Do I need to take oxygen on a flight

[irenec]

I have severe copd. My consultant recommended only to go on a two hour flight. We booked to go to Portugal in June, not realizing it was a three hour flight. Do you think I should take a small portable oxygen canister?. Is there such a thing. Thanks in advance.

[jimmyg23]

Yes you can hire one no problem it all depends on what you are useing at the moment how many livers pm and is it continuous flow or on demand and then get permission from airlines but everything is quite easy I do every year

[stone-UK]

Hi

Are you on ambulatory oxygen at the moment, I guess from you post you are not.

The oxygen in a can you mentioned is not suitable for people with lung conditions.

You should only take supplementary oxygen on advice of you GP?

It would be unlikely that the canister you are referring to would be allowed on airlines.

I would speak to your respitory team for advice, oxygen in airlines drops from the normal 21% to 18% at altitude.

[irenec in reply to stone-UK]

I am not on oxygen at home.

[Nanny1086]

Hi, yes there is ,but I always used to have an inflight lung function test a month or so before flying as my oxygen levels drop quite a lot during flight even just to Majorca,a 2 hour flight ,sadly I can no longer fly ( on a plane haha) due my levels dropping tooooo low even with supplementary oxygen throughout flight ,

I don't and never have been prescribed oxygen for home use ,,,just on a plane ,

So if in doubt ,,,,ask your consultant for an inflight test .if you use oxygen at home ,,,,your supplier will inform you of which you will need,

Good luck and have a good holiday ,

[Nanny1086 in reply to Nanny1086]

And I forgot to say ,we used to fly with Monarch airlines who were amazing ,I was allowed on the plane first so they could set the oxygen up and make sure I was comfortable before the other passengers were allowed on ,

I always paid £180 for their oxygen as I found it one less thing to think about ,

[MarieW-F]

If I was you I would have a 'fit to fly' test. if you are fit, but need oxygen then you can speak to the airline about getting some when on board. Your holiday insurance might also require it.

Mx

[Offcut]

I was told that I would need a fit to fly certificate before the flight but they then said as I am so unstable they could not guarantee that I would be okay for the return and recommended I do not fly at all.

I was told that the airlines need notice of oxygen as they only allocate so many at a time.

Be Well

[TwinklingStar]

First you definitely need to have a "Fit To Fly Test". When you have the results if you are in the UK the NHS should issue you with whatever Oxygen Cylinders you would need for the flights but if you are not on Home Oxygen you would need to ask the Hospital how to arrange this. I am already on Home Oxygen so I get issued a book which has all the relevant information in it - like who to contact, how much notice you need to give, etc. Lastly, make sure that if you do need Oxygen when on the flight that you research carefully. Different Air Lines require different paperwork. Some just want a letter from your Doctor stating you are fit to fly and what your oxygen needs are, other companies have their own forms which you can print out from the internet but you then need to get the Doctor to sign the form. Some Air Lines allow small oxygen cylinders on a flight and other companies make you pay to use their on board oxygen supply. Some charge for the service and some do not. I am sorry there was not just a simple answer to your question. Enjoy your holiday but please get their safely. Hugs to you. Xx