A patient transfer mattress is disclosed which includes a plurality of pods connecting the upper and lower sheets of the mattress. The pods may include a first aperture in a side wall thereof and a second aperture in an end thereof, said first and second apertures allowing air to flow from within a main cavity of the mattress and out to form a cushion of air beneath the mattress. One or more of the pods may also include a perforated disc positioned between the opposite ends thereby dividing the pod into upper and lower portions. The perforated disc controls air flow between the upper and lower portions to buffer local changes in air pressure caused by pump pressure, patient body weight or saturation.