Flying with oxygen

[Bitsmommy]

This board was so great in preparing us for our2010 trip. Well, now our 2 year old needs as needed oxygen. How do you fly with that? I know that they have oxygen in the parks, but this us mainly for when he sleeps. We also need to know how to fly with a pulse ox? machine. Help please.

 

[jdb in AZ]

This board was so great in preparing us for our2010 trip. Well, now our 2 year old needs as needed oxygen. How do you fly with that? I know that they have oxygen in the parks, but this us mainly for when he sleeps. We also need to know how to fly with a pulse ox? machine. Help please.

My aunt wasn't allowed to fly with oxygen so her son drove her 600 miles to attend a bro-in-law's funeral. Some airlines -- not all -- will allow an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator on short flights.

 

[SueM in MN]

If a passenger needs oxygen during a flight, you must arrange it thru the airline. No passenger supplied oxygen is allowed. Each airline handles oxygen a little differently, so you will need to work with your airline on this. There are also some airlines that do not allow oxygen - I believe Southwest is one.

Airlines are required to allow FAA approved concentrators.

There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. I think post 14 is the one about air travel.
Also check out the links to the TSA in that post to find information about taking your equipment, including portable concentrator and items like a pulse ox

 

[Bitsmommy]

I read all of the information that you posted, and I went to the southwest website. We are flying southwest. NOTHING is mentioned about an actual portable O2 tank. We don't need it during the flight. The problem is that is 02 dips LOW when he is sleeping and there are times that his airway will start to swell shut and he will need oxygen then. He has a concentrator at home, but it is HUGE and not on the approved list. We can get by with a small tank. I am going to assume those aren't allowed because they aren't ever mentioned.

Has anyone ever just shipped one down fed ex, or something?? Can that be done?

 

[Bitsmommy]

Nevermind... I found it on the SW website. Here it is!


Medical Oxygen

Southwest is not equipped to transport or provide medical oxygen or other hazardous materials and/or contained gas--either in the passenger cabin or as cargo or baggage. Any Customer who requires a constant supply of compressed or liquid medical oxygen cannot travel on Southwest Airlines.* If there is a question as to a Customer's ability to travel the duration of a flight without the use of medical oxygen, we may request documentation from a licensed physician to verify that the Customer can complete the flight safely and without the use of medical oxygen.

Liquid oxygen cannot be carried onboard our aircraft. If a liquid oxygen unit is empty (and contains a gauge or color indicator verifying the unit is empty), then the unit can be transported so long as the valve remains open.

*Southwest will accept for travel Customers needing supplemental oxygen who may be accommodated by using certain personal portable oxygen concentrators. See the next tab for more information on Portable Oxygen Concentrators.


Again... I know that he will be fine for the flight. It is just necessary overnight. So, I still need to know if anyone has shipped these items? It would be easier to just ship them IF POSSIBLE than to get an order, deal with insurance, ect in another state. Trust me....

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Again... I know that he will be fine for the flight. It is just necessary overnight. So, I still need to know if anyone has shipped these items? It would be easier to just ship them IF POSSIBLE than to get an order, deal with insurance, ect in another state. Trust me....

I would suggest contacting the Social Services department at your current supplier. They will probably be networked to a company in Orlando, and that company will handle your needs. It will be totally transparent to you, and you will not have to do anything special other than give your dates and where you will be staying.

 

[Bitsmommy]

I would suggest contacting the Social Services department at your current supplier. They will probably be networked to a company in Orlando, and that company will handle your needs. It will be totally transparent to you, and you will not have to do anything special other than give your dates and where you will be staying.

I didn't even think of that! Thanks! I will give them a call.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest contacting the Social Services department at your current supplier. They will probably be networked to a company in Orlando, and that company will handle your needs. It will be totally transparent to you, and you will not have to do anything special other than give your dates and where you will be staying.

Yes, that is in a different part of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[pampam]

If you need O2 on the plane, you can either get it from the airline, at quite a hefty charge, or you can take a portable oxygen concentrator with you on the plane.(POC) Your O2 supplier should be able to help you with that. Check with your airline to see what is allowed. Make sure you have enough batteries for if the flight is delayed. Once you get to your destination, it's another ball game. Your O2 provider should be able to help you as well here. Since O2 is a prescription item, they will have the prescription and can give it to the O2 provider at your destination. They will give you the name of a reliable company to deal with. Just let them know what your needs will be- concentrator for the room, cylinders for when at the parks, tubing, etc. It can be quite stressful, but I find people are usually quite helpful. You need to find out if the company you deal with at home has a branch where you are going. If not, you will have to call another. I use Lincare in Orlando, and find them very good.