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OUR HISTORY

Celebrating a legacy of innovation and industry firsts, from developing bespoke medical kits to founding the first global response center for aviation. We're committed to pioneering solutions and delivering excellence for every journey.

2025Website_Header_MedLink

MEDLINK

24/7 In-Flight Medical Assistance

How does MedLink support aviation operators?

MedAire’s MedLink is the foundation of effective in‑flight medical response. When a medical situation occurs onboard, MedLink delivers immediate, expert clinical guidance to support flight crew, protect passengers, and reduce operational risk.

INDUSTRY-LEADING MEDICAL ADVICE

During an in‑flight medical emergency, time and clarity are critical. MedLink connects flight crews directly to aviation-trained emergency medicine physicians with extensive experience managing in-flight medical events. These physicians provide calm, precise instructions, ranging from use of onboard medical kits to diversion recommendations.

SEAMLESS COORDINATION OF CARE

MedLink support extends beyond the aircraft. If required, the MedLink team coordinates local emergency medical services at the destination or Fixed-Base Operator (FBO). Upon landing, physicians can assist with continued care planning, medical referrals, and handover coordination to ensure continuity of care for passengers and crew.

Featured Video

How MedLink Supports During In-Flight Medical Events

A History Of Firsts

 40+ YEARS - OVER 1,000,000 CALLS

MedAire continues to define the global standard for in‑flight medical support, delivering trusted clinical guidance to flight crews during time‑critical medical events.

That is why we are trusted by [[fnf:clients_top_airlines_per]] of the world's commercial airline and [[fnf:clients_bga_fortune_per]] of Fortune’s top 100 companies’ corporate aircraft

Benefits of MedLink

33%

MEDICAL KIT INTEGRATION

MedLink doctors have full visibility of the medical supplies and equipment available onboard.

During an event, they guide the crewmember on when and how to use items, helping to support an effficient medical response.

33%

DIVERSION MANAGEMENT

MedLink doctors assess the severity of in‑flight medical emergencies and advise on the need for a diversion.

This is often in collaboration with MedAire's security team who evaluate any safety considerations at potential diversion points, supporting safe, well‑informed operational decisions.

33%

HUMAN EXPERTISE, BACKED BY TECHNOLOGY

MedAire physicians deliver medical guidance grounded in deep aviation experience, applying clinical judgment and operational understanding to every case.

This expertise is supported by technology that provides instant access to member data, medical protocols, and global intelligence, enabling fast, coordinated decisions while keeping human judgment at the center of care.

What does the MedLink service include?

From pre‑flight passenger assessment to in‑flight medical support, MedLink, backed by medical kits, expert training and technology helps ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The MedLink service includes: 

24/7 pre-flight fit-to-fly support

Unlimited access to MedAire’s critical care nurses for passenger assessments before departure, helping crews and operators make informed decisions before a medical issue becomes an in-flight event.

 
Unlimited global air-to-ground medical support, 24/7

Immediate access to MedAire physicians during a medical event through satellite phone patch, HF/VHF radio, ACARS, and connected onboard diagnostic equipment, so support is available wherever the aircraft is operating.

 
Expert guidance tailored to the onboard environment

Real-time clinical direction that takes into account the crew’s training, the equipment and medications available onboard, and the realities of the flight environment, not generic advice disconnected from aviation operations.

 
Medical diversion support

Timely medical consultation and diversion recommendations that help flight crews and operators assess risk, support passenger care, and make defensible operational decisions under pressure.

 
HIPAA-compliant notifications and case documentation

Secure incident notifications, case records, and reporting that support operator documentation requirements while protecting sensitive medical information.

 
Ongoing operational insight

Monthly reporting, annual reviews, and benchmark analysis help operators identify trends, improve onboard response processes, and drive greater efficiency over time.

 
Complete case recording and communication logs

All case data and communications are documented, creating a reliable record for internal review, follow-up, and operational learning.

 
Streamlined Patient Assessment

Is There an App That Supports In-Flight Medical Events?

MedAire's In-Flight app enhances, not replaces established MedLink workflows: 
  • Extends MedLink into the cabin through a purpose‑built aviation app, connecting cabin crew to MedLink from the point of care
  • Informed by experience from over one million cases with continuous improvements
  • Creates a clear digital case summary to support faster, more informed decisions
  • Proven in daily operations, used by more than 300,000 crew members worldwide
  • Works with or without connectivity, supporting existing aircraft communication channels 
  • Secure by design for sensitive medical information
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Benchmark your in-flight cases against industry standards

MedAire provides on‑demand case reporting, enabling airlines to benchmark diversion rates, medical case type, and other key metrics against industry standards. As the industry leader, this dataset provides a perspective available nowhere else.

Medical Case Category

33%

Breakdown of in‑flight medical events by clinical category e.g. gastrointestinal, cardiovascular. 

Diversion Rate

5

Rate of flights diverted, including information about whether the diversion was initiated by MedLink or the pilot. 

Number of Cases

33%

Total number of in‑flight medical cases managed during the reporting period.

Fit-to-fly cases

60

The number of fit‑to‑fly assessments provided, including the approval rate

Frequently Asked Questions

Have A Question? We are here to help

When should cabin crew call MedLink?
Call MedLink early for any event involving chest pain, shortness of breath, altered mental status, seizure, suspected stroke, severe allergic reaction, significant bleeding, or any rapidly worsening condition. Early contact improves guidance quality and supports timely operational decisions.
Does MedLink tell the pilot to divert?
MedLink provides clinical recommendations that support pilot-in-command and operator decision-making. Diversion decisions remain operational, but MedLink helps clarify clinical urgency, stability, and consequences of delay.
How does MedLink help reduce unnecessary diversions?
By distinguishing high-risk vs lower-risk presentations using structured assessment and response-to-treatment updates, MedLink supports “continue with monitoring” when clinically appropriate and “expedite/divert” when time-critical risk is present.
What information does MedLink need from cabin crew to make recommendations?
MedLink relies on patient symptoms, vital signs, treatment response, and operational context to determine clinical risk. Clear, time‑stamped updates from cabin crew allow MedLink clinicians to assess stability, guide treatment using onboard equipment, and support pilot and dispatch decisions.
What communication systems are used to reach MedLink?
Aircraft contact MedAire’s MedLink using multiple air‑to‑ground communication channels, including satellite phone, HF/VHF radio, and ACARS. These redundant systems ensure crews can reach MedLink doctors worldwide, including during long‑haul, remote, and oceanic operations, even when one communication method is unavailable.