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A fully volunteer run charity providing FREE air transportation to residents of the East Kootenay to medical appointments in Kelowna.

Fernie – Cranbrook – Creston – Golden – Invermere – Nelson – Sparwood

ANGEL FLIGHT EAST KOOTENAY

Angel Flight East Kootenay was founded in April 2019 by Brent Bidston (Ret. Airline Captain), and is an entirely volunteer-led charitable organization with no paid employees. Our mission is to fly residents of the East Kootenays to medical appointments in Kelowna, for free!

As a registered charity we are currently accepting donations to be able to continue offering free flights. Every donation goes a long way, and you can choose to have a tax receipt for your donation if you would like.

WHERE and WHO WE FLY

Our flight days are Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday. Flights leave Cranbrook at 9.30am MT, ensuring patients are in Kelowna for 11am PT appointments. For same day travel back to Cranbrook, patients are expected to return to the airport by 2 pm PT. One way travel and split travel days are also accommodated.

We fly our pressurized twin Cessna 414A out of the Bid Air Terminal at the Cranbrook International Airport. This is the red hanger on your right hand side, as you approach the main terminal. Parking is available in front of the hanger. In Kelowna, we land at the Shell Aerocentre, 6197 Airport Way. Taxis can be arranged prior to arrival.

WE DO HAVE SOME BASIC LIMITIATIONS:
– Passengers must be able to walk to, and board a small light aircraft. Our plane has three steps to get inside, with a rope handrail. Passengers must be able to sit for the duration of the flight.
– Due to limited space, we cannot take wheelchairs or walking frames on the plane.
– No medical assistance is available during flight.
– We cannot take people with a communicable illness.
– There are no washroom facilities on the aircraft.

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Request A Flight

Our flight days are Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday. Appointments starting before 11 am PT (Kelowna time) or after 1pm PT are not able to be serviced for a same day travel to and from Kelowna, and will require an overnight stay.

Flights are booked on a first come, first serve basis, so it is important to request your flight as soon as you have an appointment date! There are five seats available per flight.

Requesting a flight is simple, and can be completed in the following two steps:

1. Fill out the FLIGHT REQUEST FORM. We will use this to confirm your eligibility for the flight.

2. Download, print, and fill out both pages of the WAIVER, and in the case of a minor, the INDEMNITY form. These MUST be completed and signed by your doctor prior to your flight. Consider them your airplane ticket. You MUST get them back to us by email, or text photos of each full page to 250-430-1188. Escorts must also fill out a waiver, however they do not need a medical signature.

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Recent News

Sparwood resident recognized for charitable contributions to Angel Flight

Posted on July 14, 2026 by skye in Uncategorized

What began as a simple act of giving, has grown into a remarkable legacy of generosity. Over the past few years, Sparwood resident Debbie Russo has been collecting refundable bottles and cans from across the Elk Valley and donating every dollar to Angel Flight. Recently, while reviewing historical donations, Angel Flight discovered that her contributions […]

Angel Flight seeks funding for new aircraft

Posted on July 14, 2026 by skye in Uncategorized

Angel Flight East Kootenay is embarking on a campaign to raise funds for a new $3 million aircraft that will help streamline operating costs for its flight services between the East Kootenay and Kelowna. Co-founder Brent Bidston provided an update to the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District board during a meeting on Sept. 12, noting that the organization […]

Kimberley resident shares experience with Angel Flight

Posted on July 13, 2026July 14, 2026 by skye in Missions

Kimberley resident Rita Pak wants to spread the word about Angel Flight East Kootenay after the support she’s received from the volunteer-run medical transport service over the past year since a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Pak was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and was told she would need to start going to Kelowna for multiple appointments […]

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