Angel Flight West – The ability to travel easily across the country is something that most of us take for granted. But for those in critical situations, the financial, physical, and emotional burdens can make an ordinary trip extraordinarily difficult. That’s when they turn to Angel Flight West. Our network of 1,800+ volunteer pilots fly their own planes and pay for all costs out of their own pockets in order to make these important journeys. Western U.S. only

Miracle Flights provides free commercial air travel to individuals in need of specialized medical care not available in their local communities. Flights are coordinated through major airlines to medical facilities throughout the United States at no cost to families and as many times as necessary—whether it’s a one-time flight to obtain a second opinion or several flights for surgeries, follow-up appointments and ongoing medical care. Miracle Flights is not disease specific nor is it age restrictive. The organization will fly anyone with a complex medical need who requires distant medical care. Miracle Flights even flies patients to train and bring home service dogs. Patients under the age of 18 can be joined by up to two parents/legal guardians. Patients 18 or older can have one medically necessary caregiver join them. All flights are subject to household income eligibility with supporting documentation. U.S. only

Patient AirLift Services (PALS)  arranges free air transportation for individuals requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up, for compassionate assistance, for military personnel/family through the PALS for Patriots Program, or for humanitarian purposes through the PALS Sky Hope Disaster Relief Program. U.S. only

Global Medical Relief Fund  helps children who have no or little local medical resources in the US and 40 other countries worldwide, with vital medical care and on-going treatment so that they can eventually heal and return home to grow up and become thriving members of their own cities, towns, communities, and countries. International

Mercy Medical Angels (MMA), a non-profit organization with 25 years of medical air transportation experience, manages programs and services available to patients with both common and rare diseases. All are free services to patients. U.S. only

Air Charity Network serves all 50 states and its volunteer pilots utilize their own aircraft, fuel and time to provide free air transportation to medical facilities for citizens who are financially distressed or otherwise unable to travel on public transportation. Air Charity Network members also coordinate flights to fly organ transplant candidates, people involved in clinical trials, chemotherapy or other repetitive treatment, victims of abuse seeking relocation, families receiving help from Ronald McDonald Houses, Shriners Hospitals and many other charities, disabled or sick children to special summer camp programs, and for many other humanitarian reasons. U.S. only

For patients who need medical care en route, call Air Compassion America (ACAM) 1-866-270-9198. ACAM representatives locate and coordinate bed-to-bed air ambulance services with the overall goal of lowering costs. In the past year, ACAM has negotiated discounts with air ambulance companies and saved patients and their families between 30-40 percent. U.S. only

For patients who live within 1000 miles of their destination, Angel Flight’s volunteer pilots fly children and adult patients to distant research and treatment centers throughout the United States. Pilots donate their time and the use of their planes in offering patients this free service for those who qualify. U.S. only

The National Patient Travel Center exists to facilitate patient access to appropriate charitable medical air transportation resources in the United States. The NPTC also exists to develop, administer and consolidate airline patient ticket programs and to operate various Special-Lift and Child-Lift programs on behalf of special disease organizations and/or clinical research centers in the United States. U.S. only

The Northwest Airlines KidCares medical travel program provides air travel to children age 18 and younger who are unable to receive treatment in their home area. The KidCares program is fueled by generous mileage donations of Northwest’s WorldPerks members, which are then matched by Northwest. Availability of the program is based on that donated WorldPerks mileage, and consideration of each request is based on specific guidelines. Each application received must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; not all requests are fulfilled. U.S. only

Based on availability, Midwest Airlines is able to provide complimentary transportation to patients and a companion when medical treatment is only available outside of their hometown through their Miracle Miles Program. For more information, contact B.J. Dreifke at (414) 570-4118 or by e-mail. U.S. only

Lodging Options for Patients

The National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses provides a directory of lodgings for families of hospital patients and/or hospital outpatients. (800) 542-9730. U.S. only

Ronald McDonald House offers very-low-cost lodging to families around the world. International