What happens if you fly with low oxygen levels?

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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While the results tend to over-estimate the number of patients requiring in-flight oxygen, they are considered a safe “estimate” as to who can safely fly. Here is how the algorithm works: If the patient has resting saturations of less than 92% they require supplemental oxygen in-flight.

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Who should not travel by air? Diseases that prevent you from boarding a plane
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • A recent stroke.
  • Infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, influenza or even COVID-19.
  • A recent surgery.
  • A pregnancy of over 28 weeks.
  • Angina (chest pain at rest)


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Low air pressure during air travel also decreases the amount of oxygen in the air. This effect is modest and generally not noticeable for healthy travelers. For patients with significant lung disease, a small decrease in available oxygen can cause significant symptoms, especially with exercise.

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The only oxygen equipment allowed on an airplane is the portable oxygen concentrator (POC). 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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Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not. Passengers may carry portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

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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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Takeoff and landing are widely considered the most dangerous parts of a flight.

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Choose a seat in the middle of the plane. As the air circulates across the rows and not up and down the plane, some experts believe the worst air is in the front or the back of the plane. Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids (water or fruit juice) and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which will dehydrate you.

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For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.

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Generally, you should also bag a trip if you have a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and symptoms such as coughing or sneezing, says William Schaffner, M.D., a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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According to a review in 2022, combining data from 18 studies, the longer you travel, the greater the risk of blood clots. The authors calculated there was a 26% higher risk for every two hours of air travel, starting after four hours.

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