Airline Travel with Oxygen

Travel oxygen on airlines became a reality in July, 2005 when the FAA approved travel oxygen concentrators  for use during flight. A whole new world opened up for oxygen dependant patients to travel with oxygen :

FAA Oxygen Ruling

Careful Planning is Essential

Helpful Resources:

Transportation Security Administration

American Association Respiratory Care/USA Today Article

 

  

 As a travel oxygen user it is entirely your responsibility to make yourself aware of your airlines requirements regarding use of portable oxygen concentrators on-board the aircraft. Keep in mind that simply because a specific portable oxygen concentrator has been approved by the FAA doesn't mean each airline has approved that particular travel oxygen concentrator for use on their aircraft. For your convenience I have listed links to airline websites that list their specific oxygen policies. Please, do not wait until the last minute to notify the airline you will be traveling with oxygen. All the airlines require some advanced notice. All have their own specific requirements that must be met. Some even require a review of your prescription prior to travel. But with proper planning, traveling with oxygen need not be a daunting experience.

Physician Prescription Template 

The prescription shown above is only a template. Some airlines may require that the prescription obtained from your physician be printed on his/her official letterhead. The prescription should answer all questions contained in template.

• Your ability to see/hear alarms and respond appropriately
• When oxygen use is necessary (all or portion of the trip)
• Maximum flow rate
• This prescription needs to be kept with you at all times during your flight. A new prescription will not be necessary each time you fly, but the prescription should be available during every flight.

The FAA has approved 5 travel oxygen concentrators for use in flight. Again, check with your airline to confirm the travel oxygen concentrator you are planning to use has been approved by the airline for use on-board their aircraft. The 6 travel oxygen concentrators the FAA has approved are Inogen One, Respironics EverGo, Sequal Eclipse, Invacare XPO2 and the Airsep Lifestyle & Freestyle. Compressed gas and liquid oxygen are not permitted on-board or as checked baggage. Some airlines may allow you to check empty cylinders or liquid units. 

Currently, the following airlines allow the use of the travel oxygen concentrators onboard their aircraft:

• Air France
• AirTran
• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• All Nippon Airways
• Aloha Airlines
• American Airlines
• America West
• ATA Airlines
• Avianca Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Delta
• ExpressJet Airlines
• Frontier
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Horizon Air
• Icelandair
• JAL
• Jet Blue
• Lufthansa
• Mango
• Mesa Airlines
• Midwest Airlines
• North American Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Qantas
• SAS Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Sky West 
• South African Airways
• Southwest
• Sun Country
• US Airways
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• WestJet Airlines

 If the airline you are flying isn't listed or doesn't contain a link, call us for information, Toll-Free 866-766 5247. 

Please have your physician fill out a prescription and fax to us at (406) 777-6924. Below is a template prescription. Keep in mind some airlines have their own specific prescription form that must be used. Check with your airline for their requirements.

Cruise Ship Travel with Oxygen

If you are interested in taking a cruise, travel oxygen concentrators  are a perfect solution.  All of the major cruiselines allow travel oxygen concentrators as an option for oxygen supply.  You can save hundreds of dollars off of your travel costs and eliminate the hassle of arranging travel oxygen with the travel oxygen concentrators.

Oxygen Freedom is an enthusiastic supporter of Seapuffers Pulmonary Cruises. If you are thinking of taking a cruise, I couldn't imagine a better group of people to book with and you have the added bonus of having a Respiratory Therapist along on the cruise with you.

Train Travel with Oxygen - Amtrak

 Portable oxygen containers must meet the following requirements:

• Power Source: Oxygen equipment cannot rely solely on train-provided electrical power. Any device brought on a train must be able to operate a minimum of four hours without available onboard electrical power.
• UL or FM Listed: Oxygen equipment must be Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) listed.
• Weight Limits: Each tank and its associated equipment may weigh no more than 50 lbs (22.7 kgs) per unit.
• Configuration: We permit only one of the following:

  • A two-tank system (maximum of 50 lbs [22.7 kgs] per tank), or
  • A six-tank system (maximum of 20 lbs [9 kgs] per tank), but only if the tanks can be separated and handled individually

 

 Bus Travel with Oxygen - Greyhound

Portable oxygen and respirators may accompany you on Greyhound. You must give Greyhound 48 hours prior notice if you are traveling with oxygen. A maximum of four (4) canisters may travel with the customer - two (2) aboard the bus and two (2) in the baggage compartment. The maximum dimension for each container may not exceed 4.5 inches in diameter and 26 inches in length. Customers are responsible for ensuring that they have enough oxygen to complete their travel and are responsible for making arrangements for refills while en route. Oxygen canisters to be stored in the baggage compartment must be in protective cases with safety caps on the valves.

Car & RV Travel with Oxygen

Make sure you have your tanks secured in a rack designed to hold oxygen cylinders. In the event of an accident, unsecured tanks will become flying missles capable of causing severe injury or death.

Caire Medical has a 10 liter liquid unit that patients have used very successfully for travel. This unit will provide up to 4 days of continuous oxygen and with proper planning can be refilled along the way. Your local provider can assist you in arranging for refills along the way and at your destination.

Some of the new smaller concentrators, like the Respironics EverFlo (31 lbs) make travel much easier. Keep in mind you must have access to AC power to operate.

Portable oxygen concentrators are also an excellent choice for car & RV travel and have the added feature of being able to run off of a DC power supply.

Local oxygen providers are  less likely to absorb the cost of travel oxygen since the Medicare Capped Rental became reality. Shrinking reimbursement combined with the looming National Competitive Bidding and the possibility of a 13 month Medicare Capped Rental.

NOTE: Medicare (CMS) lists travel oxygen as a non-covered service. In a release CMS plainly stated that they viewed travel oxygen cost as a patients responsibility. All private insurance companies I have dealt with have followed CMSs lead and do not cover travel oxygen.

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