What Mercy Flights does

Mercy Flights is a nonprofit emergency medical transport organization founded in 1949 by George Milligan in Medford, Oregon, and recognized as the first civil air ambulance service in the United States. It serves Southern Oregon and Northern California through three integrated service modes: a 24-vehicle ground ambulance fleet operating across 2,700 square miles of Jackson County under a designated 911 franchise; a helicopter air ambulance service operating Bell 407 aircraft within a 150-nautical-mile radius; and a fixed-wing air ambulance with a 1,000-nautical-mile range for long-distance inter-facility transfers. The organization handles 30,000+ requests per year and transports 20,000+ patients annually, with more than 20,000 patients flown over its 75+ year history. A centralized 24/7 dispatch coordinates the three modes and supports inter-facility transfer partnerships with the Asante hospital system and Jackson Care Connect.

Revenue is generated through fee-for-service transport billing supplemented by a multi-tier membership program that includes angel flight ($65), senior tiers, annual combined coverage ($125), air-only ($85), group plans, and a $2,000 lifetime option. The organization explicitly receives no tax dollars, funding its operations and capital investments through transport fees, memberships, and state workforce grants such as the Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready Grant ($267,813 in 2023 and $3M in 2024). Adjacent revenue streams include the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program, launched in 2016, which extends beyond transport into community paramedicine, post-discharge follow-up, and contracted services with managed care organizations.

Operational capability is anchored by FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate authorization (including a 2022 approval for two-helicopter concurrent operations) and by embedded relationships with regional fire districts and community colleges for workforce development. Strategic capability investments include the 2022 Bell 407 GXi helicopter, Airvo 2 high-flow nasal cannula equipment, a prehospital ultrasound pilot, and Pediatric Ready EMS recognition. A new air base in Ashland, Oregon is scheduled to open on April 30, 2026, extending geographic coverage southward within the existing service area.

Name

Mercy Flights

Legal name

Mercy Flights, Inc.

Website

https://mercyflights.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mercy Flights is a nonprofit emergency medical transport organization founded in 1949 in Medford, Oregon, serving Southern Oregon and Northern California through integrated ground ambulance, helicopter, and fixed-wing air ambulance services, supported by a multi-tier membership program and Mobile Integrated Healthcare offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Medical Transport Services (Air and Ground Ambulance)

NAICS

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Ambulance Services (62191)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Helicopter Medical Passenger Transport (Non-Emergency) (TLAFACAI)

Keywords

• Emergency medical transport
• Air ambulance services
• Ground ambulance services
• Mobile integrated healthcare
• Emergency medical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Medford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership program ($125/year for combined air and ground coverage) that covers out-of-pocket transport costs after insurance payment. Members pay nothing out-of-pocket as long as Mercy Flights receives any payment from insurance or third-party payer. Also offers 50% discount on non-emergency transports.
2. Emergency Medical Transport Services: Fee-for-service transport including ground ambulance, helicopter, and fixed-wing air ambulance. Ground transport typically over $1,200, air transport over $20,000. Revenue from insurance reimbursements, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
3. Grants and Donations: Nonprofit funding from grants including Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready Grants ($3 million second round, $267,813 first round) and Roundhouse Foundation grants for prehospital ultrasound project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mercy Flights is a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency medical transport via ground ambulance (24 vehicles covering 2,700 square miles of Jackson County, Oregon), helicopter air ambulance (Bell 407 fleet within 150 nautical miles of Medford), and pressurized fixed-wing air ambulance (within 1,000 nautical miles). Core services include Advanced Life Support response, Mobile Integrated Healthcare home-based services, in-transport high-flow oxygen and blood transfusion capabilities, and an annual membership subscription program (Combined Air & Ground $125/year, Air-Only $85/year, Lifetime $2,000, Angel $65) that eliminates member out-of-pocket transport costs.

Product overview

Mercy Flights operates as a nonprofit mobile healthcare organization offering integrated emergency medical transport services through three core transport modalities: ground ambulance (24 vehicles covering 2,700 sq miles of Jackson County), helicopter air ambulance (Bell 407 fleet serving 150 nautical miles of Southern Oregon and Northern California), and fixed-wing aircraft (pressurized planes serving 1,000 nautical miles). The organization complements its transport services with Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) programs and membership subscription services providing financial protection. Supporting programs include the SOEMSAP apprenticeship program for workforce development, Explorer Post 131 youth education program, Hero Kids pediatric services, and a 24/7 Communications Center. Membership tiers include Combined Air and Ground ($125/year), Air-Only ($85/year), Lifetime ($2,000), and Angel Membership ($65).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ground Ambulance Services Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transport. Mercy Flights is the primary 9-1-1 emergency ground ambulance provider for most of Jackson County, Oregon, covering 2,700 square miles with 24 ground ambulances stationed throughout the region and responding to over 30,000 service requests and transporting more than 20,000 patients annually.
• Helicopter Air Ambulance Emergency medical transport helicopter services operating within 150 nautical miles of Medford, Oregon and Northern California. The fleet includes Bell 407 GX and Bell 407 GXi helicopters used for on-scene emergency response and inter-hospital transports, operating under Mercy Flights' own FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate.
• Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Pressurized fixed-wing Advanced Life Support air ambulance services serving areas within 1,000 nautical miles of Medford, Oregon, covering much of the continental United States. Operates with two pilots for critical care transport and supports long-distance inter-hospital transfers.
• Combined Air and Ground Membership Annual membership program providing combined air and ground ambulance coverage for individuals and families at $125/year. Members pay nothing out of pocket for Mercy Flights services as long as Mercy Flights receives any payment from insurance or third-party payers. Covers all permanent residents of the home including unmarried children under 26, and provides 50% off non-emergency transports.
• Air-Only Membership Annual membership providing air ambulance coverage only for $85/year, designed for Southern Oregon and Northern California residents who want air transport protection without ground ambulance coverage.
• Lifetime Membership One-time $2,000 lifetime membership providing perpetual air and ground ambulance coverage for life for a single individual or family.
• Angel Membership Gift membership option for new members priced at $65 for 12 months of combined air and ground coverage. Available year-round for gifting to family members, students, or others needing peace of mind.
• Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Program bringing healthcare and social services directly to patients where they reside. Designed to improve community health outcomes and reduce emergency room visits by providing in-home care and support services for residents in Mercy Flights' service area.
• 24/7 Communications Center 24/7 dispatch and communications operations coordinating ground and air medical transport responses. Staffed by trained professionals managing emergency calls and resource deployment for ground ambulance, helicopter, and fixed-wing operations.
• Hero Kids Pediatric Program Specialized pediatric care program and registry supporting children in emergency medical situations. Mercy Flights was recognized as a Pediatrics Ready EMS Agency by the Oregon EMSC Program in 2025, demonstrating readiness to care for pediatric patients.

