Tips for COPD Patients Traveling With Oxygen By Airplane

Posted on May 28, 2013 by pulmonarysolutions

An Invacare Perfecto 2 Oxygen Concentrator. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have been diagnose to have COPD and your doctor recommend you to use oxygen, the first problem you encounter the difficulty of having it. One of the most common problem before of a COPD patients who loves to travel is the mobility. Historically, oxygen-dependent passengers were met with many obstacles when they tried traveling with oxygen by airplane. Thanks to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), however, traveling with oxygen by airplane has never been easier.

Oxygen-dependent passengers may now carry their own portable oxygen concentrators on board all U.S. domestic flights and international flights beginning or ending in the United States. The only catch? The concentrators must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

To date, there are 21 oxygen concentrators approved by the FAA to carry on board your flight. They include:

AirSep Focus
AirSep FreeStyle
AirSep FreeStyle 5
AirSep LifeStyle
Delphi RS-00400
DeVilbiss iGo
Inogen One
Inogen G2
Inogen One G3
Inova Labs LifeChoice
Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox
International Biophysics LifeChoice
Invacare XPO2
Invacare Solo2
Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator
Oxus RS-00400
Precision Medical EasyPulse
Respironics EverGo
Respironics Simply Go
Sequal
SeQual SAROS

In light of the new ruling, passengers must still meet certain pre-boarding conditions, including advance check-ins, having a fully charged battery for 150% of the flight time, a doctor’s statement of medical necessity and properly packaged extra batteries.

If you are planning a trip and are oxygen dependent, keep these tips in mind when traveling with oxygen:

Every airline is different. When making an airline reservation, ask about specific regulations and restrictions that may apply when carrying oxygen on-board your flight.

Always schedule a pre-trip medical exam before traveling. Discuss traveling with oxygen with your doctor.

Don’t forget to obtain a letter of medical necessity from your doctor during your pre-trip medical exam. This must be carried with you and presented to the airline before you board your plane. Remember, the letter should include your oxygen flow-rate. You may want to make an extra copy and tuck it away in your luggage, in the event you lose your in-hand copy before your return home.

Remember that altitude may increase your oxygen requirement. Your prescription for oxygen should reflect this.

Don’t forget to carry your medications in your on-board luggage and to carry anadequate supply of COPD rescue inhalers when you travel. It is wise to keep any medications in their original containers, and to bring a note of medical necessity from your doctor.

The Main Advantages of Getting a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Breathe Easy Traveling with a Portable Oxygen Machine (homeinsteadsonoma.com)
Traveling With Oxygen By Airplane

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I am specialists in sleep and respiratory modalities. I have been in the business for more than ten years and we our company is growing fast. I am very much interested in sleep disorders, pulmonary problems and health issues.