Can I take my own oxygen on a plane?

Obtaining oxygen for air travel — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not allow travelers to carry their own oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen aboard commercial aircraft. Instead, most patients can use a FAA Department of Transportation approved battery-powered portable oxygen concentrator.



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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.

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If you need oxygen in flight, you must take a portable oxygen concentrator with you, and , you must let your airline know ahead of time. They may require a doctor's letter to verify the need for the POC on the plane.

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Resting Pulse Oximetry
Values >95% on room air suggest that inflight hypoxemia is unlikely and that further evaluation is likely not necessary. Patients with saturations <92% on room air at rest should receive supplemental oxygen inflight, because they are at high risk of hypoxemia at altitude.

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The airline may charge you for any oxygen it supplies during the flight. You will likely have to pay for oxygen for each leg of a trip. And airlines usually do not supply oxygen during layovers, so try to book a direct flight. At least two weeks before your flight, notify the airline that you will need oxygen.

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For most passengers, even those with respiratory disease, air travel is safe and comfortable. Some patients with COPD may be at risk but, with screening, these patients can be identified and most can travel safely with supplemental oxygen.

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Symptoms include pleuritic chest pain, substernal heaviness, coughing, and dyspnea secondary to tracheobronchitis and absorptive atelectasis, which can lead to pulmonary edema. Pulmonary symptoms typically abate 4 hours after cessation of exposure in the majority of patients.

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Oxygen production cannot be shut off once a mask is pulled, and oxygen production typically lasts at least 15 minutes, sufficient for the plane to descend to a safe altitude for breathing without supplemental oxygen.

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Lower levels of oxygen in your blood may make you feel unwell or could even be harmful to you during or after your flight. This means that, even if you do not usually need oxygen, you may need it while flying. Additional oxygen keeps the oxygen levels in your blood at a comfortable level and keeps you safe.

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Many airlines provide inflight oxygen for passengers who require it. However, the availability and cost of inflight oxygen can vary by airline and route, and may require advance notice and medical clearance from the airline.

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