Air ambulance from Peru

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

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

Medical flights from Peru

• Visitors to Cusco and the Andes face altitude sickness and trekking injuries; patients are usually brought down to Lima first.
• From Lima, Miami is the nearest major US hub for a medical flight.

Distances and flight times

• Lima → Miami (USA): about 4,220 km, 5 h 45 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Lima → Houston (USA): about 5,060 km, 6 h 50 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Lima → New York (USA): about 5,870 km, 7 h 50 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Lima → Los Angeles (USA): about 6,720 km, 8 h 55 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Lima → Toronto (Canada): about 6,200 km, 8 h 15 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• 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 Lima to Miami

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