Flying with Oxygen

[Andy Schimmel]

I did it for the first time early this year and it is a piece of cake, no pun intended the O2 is delicious when you need it. I travelled Air Canada and the staff were marvellous. Contact your airline as almost all accept the device that you are using and you will need permission to use the device on the plane. This helps staff to be ready to assist you if needed and sometimes they want you to be in a particular seat. You typically need battery time that is equivalent to 1 1/2 times the number of hours/minutes that you will fly. Take your oximeter as the reading will tell you what setting to use on the device. Air pressure in a plane is usually equivalent to being at 8000 ft of altitude.

Enjoy the trip…your next one will be easier.

[blsf]

I just flew a few weeks ago with an Inogen G5 which I believe is approved by all airlines. Call the airline ahead of time so they are aware and it’s also suggested to bring a printed prescription for the oxygen from your pulmonologist but no one asked me for that. All in all, it was easier than I anticipated. I’m flying again this weekend on a much longer flight but I was able to rent a double battery ahead of time from my oxygen supplier, Apria. You may want to inquire about that as well depending on your flight time.

[mimi423]

Hi Millie, first of all, your Inogen is not oxygen, it’s an oxygen concentrator, it magically makes oxygen from room air. I do not believe you can fly with regular oxygen tanks. My unit has been to more countries than most people. I no longer contact the Airlines as they are all used to this but if you are using it in the cabin, you may want to check first, I only use it for excursions and long walks. You will have to take the unit off when you go through TSA and sometimes they really inspect it. I also now go in the Handicap line. If you use it onboard it is true that the airlines require at least one and a half times more battery power than the length of the flight, the thought here is if the plane gets stuck up there, you will have more than enough juice to make it. Never check your batteries in stored luggage, the unit whether you use it or not has to go in the cabin with you. Medicare gave me a 2 1/2 hour battery, I had to buy a 5 hour battery and they are not cheap, like $500 but my oxy company would not rent me one. FB marketplace is a good place to look for a used one, just test it before you go. Every airline has been wonderful with this except AirCanada, they require a 9 page report to be filled out by your doctor, I’ve dealt with them twice now, they are real idiots about this subject. Good luck.

[jonathan-poland]

Hi Millie,

Your Inogen G5 oxygen concentrator is definitely approved by the FAA and that is printed on its label. As stated earlier you can not bring oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen on an airplane as it is a fire hazard and not approved by the FAA.

You absolutely have to contact your airline in advance as there are accommodations that they must make for you to stay in compliance with the FAA. These include that you must not be sitting in an emergency exit or a forward bulkhead row (ie first row of each seating class). You also must sit in a windows seat and your oxygen concentrator must be placed under the seat in front of you. (It is just fine to lay the Inogen on its side – it works fine that way. But make sure your hose is long enough…)

You also get advanced boarding along with other disabled persons.

I usually fly Southwest and they have been very cooperative and easy to work with. (Although it seems like every Southwest employee is trained to ask you if you ample battery to last 1 1/2 times the flight time.

I will bet that you will need to turn the concentrator up to 4 shortly after the seatbelt light is turned off. You definitely need more O2 at altitude, even just sitting, than you would on the ground. Keeping a pulse oximeter handy is a great idea. When I travel, I just keep it on my finger the entire trip.

Also, remember that an oxygen concentrator is a medical device and does not count toward your baggage carry-on limit.

You will do just fine and will discover that air travel is still possible for you!

jon

[1940]

I was also nervous the first time but it is a piece of cake. First the Inogen 5, plus a spare battery is perfect for your short trip. The 5 lasts 10 hours at a 1 setting so it will probably last for 5 hours at 3. Plus, with the spare battery you can double the time.

Going through security is a breeze. They see you are on O2 so you get special attention. Sometimes they electronically “sniff the concentrator” for chemicals and sometimes they don’t. As someone said , the TSA sees this equipment all the time so don’t worry. If you are still concerned about battery life you can recharge while waiting for the flight at the electrical outlets in the seating area of the airport where you are boarding.

Have a nice flight. It sounds like you deserve a nice trip.

[luann]

Hi Millie! I’ll also be flying for the 1st time next month. According to the FAA website, and southwest, the units we are using are acceptable and when I booked my flight I even let them know I would need assistance to be taken to the terminal. That way you don’t have to walk so much. From what I’ve heard so far, the airports and airlines are very companionate and accommodating. Don’t be nervous! Enjoy your trip!

