Tips for traveling with Oxygen

Before you make any plans to travel, check with your doctor to determine that you are capable of travel and what extra precautions may be necessary.

Have a copy(s) of your oxygen prescription, including oxygen litre flow and hours of use, with you at all times as well as a current list of medications you are receiving. Make several copies of the prescription and medication list as you may need to present a copy to flight attendants or oxygen suppliers during your travel.

Since commercial airplane cabins are usually pressurized to an elevation equivalent to about 1,5002,500 meters (about 5,000-8,000 feet), you will be breathing less oxygen while in-flight. You might need an increase in the oxygen flow rate during air travel, your doctor will know. Be sure to talk to the doctor about this so you have no discomfort breathing during the flight.

You may also require a physician statement indicating your ability to travel, travel itinerary (general) and oxygen flow rates. If arranging your travel through a travel agent, make sure to inform them you will be travelling with oxygen before you book your trip. Contact your oxygen supplier and notify them of your travel plans and they may be able to assist you with your oxygen needs during your trip. Avoid travel travelling to locations at high elevations as these may make your breathing more difficult. There will be costs when travelling with oxygen. Your government oxygen program or private pay health insurance or other payers does not cover this.

Before Purchasing Tickets Inform airline that you will be travelling with your portable oxygen concentrator. Determine the requirements for batteries for your desired travel dates and locations. Confirm that your plane will have available electrical power onboard. Request seating with an available power port. Ensure that you have sufficient battery power for the duration of your flight, including a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays. Fly non-stop if possible. This eliminates the hassle of arranging for oxygen deliveries to the airport which results in extra charges.

Day of flight with portable oxygen

Here are some things to keep in mind the day your flight departs:

Ensure your POC is clean, in good condition and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse.

Bring enough fully charged batteries with you to power your POC for the duration of the flight plus a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays. Contact your equipment provider to obtain additional POC batteries.

Extra batteries must be carefully packed in your carry-on. You must ensure that terminals on batteries are taped and protected from coming in contact with other items (Some batteries have recessed terminals, which do not need to be taped). You will not be allowed to bring your batteries with you if they are not packed properly. Your portable oxygen concentrator and extra batteries are considered medical devices. While they will need to be screened by TSA personnel they will not be counted against your carry-on baggage allowance.

You will need to plan ahead and bring enough batteries to power your POC for your entire flight, including gate time, taxi time, take off, in-air time and landing

Airlines may not be equipped to provide backup oxygen.

Regional/Commuter airlines do not offer on-board electrical power. If your travel plans call for flights on regional airlines, you will need sufficient battery power for the duration of the flight, plus a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays.

Arrive at the airport early. Airport security screening personnel may require extra time to inspect your Oxygen equipment.

While waiting to board your flight, you may be able to conserve battery power by powering your POC from an electrical outlet in the airport terminal.

During your flight with portable oxygen

FAA regulations also describe where passengers using POC’s must sit & where they must stow their POC’s. Passengers using POC’s may not sit in exit rows, nor may their POC block another passenger’s access to seats or to the airplanes aisles. You must be able to see the alarm lights on your POC when it is stowed. Air carriers are not required to let you plug your POC into the planes electrical system.

When you find your seat, locate the power port, if available. If your seat does not have a power port or if you have difficulty plugging in your power supply or AC power supply, ask a flight attendant for assistance.

You must remove the battery from the concentrator when operating the POC using an aircraft power port.

While FAA regulations do not require that you tell your air carrier about your Portable Oxygen Concentrator in advance, nearly all airlines ask that they be notified at least 48 hours in advance to travel. In order to bring your POC onto the plane with you, you will need to furnish a copy of a physician’s order for your airline. You should check with your airline before obtaining this order from your doctor, some airlines have forms that they require you use.

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