Quantifiable outcome

• STEMI patient timelines of 76 minutes or less (goal is 90 minutes)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ashland Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Ashland air base opening on April 30, 2026.
• Jackson Care ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Healthcare partnership recognized nationally. Collaboration on community health initiatives and care coordination.
• Rogue Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Educational partner for EMS apprenticeship program (SOEMSAP). RCC provides EMT and Paramedic education for apprentices. Also partnered on Phoenix High School EMS course offering college credits through RCC's Introduction to Emergency Services course.
• Applegate Valley Fire DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024First partner to enlist with Mercy Flights for SOEMSAP apprenticeship program. Hired four EMS apprentices in first round. Provides real-world EMS experience and staffing support for the district.
• Life Flight NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Membership reciprocity agreement between two Oregon-based not-for-profit air ambulance programs. Expands coverage and options for members of both programs.
• Phoenix High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EMS pilot project partnership providing college credit in high school setting. Students receive BLS certificate and four college credits through Rogue Community College. Mercy Flights instructors co-teach curriculum.
• Jackson County Fire District 1coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joined forces to improve emergency care. Collaborated on Southern Oregon EMS Apprenticeship Program and prehospital ultrasound project supported by Roundhouse Foundation grant.
• Southern Oregon University (SOU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership through 3|4 + 1 Pathway to MBA Program. Mercy Flights employees (Marcus Allen, Cassie Preskenis, Tess Homier) graduated in first cohort of accelerated MBA program.
• Asante Rogue Regional Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Clinical partner for Airvo 2 high-flow nasal cannula equipment integration. Collaborated on research, training, and equipment process for treating patients with respiratory illnesses.
• Asante Ashland Community HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership on respiratory care equipment training and integration for Airvo 2 device implementation. Respiratory department supported education and integration process.
• FEMAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center at Jackson County Expo. Brought 1,000 additional vaccine doses daily to support Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine counties.
• Oregon Health AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Mercy Flights team members staffed vaccination center and conducted mobile vaccination clinics.
• Jackson CountyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021County partnership for COVID-19 vaccination efforts including Community Vaccination Center at Jackson County Expo and mobile vaccination clinics. Mercy Flights team members staffed efforts.
• Ashland Fire & RescueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReciprocity agreement for ground ambulance membership. Partner agency honors Mercy Flights ground memberships.
• Rogue River Fire DistrictminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReciprocity agreement for ground ambulance membership. Partner agency honors Mercy Flights ground memberships.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Acadian Ambulance Service: Multi-state ground and air medical transport provider serving Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Comparable integrated ground + air ambulance + community health model with similar nonprofit-adjacent mission orientation.
• PHI Health (PHI Air Medical): National air medical transport operator providing helicopter EMS and fixed-wing services across multiple states. Comparable product/service to Mercy Flights' air ambulance operations at meaningfully larger geographic scale.
• American Medical Response (AMR): Largest U.S. ground and air ambulance provider operating 911 and interfacility transport services nationwide. Comparable along 911 ground ambulance service model and pre-hospital care delivery, though much larger and for-profit.
• Air Methods Corporation: Largest U.S. air ambulance operator operating helicopter and fixed-wing medical transports nationwide. Comparable along product (rotor/fixed-wing air ambulance) and customer base (hospital systems, EMS), but as a for-profit incumbent at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• REACH Air Medical Services: Air ambulance company serving California and surrounding western states with helicopter and fixed-wing medical transport. Comparable operations, customer base, and rural/western U.S. service profile.
• MedFlight (Critical Care Transport): Ohio-based nonprofit air and ground critical care transport operator serving rural communities. Closely comparable mission and integrated air/ground + community service model to Mercy Flights.
• Life Flight Network: Oregon-based nonprofit air ambulance operator serving the Pacific Northwest. Most direct comparable given shared nonprofit status, overlapping Oregon footprint, and reciprocal membership agreement with Mercy Flights.
• Guardian Flight: Air ambulance operator providing rotor and fixed-wing medical transport across the western and intermountain U.S. Comparable to Mercy Flights' helicopter and fixed-wing air ambulance operations.

Others

• Rural/Metro Corporation: Ground ambulance and 911 services provider, now part of Global Medical Response alongside Air Methods. Comparable along 911 ground ambulance and EMS service delivery model.

Regional players

• Cal-Ore Life Flight: Nonprofit air ambulance serving rural Oregon and Northern California communities. Directly comparable service area, rural/western U.S. footprint, and nonprofit mission orientation to Mercy Flights.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mercyflights
• Instagraminstagram.com/mercy_flights
• Xx.com/mercy_flights

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mercy Flights