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Advice for in flight Oxygen supply

Davybaby profile image
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Hello has anyone had first hand experience of in-flight Oxygen supply from Manchester to Larnaca Cyprus, who charges what, and for what?

Am I best using a POC (4 lpm pulsed)? Are some carriers free?

Have you used Air Liquide on the Island?

As much information as possible please,

Thanks Dave

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Davybaby
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Easybreather profile image
Easybreather

Best source of information: blf.org.uk/Page/Airline-oxy... and phassociation.uk.com/downlo... , although not sure how up to date they are. Should give all the information about who, when and how much or not. Not been to Cyprus but if Air Liquide has a presence there, it may be possible, but expect to pay for it. Not covered by NHS out of the country - whether it would be by E111, I do not know.

Maybe others can advise on that point.

Easybreather profile image
Easybreather

Meant to add that, if you can get airline to supply, it will be continuous and may be better at pressure than pulsed, athough have used the latter when flying and found it to be fine.

Be aware that some airlines will only allow one oxygen using passenger per flight - so get in early, but know that if you cannot get them to supply, then you have your POC as backup

derrylynne profile image
derrylynne

The poc has to be approved by the airline. Many they do not allow on a flight. So best check with the airline before you arrive at the airport.

elian profile image
elian

Any trip abroad for COPD sufferers is fraught with difficulties. I'm planning to visit my daughter and her family in Switzerland next month for two weeks and can't believe the hoops I'm having to jump through in order to get there.

I have managed to get travel insurance for £437.77 (it took me almost two weeks of ringing round most of the travel insurance companies) when other quotes varied from £800 to almost £2,000.

Next was the ticket booking experience with Swiss.com (who, to be fair, have a marvellous Customer Service dept, but it's in Fiji!) I've been assessed recently as needing 1litre/min oxygen on the flight. A misunderstanding arose with Swiss.com as they thought I wanted them to provide the inflight oxygen rather than take my own portable concentrator. I was quoted £211 for the outbound journey and, of course, £211 for the return journey.

I have an Airsep Freestyle p.o.c. and, luckily, that's one approved by the airline so you would think that wasn't a problem. Think again ........ I've had to complete a medical history form, another form to be signed by my doctor and a request form for wheelchair assistance from check-in to the aircraft on both journeys.

The tickets for the flights came via email and I've noticed that only the return flight has a barcode on it, there isn't one on the outbound, so I reckon it's a long chat with Fiji again today ....... A trip that would have cost me no more than £80 a couple of years ago has now spiralled to almost £700 !!

I bet Captain Scott didn't have this much trouble when he organised his expedition to the Pole.

Sorry I've not been much help to you with regard to Cyprus, Davybaby, but at least you have an idea of what you'll be up against when planning your trip.

I went to Cyprus from Manchester a couple of years ago. I travelled with Thomson, who supply aviation oxygen free of charge. I took my POC for use there so did not have an oxygen supply to pay for. I believe BA also supplies free. Good luck.

Auntymary

feline profile image
feline in reply to

My husband and I travelled back from Cyprus to Gatwick last June with Thompson. He was having difficulty breathing a short time before coming in to land and the cabin crew were great, offerd him oxygen no problem, he jumped at it like a kid in a sweet shop!!

Davybaby profile image
Davybaby

Many thanks contributors; missed her wedding over there May 2011 (emergency op' for Jan (wife) 2 months prior!) Baby due June/July will be far too hot for me then so looking at end Sept/October to see three of them.

Reposting new algorithm for in flight O2 as kindly posted in January was unable to find same on the site.

thorax.bmj.com/content/67/1...

Concur ellian Scott didn’t have this problem.

Best start saving up now for the insurance.

Looks like Thomson A.M.

Thanks again all

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