Portable Oxygen Concentrators FAA approved

*FAA is the American Federal Aviation Administration.

List of all the FAA approved for flight oxygen concentrators

AirSep Focus
AirSep FreeStyle
AirSep FreeStyle 5
AirSep LifeStyle
Delphi RS-00400
DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo
Inogen One
Inogen One G2
Inogen One G3
Inova Labs LifeChoice
Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox
International Biophysics LifeChoice
Invacare Solo2
Invacare XPO2
Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator
Oxus RS-00400
Precision Medical EasyPulse
Respironics EverGo
Respironics SimplyGo
SeQual Eclipse
SeQual eQuinox Oxygen System (model 4000)
SeQual Oxywell Oxygen System (model 4000)
SeQual SAROS
VBox Trooper Oxygen Concentrator

All Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) devices which are approved by the FAA have a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets the FAA requirements.

There are airlines that have their own therapeutic oxygen devices onboard, others allow passengers to bring their oxygen POC devices and use those during the flight, while some others restrict any kind of oxygen device on board.

Prior to the flight, both a passenger intending to use a POC on an aircraft and the operator of the aircraft on which the POC is intended to be used are responsible for determining whether the POC satisfies the FAA acceptance criteria.

POCs With Manufacturer’s FAA Labels

The passenger and the aircraft operator can determine whether the POC conforms to the acceptance criteria through a visual inspection of the device to locate the manufacturer’s label indicating such conformance.

POCs Without Manufacturer’s FAA Labels.

If the device does not bear the required label, the passenger and the aircraft operator may determine compliance by identifying the manufacturer and model name and confirming that the POC appears on the list of devices contained in §§ 121.574, 125.219, and 135.91.

All the portable oxygen devices are suitable for traveling with oxygen by air?

Many airlines permit patients to bring their portable oxygen concentrators on-board with no additional charges as long as they are on the Federal Aviation Authority’s (USA) list of approved POCs for usage.

• Liquid oxygen is prohibited for use on commercial airlines; the only aircraft permitted to carry or utilize liquid oxygen are helicopters serving as air ambulances

• Improper transport of either liquid or compressed oxygen can present significant safety risks resulting in operators being liable for large civil penalties.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule “Non discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel” contains air carrier requirements regarding the use of respiratory assistive devices on aircraft.

In the DOT final rule, section 382.133 generally requires that:

Air carriers conducting passenger service must permit someone with a disability to use an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on all flights (on aircraft originally designed to have a maximum passenger capacity of more than 19 seats). The device must meet applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices (M-PED) and display a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets those FAA requirements.

FAA Portable Oxygen Concentrators Acceptance Criteria

Rather than continuing to approve POCs on a case-by-case basis, FAA established acceptance criteria for POCs used on aircraft. The criteria are:

• The POC is legally marketed in the United States in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements as stated in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR).
• The POC does not radiate radio frequency emissions that interfere with aircraft systems.
• The POC does not generate a compressed gas.
• The POC does not contain any hazardous materials (hazmat), except as provided for in 49 CFR part 175, § 175.10 for batteries used to power PEDs, and that do not require aircraft operator approval for carriage as is the case for certain larger batteries.
  Required POC Labeling.

All POCs that satisfy the acceptance criteria and are not previously identified in SFAR 106 must also bear a label with the following statement in red lettering:

“The manufacturer of this POC has determined this device conforms to all applicable FAA acceptance criteria for POC carriage and use on board aircraft.”

The final rule (titled: Oxygen and portable oxygen concentrators for medical use by passengers) replaces the process by which the Federal Aviation Administration (Agency or FAA) approves portable oxygen concentrators (POC) for use on board aircraft in air carrier operations, and certain other operations using large aircraft. Prior to the rulemaking project FAA assessed each POC make and model on a case-by-case basis and if FAA determined that a particular POC was safe for use on board an aircraft, FAA conducted rulemaking to identify the specific POC model in an FAA regulation (SFAR 106).

The final rule replaces the previous process and allows passengers to use a POC on board an aircraft if the POC satisfies certain acceptance criteria and bears a label indicating conformance with the acceptance criteria. The labeling requirement only affects POCs intended for use on board aircraft that were not previously approved in SFAR 106. Additionally, the rulemaking eliminated redundant operational requirements and paperwork requirements related to the physician’s statement.

