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Doing the testing is a good idea, especially if you are currently using your Rove unit on level 6. Not much to go up on there. I have done a fair amount of flying with my POC on a number of various airlines. All have different requirements. For example, Delta Airlines uses a third-party provider to evaluate requests to use your POC in the air. No approval, you don’t get to fly. I have had international flight that require an Dr. to sign an approval form. Need to check requirements for each one and notify them in advance that you will need to use on board. A couple of regulatory issues, you should be aware of. I love aisle seats and have been forced from them a couple of times and have been forced to sit in a window seat. Apparently, they don’t want any POC users blocking the isle and middle seats, so it is technically mandatory, at least on U.S. flights, that POC users have a window seat. If you don’t want to get moved around book a window seat.
Another regulatory issue is to have enough batteries. The FAA requires that you have enough batteries to last 150% of your anticipated flight time, so for an 8-hour flight, you would need enough batteries for 12 hours. Another issue is double batteries. The FAA sets the amount the number of watt hours (“Wh”) and the amount of lithium that can be contained in each battery. This means that each battery must have less than 100 Wh and no more than 8 grams of lithium. If you have a double battery you will see that it will have Wh and Lithium grams listed twice with a plus sign between them. If you add them together, the maximum is exceeded. I had an airline agent tell me that they were illegal for that very reason, I researched it and the reason for the + is to indicate that your Inogen double battery is to be treated as “two separate batteries” each within FAA limits. Inogen has a one page “Battery Compliance Flyer that you should download and take with you when you fly. It can be downloaded here: https://www.inogen.com/resources/traveling-oxygen/traveling-by-plane/. You may have to cut and paste into a browser.
While I have yet to have any airline ask me about the length of POC airhose, I prefer 4′ hoses, but FAA regulations require a 7′ hose. I continue to use my 4′ hose, but carry a 7′ hose with me, just in case.
Also, your Inogen POC will have red lettering on it that states that it complies with FAA POC requirements. The airlines frequently ask to see that. I have even had a stewardess ask me to show it to her before I took my seat. Might want to familiarize yourself with its location. The good thing about a POC is that they allow you to board early when you get on your flight.
As to actual experience, it varies depending on what altitude the plane is pressurized at. Think they are pressurized between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. I have been able to use my POC at lower settings while sitting down, but I do get drops when I get up to go the bathroom. Everyone is different, I didn’t know you could get tested for what setting you need at altitude, but think it is a good idea to get it check out, especially if you are near the maximum setting for your POC. Good luck and have a safe trip.
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Flying with Oxygen Concentrator | Inogen
Portable oxygen concentrators can be brought on airplanes! Learn more about how to prepare for travel with an oxygen concentrator before your next trip.