Medical Oxygen
Respiratory-Related Equipment

Supplemental personal medical oxygen and other respiratory-related equipment and devices (e.g. nebulizer, respirator) are permitted through the screening checkpoint once they have undergone screening.

Oxygen users connected to oxygen:

• Oxygen equipment will either undergo x-ray screening or physical inspection.
• Inform the screener if your oxygen supply or other respiratory-related equipment cannot be safely disconnected.
• Only you can disconnect yourself to allow for your oxygen canister/system to be x-rayed.  Check with your Doctor prior to coming to the checkpoint to ensure disconnection can be done safely.
• If your Doctor has indicated that you cannot be disconnected or if you are concerned, ask the screener for an alternate inspection process while you remain connected to your oxygen source.

Oxygen suppliers or persons carrying Oxygen supply:

• An oxygen supplier or personal assistant may accompany you to the gate or meet you at the gate once they have obtained a valid gate pass from the appropriate aircraft operator.
• Persons carrying his/her supply must have a valid boarding pass to proceed through the security checkpoint.

Oxygen and Arrangements

Passengers are responsible for making the arrangements with:

• The airline(s) for supplemental Oxygen onboard the aircraft,
• Local providers for oxygen use during any layover stop(s) and at the final destination,
• The airline, friends, relatives or a local supplier for removal of the canister from the originating airport's gate area immediately after you leave the gate area to board the aircraft.

You must make similar arrangements for your return trip. Please, check the procedures outlined below for details.  More information on airline accommodations for oxygen users can be found at the National Home Oxygen Patient's Association web site.  A copy of the brochure, "Airline Travel With Oxygen," can be downloaded from this site. This publication provides valuable information on traveling with oxygen, including airlines that do and do not provide in-flight supplemental oxygen.

When You Make Your Reservation

Arranging for Supplemental Oxygen (O2) Aboard the Aircraft:

• Neither the Air Carrier Access Act nor the Americans with Disabilities Act require airlines to provide oxygen service.  Consequently, airline polices, procedures and services on accommodating passengers who use supplemental oxygen vary widely.
• Notify the carrier when you make your reservation that you will need to use supplemental oxygen aboard the aircraft(s).
• Ask about the airline's policies on the use of supplemental OČ onboard. Federal regulations prohibit airlines from allowing passengers to bring their own oxygen canisters aboard to use during the flight.  Passengers who use oxygen canisters must purchase canisters from the airline for use during the flight.  However, some airlines do permit passengers to bring aboard oxygen concentrators, which do not contain oxygen, and use them during the flight. Policies vary from carrier to carrier, so be sure to check with your airline well in advance.
• Keep in mind that not all airlines offer supplemental oxygen service, or may not offer it aboard all their aircraft.  Inquire whether: 1) the airline provides oxygen service, 2) it is available on the flights you wish to take, and 3) you must provide a doctor's letter, or permit them to contact your doctor directly to verify your medical need.

Arranging for Supplemental Oxygen During Layovers or at Your Destination:

• Notify the carrier(s) you are traveling with that you will need oxygen at the airport(s).  Let them know that your OČ supplier will be meeting you at the gate with an OČ canister.
• Ask about their policy for allowing OČ suppliers to meet you at the layover airports and/or at your destination gate.
• Contact your OČ supplier and request that they make arrangements for your OČ at the city or cities you'll require. The supplier will need to know the airline(s) you'll be using, departure and arrival dates and time, departure and arrival gates, flight number(s), arrival time(s), and the equipment you will need. Make all these arrangements as soon as possible.
• If a representative from the oxygen-providing company is going to meet your flight with an OČ canister, arrange for your flight(s) to arrive during the supplier's normal business hours, if possible.  Also, have a local phone number and a contact person in the event of any unforeseen situation(s), such as if their representative is not at the arrival gate when you get there.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security