As a result, the rulemaking reduced burdens for POC manufacturers, passengers who use POCs while traveling, and affected aircraft operators. This final rule also makes conforming amendments to the Department of Transportation’s (Department or DOT) rule implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to require carriers to accept all POC models that meet FAA acceptance criteria as detailed in the rule.

Is my portable oxygen concentrator approved by airlines?

Some airlines disclose a list of POCs and confirm the possibility to use them during flight  or they provide contact information to confirm if your device is permissible.

When booking your reservation, airlines permitting the use of POCs or offering to supply oxygen, whether for a fee or at a cost. Airlines also require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice before travel to ensure approval for its use. Some airlines restrict the number of passengers per flight who are permitted to use oxygen on board the aircraft.

It is highly recommended  to book your flights early and contact  airline immediately to start the approval process. On most airlines, this is possible by calling, e-mailing or faxing their ‘Medical Assistance Service’ and completing the forms specified by each airline.

Each of the airlines has different policies for oxygen on board.

To help you out more we searched  all 280 IATA members, to find out their supplemental oxygen policy.

Pulse flow FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators vs continuous flow POC oxygen.

Continuous Flow

The continuous flow machine emits oxygen constantly irrespective of whether the user is inhaling or exhaling.Air compressor compress normal air and deliver high pressure air into oxygen system.

Oxygen system ( PSA system ) is made by two cylinders filled in molecular sieves.
It separates N2 and deliver O2. The bigger two cylinders, the more molecular sieves.

More molecular sieves need more compressed air. The more compressed air, the bigger compressor and more oxygen coming out per minute. That is why big home unit could produce 5 liters 93% oxygen per minute. Because big machine has big compressor and big Oxygen system.

Some cheap small potable units will mix normal air with oxygen when you turn up its flow above 1 liter.

Pulse Flow

The pulse flow POC provides a ‘pulse’ of oxygen each time you inhale. Oxygen concentration processing won’t stop no matter continuous flow or pulse flow.
Pulse flow machine take full advantage of people exhale time.

Pulse flow has a storage system inside of machine. When people exhale, storage system will stock oxygen and stop delivering oxygen out. There is a sensor to detect people inhale action. When people inhale, sensor will activate and deliver storage oxygen out.

Pulse flow top capacity equal to triple of continuous oxygen capacity. No matter how many settings this machine has. If oxygen concentrator biggest capacity is 1 liters continuous oxygen per minute with 90% purity, its pulse flow top capacity equal to 3LPM.

Pulse or continuous flow FAA portable oxygen concentrator? What is better?

This is depanding from your prescription and your budget.

There are some machines on the market that offer both continuous and pulse flow. These machines offer flexibility as they are great for nocturnal use, use with sleep apnea equipment and during the day on pulse dose.

The best solution is the one that keeps you healthy and covers your demands.

Portable oxygen concentrators work by separating ambient oxygen from nitrogen and other gasses in the air. Portable  oxygen concentrators provide the user with oxygen at a concentration of more than 90 percent. Briefly store a small quantity of oxygen. The POC either senses the user’s inhalation and dispenses the oxygen (pulse technology), or delivers the oxygen in a continuous flow to the user.

Portable oxygen concentrators. FAA rules. 

Air carriers conducting passenger service must permit someone with a disability to use an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on all flights (on aircraft originally designed to have a maximum passenger capacity of more than 19 seats).

In the United States, airlines are required to allow passengers to use battery-powered portable oxygen concentrators that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The device must meet applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices (M-PED) and display a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets those FAA requirements.

The only approved FAA oxygen device allowed on-board flights is a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), a smaller, lighter, and easier-to-carry variation of a home oxygen concentrator. No other personal oxygen systems can be used on board,

Filled oxygen tanks (liquid or compressed gas) cannot be brought on board—or even checked as baggage—on any airline. Some airlines may allow empty oxygen equipment to be stowed in baggage, but it must be verified as empty, and the regulator must be removed.

Passengers are prohibited from carrying compressed oxygen and liquid oxygen on board aircraft. In accordance with the HMR, devices containing compressed or liquid oxygen must bear certain identifying labels. Check with your airline ahead of time to see if it allows empty tanks to be checked.

