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Tips & Articles
Traveling by Air You will not be allowed to use your own oxygen tanks during flight. Instead, most airlines provide you with oxygen for an extra fee. Charges range from $50 to $150 for each leg of your trip. Some international carriers require you to purchase an extra seat instead. And remember that your insurance may not pay for in-flight oxygen. The equipment may be different from your home system, and may differ from plane to plane even within the same airline. Check to be sure that it can provide your prescribed liter flow. Keep in mind that the airline provides oxygen only while you are sitting in your seat, not in the airport. Thus, a non-stop flight is your best (and least expensive) option. If that's unavailable, look for a direct flight where the plane makes scheduled stops but you may remain on board. Generally, you may ship empty tanks and other respiratory equipment as baggage, but rules vary by carrier. Portable equipment such as suction machines or compressor nebulizers may be allowed on board, as long as they are not connected to an oxygen source. All airlines require advance arrangements when you're traveling with oxygen. Call at least a month ahead, so you'll have time for your doctor to complete any necessary paperwork. If the ticket agent can't answer all of your questions, ask for the airline's medical or special services departments. QUESTIONS TO ASK THE AIRLINE
SEE YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU FLY Also, air inside airplanes is drier than normal, which can dry your lung secretions. Smoking is no longer a hazard on almost all domestic flights, but it may be allowed on longer international flights. Your doctor will advise you on all of these considerations. COMFORT IN THE AIR Get to the airport early and have someone meet you at your destination. Delays will be common, and not every airline employee will know his or her company's specific policies. If you're relaxed and well prepared, you'll have a more enjoyable trip. Airline Toll-free Numbers Air Canada 800-776-3000 OXYGEN AT THE AIRPORT AIRLINES Air Canada Fee: $59 (varies with travel destination) oxygen fee per coupon, nonrefundable. Notice: 72 hours. Equipment Specifications: Flow rates of Other Information: Physician's prescription required. Airline requests physician's name and phone number. Airline will contact physician regarding need for an attendant. Inform the reservationist that this is a MEDA booking. Air France Fee: 1000 francs (approximately $173, varies with exchange rate) per oxygen canister. Notice: 7 days advance notice preferred for international flights. Equipment Specifications: Continuous oxygen is available for transatlantic flights. Oxygen canister lasts approximately 3 hours at 4 liters per minute. Airline provides masks only; passenger may bring and use cannula. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. Other Information: Passengers must contact Medical Department. Medical form must be filled out by passengers and their physician. Air New Zealand Fee: $50 per sector. Notice: 5 working days. Equipment Specifications: Either 2 or 7 liters per minute are available. Passengers may not bring aboard their liquid oxygen, but they may bring one small compressed gas cylinder if oxygen is required for boarding or leaving the aircraft. The cylinder must be preapproved by the airline for safety. Other Information: Physician's prescription required. Should include diagnosis, need for oxygen, and liter flow requirements. An attendant is not required unless stated by the physician. Alaska Airlines Fee: $50 oxygen fee per coupon, refundable if not used. Notice: 24 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Adjustable flow meter, 2-8 liters per minute. Choice of nasal cannula or mask. Passenger may bring empty portable oxygen unit on board or through baggage. Will permit passenger's oxygen equipment on board with prior approval and medical attendant traveling with passenger (in state of Alaska only). FAA transport exception #3850-A. Other Information: Physician's letter to include need for in-flight oxygen, maximum quantity required per hour, maximum flow rate, and verification that Alaska Airlines' equipment is acceptable. American Airlines Fee: $75 oxygen fee per coupon, nonrefundable unless passenger does not travel. Notice: 48 hours in advance, minimum. Prefer as much notice as possible. Equipment Specifications: 2 or 4 liters per minute (not adjustable). Choice of nasal cannula or mask. Passenger may bring own nasal cannula or mask. Other Information: Physician's prescription for oxygen is required, with duplicates. Aisle seat only. Two supplemental oxygen passengers are allowed per flight and they must be at least 10 feet apart. Special Assistance Coordinator is available to answer questions. British Airways Fee: £30 (approximately $50, varies with exchange rate) per person through journey, one way. Notice: 72 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Oxygen provided subject to availability of equipment. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. This service is provided at the discretion of airport personnel to ascertain that equipment is in fact empty. Flow rates of 2 or 4 liters per minute are available. Only masks are provided; passenger may use own cannula. Other Information: Medical Department provides approval. Passenger's physician's name and phone number required prior to travel. Canadian Airline International Fee: $50 (no tax) for travel in U.S. and Canada; $73 (no tax) for international flights. Notice: 5 days in advance, unless an emergency. Equipment Specifications: Flow rates of Other Information: Physician's letter to include flow rate and ability to travel. Passengers may bring their own oxygen aboard the Boeing 737 only. Continental Airlines Fee: $50 per flight. