Peter Greenberg: Traveling with Oxygen Tanks

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org

I use medical oxygen and would like to travel. How do I make arrangements for, and through whom, medical oxygen in foreign countries?
–William, St. Louis

There is no one simple answer to your question. The oxygen rules vary by airline and by country. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted its restrictions online for air travelers who use medical oxygen devices and to passengers with disabilities.
Be aware that most U.S. airlines will not allow travelers to bring their own cylinders on a flight, although two portable oxygen concentrators (AirSep Corporation and Inogen, Inc.) are allowed on a few airlines. British Airways, Delta, Continental, and Japan Airlines will also provide travelers with an oxygen cylinder while in flight, at an extra charge.

Your oxygen supplier will be able to give you further information on where to find companies to refill your container once in your destination country, and your doctor should be able to assist you with any other concerns you may have regarding traveling with medical oxygen.

You should also carry a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and the reason for your need to travel with oxygen.