Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.
Support organization
LifeLine Pilots coordinates free, non-emergency medical flights for people of any age who need care far from home and face a financial, medical, health-related, or other compelling barrier to commercial or public transportation. Flights are usually within a ten-state Midwest region and about 100–1,000 miles, but those distances are typical rather than absolute; passengers outside the area may be referred to another volunteer-flight organization or partner. A physician must release the passenger as medically stable for a small unpressurized plane, travelers must meet boarding and seating rules or receive a case-specific partner exception, and families arrange their own lodging and ground transportation. First-time applicants use the live portal and should apply at least five business days in advance when possible; repeat passengers call. Flights are never guaranteed because volunteer pilots, aircraft, safety, and weather determine availability. A separate phone-screened humanitarian-flight route and public English/Spanish preparation materials and resource directory are also available.
Coordinates free volunteer-pilot air transportation for people with medical or humanitarian needs far from home.
Free volunteer-pilot medical flights, case-by-case humanitarian flights, and public passenger planning resources across a ten-state region.
Help with up to two approved companions for a child passenger and volunteer-pilot flight to non-emergency medical care.
Helps with: Travel And Transportation
Where: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, TN, WI
Care team must start: No
Flights for humanitarian needs, considered case by case.
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Guide · Video
This public collection combines the passenger qualifications and FAQ, travel tips, informational videos, current English brochure, and an official Spanish passenger brochure. It helps families understand small-aircraft travel, scheduling, physician release, companions, luggage and equipment, weather and backup plans, lodging and ground-transport responsibilities, and the request process. The Spanish brochure does not establish a Spanish-language application or interpreter service.
Topics: companions, flight eligibility, lodging and ground transportation, luggage and equipment, medical release, request process, small-aircraft safety, weather and backup plans
Resource Directory
This public directory points passengers to outside ground-transportation, financial, lodging, and support resources that may help beyond a LifeLine Pilots flight. It includes hospital travel services, childhood-cancer and general financial aid, hospitality houses, 211, rare-disease and peer-support resources, and destination-city search advice. Each outside provider's current eligibility and availability must be verified separately; LifeLine Pilots does not promise or fund the linked benefits.
Topics: community resources, financial assistance, ground transportation, hospitality houses, medical lodging, peer support
Organization details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Program availability can change.
