Flying with copd

[Hales0209]

Has anyone done a long haul flight with serve copd ? My mum want to see my sister in Texas she is have a hypoxic challenge test in 2 wks but I have been looking on the Internet and all info says mum could go with supplementary oxygen but other info says she can't fly!!!! Please help!

[Hidden]

She needs to have a flight assessment. That will determine if she is fit to fly and if so what (if any) oxygen she will need. She should speak to her GP or consultant. You will probably need it for insurance purposes too.

Good luck

Marie x

[Hales0209]

Thanks you fr replying. Yeah we are having the fligh assessment ( hypoxic challenge test) on the 27th I just would like to know if there is any hope of her flying? She has severe copd but no O2 !!

[CouncillorB in reply to Hales0209]

I fly to see my son every year in South Carolina and request assistance when I book up. At Christmas I was due to go but had a chest infection and my sats were down to 90/91. My doctor said I couldnt fly unless my sats were at least 95. A few weeks ago I received my fitness to fly certificate from the doc and I was delighted that my sats were 98. I have now rebooked for Easter and fingers crossed will keep well. I do not need oxygen and can just about walk up aircraft steps but need assistance in walking from the check in to the gates. Please make sure she is properly insured

christine x

[CouncillorB]

what is a hypoxic challenge test?

[Hales0209 in reply to CouncillorB]

A hct is very complex test to see if people with copd and other lung conditions can cope with high altitudes on long haul flights. If you type hypoxic challenge test into a search engine you will get lots of info. My mum was refered to Papworth do the specialist there don't what her to travel without doing this test.

[Hales0209 in reply to CouncillorB]

Also I forgot to ask have you got your fitness to fly so did you do any tests ? If so hope yo don't mind me asking but what sort of test did you do? And if my is allowed to fly after the hct where should she look for insurance at not completely crazy prices?

Hayley.

[Hidden]

I didn't need a fitness to fly test as my SATs normally sit at about 98 at room air. Generally of they are over 95 then you get ok as a very general rule. I know flying affects people differently.

Insurance prices will differ. I don't have COPD but it all depends really on the number of unexpected hospital admissions in the previous year etc as this seems to bump prices up. There are lots of companies and the BLF has a list you could start with. Good luck

[CouncillorB]

Because I cancelled my flight at Christmas I had to produce a letter from my doctor saying I wasnt fit to fly(at a cost of £22) When I got over my chest infection I again visited the docs and because my sats were 98 she wrote another letter to the airline at again a cost of £22 saying I was fit to fly. Insurance costs vary and you have to shop around and be absolutely truthful but I find Saga to be the cheapest

[O2Trees]

I have severe copd and flew long haul to the US two and a half years ago. My resting sats were (are) around 92-93%. I did a fit-to-fly test which was ok, but having had a bad experience with a European flight previously, my consultant wrote a letter (free!) saying I would need O2.

I flew with Virgin (at the time the only airline not to charge for the privilege of being able to breathe and they provided a cylinder and were very kind. The BLF should have up to date info about flying/oxygen.

Cant remember which insurance company i used - my partner sorted it - but it wasnt that much. But like someone here had said, much depends on previous hospital admissions and I hadnt had any.

[Hales0209 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you for you response we are looking to fly with british airways as they don't charge either but there the only airline to fly where we need to go. Mum as been admitted once.

[O2Trees in reply to Hales0209]

British Airways free huh? that's so interesting, Im not up to date. The BLF were campaigning about charges for O2 supply - looks like they are getting somewhere. Thanks for that!

[derrylynne]

A friend of mine flew with virgin and oxygen was free in flight, and they also took his mobility scooter in the hold. Free. How is that for service. He took a portable machine that ran for a few hours on a battery. oxygen cylinders are very expensive to hire. So flight wise, fly virgin

[Hales0209 in reply to derrylynne]

Mum has not been on a flight since she was diagnosed so weare not sure how they will treat us but the british airway flight medical clearance are really helpfull!! Mum dose not need any mobility help or O2, she has a non-invasive ventilator which she has at night, ba will give here O2 if needed for free, and virgin des not fly to Dallas ,Texas.

[Polly63]

Hi Hales0209, I have read the comments from others and agree, however it might be worthwhite you contacting the British Lung Foundation direct. They have specialist nurses to are there to help you and answer questions. I used them once and they were very very helpful and useful

[Hales0209]

So in the a opinion off all people in the know and who suffer from copd is there any chance of my um going to see my sister in Texas ? She is classes as server and is a retainer?

[Nannette]

Hi have advanced copd (enphesimia) I've just had a flight from London Heathrow to Sydney Australia and the flight was ok but on arrival have experienced that my breathing here has been worse than when I was in London now looking for help with my flight back as I had no assistance on my way here as I was just excited to be seeing my old school friend I would advise that you check in flight details about in flight oxygen and note that the overhead oxygen is for emergencies only I do hope your mum hasaid a great time xxx