Flying with Oxygen Archives

Which Airlines Allow Inflight Oxygen or Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Travel opportunities for people with severe medical conditions have improved. This includes those with lung diseases who may need supplemental oxygen while traveling at high elevations, such as during air travel.

Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has regulations that cover oxygen use in commercial air carriers, the airlines also have policies that regulate how oxygen can be used in-flight. These differences can confuse travelers when they fall within FAA regulations but differ from airline to airline.

March 23, 2023June 12, 2023 Amanda Lundberg, BSN, RN

Powering Your POC in the Air: An Overview of Flying with Oxygen

One of the most significant benefits that oxygen concentrators give oxygen therapy patients is the freedom to travel, unlike in the earlier days of oxygen tanks. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, standard oxygen tanks are not allowed on airlines, restricting users’ ability to travel.

In May 2009, however, oxygen therapy patients were finally allowed to take off: certain portable oxygen concentrators, approved by the FAA for airline travel, are permitted to be taken on the airplane in the cabin. Not all portable concentrators are permitted, but the list of approved POCs is extensive. Some of our most popular FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators are listed here:

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 Scott Ridl

Respironics SimplyGo Mini Now FAA Approved

Respironics SimplyGo Mini portable concentrator is now FAA approved for all commercial flights to and from the United States! Weighing in at a mere 5 pounds, Respironics has ensured a convenient, safe, and easy way to travel with your oxygen solution.

It’s important that you are able to use your portable oxygen machine wherever you go and though a POC is already FAA approved many airlines have additional requirements you will need to meet before your flight. We suggest preparing to fly with your oxygen concentrator 2 weeks before your travel date, this should give you plenty of time to research or call your airline and acquire any required documentation.

July 4, 2016September 3, 2020 Scott Ridl

What You Need to Know About Using a Pediatric Adapter On a Flight

Babies and small children sometimes need to use oxygen therapy, for several different reasons. They might need it temporarily if they were born premature, or they might have a medical condition that requires them to use it, either every day or just during certain occurrences.

Since children are much smaller than adults, and their lungs are much smaller and more delicate, they would need a much smaller amount of oxygen at a time. It’s extremely important to always follow a doctor’s instructions for administering oxygen to a small child, and you should never give them any more than what the doctor prescribes. Oxygen should be treated just like any other drug. You would never give a child the same dose of cough medicine that you would need, and oxygen should be treated jus the same.

March 19, 2015May 26, 2021 Scott Ridl

Flying With a Portable Oxygen Concentrator on Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has its own simple set of requirements for use of portable oxygen concentrators in flight. These requirements exist because Alaska Air, just like us at American Medical, want to make sure your flight goes smoothly with your portable oxygen concentrator, and your oxygen needs are met.

Safety and making you get the oxygen you need at all times is a top priority. Here are things you will need to do to fly with Alaska Air while using your portable oxygen concentrator.

July 8, 2014December 12, 2021 Scott Ridl

Flying with FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators

What’s the point in having a portable oxygen concentrator, if you can’t take it with you anywhere you would want to go? The main reason why portable oxygen concentrators exist, is so you can receive the oxygen therapy you need, while maintaining the freedom you had before you started using one. You need to be able to leave the house, exercise, and go on vacation with your family this summer. You shouldn’t feel left out of the fun.

If you want to go on vacation in the Summer of 2014 and you have to get there by air, don’t worry. Every one of our portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for use on any flight traveling to or from United States soil. Oxygen tanks are definitely not allowed on board commercial flights, and that’s why portable oxygen concentrators are the better choice for those who want to do some traveling.

You always have to call the individual airline first and see what their requirements are, before booking your flight. Each airline has its own stipulations about the use of portable oxygen concentrators. The amount of battery life they require you to bring along will vary, depending on their policies, as well as how long you will need to use it while on board. Most of the time, you will need a lot more than what you will actually be using, and that’s because they want you to be covered in the event of delays or emergencies.

June 1, 2014April 8, 2021 Scott Ridl

Airline Oxygen Physician’s Statement Form

Most airlines require you to complete an oxygen physician’s statement form to board and fly on their airline with a portable oxygen concentrator. In most cases, you must provide at least 48 hours (72 hours for certain destinations) advance notice and obtain submit the Oxygen Physician’s Statement before travel. Select your airline, download the form, have your doctor complete the form and return it to the airline.

All of our portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the FAA for use during flights. Here are the FAA regulations: FAA Portable Oxygen Statement.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding flying with oxygen at 877.774.9271.

March 19, 2014July 28, 2023 Scott Ridl

First Time Taking a Flight with Portable Oxygen Concentrator

For many people, the whole point of getting a portable oxygen concentrator, is so they can board an airplane while still using their oxygen therapy. Whether you already own a portable oxygen concentrator and you are planning a trip, or if you are renting an oxygen concentrator so you can go on vacation with your family, there are some special steps you will need to take, long before you step on the airplane.

All of our portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for travel aboard an airplane. Even so, there are still certain requirements for taking a portable oxygen concentrator with you when you fly, and they can differ, depending on the airline you are using. If you’ve never flown with an oxygen concentrator before, here is a list of steps to take to make the process as smooth for you as possible.

October 30, 2013April 6, 2021 Scott Ridl

FAA: Passengers Can Fly with Respironics SimplyGo Oxygen Concentrator

The FAA cleared the air for the Philips Respironics SimplyGo for flight with its passengers who rely on portable oxygen. As of October 31, carriers are allowing passengers to use the SimplyGo system during flights. Not only is this beneficial for anyone who relies on these systems, but the Respironics SimplyGo is also the first approved portable oxygen concentrator allowed for use on commercial flights.

The guidelines are specifically outlined in the FAA’s Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 106, which allows passengers to carry on portable concentrators that meet stringent safety requirements. After careful study, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator is found to meet all SFAR requirements.

November 8, 2012September 15, 2018 Scott Ridl

How Many Batteries do I need on my Flight?

Over the past several months, the NHOPA Executive Office has received many inquiries concerning the number of POC batteries that are needed for specific airline travel. For example, one individual was trying to schedule a flight from Fairbanks, Alaska to Atlanta, Georgia to visit close friends. Another individual was planning a business trip from Portland, Oregon to New York City.

From our research on POC batteries, we found that the general rule of thumb is to plan for one and one half -times the length of the flight including layovers. For example, if you book a five hour non-stop flight you will need approximately 7.5 hours of batteries.

November 8, 2012April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

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