Air Compassion International (ACI) functions to ensure that needy patients requiring long-distance air ambulance transportation are able to receive service at the least cost possible. ACI represents the patient family and functions as a 'patient advocate air ambulance facilitator.' This all adds up to the absolutely least costly air ambulance transport possible. (Air ambulance service of very ill patients with medical care enroute on a charitable (free) basis is almost non-existent in the U.S.) ACI shops the commercial air ambulance industry seeking the lowest trip bid, empty leg (back-haul) opportunities and donated cash assistance from third parties in each patient transport situation.