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Travel is possible for PH patients, and for many an important part of their professional and personal lives. The key to traveling is to PLAN AHEAD. The information below is meant to help you plan your trip to make it as safe and enjoyable as possible. For the most recent information on travel regulations please also refer to the Transportation Security Administration’s website.
Traveling with PH | Air Travel with Oxygen | International Travel | Resources
Advanced planning is key. Review your travel plans with your doctor as early as possible. Be sure to discuss the need for supplemental oxygen, the amount of medications and medical supplies you should pack and the altitude during travel and at your travel destination.
By Air
- Prior to departure, obtain a letter from your doctor describing the specific medical requirements of PH to simplify the process of obtaining oxygen and bringing medicine through security checkpoints.
- Air travel can result in a decrease in the blood oxygen level, therefore, all PAH patients planning air travel or travel to high altitude locations should discuss the possible need for oxygen with their PH specialist even if they do not require supplemental oxygen at home. More info on air travel with oxygen below
- Obtain the name of a physician familiar with PH at your travel destination who you can contact in case of emergency. To find a doctor in the U.S. visit PHA’s Find a Doctor section.
- While traveling, all PAH patients should stand up and walk a short distance at least every two hours.
- Plan to take extra medicines and supplies in case of delays.
- Flolan patients should always travel with a small ice chest with six to eight packs and a premixed dose of epoprostenol. Patients treated with epoprostenol or treprostinil (Remodulin®) should always travel with an extra pump.
- All medications should be kept in their prescription bottles and travelers should carry on their supplies rather than packed in luggage which could become lost or misplaced
- Do not underestimate the strain of travel, go easy on yourself, plan plenty of time during layovers, and allow trusted travel companions to do as much as possible for you, such as carrying bags, using wheelchairs or arranging gate-to-gate transportation.
By Sea
Most cruise lines require at least four weeks notice, but will allow patients to provide their own oxygen source (either oxygen concentrator or portable system). Refills of portable systems during the cruise should be pre-arranged at ports of call.
By Rail
Railroads allow passengers to bring portable oxygen containers or oxygen concentrators. If using a concentrator, a 12-hour battery back-up is required.
- Contact the airline to find out if your portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is permitted well ahead of the travel date to make arrangements for supplemental oxygen. Here are some questions you should ask:
- Is your portable oxygen permitted?
- If permitted, what documentation is required to transport your own oxygen and how far in advance do you need to submit it?
- What oxygen system, oxygen flow rates and delivery devices are available?
- What are the associated charges?
- In addition to confirming the airline’s policy, it is recommended that you print out the airline’s webpage which states their oxygen policy and bring it with you, in case of any problems.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the following POCs for in-flight use:
- Inogen One
- AirSep Lifestyle
- AirSep Freestyle
- SeQual Eclipse
- Respironics EverGo
These are the only POCs approved at this time. If you do not use one of the POCs listed above you must rent or buy one from an oxygen vendor (see Resources below). Filled oxygen tanks cannot be checked as baggage on any airline.
- Contact your oxygen provider to see if they can provide you with a POC approved for air travel. If not you will need to rent or purchase one independently. You will need sufficient battery power to cover the entire travel period, including pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight. At gate check-in, you must have battery power for at least 50% longer than the scheduled flight time.
- Bring extra batteries to power your POC in the case of layovers or unanticipated delays
- Carry your prescription for oxygen with you at all times
Resources for Traveling with Oxygen
Determine in advance if there are any laws against bringing medical supplies into your destination country, or if special documents are needed to enter the country with medications.
- Air Compassion America® is a non-profit patient advocacy/assistance organization established to help locate and coordinate bed-to-bed air ambulance service. ACAM’s mission is to help patients and families undergoing a difficult health crisis by offering them compassionate counseling and working to lower air ambulance and medically assisted travel costs.
- Air Charity Network™ (ACN), formerly Angel Flight America, provides access for people in need seeking free air transportation to specialized health care facilities or distant destinations due to family, community or national crisis.
- Angel Flight is a program that helps arrange free flights for people needing medical care.
- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
716- 754-4883, 417 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 14092
- Mercy Medical Airlift® MMA’s mission is to ensure that no needy patient is denied access to distant specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment for lack of a means of long-distance medical air transportation; further, to ensure the provision of urgent transportation in situations of compelling human need and homeland security emergencies.
- Miracle Flights for Kids® is the nation's leading nonprofit charitable flight organization. Since 1985, we have continued to fulfill our mission to help families overcome financial obstacles and access the proper medical care and 2nd opinions for their seriously ill children. Miracle Flights takes great pride in knowing that 78% of all donations are allocated to helping sick children who have no other options get to their treatments.
- National Patient Travel Center exists to facilitate patient access to appropriate charitable medical air transportation resources in the United States. The NPTC also exists to develop, administer and consolidate airline patient ticket programs and to operate various Special-Lift and Child-Lift programs on behalf of special disease organizations and/or clinical research centers in the United States. The NPTC also has the means for bringing ambulatory outpatients from many overseas locations to the United States.
- Transportation Security Administration’s Information for Passengers with Medical Conditions
- Travel Assistance International
800-821-2828, 202-331-1609, 202-347-7113, wassist@aol.com, 1133 15th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005
- TravMed, International Traveler’s Assistance Association
800-732-5309, 301-296-5225, P.O Box 10623. Towson, MD 21204
- Traveler’s Pharmacist
3272 Darracq Circle, Columbus, OH 43223
- WorldCare Travel Assistance Association
800-521-4822, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 7600, Washington, D.C. 20006
- Bauldoff, Gerene. “Pre-flight Advice.” Air Supply: A Newsletter for Lung Transplant Candidate
- National Home Oxygen Patients Association. “Airline Travel With Oxygen.”
- Scientific Leadership Council of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association “Travel Recommendations for Patients with PAH.”
- Transportation Security Administration. “Travelers with disabilities and Medical Conditions.”
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