Each year, millions of travelers fly on commercial airlines in the United States and around the globe. As air travel has become more affordable, it has also become more accessible for people with serious medical conditions, including respiratory problems.

The Air Carrier Access Act, originally passed in 1986 and revised in 2009, prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers based on disabilities.

While this legislation enhances the freedom of travelers, the varying policies of different airlines concerning the use of portable oxygen can cause confusion among travelers.

Adding to the challenge, some healthcare providers are not always aware that certain patients may require portable oxygen while traveling.

Moreover, they may not be familiar with the resources available for travelers who require oxygen therapy, and, therefore, are unable to advise their patients adequately.

Airline approved oxygen concentrator

Regulations established by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require that air pressure in commercial aircraft be maintained at a level equal to or lower than 8,000 feet above sea level.

For most passengers, this provides enough oxygen to breathe comfortably. For passengers with lung disease, however, this level may not be sufficient to meet their needs

How to travel with oxygen on a plane?

Will I Need Oxygen on My Trip? FAA Approved Oxygen Concentrator:

If you use oxygen on a regular basis, you will most likely need portable oxygen whenever you travel. Also, patients with certain types of lung disease may need oxygen therapy when traveling, even if they do not normally use portable oxygen.

When planning air travel, be sure to ask your doctor whether you will need portable oxygen for your trip if you have any of the following problems:

• Emphysema or “COPD”
• Pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Have difficulty breathing with normal daily activity

List of FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators

Air carriers with flights departing from or arriving in the United States now allow the use of FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) by passengers. Travelers who choose this type of equipment are responsible for supplying and operating their own POC unit.

As of January 2010, many portable oxygen concentrators have been approved by the FAA for use by passengers on commercial aircraft. They are the following FAA Approved Oxygen Concentrator:

• AirSep (R) FreeStyle™
• AirSep(R) LifeStyle™
• Delphi RS-00400 (Central Air)
• DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo®
• Inogen One™
• Inogen One G2™
• International Biophysics LifeChoice®
• Invacare XPO100™
• Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator
• Phillips Respironics EverGo™
• SeQual Eclipse 3™

Several types of portable oxygen equipment are available for use when traveling; however, not all types are allowed for use during flight.

The system that is right for you depends on your travel plans, your health requirements, and your personal preferences.

Compressed Oxygen

Compressed oxygen is stored in pressurized aluminum tanks or cylinders. A regulator, or valve, is used to adjust the oxygen flow rate. Compressed oxygen units are simple to operate but they are often heavy. Some users may need assistance to move and position the units properly.

Compressed oxygen systems can be used on commercial aircraft only if they are supplied by the airline. (See “Use of Oxygen on Commercial Airline”)

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

These lightweight electronic devices extract oxygen from the air and provide it to users at a much richer concentration than the ambient atmosphere provides.

POC units were first approved by the FAA for use on commercial aircraft in 2005 and are now allowed on most flights. (See “Use of Oxygen on Commercial Airlines”) These devices are usually powered by batteries that must be regularly replaced or recharged.

Liquid Oxygen

Liquid oxygen systems consist of lightweight units with a small reservoir that contains liquid oxygen. One example is the HELIOS Personal Oxygen System.

Portable liquid oxygen units are re$lled from larger stationary reservoirs provided by the equipment supplier. Because liquid oxygen units do not require batteries or any other external power source, they are often preferred for patients in areas without access to electricity. Liquid oxygen is classi$ed by the FAA as a hazardous material.

For this reason, the use of liquid oxygen systems by travelers on commercial aircraft is prohibited. A portable liquid oxygen system can, however, be checked in along with a passenger’s luggage if the oxygen reservoir has been emptied.

Which airlines provide inflight oxygen?

Use of Oxygen on Commercial Airlines – FAA Approved Oxygen Concentrator:

Policies concerning the use of in-flight oxygen vary substantially among airlines.

Contact your airline or check your airline’s Web site to obtain its specific guidelines on oxygen use during flight.

Airlines require a minimum of 72 hours advance notice before your flight if you plan to travel with oxygen. For this reason, planning ahead is essential. Be sure to review procedures and complete all necessary paperwork required by the airline as early as possible.

Airlines generally require a “Physician’s Statement”—a written authorization signed by your doctor, that verifies your need for oxygen therapy. This document also outlines any specific oxygen delivery instructions that you and the airline need to know.

Many carriers have their own airline-specific medical forms that must be signed and dated within a certain period, (eg, 10 days or less) before travel. Be sure to check with your airline about its specific policies.

• Air carriers typically offer two basic options for oxygen therapy during flight:
  • carrier-supplied compressed oxygen or
  • use of personal portable oxygen concentrators.

