikely to clear, such as some heart, lung or recent surgery cases.
- The destination or origin city has no suitable direct flight.
In these cases a chartered air ambulance is the right choice, even though it costs more.
Frequently asked questions
Is a stretcher on a commercial flight cheaper than an air ambulance?
Yes. Within India it costs about Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh, against Rs 5.5 to 15 lakh for a chartered air ambulance. It is only suitable for stable patients.
How long does it take to arrange?
Usually 24 to 72 hours, because the airline must approve the medical form and have a stretcher slot on a flight. A chartered air ambulance can usually leave within 3 to 4 hours.
Can a ventilator patient fly on a commercial stretcher?
Generally no. Ventilator and ICU patients need a chartered air ambulance with a critical-care team.
Can family members travel with the patient?
On a stretcher flight, usually one attendant on a paid ticket. On our chartered air ambulance, up to 2 family members fly at no extra cost.
Not sure which option suits your patient? Call 080 6500 6179. Our doctor will look at the patient’s reports and tell you which option is safe, with a written quote for both.