Having oxygen when you are travelling and on holiday

If you regularly travel by car you may not need to make special arrangements. But it is important to make sure that you are fully prepared, especially for a long journey. If you don’t normally travel by car you should check with your oxygen supplier about what you need, including any specialist equipment.

Tips for travelling by car with oxygen:

• Do not smoke in the car.

• Keep your car well ventilated.

• Portable cylinders should be secured at all times preferably in the boot of the car.

• Take more oxygen than you need in case of unexpected delays.

• Don’t leave your oxygen in a hot car.

• It’s important to tell your car insurance company that you are carrying oxygen in the car.

Ferry companies and cruise liners vary in what they will help with. Contact them before you book to check exactly what they can do. Some may be able able to help with oxygen supply if they have enough notice.

They may be able to get you on and off the ferry first or have special parking places.

Some ferry companies may ask for a medical certificate signed by your doctor.

Plan your route in advance and contact the rail company you want to travel with. Let them know what you need and who will be travelling with you. They may be able to offer help with your journey. This can vary between train operating companies.

Some train companies may ask for a medical certificate signed by your doctor.

Travelling by plane is more complicated and airline companies vary in what they can provide. Try to organise this as much as you can in advance to give you plenty of time to prepare for your journey. 

Many airlines have different rules for using oxygen in flight. Check with the airline beforehand. Some may provide oxygen for your flight for free, others may charge you a fee. Other airlines may allow you to take a portable oxygen concentrator, but you will need to buy or rent this beforehand. This is because you aren’t allowed to take the oxygen supplied by your UK providers with you to another country.

It is important to take more oxygen than you need in case there are unexpected delays. 

You can contact the airline you want to travel with or look at the information on the airline’s website to check their policy on taking oxygen on the plane including any costs.

You may also need to ask them:

• what support is available at the airport

• who can help you with luggage and boarding the plane

• if they supply oxygen at the airport

The airline may also ask for a letter from your GP or hospital specialist with your medical information. This is to confirm you are fit to fly and that you need to have oxygen when you are on a flight. You might be charged a fee for this document and it usually only lasts for a certain period of time, such as 3 months. 

The airline will need to know how much oxygen you usually have and whether you need it continuously or for short periods only. They will also want to know who will be travelling with you.

The Asthma + Lung UK website has helpful information on travelling with a lung condition including summaries of airline oxygen policies. This is a good starting point but do also check with the airline directly before you book. You can also contact your oxygen provider for advice on travelling by plane.

Asthma + Lung UK

You can get more information about travelling abroad from the European Lung Foundation. They provide details of:

• airlines and their policies for travelling with oxygen

• oxygen providers in European countries

For more information visit the European lung foundation

The company Oxygen Worldwide can also provide information about travelling abroad with oxygen.

Visit Oxygen Worldwide