Air ambulance from Australia

Reviewed by the AirAmbulance.org editorial team · Updated 13 November 2026 · Editorial policy

How patients are flown home or to specialist care from Australia: the options, typical distances and flight times, and what to do first.

Medical flights from Australia

• Australia has excellent hospitals; international medical flights from Australia are usually repatriations of visitors, workers and students to their home countries.
• Distances are long: flights to Europe or North America usually need fuel stops, which is why a stretcher on a commercial flight with a medical escort is often considered for stable patients.

In an emergency

• Local emergency number in Australia: 000. Call it first for an ambulance; medical flights are arranged once the patient is in hospital.

Distances and flight times

• Sydney → Auckland (New Zealand): about 2,160 km, 3 h 10 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Sydney → Singapore (Singapore): about 6,290 km, 8 h 20 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Sydney → Manila (Philippines): about 6,260 km, 8 h 20 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Sydney → Los Angeles (USA): about 12,060 km, 15 h 35 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Sydney → London (UK): about 17,020 km, 21 h 45 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Melbourne → Auckland (New Zealand): about 2,640 km, 3 h 50 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Melbourne → Singapore (Singapore): about 6,030 km, 8 h 05 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Melbourne → Manila (Philippines): about 6,310 km, 8 h 25 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Melbourne → Los Angeles (USA): about 12,760 km, 16 h 25 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Melbourne → London (UK): about 16,910 km, 21 h 40 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Times are direct-flight estimates for a medical jet; ground ambulance transfers and permits add time.

How a medical flight is arranged

• The treating doctor confirms the patient is stable enough to fly and writes a medical report.
• If there is travel insurance, call the insurer's 24-hour assistance number first: they usually decide between a commercial flight with an escort and an air ambulance, and arrange it.
• Without insurance, the family requests quotes; a bed at the receiving hospital must be confirmed before take-off.
• Bring passports for the patient and anyone travelling with them; some flights need landing permits, which take time to arrange.

Options from cheapest to most intensive

• Commercial flight with wheelchair assistance, if the patient can sit and needs no care on board.
• A nurse or doctor escort on a commercial flight, seated or on a stretcher.
• An air ambulance with an intensive-care team, for unstable or critically ill patients.
• See air ambulance costs or price the route with our cost calculator.

General information only, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Rules, coverage and prices change; confirm with your provider and insurer.