Commercial Aviation
Feb
27,
2026
MedAire Medical & Security Network: How It Helps Aviation Operators
MedAire Medical & Security Network: How It Helps Aviation Operators
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In Summary
MedAire supports commercial airlines and business & general aviation (BGA) with 24/7 medical and security assistance, backed by a global provider network that has been reviewed and approved. The outcome is faster access to appropriate care, higher confidence in referral quality, and stronger operational continuity when crew or passengers need help away from home.
Quick Answer
A vetted provider network helps flight operations by enabling reliable medical referrals, destination support, and global case coordination.
Who benefits from MedAire's global network of trusted providers?
Aviation teams responsible for operational readiness and duty of care, including:
In-flightInfluences diversion decisions by identifying the best available hospitals, locations, and medical specialties. |
On-the-groundSupports clients and crewmembers with accessing high-quality care in unfamiliar locations. |
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250+ Airlines Supported |
6,800+ BUSINESS AIRCRAFT Covered |
Why do aviation teams need trusted medical referrals?
Aviation travel creates medical and security uncertainty:
- Crew or passenger illness in an unfamiliar city.
- Variable standards of care and inconsistent local guidance.
- Delays caused by payment processes, access barriers, or limited specialist availability.
This can lead to crew unavailability, schedule disruptions, and re-planning. A directory is not enough. Aviation teams need verified intelligence to support fast choices.
What is MedAire's global aviation medical and security network?
MedAire and International SOS maintain a global medical infrastructure and network of over [[fnf:vetted_providers]]vetted providers operating across [[fnf:spin_cities_count]]+ cities, supported by [[fnf:ac_count]] Assistance Centers.
This network is used to facilitate clinical referrals (primary care, urgent care, hospital-level care, and specialist care) as well as support with security concerns such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters rendering a location unsafe.
How does MedAire verify provider quality?
MedAire's approach is built around one operational question: Can this facility deliver the right level of care, for this patient, in this location?
At least once every three years, the Network Services team conducts in-person or virtual visits to verify the quality of medical services. Providers are assessed using one standardised global approach, concentrating on:
- Training levels of doctors, nurses, and staff.
- Specialties and capability (and whether services are actually functional – does the CT scanner on the remote island work?).
- Other conditions that affect patient outcomes, such as blood product quality and the prevalence of counterfeit medications in some regions.
This information is compiled into a database which is kept up to date with: pictures, maps, languages spoken, opening times and payment processes. Alongside this, we compile any additional client feedback, to guarantee the quality of referrals.
This is the difference between a Google search and an audited, verified network.
The process for crew and passengers
For crewmembers who need to access medical assistance during a layover or a mission, the process is simple:
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Step 1 Call MedAire 24/7 for Medical Advice MedAire is not just for emergency use. When ill or injured, call to provide: symptoms, location, and your medical history. |
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Step 2 MedAire Assesses the Situation & Obtains Consent This allows us to inform and liaise with your management. |
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Step 3 Care is Coordinated on Your Behalf Phone advice, teleconsultation (with prescription delivery) and/or outpatient referral. |
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Step 4 Management is Kept Informed Throughout MedAire provide case monitoring, updates, and fit-to-operate recommendations. |
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Step 5 Case Closed Final documentation is provided to management. |
How flight operations use the network: real aviation scenarios
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Scenario 1: |
Scenario 2: |
Scenario 3: |
Crew illness on layover threatens staffing
A crew member becomes ill during a layover and may be unfit for duty. This situation requires balancing care for the individual with the operational needs of the flight in order to protect the schedule.
Why it matters to ops
Delayed care can extend downtime, trigger last-minute crew replacement, and create cascading disruptions across the network.
How MedAire supports THE CREWMEMBER
MedAire coordinates care using a vetted global provider network so you are not relying on ad hoc local recommendations. We help identify an appropriate level of care (specialist, ED), coordinate the referral, and support follow-up so the crew member can safely return-to-duty where clinically appropriate.
Operational outcome
Faster time to appropriate care and fewer avoidable delays driven by uncertainty or inconsistent local care pathways.
Remote destination, limited local capability, and privacy requirements
A client needs care at a remote destination. Local options are limited. The flight department has minimal local support. Discretion is essential.
Why it matters to ops
Remote locations increase clinical uncertainty. Business Aviation itineraries also change quickly. One medical issue can force re-routing, extended stays, or complex follow-up across multiple legs.
How MedAire supports
MedAire uses its global network to identify appropriate care and coordinate next steps with the least operational disruption possible. If specialty care is required, we help locate the right capability and coordinate follow-up as the itinerary evolves.
Operational outcome
Faster access to suitable care in remote locations, and a coordinated plan that supports both passenger wellbeing and trip continuity.
Escalation to higher-level care or evacuation planning
Pilot of a cargo operator requires urgent escalation to specialist care or medical evacuation coordination.
Why it matters to ops
Complex medical situations require rapid assessment, coordination with multiple facilities, and potentially arranging medical evacuation. Time-critical decisions affect both patient outcomes and operational continuity.
How MedAire supports the operation
MedAire's physician team assesses the situation, identifies appropriate specialist facilities within the network, and coordinates escalation of care. If evacuation is required, we manage logistics including medical escort arrangements and receiving facility coordination.
Operational outcome
Expert clinical guidance drives decision-making, reducing risk and ensuring appropriate care pathways. Coordinated evacuation planning minimizes delays and provides clear operational guidance to flight departments.
Built to Support Global Operations
A global network is only as valuable as the infrastructure behind it. For aviation operators, that means having MedLink physicians available at 35,000 feet, regional Assistance Centers coordinating local care, and verified provider intelligence that removes guesswork from high-stakes decisions.
When a crew member falls ill on layover, when a passenger needs specialist care in a remote location, or when a complex case demands evacuation planning, the network, the clinical expertise, and the operational coordination work together, this means fewer delays driven by uncertainty, and the confidence that comes from knowing your crew and passengers have access to expert care, wherever they are.
Find out more about how this network can support your operations:
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Crew Support (Commercial Aviation)
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MedAire360 membership (Business Aviation)
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Question? We are here to help
Is MedAire's medical network only for emergencies?
No. Routine care can become an operational risk if it delays return to duty or disrupts itinerary. A vetted referral process supports both routine and urgent care coordination so that crewmembers get appropriate support.
How does MedAire's on-the-ground security network provide assistance?
MedAire can leverage its on‑the‑ground security capabilities to support clients during incidents or crises—whether natural disasters, geopolitical events, or other disruptions—through services such as executive protection and coordinated ground transportation.
How does MedAire's network support both commercial airlines and business aviation?
Within Commercial Aviation, MedAire facilitates access to medical care through its Crew Support solution. In Business Aviation, our membership extends on‑the‑ground support to everyone travelling with the aircraft—crewmembers, principals, and guests alike.
Why does medical provider auditing and verification matter for aviation operators?
Because the key operational question is not whether a clinic exists. It is whether the facility can reliably deliver the quality of care required and manage complications in that environment.
Does MedAire pay for crew medical treatment?
MedAire can pay for treatment on the crewmembers behalf (Guarantee of Payment) helping expedite access to care when payment processes would otherwise delay treatment. The goal is faster time to care for crew and passengers and clearer cost control for the operator.
Does MedAire support evacuation decision-making?
Yes. MedAire’s clinical teams evaluate whether local capability is adequate and, if not, help plan safe escalation and transport options based on medical risk and operational constraints.