Virgin Airways don't allow POC batteries on aircraft

[timCHP]

Hi

**Information Travel Alert!**

I'm flying Virgin Atlantic to the US tomorrow, and they've told me I can't bring my Portable Oxygen Concentrator batteries with me on the flight, not even as checked baggage.

The issue is the 16 cell battery for the Inogen G3 which they have said can't be carried at all on the aircraft.

They will let me use the on-board oxygen, but it means I won't have the POC when I arrive in the US so I am having to rent one locally. It means I won't have any oxygen machine at the airports which is annoying. I may have to be wheelchair-ed about which isn't my idea of independence.

You CAN take the smaller 8 cell battery if that is what you have. But I have the larger battery as I bought it, ironically, for flights to the US where you need at least 10 hours of battery time (flight time plus 50%, which is most airlines' requirement).

So Virgin have banned the exact device which all other airlines actually require you to have!

All other airlines are fine with the machine (I've flown BA, EasyJet, and Southwestern in the last 6 months).

So you can't fly Virgin if you want to take your POC with you on your trip if you have a large 16 cell (8 hour) battery.

Just letting you know,

t.

[Hidden]

Low cost for you 🙁

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Compare the hire charge of a machine at the other end, against purchasing enough 8 cell units that you can re-use or sell again.

[timCHP in reply to 2greys]

Yes, I would love to buy some 8 cell units instead, but unfortunately this only came to light this evening and I'm flying first thing tomorrow morning. I did call a few suppliers to see if they had a battery they could get to me tonight, but no dice. In the end I did find a really helpful company in New York who can deliver a rental unit to my hotel. The cost is extortionate but it's proved the only way. So annoyed with Virgin.

It is partly my fault that I only arranged the trip this week, so perhaps I could have got smaller batteries with just an extra day's notice - but it's a business trip and these tings happen. I usually fly BA, but thought I'd go Virgin for old times' sake.

But I never imagined the POC would be an issue.

I must have taken 10 flights in the last 6 months, in Europe and the US and had no problems. Well, except for a few US internal flights when the TSA spent a lot of time examining it - but the airlines were fine!

[2greys in reply to timCHP]

All I can say is what a bummer. Still thinking glass half full at.least you can still go.

[Billiejean_2]

That's infuriating Tim, you must be raging.

[mrsmummy]

Thanks for the heads up. It may save others some money/time.

[chubby2x22]

Hope you have a good flight.. I've been worrying about flying to usa, usually go twice a year, and your post has made me go for it.. can you share the travel /medical insurance company I am trying to better this quote of £1200, bit much I think but definitely need to be covered. Thanks.

[timCHP in reply to chubby2x22]

Hi. I got insurance through Esure. More like £500 for me but I’m sure it depends on exactly your condition. Def go for it on the trip, it’s fairly easy. If you need o2 on board ring the airline and check policy but they all allow it. For most you’ll need to get some forms signed by a doc but it’s not too difficult. If you need any more specific advice message me and I’ll help you out.

[PollyP]

What a pain for you ! Hope you got sorted ?

Although...

Phew...I am flying out and internal with Delta and was flying back with Virgin Atlantic. Both airlines have given me clearance carry only, for same machine + batteries as you. I have an 8 and a 16 .

Last week Virgin told me they have maintenance issues and Delta will be flying me back ...so perhaps a lucky escape ?

Pp

[andreajoan]

Hi Tim,

I'm new here.

I live in California and may have to use a POC for international travel. Do you think it would be difficult for me to travel with a 16-cell Inogen G3 or similar unit? I may need to rent or buy one if I fail the fit-to-fly test. I have also read that some airlines only allow you to carry two spare batteries (8 cell each). Any suggestions appreciated.

Hope you got your battery situation resolved!

Best, Andrea

[timCHP in reply to andreajoan]

Hi Andrea

My own experience is that I have only had problems traveling with Virgin Atlantic.

I have flown with the G3 using a 16 cell battery on British Airways, SouthWestern, United and Easy Jet with no problem.

I was told by the retailer that sells the G3 in the UK that Virgin believe the double battery exceeds the 100 watt limit as each battery is 83 watt and there are 2 so they think it outputs 166 watts.

But the batteries work one-at-a-time. The POC uses one battery until it drains then uses the second battery. So it is no different to carrying 2 of the single cell battery, which they would allow.

It’s using the double battery to work for longer rather than to be more powerful.

At the time (3 months ago) Virgin also said they were looking into the confusion.

If you fail your fit to fly, you should be fine travelling with a G3, as long as you avoid Virgin Atlantic.

Check before you fly of course, but I think it will be fine.

Safe travels!

[andreajoan]

Hi Tim,

Thanks so much for the information! I'm new to all of this.

About a year ago I flew from SFO to Dubai without oxygen (16 hrs.) and no ill effects, and now my pulmonologist wants me to be tested. But it's better to be safe than very sorry in the future, I guess. Do you usually carry an extra two 8-cell batteries as spares, in addition to the 16-cell battery when you fly with other airlines (not Virgin, of course)? No rush to answer. I'm just gathering info at this stage.

Andrea

[timCHP]

I have two 16 cell batteries, so I fly with one on the machine and the other as a spare. I haven’t flown longer than 10 hours so this is fine as I get about 7 hours per battery. Battery life varies depending on which setting you need the machine. Higher settings drain it much faster. I am on setting 3 or 4 but I need oxygen on the ground as well so you may be able to use a lower setting. Talk to a retailer or rental company about battery life.

Some airlines will let you use their own on board oxygen bottles so you could manage without a concentrator at all.

I’ve done this with BA and Virgin several times, but I don’t know if any other airlines offer this.

The best plan is to google your preferred airline’s special assistance webpages and phone them up on their policies.

Ask me any questions you like, happy to help!

[andreajoan]

Thanks so much, Tim!! I called Air France and Lufthansa. They want €300 for each leg of travel for their precious oxygen. It must be imported from heaven. What a racket! If I have any more questions, I'll let you know.

Btw, this seems like a helpful website but don't know how up-to-date their info is. europeanlung.org/en/

Be well and safe!