Peter Greenberg: Sleep Apnea Machines on Airplanes
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: Peter Greenberg | 2008-08-21
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I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. What restrictions, if any, are there for air travel with the machine?
–Barbara, Fort Pierce, Fla.
The good news is that it's definitely legal to take a CPAP machine with you on your flight ―either in carry-on or in checked luggage―though the way luggage is handled these days, I'd recommend keeping it with you at all times. The TSA says that most people do not encounter problems when attempting to take these machines aboard in carry-on luggage.
The bad news is that the airlines are free to prevent you from carrying it on, so it would probably be a good idea to make a quick phone call to the airline you plan to fly with so that you can double-check. It might also be helpful to print out the page on the TSA Web site, so the airline knows that your CPAP machine is an acceptable item. You can find the Web page here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/cpap.shtm.
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