A chartered air ambulance from Patna to Kolkata costs about Rs 8 to 9 lakh, all-inclusive (doctor on board, bed-to-bed transfer, ground ambulances at both ends, no GST). A stretcher on a commercial flight costs about Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh if the patient is stable enough to fly. The final quote depends on the aircraft and the level of care. Send the medical summary and you get a written quote in about 10 minutes, with no deposit to see it.

An urgent case can depart the same day. The aeromedical doctor first confirms the patient is fit to fly for the plan, and the aircraft moves after that.

Yes. The aircraft is configured as a transport ICU with a ventilator, monitor, infusion pumps and oxygen for the full flight, and the crew is briefed on the specific case, including ECMO or neonatal set-ups where needed.

Yes. The transfer is bed to bed – a ground ambulance in Patna from the hospital to the aircraft, and a second in Kolkata from the aircraft to the receiving hospital. Both are in the quote.

You can, and many families already have a referral to a Kolkata hospital. If not, the coordinator helps line up the receiving unit and manages the handover so the patient is admitted, not left waiting.

It depends on the patient. For a stable patient, a road transfer can be reasonable. For a ventilated, unstable or post-surgical patient, many hours on the highway is a real risk, and the flight is the safer choice. Share the medical summary and the aeromedical doctor will give you an honest view of which option suits the patient.