Luann

[Millie]

Thank you everyone who responded about my fear of flying with oxygen. I feel better already. I am concerned that if my oxygen drops below 88 the plane would have to make an emergency landing. When home I use 2 litres; when I exercise I use between 4 and 5 litres. It really drops when I exert myself. They say that the air is much thinner when flying. Well, again, thanks a bunch. Millie

[Peter Franks]

When you say you use 2 liters @ rest— do you mean 2 liters or an inogen set @ 2.? The Inogen numbers are not liters/mn—- the maxiumum on an inogen is 1L/mn— though it is only generating O2 during inspiration— approximately equivalent to 2 liters/mn continuously at its maximum setting. And it is true that your O2 needs increase at full flying altitude. So if you need 2L/mn at rest on the ground you will likely need more at full alttitude. So the inogen may not be sufficient (even on its maximum setting). If you mean you use an Inogen setting of 2 @ rest on the ground— your Inogen will likely be fine (probably needing a significantly higher setting at cruising height). On a flight of 2 hours you likely only spend 1 hour or so at maximum cruising height. You will benefit from an oximeter to monitor your O2 needs while flying. I filled out the forms on the first flight I took– but havent since— no-one seems that interested. I also plug in the Inogen to run it on the power supply.— You hould check whether your seat has power— especially if you need a higher setting (the battery will run out sooner).

[Carlene A. Chamberlain]

I flew Delta last summer and did have to fill out their documents and submit, take a copy with you as mine was lost in the system and I had to fill out another one which caused me to miss my flight. The airlines do have electrical plug in however most didn’t work and only in few seats. I recommend when flying to a large terminal such as Atlanta, get a wheelchair as it can be a long fast walk to the next gate. I use 4 liter when working around the house, at rest i’m now at a 3. The portable machine I use only gives me 1.5 liter, but I didn’t have a problem as I was sitting the entire flight from San Diego to the east coast. Enjoy the trip! My IPF is moderate and I was okay on the flight.

[Steve Dragoo]

I flew back from the Philippines 16 months ago which took almost 2 days and had no O2. Currently on 2L during any activity but 16 months ago only needed O2 at night.

[Samuel Kirton]

Millie – Please ensure you have coordinated with the airline in advance. All US carriers have different although similar processes. I will also add that any member of the crew, based solely on their judgement, can deny you boarding if they do not feel it is safe for you to fly.

If you have not had a HAST ( https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/tests-procedures/pulmonary-physiology/gas-exchange/high-altitude-simulation-testing-hast) ask your car team if you can be tested prior to your trip to predict what you will need at altitude.

[Elaine]

Hello! Don’t be nervous at all; I have been flying for four years now with Inogen G4 and as long as you are prepared all will be well.

1. Get a drs note that states your disability and have them put a notation: “ This letter is good for one year from this date and this patient is fit to fly” I learned this the hard way overseas using different air carriers- have them also make note : “valid for ALL airlines” this way if you decide to do a impromptu trip you will have correct authorization.

2. Each airline is different with their requirements so as soon as you know your flight info call and talk to a real person to make sure it’s added to your flight.

United and Southwest have very easy in app clickable section for people with disabilities.

3. If you are able to select a seat- apparently you must pick a window seat- in the USA – guessing they want to machine out of the way for other people to trip over.

4. When you buy the batteries for your machine – make note that dependent upon your oxygen needs the battery lasts much less than anticipated- I have noticed that I have the double batteries and it is supposed to last 6 hours but I use level 2 and only lasts about 3 hours. For international trips I am lucky enough to fly business class and I use the electrical outlet but I am asp required to have enough batteries to last 1.5 the length of the flight in case electrical power doesn’t work. The furthest I have flown is 16.5 hours and it all worked great. I typically fly 10 international long hauls per year. So far my Inogen machine has held up.

5. Note that you need to change the inside Pilar’s depending how much you use it- luckily mine alarmed when I was on a short trip and I now change once per year to be safe as I use my machine a lot.

6. Make sure you take your machine out of your backpack or similar whilst using as it needs to vent.

7. Buy special nose ointment check to make sure it has no oils etc as that could set on fire – you need one specifically for use with oxygen machine- your nose gets soooo dry after many hours of use.

8. Buy yourself a cover for the nose canula if you only need it on the plane- otherwise it can get dirty etc.

9. Keep flying!! This disease has made me more of a traveler as time waits for no one.

Eat the cake, take the trip and embrace life!

Good luck! You have got this!

[Samuel Kirton]

Thanks for such a thoughtful response, Elaine.