GENERAL INFORMATION
Not all airlines provide in-flight
supplemental oxygen.
Southwest Airlines, Reno Air and America West, etc, do not provide
oxygen.
Airlines that choose to offer oxygen, offer it
only on jet flights.
Express service (i.e., American Eagle, United Express, US Express) does
not provide oxygen.
Airlines that choose to offer oxygen require a
doctor's statement of
oxygen need and liter flow per minute.
Contact your selected airline and inquire how they want this information
(e.g., United Airlines calls your doctor, requiring no written
documentation, whereas Alaska Airlines require a written statement from
your doctor).
Airlines do not require supplemental oxygen
for ground support.
It is your responsibility to arrange oxygen prior to boarding, during
layovers for connecting flights and at your final destination. I
strongly recommend non-stop or direct flights (the plane may have
scheduled stops but you do not change planes).
If a layover cannot be avoided and you must maintain
continuous
supplemental oxygen therapy, the airport First Aid Station may be
quipped
with oxygen. Call to confirm. If so arrange for a wheel chair and
attendant to take you.
Advanced Aero Medical (1-800-346-3556) will meet you
on the plane with
oxygen, take you to your next gate and wait with you until you board
your
next plane.
Another option you may have exists if your oxygen
provider is a national
company. Arrange to have a branch office deliver a portable oxygen unit
to you at the airport.
Contact your oxygen provider when you are planning a
trip. If you deal
with a national company, they will help by networking with a company
located at your destination. If requested, they will have a company
representative meet you at the airport with a filled portable oxygen
unit. They will also set up oxygen at your lodging. The providing
company will need to know the airline, your dates of arrival and
departure, flight numbers, expected time of arrival and what equipment
you will need during your stay. Some national companies will bill your
home office for oxygen and equipment rental.
Airlines that do provide oxygen charge a
fee.
Some airlines charge per cylinder or "bottle" of oxygen used. The unit
size may vary from airline to airline and it will be important to know
how many units you will need for your flight and what your cost will be;
(e.g., Delta Airlines).
Other airlines charge a flat fee, usually $75 per
flight coupon or
segment; (e.g., United Airlines). The number of coupons used to reach
your
destination depends on how many times you change planes. For example,
if
you fly non-stop or direct from Seattle to New York, you will pay $75 or
$150 round trip, but if you have to stop and change planes in Chicago,
you will pay $150 or $300 round trip.
Oxygen fees are paid for when you check in at the
airport or you may pay
in advance at a city ticket office. It is very time consuming to pay at
the airport and I find it less stressful to prepay at a ticket office
several days prior to departure.
Seating restrictions vary with the
airline.
For example United Airline assigns specific seats because the large
oxygen cylinder is strapped in the overhead compartment. Whereas Alaska
Airlines has no specific seat requirement. Usually bulkhead, aisle, and
exit seats are unavailable.
Flight attendants have limited knowledge of
oxygen equipment.
Some know how to turn the oxygen on and change oxygen cylinders. You
must have a clear understanding of your oxygen liter flow and check to
see that the attendant has correctly set the flow meter.
Oxygen delivery provided by the airlines is a
nasal cannula or mask.
Masks can be unsafe for some people to use. They also interfere with
talking and eating. TWA offers mask only. They will allow you to bring
your own nasal cannula.
Cylinders and flow meters vary from one
airline to another.
The oxygen provided is compressed gas. The cylinders range in size from
3,228 liters to small 300 liters. The large cylinder is strapped in the
overhead compartment above your seat. The smaller cylinders are stowed
under the seat in front of you or strapped to the armrest. Some
airlines
provide cylinders that have adjustable flow meters 1 L/M to 8 L/M while
others restrict choices to 2 L/M or 4 L/M. Before the plane takes off
be
sure the oxygen equipment is working and the L/M is correct.
