Oxygen For Air Travel?

[EDDIE51]

My wife is booked to go to Spain for a short holiday with some other ladies. She has COPD and has been told she may need Oxygen for the flight. We have no idea how this works. Anyone had this situation and how did you work it out?

[Mamyalynne]

This link also contains a link to the British Lung Foundation, who have more advice and a helpline.

https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/PRM/Using-oxygen-on-your-flight/

[237SJ]

She'll need to approach the airline and there will probably be a charge for it - she will be supplied with a portable ox bottle or she could take her own

[EDDIE51]

Thanks, I have found this, would this be accepted on a flight?
She will not need Oxygen all the flight just a few breaths if she starts to get short of breath
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OXYFIT-Pure-Oxygen-15-Litre-can-portable-cylinder-sports-performance-/132077286487?hash=item1ec06b7457:g:gSUAAOSw-0xYYuvj

[Mamyalynne]

The FAA have a list of approved POCs.

https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=75934


The main thing is to check with the specific airline re their guidelines and take their advice.

[237SJ]

No, you wouldn't get that on board. It has to be an approved aparatus by the caa/easa.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, we are now hoping the doctor will say she can go without Oxygen.
She was only a 'marginal' case for needing it. It will cost £100 each way for the airline to supply the equipment . For a 3 day stay that more than doubles the cost, just not worth it. She will cancel the holiday if she has to use Oxygen, the entire trip is only costing £180 .Another £200 makes it too expensive.

[237SJ]

To be honest, most doctors don't know much about medical conditions and flying. The airline's medical clearance unit would know more but of course, you don't want to tell them too much in case they refuse to carry her without oxygen. Spain isn't a long flight (not like long haul where people are plugged into the oxy ring main for many hours)

[EDDIE51]

^^ That's what we are thinking. A short hop to Spain is not like a flight to Oz or even the USA.

[crapmemory]

I also have COPD and I've never used oxygen on a flight. This includes long haul to Australia. I use an inhaler twice a day and no other medication and have never been told to use oxygen on a flight.

[hc4361]

COPD has many degrees - it can be mild enough to be managed by inhalers and severe enough to require surgery to remove part of the lung.

[bestgamingchair]

Verify the arrangements —

After deciding on an appropriate airline, be sure to make reservations as far in advance as you can. If there are any questions or concerns about the information you received while originally talking with the airline, call again to verify the information. In addition, make it a point to confirm your in-flight oxygen arrangements a few days before your flight, and be sure to arrive early.

Take appropriate precautions when aboard — Before your plane leaves the gate, you should also take certain additional precautions. You should make sure that:

●The oxygen equipment is working properly
●You have plenty of batteries for your portable oxygen concentrator; you need enough to last the whole flight comfortably
●For oxygen canisters in a “super box,” check that the cylinders are full
●The flow meter has been set to the proper liter flow per minute
●You have access to all of your medicines, including inhalers

If you have any questions or problems, notify a flight attendant immediately.

[EDDIE51]

Good news,My wife's doctor has prescribed the Oxygen so she gets it free. She only needs 2 liters for the flight only, we have contacted British Oxygen who will loan us the cylinders free of charge as they are prescribed by her doctor. We have also contacted the airline and told them she needs Oxygen for the flight and they have confirmed it will be allowed on the plane.