Flying with a Portable Concentrator on American Airlines

Tips for Flying with a Portable Concentrator on American Airlines

Rate This Story

9 Votes So Far

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Portable oxygen concentrators make it easy for you to go wherever you want to go. Our selection of portable oxygen concentrators are all approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. This means they are all approved to be safely used on any flight going to or from United States soil. This doesn’t mean that every airline has to accept every FAA-approved POC.

American Airlines does its best to accommodate those who have special medical needs on board their flights. Like most airlines, they do not allow compressed or liquid oxygen tanks on board, because these are considered to be hazardous materials, and are deemed unsafe to be used on an airplane.

They also no longer allow in-flight oxygen use under any circumstances, but they do allow for the use of many popular portable oxygen concentrators during their flights. Just like all other airlines, they have a few basic requirements before they can let you on one of their flights with a portable oxygen concentrator.

Here is a list of the portable oxygen concentrators that are approved by American Airlines:

  • AirSep FreeStyle
  • AirSep FreeStyle 5
  • AirSep Focus
  • Belluscrua X-Plora
  • CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort
  • Devilbiss iGO
  • Devilbiss iGO2
  • Drive Oxus
  • Inogen One G2
  • Inogen One G3
  • Inogen One G4
  • Inogen One G5
  • LifeChoice Activox
  • Invacare Platinum Mobile
  • Invacare SOLO2
  • Invacare XPO2
  • Precision Medical EasyPulse
  • Precision Medical EasyPulse 3
  • Oxlife Independence
  • Oxlife Freedom
  • Rhythm Healthcare P2
  • ResMed Mobi
  • Respironics EverGo
  • Respironics SimplyGo
  • Respironics SimplyGo Mini
  • SeQual Eclipse 3
  • SeQual Eclipse 5
  • SeQual eQuinox
  • Zen-O
  • Zen-O Lite

There are a few things you will have to do ahead of time before you can board your flight. You will need to have your doctor fill out the physician’s consent form and there is a link for that here physician’s consent form.

You will need to print it out and have him or her fill it out and contact AA (call reservations at 1-800-433-7300) no less than 48 hours before your scheduled flight, to let them know you have the documentation filled out. The information included states that you know how to properly use your POC, at which stages during the flight you will be using it, and you will have no less than 150% of the battery life you will need for the flight. You will not have access to any outlets in the cabin.

One great thing is, the POC or the accessories you bring with it, will not count as part of your carry-on limit. You should arrive about an hour early to meet with a staff member, who will check that you have the form filled out, and will make sure that you get the proper accommodations. With the right preparations, you’ll be able to fly with American Airlines and take that summer vacation with the rest of your family or friends, while still getting the oxygen therapy you need.

You will also need to have your doctor fill out a physician’s statement. Click here to download American Airlines Portable Oxygen Physician Statement.

Flying with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator on American Airlines

Updated: May 8, 2023
Published: June 27, 2014

Rate This Story

9 Votes So Far

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

24 thoughts on “Tips for Flying with a Portable Concentrator on American Airlines

  1. We will flying American and my husband will have a Inogen G3. He does not plan to use it on the flight but will be packing it in his carry,on suitcase. Does he need to get permission or have the doctor fill out a form if he does will not be using it on the flight?

    • Thank you for your comment, Karin. Here at AMSR, we always suggest that you reach out to your airline directly. In this case, we would suggest contacting American and inquiring what their preferred procedure would be. Each and every airline is different and all require their own set of oxygen related guidelines. In order to avoid any delays during your trip, we suggest calling them as soon as possible.

    • Great question, Leo. This all depends on the individual airline itself. Each airline has their own set of requirements in terms of oxygen concentrators and oxygen therapy on board their aircraft. We always recommend inquire with the specific airline itself as it does differ airline to airline.

  2. I presently have a (Actyivox 4L constrictor ) this was sold by 1ST medical Englewood C0 I was told it was approved.. is it? Thank you

    • Thank you for your comment, Larry. The Activox 4L Oxygen Concentrator is FAA approved for air travel. That being said, each airline’s rules and regulations are different and we always recommend calling to inquire with your individual airline itself. You can view a list of current FAA approved models here: Oxygen Concentrators and FAA Regulations

      • Dear Danielle…I’m on oxygen 24/7. I will be traveling from Seattle, Washington to Shreveport, Louisiana. I have a little oxygen machine that I pull behind me. It’s not a oxygen bottle ! It has a handle and like I said I pull it behind me ! I have that plus a small suit case. I’m confused on what I should do ! Thank you for your time ! Lisa Daniels

        • It’s important to check with your airline regarding their specific policies for traveling with oxygen. Most airlines allow passengers to bring portable oxygen concentrators onboard, but they may have certain requirements or paperwork that you need to complete.
          Find out which make and model your unit is and whether it complies with FAA-requirements for onboard usage. If you can find the make and model, we can help.

