Last month, we discussed the “ins” and “outs” of traveling with oxygen by automobile. What about air travel? Is it possible to travel by air these days when requiring oxygen? You bet!
There are several steps involved when bringing oxygen on board an airline. First and foremost, always contact your physician to make sure that he or she feels that you should be taking a trip.
Once you get your doctor’s verbal OK, there are two important written things that you will need from your doctor in order to travel by air: an oxygen prescription and an airline approved “Physician Statement. “ The prescription is for a company, such as American Medical Sales & Repair, that will be providing a Portable Oxygen Concentrator rental; the Physician Statement is for the airline and must be either an actual airline form or on physician’s letterhead. The airlines have different polices regarding this form, so you must check with each carrier on your itinerary!