Airline travel is available to persons who require in-flight supplemental oxygen. Negotiating the many obstacles, however, can be challenging. As an oxygen user it is your responsibility to make your own arrangements. Patience, perseverance and having the appropriate information available will help you plan your trip. A helpful tip: keep written information in front of you, note who you speak with, and write down contact information.

ADVANCE PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL

Your trip begins with the airline. Each airline has its own policy for on-board oxygen transport and in-flight oxygen usage. You will need to contact the individual airline for their current policies regarding oxygen.

You must carry your prescription for oxygen with you at all times. Many of the airlines have their own airline specific medical form for your Doctor to fill out. These are generally good for one year. A helpful tip: keep your other medications, prescriptions and forms with you while traveling and not in your checked baggage.

The FAA has approved several POCs (Portable Oxygen Concentrators) for in-flight use for passengers requiring oxygen - the Inogen One, AirSep Lifestyle, AirSep Freestyle, SeQual Eclipse and Respironics EverGo.. These are the only POCs approved at this time. (Airline Oxygen) They can be stowed under the seat in front of you during flight and can be battery powered when not plugged into an electrical socket. Remember: YOU must confirm with your airline carrier that they will allow your POC on your specific flight.

NOTE: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE ANY OTHER PERSONAL OXYGEN SYSTEMS ON BOARD. FILLED OXYGEN TANKS (LIQUID OR COMPRESSED GAS) CANNOT BE CHECKED AS BAGGAGE ON ANY AIRLINE. While a few airlines continue to provide oxygen for their traveling passengers, most do not. Some airlines will allow empty oxygen equipment to be stowed in baggage but it must be verified as empty and the regulator removed. Check with your airline ahead of time to see if they will allow empty systems/tanks as stowed or checked baggage.

Once you have decided on your oxygen needs, you will need to contact your oxygen provider to see if they can provide you with a POC approved for air travel. If not, you will have to rent or purchase one independently. (POC Information) You will need sufficient battery power to cover pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight time. Remember you will need to arrive at the airport 1 – 2 hours ahead of your flight time. At Gate Check-in you must have battery power for at least 50% longer than your scheduled flying time. (For example – if your flying time is 3 hours, you will need 4 ½ hours of battery power) You will need to cover your travel time to the airport, airport waiting time, your flight time and the time it will take you to deplane, pick up your checked baggage and travel to your final destination. Plan ahead for any possible delays. Non-Stop or direct flights will keep the battery time to a minimum.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) provides public tips on safe carriage of batteries and battery-powered devices such as medical equipment. For information on how to safely travel with oxygen equipment batteries, please visit the DOT web site.

You may want to contact your insurance carrier to determine coverage for your oxygen needs while traveling.

When you make your flight reservations be sure to advise your airline you intend to travel with oxygen. Most airlines require that you contact them at least 48 hours before the flight to advise them that you will be traveling with oxygen and the form of oxygen with which you will be traveling.

At the Airport you will need to pass through Airport Security. If you are traveling with an approved POC, that will need to be identified on the POC itself. All TSA approved oxygen systems can safely be x-rayed if requested. If you are traveling with a portable oxygen system, you will be allowed through the security area after inspection and may take the system to the gate. If the system is not an approved POC you may NOT be permitted to take it onto the airplane and will need someone with you to remove it from the airport. If you do not use an approved POC oxygen supply you will need to arrange for an oxygen supply at your destination.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!