WHAT IS AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

Tips for Travelling With a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Oxygen Generator from Smile Rehab UK

 

Your Portable Oxygen ConcentratorTravel Checks Airline Specific Information

If you have any of your own tips or any specific airline information you would like to share then please let us know and we will add them to this page.

Most airlines will let you travel and use your FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators from Smile Rehab on board, but we advice that you do check and notify the airline before you book, below are some of the favourite airlines' policies.

The information provided herewith is a general guide. You must check with your airline before booking, Smile Rehab cannot be held responsible for incorrect or changes to travel information.

Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Ensure your unit is clean and in good condition. To make sure your unit is in top condition use the unit frequently (if not using your unit you should still turn it on and run it for 2 x 2hr periods per week minimum.)

Do not store your unit in a damp or humid environment.

Make sure all batteries and extra batteries are fully charged, keep at 1/2 charge if storing for a while.

Travel Checks

Make sure you arrive at the alloted time specified by your carrier, normally at least 2 hrs before your flight or when boarding trains, boats and coaches.

Check your travel company or airlines regulations on items you can take on board and regulations concerning any medications. Most companies will require a fit to travel letter or require their own medical form to be completed by your doctor.

Check the baggage capacity and weight allowance, especially if you are also taking your trolley on board.

If going abroad don't forget to always carry medical documentation such as a fit to fly letter from your doctor and your prescription giving your oxygen medication details.

Make sure you have enough battery to allow for flight delays and/or check that a mains supply is available at the airport, some airlines will let you use power during the flight, check before booking.

Make sure you have a back-up plan, e.g. check out and take details of oxygen suppliers local to your destination

Airline specific information

The Airlines below allow use your Portable Oxygen Concentrator on board but you must normally use its battery power. Most airlines will not allow you to use the unit during take-off and landing.

Please note, although a few of the airlines call their medical form MEDIF, these are actually arline specific forms so you must obtain the form from the relevant airlines website.

 
Air Canada - oxygen can be also provided on board, for which there is a charge and you should request this when you make your reservation, you will need your doctor to complete a Fit For Travel form, forms and further details can be found at: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/specialneeds/oxygen.html
 
Air France - oxygen can be also provided on board, for which there is a charge and you should request this when you make your reservation, in addition if your oxygen requirements are over 2lpm you will need your doctor to complete a MEDIF form - full details and forms can be found at: http://www.airfrance.co.uk/GB/en/common/guidevoyageur/assistance/pmr_reservation_airfrance.htm
 
American Airlines - units can be used on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection. Cxygen can also be provided on board, for which there is a charge, you will need to request this when you make your reservation, in addition you will need your doctor to complete a Physicians MEDIF form - full details and forms can be found at: http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/planningAhead.jsp
 
BMI - British Airways - you will need your doctor to complete a MEDIF-POC form found full details and forms can be found at: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/healthmedinfo/public/en_gb then select "Travelling with medicines or medical equipment" and scroll to Portable Oxygen Concentrators.
 

British Midland - you will need to provide details of the oxygen concentrator (you can download a pdf from the relevant product page) and where you wish to travel to and from. Also oxygen can be provided on board, for which there is a charge, you will need to request this when you make your reservation, you will also need your doctor to complete a MEDIF form, full details and forms can be found at: http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/flight-and-airport-info/pre-travel/special-assistance/special-assistance.aspx

 
Easy Jet - you will need a medical certificate from your doctor to be produced at check-in. Also small (.5 metre long and 250 mm in diameter) compressed oxygen or air cylinders are permitted for personal medical use. A maximum of two cylinders are permitted per passenger. The cylinders must be able to be stored in the overhead locker or under the seat.
 
Flybe - Passengers are permitted to use their own Portable Oxygen cylinders, but only after a medical form outlining the reason for use has been completed by the passengers Doctor. This must be forwarded to the Flybe Customer Relations Department who will assess the request No more than 4 cylinders are allowed.

Cylinders should weigh no more than 5 kgs to be stowed in the overhead locker or under the seat and should be in a suitable carrying case.

There are limits to the amount of Oxygen a passenger may use during a flight, above 2 litres you need to call the Customer Relations Department on 0871 700 5000.
 
Ryanair - you will need a fit to fly letter from your doctor, full details can be found at:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/can-i-carry-and-use-a-portable-oxygen-concentrator-on-board-my-flight. Also oxygen can be provided on board for a charge, see http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/how-can-i-book-oxygen
 
SAA (South African Airlines) - you will need to complete a MEDIF form. Oxygen is also available on board for which there is a charge. Full details and forms can be found at: http://www.flysaa.com/Shared/sa_special_needs_en.html#Q5
 
Swissair - you will need to complete the POC form and your doctor is required to complete an INCAD form - full details and forms can be found at:
http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/services/special_needs/health/Pages/medical_certificates.aspx
 
Thomas Cook - oxygen can be provided for flights less than 5 hours only, your doctor must confirm in writing your fitness to fly, medical condition, flow of oxygen (in lpm) required, intermittent or constant. There is a charge for a constant oxygen supply (.£100, £200 return). You will need to contact their Pre Flight Service team on 0844 855 0515.
 

Thompson - you will need to gain authorisation from their Special Assistance Team on 0871 231 4691 (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras). Portable Oxygen Concentrators must use their own battery power supply and time should be allowed for delays e.g. you will need to make sure you have sufficient batteries for 150% of the flight duration. Oxygen can be provided on board, which is free but only provides a pulse dose.
 
Virgin - you will need to contact special assistance and complete MEDIF forms. Also oxygen can be provided, only "pulse" is available on board, there is no charge for this service. Full details, contacts and forms can be found at: http://virginatlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/specialassistance/oxygen/index.jsp
 
Quantas - you will need your doctor to complete a Travel Clearance Form - full details and forms can be found at: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/medical-assistance/global/en
 
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Oxygen Generator
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EMAIL: info@smilerehab.com
TELEPHONE: 01635 37550
FAX: 01635 37552

Smile Oxygen
Unit 105 (north)
Greenham Business Park
Greenham, Thatcham
Berkshire, RG19 6HN