PHA Leads Advocacy on In-Flight Portable Oxygen Concentrators

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association is leading a multi-organization effort to make sure people can fly with supplemental oxygen.

The Pulmonary Hypertension has requested meetings with the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation to address conflicting messages about flying with oxygen. PHA also seeks to remove barriers for people traveling with portable oxygen concentrators. About a dozen organizations that work with PHA to promote improved access to supplemental oxygen and the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform signed the request.

At issue

In the past few months, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association has learned that some airlines are enforcing the regulations more strictly. As a result, oxygen users face challenges that could threaten their health in air.

Over the past year, some airlines have barred people from boarding with portable oxygen concentrators, such as a man prevented from bringing a double battery on board because it was over 160 kilowatts.

Although airline staff have claimed that concentrator batteries are safety risks, concentrator batteries haven’t changed in recent years, and no safety incidents involving concentrator batteries have been reported.

Concentrator restrictions vary by airline and sometimes by gate agent. PHA has received reports of messages that conflict with current federal regulation, such as travelers carrying too many batteries or that batteries are too large.

Many portable oxygen concentrators display “FAA approved” language on their packaging and stamped into the casing. But the batteries for some of those concentrators are over the 160-watt limit, leading to confusion and inconsistencies among airlines.

Making things even more confusing, the Transportation Security Administration states that passengers can carry only two spare larger lithium-ion batteries (101-160 WH), with airline approval.

Currently, air travelers with portable concentrators must carry “time and a half” battery power (e.g., nine hours of power for a six-hour flight.)

That FAA regulation for sufficient battery power is designed to ensure people with portable oxygen concentrators maintain medically safe levels of oxygen saturation while flying. Yet, many portable oxygen concentrators on the market use lithium-ion batteries that are over the FAA’s160-kilowatt limit.

“After 17 years of flying with supplemental oxygen, I’m now being told my FAA-approved device doesn’t meet regulations — despite nothing changing except the airline’s interpretation,” says Colleen Connor, a member of PHA’s Board of Trustees and a leading voice in oxygen access advocacy. “This isn’t just regulatory confusion — it’s discrimination against Americans who depend on supplemental oxygen to breathe.”

As part of its oxygen access advocacy, PHA is educating members of Congress about the challenges of flying with a portable concentrator. Patient advocate Heidi Schusler recently joined Katie Kroner, PHA’s vice president of advocacy and patient engagement, on Capitol Hill for meetings with members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“I’m grateful our coalition is standing up for oxygen-dependent travelers who are facing impossible choices about travel,” Connor says.

Learn more about PHA’s advocacy priorities and take action for improved access to supplemental oxygen, or call 301-565-3004, ext. 758.