Portable oxygen on a plane?

[Steve4666]

Hi, can anyone give me advice on whether it’s ok to take portable oxygen on a flight please? I’m on oxygen at home, 1lt for 16 hours. I’m hoping for a holiday abroad in July. Just wondering if anybody has experience of this? Thanks.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi Steve you are best off asking a travel agent or better still phone your nearest airport and ask their advice, I'm sure they will be more than happy to help. Hope this has helped you, have a good night and take care please let us know what they say 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[AngieB72]

Different airlines have different ‘rules’ - some still provide it but mainly for long haul and only for two passengers maximum per flight so you have to check that too. Some may charge and others it will be free. (I was once charged £200 each way for a 4 hour flight!!!) Others you will need to take your own and I’m pretty sure you have to use a portable oxygen concentrator rather than cylinders. With these you have to have enough battery capability for one and a half times the flight. You will also need a fit to fly letter from your doctor/consultant, usually has to be dated within 28 days of your flight. Information about oxygen is available on most airlines websites under their medical needs/ special assistance parts. You may have to do a bit of research online for what will suit you. Flying with oxygen requires a lot of organisation but it is certainly doable. Don’t forget you will need to organise your oxygen at the other end too unless you have a portable oxygen concentrator (remember you can’t take POCs provided by the NHS/oxygen supplier out of the country, also if you intend buying one they have to be of a certain standard). Good luck and happy flying.

[Tykelady]

Please be aware that your travel insurance will require information about oxygen use. When I declared my COPD that was one of the questions asked and may well bump up your cost. Dorothy

[111Addie]

I’ve just arrived in the UK from Canada. Going back next week.When booking my ticket I requested wheel chair assistance for boarding and for arriving. It was fantastic at Pearson airport, but I was abandoned at Heathrow.

I got lots of tips on here re POC but none from elsewhere.

So I and my PCP (family doc) completed the Fit to Fly form, which was available on line, and also from Air Canada. It had to be with the airline 72 hours before departure.

I researched the availability of oxygen on board, in case I ran out. I was told there wouldn’t be any, but as soon as I was on board they asked if I would be requiring it.

I was told I’d need enough charge in my POC batteries to last the length of the flight, and more, but I didn’t need any. I’m on 2lpm. For exertion, not at rest.

I have the OxyGoFit, and rented another small battery for it.

[Ian1967]

Hi Steve4666, have you spoken to your Respiratory Specialist? You might require a fit to fly test, this just tests if you need oxygen whilst you fly and if so the flow rate required and as AngieB72 said, you can’t go out of the country with your NHS oxygen equipment, to do this you will have hire equipment to use abroad.

Please be aware also, when flying with oxygen the Airline/Flying Authorities require you to have enough POC battery life for one and half times your journey to your resort, this is to take into consideration any delays in your journey.

The first thing you need to do is speak to your Respiratory Specialist, I was in the same predicament as you in January 2020 my consultant gave me the okay to fly, I already have my own POC, I just had to arrange my oxygen for the resort I was staying in for bedtime, we managed to arrange all that, but unfortunately our holiday was cancelled due to the Pandemic.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Foxy79]

Hello steave it's perfectly OK for you to take a portable concerntrator inogen1 G3 or G5 as long as they are battery operated sometimes they ask you if you have paperwork for it cause you will need to do a fly test which shows how much oxygen you need cause if you are on 1 litre when you fly up you will need 3 litres it's that's common and if you have your own inogen you will need atleast 2 battery's of 16v and 8 cell to be safe it's best to have everything and not to be sorry my advise it's called hi poxy test I think for people on oxygen and want to fly. I hope that helps steave good luck. I'm foxy79

[MSMichaela1966 in reply to Foxy79]

Fantastic advice I've been looking for. ♥️

[Foxy79 in reply to MSMichaela1966]

Your welcome anything else please let me know I'll be happy to answer your questions

[Maureenpearl]

I went to Jamaica in 2018 and I had a fit to fly test done first to see how much oxygen I would need during the flight. I needed 2 Litres per minute.

As it was a long haul flight the airline gave me the oxygen for free, when I went on the plane the steward came with the oxygen cylinder and nasal canals. I was told how many cylinders they have for me to use (they were just small ones). This was arranged by my travel agent.

I also had my own portable concentrator which I took on the plane because I needed it to move about. I was also allowed an extra hand luggage to carry the extra battery and cables for charging.

The travel insurance was very expensive over one thousand pounds.

This June i'm going on a cruise which we should have gone on in 2020 and it's so much more easier than flying. I also decided to just buy the travel insurance for a one off cruise to the Meds instead of yearly insurance, so much cheaper, lest than £150.

Take care.

[Foxy79 in reply to Maureenpearl]

Hello Maureen I never knew you are allowed oxygen cylinders in any airplane due to explosion can I ask which flight did you use please and if you had portable concentrater how comes you needed cylinders as well just asking

[Socreates in reply to Maureenpearl]

Hi, we are thinking of a cruise and own an Imogen concentrator, could I ask who provided your travel insurance please?

[Maureenpearl in reply to Socreates]

I have travel insurance with Free Spirit for the cruise only costing £134.00

[Socreates in reply to Socreates]

Thank you, I will give them a try!

[Maureenpearl]

I went on a package holiday and the airline was TUI. Yes I was given oxygen cylinders, they were very small and you clip it into the pocket in front of you.