Want to travel? Don't despair!

Many airlines are allowing the use of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC). There are a number of these devices that have been approved for airline use, including Inogen One, Lifestyle and Freestyle (manufactured by Air Sep), Sequal Eclipse and the Respironics Evergo. 

POC Accommodating Airlines

The list of airlines accepting these devices include, but are not limited to, Delta, Continental, Frontier, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, America West, USAir and many others.  Contact the individual airline to obtain the most current list of approved POCs and the documentation required for the use of these in flight. Two airlines that do not accept the use of a  POC are United Airlines and British Airways. If flying on either of those airlines, a POC would still be useful during a layover, even if you cannot utilize it on board the aircraft. 

Passengers can also purchase oxygen directly from the following airlines: Continental, Delta, United, Northwest and American, for a fee and with advanced notice.

Differences Among POCs

Each POC can be investigated on the Internet, or you can address questions to your oxygen company. However, here are a few differences among some of the more popular models.

Inogen One

The Inogen One battery is quite easy to change, and the manufacturer states that on 2 lpm you should be able to use the battery for 2-3 hours. This model allows up to 5 lpm demand flow, or pulsed delivery oxygen. Demand flow is a conserving device, providing oxygen only when you take a breath through your nose. Many people do not consistently breathe through their noses while sleeping, and some breathe in a more shallow manner, which would not trigger a pulse of oxygen.

Lifestyle and Freestyle

All POCs are powered by battery, electricity and a DC power source. The Lifestyle has the least amount of battery time, less than an hour on 2 lpm The Lifestyle and the Freestyle are the smallest devices.  The Freestyle fits in a shoulder bag and has a battery belt to increase the battery time, although it only provides up to 3 lpm, demand or pulsed flow.  This will not always be enough of a flow rate with high altitude travel! 

SeQual Eclipse

The SeQual Eclipse is still the only POC that will provide a constant flow, 1 to 3 lpm, and up to 6 lpm demand flow.   

Respironics Evergo

The Respironics Evergo is the newest POC on the market and provides up to 6 lpm demand flow.