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It is your responsibility to notify the airline of your medical needs and the fact you will be traveling with an oxygen concentrator. You must give the airlines a more advanced notice than the day of your flight. Familiarize yourself with the airlines policies on oxygen concentrators. Different airlines might have different regulations and although medical oxygen concentrators are FAA approved, it doesn’t mean all models are allowed on board the plane. There are currently several FAA approved travel oxygen concentrators, so make sure the one you are planning to use is accepted by the akrline you are flying with. Being prepared with your prescription, making sure your medical oxygen unit is working properly, and packing extra batteries are all ways to make traveling with oxygen stress free.

Prescription for you oxygen canister?

Airline requirements may vary but you may be required to show a prescription for your portable oxygen.

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 not approved every oxygen concentrator to be brought and used upon an airline. Make sure the portable travel oxygen concentrator you take is accepted for use by your airline for use.
Current portable travel oxygen concentrators FAA has approved:

Sequal Eclipse
Invacare XPO2
Airsep Lifestyle
Freestyle
Respironics EverGo
Inogen One

Its not allowed to bring any type of compressed gas cylinders on board or to check them in. Airlines polices are different, so we recommend confirming with your airline before booking.

Train Travel with Oxygen

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: Insurance companies don't normally cover any possible accidents from carrying oxygen equipment. Check with your auto insurance provider.

Travel with Oxygen in Cars

Gone are the days you have to worry about running out of oxygen while you are stuck in a traffic jam. Portable oxygen concentrators are outstanding for car travel and have the ideal feature of running off of a DC outlet. These portable concentrators are not the threatening oxygen tank that could double as an explosive if your car was ever in a fender bender but you do need to take some precautions. Do not, any under circumstance ,put your oxygen equipment in unvented areas like the trunk of your car.

Travel with Oxygen on Cruise Ships

Travel oxygen concentrators are permitted on all major cruise lines. In the past, medical oxygen concentrators needed to be rented while traveling onboard the ship. Now, with your own personal oxygen concentrator you can save money and a lot of hassle from your vacation on the sea!

Travel with Oxygen on a Train - 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

Oxygen equipment can be brought on board, but you will need to have a back up supply of oxygen as you cannot rely on the on-board electrical power. Amtrack needs 12 hours notice in advance if you are traveling with oxygen. As with any type of travel, the sooner the notification, the better.