In addition to our network of private pilots who use their own aircraft to transport passengers, AFW has a partnership with Alaska Airlines. This partnership is mainly to provide air transportation for residents of the state of Alaska who seek medical treatment within Alaska or to any of the other states that AFW covers.
1. Request must be verified by a medical provider involved in the passenger's care (social worker, nurse, doctor, etc.)
- We will need a medical provider involved in the passenger's care to fill out brief paperwork that we send directly to him or her
2. Medically stable
- We will need to have a physician verify that the passenger is medically stable and able to fly commercially
3. Geographic criteria
- AFW provides air transportation within the 13 Western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Passengers will be referred to other organisations if the transportation would involve travel outside this service area.
Note: We may be able to provide commercial air transportation if the flight originates in our territory but terminates outside of our territory if the destination is the only place a patient can receive potentially life saving treatment.
4. Reason for travel
- AFW primarily provides air transportation for patients travelling to and from scheduled medical treatment. We also arrange "compassion" flights for individuals who need to visit or be a caregiver for a critically ill family member. Additionally, we will arrange flights to relocate victims of domestic violence, to transport children and adults to camps for a variety of special needs (such as burn survivors and families impacted by HIV or AIDS), and to fly support staff and supplies during natural disasters or other crises. "Compassion" requests are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
5. Financial or compelling need
- AFW is a charitable service and Alaska Airlines is a generous donor, providing hundreds of tickets to help patients get to necessary treatment. We recognise that the costs of medical care, lost wages, and providing care can deplete a family's resources. Passengers do not need to be desperate or destitute to qualify, we simply want to make the best use of our limited resources.
6. 2 business days' advance notice
- We generally require 2 business days' advance notice to review the paperwork and book a flight. In some cases, we can accommodate shorter term requests.