How your flight will be arranged
After you have been approved and Angel Flight East has received the completed paperwork, we will start looking for a pilot to volunteer for your flight. Once a pilot has accepted, he or she will contact you directly, and all travel arrangements from that point on will be made between the pilot and you. Generally, the pilot accepting the flight will contact you at least 24hrs in advance. If a pilot cannot be found for your flight, AFE will contact you one business day before the scheduled flight to inform you, unless more notice is specifically requested.
States Serviced
AFE Provides air transport up to 1,000 miles to passengers in the following states:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Maryland
Travel Tips
Have a back-up plan
Pilots make the final decisions about the execution of their flights. A pilot may delay or cancel because of bad weather or other critical factors. In rare cases, a volunteer for your flight may not be available. For these reasons, we ask our passengers either to have a back-up plan or be able to reschedule their appointments.
Talk to Your Pilot
Your pilot is the expert, and you are a guest on their aircraft, so please respect their rules and guidance. Talk with your pilot about the conditions you can expect on your flight, what's appropriate to bring aboard, and any potential safety concerns ahead of time.
Be aware that, for safety reasons, some pilots request that you do not talk during take-off and landing, or at different points throughout the flight. Your pilot will inform you of his or her specific requirements.
Think small and pack light!
The total weight limit for all bags carried aboard is 40 lbs. This includes all luggage, purses, and any other items carried aboard. Luggage should be packed in a small, soft-sided duffle bag or gym bag. One small bag per person is appropriate. Medical equipment, car seats, strollers, and other such items can often be accommodated if you let us know before the day of departure.
Small Aircraft
If you’ve never flown on a small aircraft before, you’ll discover that it’s a much different experience than flying on a large commercial jet.
Smaller plane, longer travel time
Your flight will be made in a small aircraft that will have four to six seats. These aircraft are not as fast or as large as a commercial airplane, so the flying time to your destination may be a bit longer than you anticipated. Below is what your aircraft may look like:
Entering the airplane
In order to board the aircraft, you may have to step up onto a wing that is 16 to 20 inches above the ground, crouch slightly to fit through a small door, then lower yourself into the back seat. If you or one of your traveling companions cannot perform these movements, that person will not be able to fly with us.
Bring Earplugs
Small aircraft are much noisier than typical commercial flying. Your pilot will provide headsets to block out noise and allow easier communication between passengers, but you may still want earplugs for additional noise reduction.
Be aware that you might hear different sounds from the engine as it changes speed.
Expect Turbulence
Small planes are more susceptible to air turbulence than large ones, so you might experience more “bumps” than you’re used to. These motions are perfectly normal and no cause for alarm.
Prepare for All Temperatures
Some, but not all, AFE planes have heated cockpits, and most do not have air conditioning. Consequently, it can be chilly inside the plane because of the altitude, even if it isn’t cold on the ground. On the other hand, on a hot, sunny summer day, the temperature onboard can be quite warm.
To ensure that you’re comfortable during the flight, please ask your pilot about how best to prepare.
No restrooms or food
Restrooms and food service are not available on AFE flights. Please check with your pilot if you want to bring food aboard.
Children
If you are traveling with a baby or small child, we suggest that you give them a bottle, pacifier or, for a slightly older child, gum to chew during take-off and landing. These items will help the child to equalize the changing air pressure, and avoid ear pain. If the child is under the age of 2, it will need to travel in a child safety seat is FAA regulated.
Ground Transportation
If you need help with ground transportation after your flight, please call the office. (215)358-1900
