Sleep Apnea Support Group

New Department of Transportation Regulations for Passengers Using Oxygen Devices on Airplanes

On May 13, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule regarding traveling on airlines with devices, including ventilators, respirators, continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machines and portable oxygen concentrators (POC). The rule, which has wide sweeping implications for travelers with lung diseases who require oxygen, will go into effect on May 13, 2009. The Department of Transportation says the one-year period is necessary for the airlines to implement these changes. Always check with your airline when booking travel to understand how and when these rules are being implemented.
Requirements
U.S. airlines worldwide and foreign airlines on flights that depart or arrive in the U.S. will be required to allow travelers who use POCs to carry them on board for use during the flight as long as devices have been tested and labeled as meeting Federal Airline Administration (FAA) requirements and the device can be stowed safely.

Communicating the Need to Use a Respiratory Assistive Device
Airlines are required to inform passengers, through the reservation process, who express a desire to use a device, including a POC, the following information to help travelers prepare for their trip:

Any weight or size limits for devices to ensure they can be accommodated in the aircraft cabin.
Any labeling requirements to permit use on board (In a future rule, the FAA may require device manufacturers to label devices if they are FAA approved and therefore permitted on aircrafts).
Any requirements for advance check?in. Airlines may require travelers to notify the airline up to 48 hours in advance if the traveler wishes to use a device on a domestic or international flight.
Airlines may also require one hour advance check?in for flights. However, airlines may not deny boarding on a connecting flight because of this additional hour requirement.
Any requirements about contacting the airline regarding the maximum flight duration and battery capacity requirements, and
The airline may require travelers to provide a statement from a physician (medical certificate) stating that the passenger requires the use of a POC under this rule. Other devices may require a physician statement only if there is reasonable doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.
In the event the travel has connecting or codesharing flights, airlines must also inform travelers of any requirements of the other airlines or direct the passenger to contact that airline directly.

Batteries
The airlines may require travelers to bring an “adequate number” of fully charged batteries required to operate their POC or other device for at least 150 percent of the expected maximum flight duration.

That time period is defined as the total duration of the flight from the departure gate to arrival gate, as well as adding in additional time for wind and weather conditions, traffic delays, instrument approach and possible missed approach at destination, as well as any other conditions that may delay arrival at the gate. The only exception to this requirement is if travelers contract directly with the airline to have the airline supply oxygen during the flight. If travelers contract directly with the airline, they are not required to have batteries that can operate their device for 150 percent of the time required. For more information regarding battery requirements, please visit the DOT’s website at safetravel.dot.gov.

Airlines are not required to allow travelers to plug in their devices nor are airlines required to provide priority seating. However, the Department of Transportation encourages the airlines to permit passengers to plug in their devices where the service is reliable.

Airlines may deny boarding on the basis of safety if the passenger does not have the requisite number of batteries or the batteries are not properly packaged. If this does occur, the airline must provide the individual traveler a written statement on why the airline refused to provide transportation to the traveler within 10 days of the incident.

Airline Supplied Oxygen
The Department of Transportation has not yet decided whether to require airlines to provide free inflight medical oxygen to passengers. The Department instead announced it will soon seek additional comments about the cost of carrier supplied oxygen. The American Lung Association will submit comments on behalf of travelers requiring oxygen.

For more information:

safetravel.dot.gov

www.faa.gov

http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/n...{B10E31C7-D238-4B04-A482-A6940BC1B376}&notoc=1
Posted on 07/15/08, 01:07 am