Airline Travel with Aircraft Portable Oxygen
Airline Travel with Aircraft Portable Oxygen
Several Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC’s) have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for passengers requiring oxygen therapy. While a few airlines do make oxygen available to passengers at a charge, air carriers are not required by regulations to provide personal medical oxygen for traveling passengers. Therefore, the FAA approved aircraft portable oxygen concentrators have made air travel an easier option for oxygen therapy patients.
Do Your Homework and Then Enjoy the Trip
The FAA approved aircraft portable oxygen concentrators include the Inogen One, AirSep Lifestyle, AirSep Freestyle, SeQual Eclipse and Respironics EverGo. Although these are approved POC’s, you must confirm with your airline carrier that they will allow your device on your specific flight. When you make your reservations, be sure to advise your airline that you plan to travel with oxygen. Most airlines also require that you contact them at least 48 hours before the flight to advise them that you will be traveling with oxygen. Each airline has its own policy for on-board oxygen transport and in-flight oxygen usage, so advanced planning is essential. Filled oxygen tanks are not allowed on flights and cannot be checked as baggage on any airline. Some airlines will allow empty oxygen equipment in stowed baggage; but you must also check with your airline ahead of time to be sure this is allowed.
You will need to evaluate all FAA approved aircraft portable oxygen concentrators to determine which device will best meet your needs, including sufficient battery power to cover pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight time. Also consider that you will need to arrive at the airport one to two hours ahead of your flight time, and keep in mind your travel time to the airport, your flight time, time to pick up your checked baggage and travel to your final destination, as well as any potential delays along the way. Obviously non-stop or direct flights will keep the battery time requirement to a minimum.
You must carry your prescription for oxygen with you at all times, and some airlines require their own specific medical form that your Doctor will need to fill out. These are typically good for one year. Also, if you are traveling with an approved aircraft portable oxygen concentrator, that will need to be identified on the POC itself. You will be allowed through the security area with an approved POC after inspection. If it is not approved, you will not be permitted to take it on the airplane.
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