Portable Oxygen Concentrators and International Travel
If you are prescribed medical oxygen and are planning a trip abroad, using an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) maybe an option for you. Proper planning is key to a successful trip around the world. There are many places to see, do not let oxygen slow you down!
Physician Approval
Portable oxygen concentrators require a prescription for oxygen. Some airlines have a physician statement that needs to be signed and carried with you on the plane. It is important to know your in-flight oxygen requirements first, and then decide about the correct equipment for your needs, along with the proper battery time. Some airlines have specific steps that need to be taken to fly with a portable oxygen concentrator, such as faxing signed forms to a third party for approval.
International Airline Provided Oxygen
Many foreign flagged International air carriers still offer therapeutic medical oxygen on board certain flights. It is very important to research all the air carriers flying to and from where you wish to travel. Find out which airlines offer oxygen and what costs are associated with it. Some airlines may offer a source of oxygen on your flight at no cost. Most airlines will charge for this service. It is important to know your options for in-flight oxygen from each available air carrier. Some airlines do not offer oxygen on their flights and only allow FAA approved POC's are allowed.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator Airline Battery Rules
All air carriers flying in and out of the US must allow the use of FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators. Each airline has its own rules about traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator. Always refer to your airline’s website for current rules, policies and procedures. Most airlines have a 150% rule regarding extra batteries needed for the trip. If you’re on a 5-hour flight, you need to bring 7.5 hours of battery on board. Not so bad if you’re at the most common liter flow setting of 2 and are on a short flight.
Some machines can last up to 10 hours on 1 double battery like the Inogen One G5 at a setting of 2. However, there are plenty of long-haul flights out there. In some cases, it can take more than 24 hours to get around the world to where you need to go. Some airlines require travel time plus 3 hours (United Airlines), some are 150% of travel time (American Airlines, Alaska Airlines), and others 150% of published scheduled flight time (Delta , Southwest , Jetblue, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines). Per the airline’s requirements, this could mean a lot of extra batteries.
Traveling with extra batteries needs to be well thought out and planned for. Additional bags may be needed to carry the additional equipment. Battery management will be important, keep track of which is fully charged or empty. Always use electricity when you’re around it, in between flights or on car rides. Some manufacturers make external battery chargers, so more than 1 battery can be charged at the same time.
All of the FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators are multi-voltage, meaning they do not require a power inverter, only a travel adapter, which changes the shape of the plug that is needed. A power inverter could destroy a multi-voltage portable oxygen concentrator. Travel with a power strip with multiple outlets, like the one you would find behind your desktop computer. This way, you only need 1 travel adapter to plug in multiple devices.
It is critical to understand the battery duration of the portable oxygen concentrator that is being used. Batteries do not last as long at higher flow rates or settings. It takes more power to produce higher deliveries of oxygen, thus the battery will deplete faster than at lower flow rates. It is also important to know the difference between pulse and continuous flow delivery. The continuous flow machines weigh more and have bigger batteries that do not last as long as the smaller pulse delivery portable oxygen concentrator.