What are FAA rules for flying with portable oxygen concentrators?

The FAA issued a ruling that allows passengers to operate a portable oxygen concentrators on board an aircraft if the unit satisfies certain acceptance criteria and has a label indicating conformance with the FAA’s acceptance criteria. The rule also requires carriers to accept all portable models that meet FAA acceptance criteria.

Portable units models must have a manufacturer's label stating: "The manufacturer of this POC has determined this device conforms to all applicable FAA acceptance criteria for POC carriage and use on board aircraft" will be accepted.

You also need to make sure you have enough batteries for the flight, because not all seats have power. Portable oxygen concentrators are assistive devices and do not count toward carry-on baggage limits, whether or not they are used on board. They must be able to fit underneath the seat or in an overhead compartment.

Some airlines require you to notify them when you reserve your ticket and again before you board. You will also need a signed medical certificate for oxygen use, on certain airlines. The stipulations of what it must say may vary.

Currently, these portable oxygen concentratros are approved by the FAA: (5/1/2020)

• AirSep Focus
• AirSep Freestyle
• AirSep Freestyle 5
• AirSep Lifestyle
• Caire Freestyle Comfort
• DeVilbiss iGo
• Inogen One
• Inogen One G2
• Inogen One G3
• Inogen One G4
• Inogen One G5
• Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox
• Invacare XPO2
• Invacare Platinum Mobile
• OxLife Independence
• Philips Respironics EverGo
• Philips Respironics SimplyGo
• Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini
• Precision Medical EasyPulse
• ResMed Mobi
• SeQual eQuinox
• SeQual Eclipse 3

SeQual Eclipse 5

Following he FAA guidelines and you’ll be able to travel with your portable oxygen concentrator with ease.

For more information view our blog post on the A Guide to Flying with an Oxygen Concentrator.