Flying with oxygen concentrator

Carrier-Supplied Compressed Oxygen

Various airlines provide compressed oxygen during flight as a service to passengers who need oxygen therapy. Fees for this service vary based on the duration of the flight or the number of flight segments in the trip. Your insurance policy may cover some of the costs associated with your in-flight oxygen needs.

Check with your insurance carrier to determine the speci$cs of your coverage. Maximum flow rates and available equipment, such as masks, vary among airlines.

Be sure to clarify your specific oxygen requirements with your doctor and communicate your needs to the airline before your flight. Also, be mindful that oxygen provided by the carrier will be available only while you are onboard the aircraft.

Airlines do NOT provide oxygen for passengers when they are in the terminal either before or after a flight. If your trip includes connecting $ghts with a different airline, you must make separate arrangements with each carrier before your departure.

Remember that you are responsible for managing your own oxygen needs during any layovers in your trip and also during your stay at your destination. If necessary, contact your oxygen supplier, and ask to have a representative meet you with portable oxygen at the airport when you arrive.

If in-flight oxygen service is not available, in most cases you will be able to use a personal oxygen concentrator (POC) during your flight.

FAA Approved Oxygen Concentrator rentals

POC units may be rented or purchased from oxygen suppliers or medical device companies. The decision to purchase or lease usually depends on the anticipated length of use. All airlines require a Physician’s Statement from patients traveling with POCs. This document verifies that the patient is knowledgeable and capable of operating the POC unit. Not all FAA-approved POCs are permitted on all airplanes.

Some airlines only allow certain POCs on selected flights. Always check in advance that the POC you intend to use is approved by your airline for your specific flight. POCs o”er several advantages over other oxygen delivery systems for travelers. Unlike carrier-supplied oxygen, these devices can be used by passengers during long layovers or delays.

Travelers can also use this lightweight and convenient equipment at their final destination without making any additional arrangements.

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While oxygen concentrators are specific and broad in importance during pulmonary conditions where a patient requires supplemental oxygen, the pandemic has raised a few questions worth addressing:

• Which oxygen concentrators to trust considering the patient’s supplemental oxygen needs?
• Is an expensive oxygen concentrator always the right choice for a patient’s stationary or mobile use?
• What quality characteristics define the suitability of the oxygen concentrator?

While portable oxygen concentrators improve quality of life and provide greater independence, they also come at a cost. However, the process of choosing and purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator does not have to be complicated.

This guide will help you choose the right portable oxygen concentrator, including brands, types, and prices.

Second hand portable oxygen concentrators

Used oxygen concentrators are a great option for users looking for a more affordable alternative to purchasing a new oxygen concentrator.

All refurbished oxygen concentrators are rigorously tested and reconditioned to ensure the highest quality and are available in a variety of brands.

There is an inventory of affordable oxygen concentrators for sale including home and portable units from top brands.

If you’re looking to save money, check to see if the model you need is in stock from Refurbished Oxygen Concentrators.

Smallest portable oxygen concentrator

What brand of portable oxygen concentrator should I buy?

Here we provide a breakdown of several portable oxygen concentrators, including the Invacare Platinum Mobile, Inogen One G4, Inogen One G3, Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini, Philips Respironics SimplyGo, Caire/SeQual Eclipse 5, and Drive/DeVilbiss iGo.

Best portable oxygen concentrator

How to choose a portable oxygen concentrator?

Make sure the settings are compatible with your prescription, particularly that the concentrator can deliver the correct liters of oxygen per minute (LPM) you need.

Consider the weight of the unit and how often you will be moving it. If you’re particularly active, make sure you buy a hub that’s easy for you to carry.

Make sure the concentrator can supply you with the right amount of oxygen regardless of your physical location, taking into account changes in humidity and altitude.

How much does a portable oxygen concentrator cost?

In general, a new portable oxygen concentrator can cost between $1,400 and $3,500 depending on the accessories and the make and model you choose.

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A portable oxygen concentrator receives air, purifies it, and then distributes the air, and the concentrator sets the level to deliver the purified air after the oxygen has passed through all the sieve filters.

The air comes into the compressor after being compressed by the air inlet filter unit, and then it enters into the molecular sieve tower to separate the oxygen and nitrogen.

The oxygen successfully goes through the molecular sieve tower into the fine sieve tower.

Instead, the nitrogen is absorbed by the molecular sieve, then discharged to the atmosphere through the separator valve. The oxygen concentration is improved in the fine screen tower and the flow meter controls the size of the flow.

Then the oxygen is humidified by the humidifying water tank. Finally, the oxygen reaches the user through an oxygen supply tube.

Working principle of oxygen concentrator

Smallest Portable oxygen concentrator

The concentrator draws in room air and passes it through a series of filters that remove dust, bacteria, and other particulates.

In the first step of the concentration process, a compressor forces air into one of the two cylinders containing sieve material, where nitrogen is adsorbed, leaving concentrated oxygen and a small percentage of other gases found in room air.