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Oxygen is provided on board only. Adjustable flow meter, 2-4 liters per minute. Nasal cannula provided, or passenger can bring own. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. Other Information: Physician's letter/prescription for oxygen is required, with duplicates; must include travel dates, date of validity, and liters per hour and minute; and the letter must be dated 10 days prior to departure. Window seat only. Two supplemental oxygen passengers are allowed per flight; they must be at least 10 feet apart. There is a six oxygen-unit limit per plane; oxygen supply is limited. Delta Airlines Fee: $50 oxygen fee per coupon, nonrefundable. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Adjustable flow meter, 2-8 liters per minute (L/min.). Choice of nasal cannula or mask. Passenger's empty portable unit may be checked as baggage. Airline will provide a maximum of three small oxygen cylinders per flight segment. The cylinders will be stowed under the seat in front of and next to the passenger; therefore, the passenger is limited to the amount of carry-on luggage he or she may bring onto the plane. Other Information: Physician's letter to include, with duplicates, statement that patient can travel without risk to others or self; L/min. requirements at 8,000 ft. altitude; and minutes/hours oxygen needed. Passengers will be responsible for on-ground oxygen. Customer service representative will make the oxygen arrangements. Hawaiian Air Fee: $50 per bottle of oxygen used, nonrefundable; these are 300 liter tanks, and they will last approximately 150 minutes at 2 liters per minute (L/min.) or 75 minutes at 4 L/min. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Adjustable flow meter, 2-8 L/min. Mask only; passenger may bring and use nasal cannula. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. Other Information: Physician's letter to include need for oxygen and maximum amount required per hour based on L/min. needed. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Fee: Call for rates. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Nasal cannula or mask available. Passenger's empty portable tank may be checked as baggage. Other Information: Provide airline with reason why oxygen is needed and physician's name and phone number. KLM's doctor will call the physician directly. Mexicana Airlines Fee: None. Notice: 24 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Adjustable flow meter, 4 liters per minute. Passengers may use their own portable system. Other Information: Provide airline with physician's prescription stating liter flow. An attendant is required and must be approved by the physician. The airline will not provide oxygen, except in an emergency. Passenger must book seat in the nonsmoking section. Limit of two passengers requiring oxygen per flight. Northwest Airlines Fee: $75 oxygen fee per coupon, nonrefundable. Notice: 48 hours in advance for domestic flights. Equipment Specifications: Flow range from Other Information: Physician's letter to include need for oxygen, L/min., and maximum use per hour. Passenger must sign a liability release form. Southwest Airlines TWA Fee: $50 oxygen fee per flight coupon, nonrefundable. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: Nonadjustable flow meter, 2 or 4 liters per minute (L/min.); 2 L/min. lasts 2 hours and 4 L/min. lasts 1 hour. Mask provided; patient may use own cannula. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. Other Information: Direct contact with passenger's physician is required; a physician's letter is not necessary. Must provide airline with physician's name and phone number. TWA's medical desk will call the physician directly asking for diagnosis, date of illness, and vital signs. Airline prefers that passenger boards by wheelchair. All oxygen arrangements are made through the Medical Desk at TWA. United Airlines Fee: $50 oxygen fee per coupon, nonrefundable. Notice: 48 hours in advance for domestic flights; 7 days in advance for foreign flights. Equipment Specifications: Passenger's personal oxygen must be sent through baggage or carried on the plane. Tanks must be empty and reduced to less than 40 PSI; liquid oxygen tanks must be completely empty. Liter flows available, 1-8 liters per minute. Nasal cannula, face mask, and pediatric cannula available. Other Information: Physician's letter to include clearance to travel, L/min. needed, and travel dates. Provide a copy of the letter in triplicate for every coupon. Passenger must provide airline with the name and phone number of prescribing physician. Airline will contact physician for specific needs of passenger. Airline will not provide oxygen for ground use. USAir Fee: $40 per bottle of oxygen used, nonrefundable. Notice: 48 hours in advance. Equipment Specifications: 767 aircraft have 2 or 4 liters per minute (L/min.) available; 2 L/min. lasts 2 hours and 4 L/min. lasts 1 hour. All other aircraft have adjustable flow rates of 2-8 L/min. Choice of nasal cannula or mask. Passenger's empty portable oxygen unit may be checked as baggage. Other Information: USAir in-flight medical oxygen form DH-13 must be sent for and filled out by passenger's physician in advance of the 48-hour notice. |
