A question about needing oxygen while flying...

[lovingthemouse]

There's a good chance that my husband may need oxygen when we travel in 2 weeks. Anyone familiar with airline rules for using oxygen? I'll call them tomorrow during the day, but many of you are familiar with so much info that I thought it might be available on this board. Thanks. Caroline

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I have no personal experience with therapeutic oxygen on airlines, but I recall stumbling on American Airlines' rules about therapeutic oxygen while looking for something else. Click on the following link:

Acceptance of Passengers Needing Therapeutic Oxygen

 

[princesspumpkin]

Twice on the show Airline (SWA), passengers were denied boarding because they "required" oxygen during the flight. They stated that regulations were that osygen could not be in use during the flight.

 

[kelscross]

My father in law has been on continuous oxygen for four years and he has been unable to fly because they do not allow the tanks on the plane.

 

[shatzjsl]

I was watching a show on TLC or Discovery the other night about kids and one little girl needed oxygen. They wouldn't let her on and after some talking the airline agreed to provide oxygen on the plane and someone was meeting her at the other end with an oxygen tank. Of course, she might have been given special consideration because there were cameras present and she was going to a benefit concert that was benefitting her disease. But, you might be able to make similar arrangements.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There's a big difference between showing up at the gate with a personal oxygen unit and making advance arrangements with an airline for an FAA-approved therapeutic oxygen unit.

Take a look at the link I posted eaerlier earlier in this thread. That link happens to be to American Airlines (AA), but I would think that other airlines offer similar services and have similar rules.

As the AA links says, the FAA prohibits personal oxygen units. But there is an alternative.

 

[clkelley]

Delta has similar rules as AA.

Your doctor has to order it. There is a separate charge. You also need to arrange for oxygen at your destination.

No airline will allow you to bring your own tanks. Although I think I read where you can check certified empty tanks to be filled at your destination.

Carol

 

[NotUrsula]

FAA rules are that the airline must provide any oxygen that will be used on board; no personal oxygen is allowed in the cabin. You have to make advance arrangements for it, and agree to pay whatever the airline charges.

Airlines don't have to provide the service if they don't wish to do so, and not all of them do. SWA doesn't provide passenger oxygen, except for emergency use in case of sudden illness while in flight. If you are a regular oxygen user, you simply can't fly SWA. Here is the full explanation of the policy: http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/medications.html

 

[TammyC]

My grandma has used oxygen service from Delta. As others mentioned it must be arranged in advance and your doctor will have to fill out a medical form including the flow rate, etc. It is not cheap. It was either $50 or $100 per segment (so connecting flights cost twice as much). You can take your regulator and get tanks at your destination, but 3 TSA people and supervisors spent a while looking at the regulator before letting it through.