Air ambulance from Colombia

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

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

Medical flights from Colombia

• Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena have growing numbers of tourists, digital nomads and medical tourists, and Miami is a short flight away.
• Bogotá's high altitude matters for some patients; the treating doctor will consider it when planning the flight.

In an emergency

• Local emergency number in Colombia: 123. Call it first for an ambulance; medical flights are arranged once the patient is in hospital.

Distances and flight times

• Bogotá → Miami (USA): about 2,440 km, 3 h 35 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Bogotá → Houston (USA): about 3,590 km, 5 h flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Bogotá → New York (USA): about 4,000 km, 5 h 30 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Bogotá → Atlanta (USA): about 3,390 km, 4 h 45 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Bogotá → Toronto (Canada): about 4,370 km, 6 h flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Medellín → Miami (USA): about 2,240 km, 3 h 20 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Medellín → Houston (USA): about 3,370 km, 4 h 45 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Medellín → New York (USA): about 3,840 km, 5 h 20 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Medellín → Atlanta (USA): about 3,190 km, 4 h 30 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Medellín → Toronto (Canada): about 4,190 km, 5 h 45 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• 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.

Route pages

• Air ambulance Bogotá to Miami
• Air ambulance Medellín to Miami
• Air ambulance Cartagena to Miami

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