Owais Crawford
Traveling with oxygen tanks can be challenging, especially when it comes to air travel. While it is prohibited to bring personal oxygen tanks on airplanes, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are allowed and can be brought on board. It is important to plan ahead and make arrangements with the airline, as well as carry the necessary documentation, such as a prescription or a letter from a doctor. This is because POCs are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, it is recommended to book flights without layovers to minimize complications and carry extra battery packs to ensure sufficient battery time during the flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I bring my own oxygen tank on an airplane? | No, personal oxygen tanks are prohibited on airplanes. |
| What are the alternatives? | Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are allowed on airplanes. |
| Are airlines required to provide oxygen? | No, airlines are not required to provide oxygen. |
| What should I do if I need oxygen on a flight? | Contact your airline ahead of time to make arrangements. You may need a doctor's letter to verify the need for a POC. |
| Are there any other considerations? | Yes, allow extra time for security and check-in, and consider booking a flight without layovers to minimize complications. |
| What about other forms of travel? | For cruises, notify the company in advance and provide a letter from your healthcare provider. Work with your oxygen supplier to arrange oxygen units at each port of call. |
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What You'll Learn
Oxygen tanks are not allowed in the aircraft cabin
Oxygen is classified as a hazardous material by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and therefore cannot be brought onto the aircraft by passengers. If you require oxygen during your flight, you must use an FAA-compliant portable oxygen concentrator (POC). These devices are allowed on the plane and can be kept with you at all times.
It is important to plan ahead if you require oxygen therapy during your flight. Contact your airline in advance to inform them of your needs and ask about any specific requirements they may have. Some airlines may require a doctor's letter or prescription to verify the need for a POC. Additionally, allow extra time for check-in and security screening when travelling with a POC.
It is also crucial to ensure that your POC is fully charged before your flight. FAA regulations require enough battery time to cover 150% of the flight time. Carry several extra battery packs to be prepared. POCs and battery packs can be rented for travel if needed.
By following these guidelines and planning ahead, you can ensure a safe and comfortable journey while using oxygen therapy.
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Only portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are allowed on planes
If you require oxygen therapy, it is possible to travel by plane. However, only certain types of oxygen devices are permitted on aircraft. Compressed oxygen, liquid oxygen tanks, and personal oxygen cylinders are not allowed on planes and must be supplied by the airline.
Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) that meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acceptance criteria are permitted on board aircraft. These include the Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse, and Airsep Lifestyle. POCs that satisfy the acceptance criteria must bear a label with the following statement:
> "The manufacturer of this POC has determined this device conforms to all applicable FAA acceptance criteria for POC carriage and use on board aircraft."
To ensure your POC is approved for air travel, check the device's label or look it up in the FAA regulation. It is also important to ensure you have sufficient battery life for your POC, as well as a spare charged battery. The FAA requires enough batteries to cover the duration of the flight, and some airlines may require enough batteries to cover 150% of the expected flight time.
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You must notify your airline ahead of time if you need to use a POC
If you need to use a POC (Portable Oxygen Concentrator) during your flight, you must notify your airline ahead of time. This is because a special overpack, written pilot notification, and additional hazmat training and manual documentation are required, and most (if not all) airlines do not offer this service.
It is recommended that you notify your airline at least 48 hours before your departure. You can do this by downloading the airline's app or calling them. Notifying them as soon as you book your ticket is ideal, especially for international flights or flights with connecting itineraries.
When you notify your airline, they may require you to present a physician's statement detailing your oxygen needs. They may also require you to fill out paperwork related to your POC and demonstrate that you can respond to any alarms it may present during the flight.
Before your flight, make sure your POC batteries are fully charged and packed correctly. Bring enough batteries to power your POC for at least 150% of the trip's duration, including drive time, layovers, and unexpected delays. Extra batteries must be carefully packed in carry-on baggage, with all exposed terminals taped or otherwise protected from contacting other items.
It is important to note that while you can bring your POC on the plane, personal oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials.
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You may bring a POC through security and into the gate area
If you require oxygen during your flight, you may bring a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) through security and into the gate area. POCs are the only oxygen equipment allowed on an airplane. It is important to note that you must keep your POC with you at all times, even when it is not in use.
To bring a POC on an airplane, it is necessary to have an FAA-compliant device. All of Inogen's POCs meet the required guidelines from the FAA, and you should be able to use your Inogen One at any time during takeoff or landing, or throughout the duration of your flight. Other POCs may require a doctor's letter to verify the need for the device on the plane. It is important to check with your airline ahead of time to determine which POC is allowed and if any additional documentation is required.
When travelling with a POC, it is recommended to carry several extra battery packs. FAA regulations require enough battery time to cover 150% of the flight time. POCs and battery packs can be rented for travel if you do not own a device. It is also a good idea to carry an extra three-way plug for recharging your POC in the airport during layovers.
To make travelling with a POC easier, it is recommended to book a flight without layovers to minimize the complications of moving from gate to gate. However, if a connecting flight is necessary, be sure to talk to your airline about getting assistance in moving through the airport so you do not require more oxygen than planned.
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You must carry your oxygen prescription with you
If you need to use oxygen during your flight, you must carry your oxygen prescription with you. While you may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area, they are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service, and many do not, so it is important to contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service.
If you are travelling with oxygen, it is recommended that you plan your trip carefully. You should know where you will be getting oxygen during each leg of your trip. For example, if you are going on a cruise, you should inform the cruise company in advance that you will be travelling with oxygen. Ask your healthcare provider to give the cruise company a letter that includes a brief health history and your oxygen prescription. Work with your oxygen supplier to have oxygen units sent to the cruise ship before you depart.
You will need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get an oxygen tank. This prescription will be required to fill the tank with oxygen. However, in the case of oxygen intended for emergency use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows an exemption from the prescription requirement. This is documented in the FDA CODE of Federal Regulations, which states that "in the case of oxygen that may be provided without a prescription for use in the event of... oxygen deficiency or for use in emergency resuscitation when administered by properly trained personnel, a warning statement providing that oxygen may be used for emergency use only when administered by properly trained personnel for oxygen deficiency and resuscitation, and that for all other medical applications a prescription is required."
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Frequently asked questions
Compressed oxygen and liquid oxygen tanks are not allowed on airplanes, but there are many FAA-compliant portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) that can be used for air travel.
A POC is a portable oxygen concentrator that takes in the air around you to concentrate oxygen and give you more of it. It uses electricity from a battery or by plugging into an outlet.
Contact the airline as soon as possible to make the necessary arrangements. You will likely be required to provide medical documentation and complete a medical clearance form. You must also bring your own oxygen tank, as airlines do not supply them.
