Our Story

Angel Flight East is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of pilots, volunteers and staff dedicated to serving the community by facilitating free private air transportation for acute or chronically ill patients, who may be financially distressed, to distant medical facilities for diagnosis, treatment and amelioration of their medical conditions.

Located at historic Wings Field in Blue Bell, PA, Angel Flight East was founded in1992 in response to community need after Hurricane Andrew. Wanting to help with the relief efforts in South Florida, a group of local pilots, rallied and formed the first AFE Board of Directors and incorporated Angel Flight East as a non profit. We flew 16 missions during that first year in operation and have continued to grow each year. With our corps of more than 500 volunteer pilots, based in 23 states, we expect to fly over 800 missions this year.

Angel Flight East conducts operations from Maine to the Carolinas and west to Ohio. For destinations beyond our reach, we connect with other volunteer pilot organizations . Anyone who requests a flight with us must be medically stable, ambulatory (able to board an aircraft with little or no assistance) and able to fly in a light aircraft without on-board medical support.

Although our primary mission is to help individuals, there are plenty of other circumstances that get us off the ground. We have helped out in national emergencies. During the 9/11 crisis, when commercial air traffic was suspended, Angel Flight East pilots were given clearance alongside military planes to help transport rescue workers, search dogs, blood and other medical supplies. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, our pilots transported patients, delivered medical supplies, and reunited families.

Whenever there is a compelling humanitarian need, we stand ready to help!