POCs do not contain compressed oxygen and thus do not require the same level of special handling as compressed oxygen and are safe for use on board aircraft, if certain conditions for their use are met.

The FAA requires that the charge should be able to last 150 percent the length of the trip.You should also factor in time needed to travel to the airport, waiting to board, layovers, and traveling from the airport to your destination after arrival. 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.

Get to the airport as early as possible and inform the ticket agent that you’ll be traveling with supplemental oxygen.

During the security screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), inform them that you are unable to be disconnected from supplemental oxygen and ask for an alternative screening process. 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.

FAA pre-flight preparation rules passenger with portable oxygen.

Physician’s statement

In accordance with DOT regulations under part 382, an air carrier may require a medical certificate from a passenger with a disability if there is reasonable doubt that the individual can complete the flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight. Also, an air carrier may require a medical certificate from a person who needs medical oxygen during a flight.

The FAA does not require passengers to obtain a physician’s statement and present such statement to the operator or pilot in command (PIC) prior to POC use on board the aircraft.

All Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) devices which are approved by the FAA have a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets the FAA requirements.

Healthcare Provider Consultation.

The FAA does not require a passenger to consult with a healthcare provider prior to using a POC on board an aircraft.

However, the passenger, together with his or her healthcare provider, may wish to discuss the following:

1. The effects of a pressurized cabin (cabin pressure altitude can reach 8,000 feet) on the passenger’s oxygen needs.
• Some POC users need higher liter flow or liter per minute (LPM) settings for the POC in the air because of cabin pressure altitude.
• Some POC users who use a POC occasionally on the ground may need to use their POC for the entire flight because of cabin pressure altitude.

2. The passenger’s POC needs at the time of travel and whether the passenger’s needs have changed since the POC was first prescribed or during the most recent consultation with a healthcare professional.

3. Certain key provisions in the POC operating manual regarding oxygen delivery, indicators, warnings, and alerts, as well as setting/changing liter flow or LPM. 4. All crewmembers (pilots and flight attendants (F/A)) receive training regarding the handling of in-flight medical events. However, the FAA does not require that air carriers or crewmembers provide medical assistance to passengers.

Note: Additional information regarding passenger health and safety can be found at https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_safe/health/

FAA During your flight with a portable oxygen concentrator

Seating restrictions for passengers who plan to use a poc on the aircraft.

Exit Row Seating. The FAA prohibits any person using a POC from occupying any seat in an exit row.

 Stowage During Movement. During movement on the surface (pushback from the gate and taxi), takeoff, and landing, the POC must be stowed properly and in such a manner that it does not restrict passenger egress to any exit or the aisle in the passenger compartment. Additional seating restrictions may be necessary to comply with these FAA safety rules.

For example:

1. Some seats on an aircraft, such as bulkhead seats, may or may not have approved stowage space to accommodate a POC during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. Therefore, the POC may not be able to be stowed properly during these phases of flight if the POC user occupies those seats. In this case, a seating restriction would be required to comply with an FAA safety rule.

2. During movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing, the tubing that is used to dispense oxygen from a properly stowed POC to the user’s mask/nasal cannula may stretch across the row in such a way as to restrict passenger egress or become a tripping hazard in an evacuation.

The POC user must not restrict another passenger’s egress during these phases of flight. In this case, a seating restriction may be required to comply with an FAA safety rule. For example, if all seats in the row are occupied, the appropriate seat for the POC user would be a window seat.

However, if there are no other passengers in the row, or if there is one other passenger in a row of three seats and that passenger is seated in the aisle seat, or if the POC is stowed in such a way that the tubing does not block another passenger’s egress, then other seats in that row may be appropriate as long as no other passenger’s egress is restricted by the tubing.

3. An operator can only establish seating restrictions based on an FAA safety rule. The examples above represent some, but not all, scenarios to consider. The operator must make a safety decision based on the specifics in an individual situation before establishing a seating restriction.

Note: A general airline policy that all passengers who board the aircraft with a POC must occupy a window seat, without regard to the specifics of the individual situation, would be inconsistent with the requirements of part 382 (refer to § 382.87