Simultaneously, in the other cylinder, nitrogen is desorbed and exhausted into the atmosphere. In the second step, the function of the cylinders is reversed in a timed cycle, providing a continuous flow of oxygen to the patient.

Operating steps

• The concentrator is properly set up by an expert.
• Unit is plugged in to a power source, turned on, and the oxygen flow is adjusted as prescribed by a doctor.
• A nasal cannula or mask is applied to the patient.
• The concentrator is used for the prescribed amount of time, typically continuously for days or weeks at a time.

oxygen concentrator principle of operation

How does the oxygen concentrator work?

Air contains a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. The Oxygen Concentrator is about the size of a small refrigerator in which the air is forced under pressure through molecular sieve beds filled with Zeolite which binds the nitrogen, and separates it from the air as in gas chromatography, thus increasing the proportion of oxygen from about 21% to about 90%.

This is how it works:

• The air first passes through the four filters (explained below) which remove bacteria and dust.
• The air is then forced by a compressor into canisters.
• The canisters contain molecular sieve beds filled with zeolite (aluminium silicate) which binds the nitrogen and separates it from oxygen, thus increasing the oxygen concentration to as high as 90%.
• Two canisters are used, the period of oxygen outflow from one coinciding with the discharge of nitrogen from the other, so that a continuous supply of oxygen enriched gas is delivered to the storage vessel.

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The oxygen concentrator uses pressure swing adsorption technology. At normal temperature, the machine will continuously separate oxygen from the air.

The medical oxygen concentrator is composed of filter system, compressor, adsorption tower, electrical control system, humidifier system and air system.

It adopts the advanced transformation absorption principle. It separates the oxygen and nitrogen under common temperature and pressure, then get the medical oxygen which meets the medical standards.

Oxygen concentrator parts diagram

The Oxygen Concentrator is intended for individual use as an oxygen supplement device in a home or care facility. The patient is the intended operator.

The concentrator is an electronically-operated device that separates oxygen from the ambient air. It provides a high concentration of oxygen directly to you through a nasal cannula or other methods. Clinical studies have documented that oxygen concentrators are therapeutically equivalent to other types of oxygen delivery systems.

This equipment takes 120V ~ power source as a power source, air as raw material, adopts high quality and high-efficiency molecular sieve, and through the PSA method at room temperature, produces high purity oxygen conforming to medical standards, thus achieving sustainable and uninterrupted oxygen supply.

Oxygen concentrator manual

This user manual contains important information about the use of your concentrator and will serve as a reference for you as you use your concentrator.

Unscrew the cover of the humidifier. Add purified or distilled water into the humidifier bottle between the maximum and minimum water level lines. (If needed, add medicine into the water per the doctor’s recommendations.) Then screw the humidifier bottle onto the device.

Screw the humidifier bottle connector onto the cover of the humidifier. Then insert the humidifier into the holder on the front of the unit. Finally, connect the other end of the cannula to the oxygen outlet.

Plug in the power supply: Ensure that the power switch is off. Then plug the concentrator’s AC plug into a power outlet.

Turning the Concentrator On

Press the power switch. The display will read “HELLO”. At that time, the green, yellow, and red lights will turn on simultaneously indicating the machine is functioning as expected. After about 1 second, only the green light will remain on. After 4 seconds, the display will show the runtime.

To properly read the flow meter, locate the prescribed flow rate line on the flow meter. Next, turn the flow knob until the ball rises to the line. Now, center the ball on the L/min line as prescribed.

Turning the Concentrator Off

Press the power switches and unplug the concentrator from the power outlet.

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The Inogen One G5 offers the most oxygen per pound for a portable oxygen concentrator on the market today.

With its compact and lightweight design, the Inogen One G5 provides varying flow settings from 1-6 and is designed for 24-hour use, dramatically increasing your patients’ independence. This POC’s user interface has been designed with easy-to-read LCD displays and simple control functions.

The Inogen Portable Oxygen is one of the most popular, not only is it lightweight, it has one of the longest-lasting batteries and includes batteries that can be easily removed and charged outside of the concentrator.

Represents continuous flow lightweight portable models and includes a carrying bag.

We want to make sure your oxygen needs are met and that you get the most for your money, which is why we also include the manufacturer’s warranty with the price, the batteries you’ll need, and a free nasal cannula to get started.

You will also get the AC and DC power cords needed to charge your model-specific portable oxygen concentrator and carry bag.

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Weight is another significant selection factor regardless of whether you are carrying the portable O2 concentrator or pulling it behind you.

Since each of these models are battery-operated oxygen concentrators, the weight of the battery and other accessories like the carry bag or cart are all significant.

The more the personal oxygen concentrator, battery, and cart weigh, the more of a burden it is to take with you wherever you go.

The most lightweight concentrator in this review is the Inogen.

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