  3. My husband and I will be flying from Chicago to Sydney Australia (13 flight-14 hr). He will be using an O2 concentrator for the first time on a plane. Is there a recommended concentrator for a longer flight like this?

    • Thank you for your comment, Tracey. In order to recommend a unit for your husband’s trip we will need to know a bit more information. Firstly, we will need to know what flow setting he is most comfortable using and is currently prescribed. Depending on if he requires pulse or continuous dose oxygen delivery there is also the case of knowing what number setting he is prescribed. The higher your setting requirements, the more power it draws from the battery and the more battery power you will need. If you’d like you can contact our Specialists directly at 877-774-9271.

  4. I have reservation to Redmond Oregon via CR 700 airplane (confirmation Number SAZNLV)
    I need to operate pulse feed POC at 4 Liters per minutes. Can I bring two a Inogen G3 and Invacare XP02 (both FAA approved POC)? I will be staying 3 nights and keep extra POC just in case one fails.

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com

  5. My mother and I will be traveling to Dominican Republic from Miami, she has COPD and uses continuous oxygen, we have an oxygen concentrator that we need to take with the luggage and also a portable oxygen concentrator that she’ll be using while in the flight, my question is, will I have any problems with the large oxygen concentrator that’s past of out luggage? Can we take it with us?

    • The best thing that you can do is contact the airline that you are flying on directly. Let them know all of the medical equipment that you will be traveling with and any additional medications you take. Ask them for any forms that you need to have filled out. They will be able to give you the most up-to-date policies of the airline as well as a note on your itinerary that you will be traveling with oxygen.

  6. FROM WHAT I WAS READING, AM I TO UNDESTAND, THERE ARE NO PLUG OUTLETS ON THE PLANES? MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW SAID THERE WAS. MY OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR BATTERIES WILL LAST ABOUT 5 HOURS. BUT HAVING AN OUTLET ON THE PLANE WILL PROLONG THEIR LIFE. MY SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WANT ME TO GO TO TEXAS, FROM MICHIGAN, FOR MY GRAND-DAUGHTER’S 5TH BIRTHDAY.

    • It varies based on the model of the airplane whether or not outlets are available. However, the outlets on the planes do not provide enough power to charge an oxygen concentrator. We would recommend bringing additional batteries for your flight. Please contact us at: 1-877-644-4581 and we can advise on the number of batteries needed.

      • I was reading the above question and your answer. I have a question for you. How many extra batteries can you take in a backpack for an Inogen which has been approved on the flight. The flight is only 11/2 hours long. I have 2 extra batters I’d like to take for my husband.

        • Since, the flight is 11.5 hours long, 17.25 hours of battery life is required. If you have a layover you can charge the batteries at the terminal. It is advisable to carry external battery charger, so you can charge two batteries parallelly. One installed in your unit and another on external battery charger.

          Now, coming to the question of many batteries you need depends on two more factors:
          1. Which make and model of oxygen concentrator you use.
          2. What is your oxygen setting. Higher the setting shorter the unit will run on a battery.

          Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  7. Your sight lists Inogen one 5 as approved. The American Airlines sight doesn’t list Inogen one 5. It lists up to 4. Which is correct for approved?

    • Inogen One G5 is FAA approved and can be used onboard commercial airlines. Their website might not have been updated.

  8. I’m planning on flying from DC to Albuquerque, NM. My current O2 sats on ra are 92%. I’ve been trying to find a facility that does the HASE testing near me in Virginia. Would you have any suggestions? Thank you

  9. I have a Arya portable concentrator rd-00600 that says it is far approved. It is not on your list. I will be traveling from Chicago to Phoenix . I use 2 liters. Is this approved for American Airlines.

    • Hello Pat, it mostly likely is FAA-approved. Please check the back of your unit for a sticker that says the unit can be carried and used on board aircraft.
      You can also call your provider to confirm this.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *