Southwest Air: Portable Oxygen

[Disney Anna]

Hi all,

My Dad will be flying out to California from Illinois. He needs and uses oxygen from home. In order to fly, he needs a specific portable oxygen container. Have any of you bought/rented one of these? Any tips? What do they cost? Will Medicare reimburse? Any comments will help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First find out from the airline what they require or will allow. Then talk to his regular oxygen supplier. They may have to arrange something with the airline.

 

[SueM in MN]

According to their website, Southwest is not equipped to handle portable oxygen. They are equipped to handle portable oxygen concentrators. These devices take eoxgen from the air and concentrate it to provide a higher level of oxygen than is normally in the air. There are some people who can't use hose, based on their medical condition, so he will need to discuss it with both hid doctors and his oxygen supplier.

Southwest (all airlines actually) have some very specific guidelines and policies set up for use of oxygen on the plane. You can find out everything you need to know on this page from Southwest's website. Use the links at the top of the page to navigate to the information about medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators. His current supplier should be able to help him set this up.
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/disability.html

 

[Mary976]

Many people traveling by air will use a concentrator. My FIL called his the "dog" because he had to wheel it behind him (it was much too heavy to carry). We got it from his normal supplier, then we would set up with a supplier at his destination to supply him with a large tank for wherever he was staying, and also a small portable container that he could carry.

Several years ago, United would allow regular oxygen on their flights, but you had to pay them to set it up (you could not bring your own). You also needed a form from your physician.

As far as cost, FIL rented everything from his supplier. He had Medicare as well as a supplement, and that covered everything.

Good luck!
Mary