A+ TRAVEL OXYGEN
Your Complete Travel Oxygen Resource

NOTE: Medicare lists travel oxygen as a non-covered service. In a recent release CMS plainly stated that
they viewed travel oxygen cost as a patients responsibility. All private insurance companies we are
aware of have followed Medicares' lead and do not cover travel oxygen.

Airline Travel with Oxygen

Travel oxygen on airlines became a reality in July, 2005 when the FAA approved travel oxygen
concentrators  for use during flight. A whole new world opened up for oxygen dependant patients to
travel with oxygen.

As a travel oxygen user it is entirely your responsibility to make yourself aware of your airlines
requirements regarding use of portable oxygen concentrators on-board the aircraft. Keep in mind that
simply because a specific portable oxygen concentrator has been approved by the FAA doesn't mean
each airline has approved that particular travel oxygen concentrator for use on their aircraft. For your
convenience we have listed links to airline websites that list their specific oxygen policies. Please, do
not wait until the last minute to notify the airline you will be traveling with oxygen. All the airlines require
some advanced notice. All have their own specific requirements that must be met. Some even require a
review of your prescription prior to travel. But with proper planning, traveling with oxygen need not be a
daunting experience.

Some airlines may require that the prescription obtained from your physician be printed on his/her
official letterhead. The prescription should answer all the questions below.

  • Your ability to see/hear alarms and respond appropriately
  • When oxygen use is necessary (all or portion of the trip)
  • Maximum flow rate

For your convenience we have included a downloadable sample "physicians statement" HERE.

This prescription needs to be kept with you at all times during your flight. A new prescription will not be
necessary each time you fly, but the prescription should be available during every flight. Compressed
gas and liquid oxygen are not permitted on-board or as checked baggage. Some airlines may allow you to
check empty cylinders or liquid units.

Currently, the following airlines allow the use of the travel oxygen concentrators on board their aircrafts:

Air France
AirTran
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
All Nippon Airways
Aloha Airlines
American Airlines
America West
ATA Airlines
Avianca Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta
ExpressJet Airlines

*Please let us know if you are aware of other airlines that allow the use of POCs in flight.

Cruise Ship Travel with Oxygen

If you are interested in taking a cruise, travel oxygen concentrators  are the perfect solution.  All of the
major cruise lines allow travel oxygen concentrators as an option for oxygen supply.  You can save
hundreds of dollars off of your travel costs and eliminate the hassle of arranging travel oxygen with the
travel oxygen concentrators.

Train Travel with Oxygen - Amtrak

Portable oxygen containers must meet the following requirements:

  • Power Source: Oxygen equipment cannot rely solely on train-provided electrical power. Any device
    brought on a train must be able to operate a minimum of four hours without available on board
    electrical power.
  • UL or FM Listed: Oxygen equipment must be "Underwriter's Laboratory" or "Factory Mutual" listed.
  • Weight Limits: Each tank and its associated equipment may weigh no more than 50 lbs per unit.
  • Configuration: We permit only one of the following:
  • A two-tank system (maximum of 50 lbs [22.7 kg] per tank), or
  • A six-tank system (maximum of 20 lbs [9 kg] per tank), but only if the tanks can be separated and
    handled individually

Bus Travel with Oxygen - Greyhound

Portable oxygen may accompany you on Greyhound. You must give Greyhound 48 hours prior notice if
you are traveling with oxygen. A maximum of four (4) canisters may travel with the customer - two (2)
aboard the bus and two (2) in the baggage compartment. The maximum dimension for each container may
not exceed 4.5 inches in diameter and 26 inches in length. Customers are responsible for ensuring that
they have enough oxygen to complete their travel and are responsible for making arrangements for
refills while en route. Oxygen canisters to be stored in the baggage compartment must be in protective
cases with safety caps on the valves.

Car & RV Travel with Oxygen

Make sure you have your tanks secured in a rack designed to hold oxygen cylinders. In the event of an
accident, unsecured tanks will become flying missiles capable of causing severe injury or death.

Some of the new smaller concentrators, like the Respironics EverFlo (31 lbs) make travel much easier.
Keep in mind you must have access to AC power to operate.

Portable oxygen concentrators are also an excellent choice for car & RV travel and have the added
feature of being able to run off of a DC power supply.

Local oxygen providers are  less likely to absorb the cost of travel oxygen since the Medicare Capped
Rental became reality. Shrinking reimbursement combined with the looming National Competitive Bidding
and the possibility of a 13 month Medicare Capped Rental.
Copyright © 2007 A+ TRAVEL OXYGEN. All rights reserved.