Traveling by airplane is generally safe and comfortable for the vast majority of people, even those with a pre-existing lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some COPD patients, however, may be at risk for developing hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) during air travel and may need in-flight oxygen, even if they don’t normally require it. How do you know if you’ll need oxygen therapy when you fly? Predicting this is often difficult.
At cruising altitudes (40,000 feet) the air cabin of a commercial aircraft is pressurized to an equivalent of approximately 8,000 feet above sea level. This means that during flight, the air cabin contains less oxygen. Although this is not likely to bother passengers with healthy lungs, people with compromised lung function may not be able to tolerate it and develop significant hypoxemia and respiratory distress. In-flight oxygen would allow people who fall into this category to travel safely.
Anyone with COPD planning to travel by airplane should make an appointment with their physician to have a pre-flight assessment. A pre-flight assessment enables your physician to identify whether or not you’re likely to develop respiratory symptoms during air travel and if you’ll need supplemental oxygen.
There are several methods of determining the need for in-flight oxygen, the “gold standard” being the high altitude simulation test (HAST). Because this test is highly sophisticated and not widely available, physicians often rely on a patient’s resting oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the presence of risk factors to help them determine a patient’s oxygen needs during air travel. Mathematical prediction equations are also available; however these are less accurate and often overestimate the need for in-flight oxygen.
One solution is to use a clinical algorithm1 that’s based on resting and exertional SpO2 as measured by pulse oximetry. The algorithm was created based on a study consisting of 100 patients, each with moderate to very severe COPD. Results of the study, which was published in THORAX, placed the patients in one of three groups:
Here’s what the algorithm looks like:
If SpO2 < 92%, the patient should be prescribed in-flight oxygen.
If SpO2 is 92-95%, the patient should undergo a 6MWT:
If SpO2 >95%, then the patient should undergo the 6MWT:
If 6MWT SpO2 > or = 84%, then in-flight O2 is not recommended.
Although some people with lung disease may be at risk for developing hypoxemia during flight, careful pre-flight screening can identify this group and most will be able to fly safely using supplemental oxygen.
Additionally, for those who don’t already use supplemental oxygen, the following tips should be considered:2
Author: Deborah Leader RN, BSN, PHN
1 Anne Edvardsen et al. Air travel and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a new algorithm for pre-flight evaluation. Thorax 2012;67:964-969.
2 A. Johnson. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Fitness to fly with COPD. Thorax 2003;58:729-732 doi:10.1136/thorax.58.8.729.
Photo Credit: Flickr, airplane, Yuichi Kosio
My sister needs oxygen on her return flight from hethrow to la on the 20th October
Hi Michele, Please call an Oxygen Specialist at 1-800-678-5572 to discuss your oxygen needs.
This is some really good information about portable oxygen on airplanes. My grandmother needs oxygen on the flight. So I liked that you pointed out that she needs to plan ahead especially for layovers.
Thank you for sharing. The more information, the better!
Thank you and yes, an extra charged battery is always a great idea.
my doctor just took my oxygen level..it reads 96%..is that a safe level to fly? I do have 1st stage of emphasma and DONT require any assistance to breath yet… we are waiting for co2 blood tests to return to get final answer if I can fly..BUT we need to know what is the safe oxygen level in flight to compare test to.. I have never flown before and dont want to take any chances…
Hi Debbie, As we mention in the article above, some COPD patients may be at risk for developing hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) during air travel and may need in-flight oxygen, even if they don’t normally require it. Regardless of whether you're on land or in the air, you do not want your oxygen saturation to drop below 92%. For more information on safe oxygen levels please visit: https://www.inogen.com/resources/traveling-oxygen/faa-guidelines-oxygen-concentrators/
For more information on FAA Guidelines in regards to portable oxygen, please visit: https://www.inogen.com/resources/traveling-oxygen/faa-guidelines-oxygen-concentrators/
my wife has any OxyGo and is on 2-3 liters/min normally. Is it safe for her to fly as the Oxygen content in flight can be 15%. So would she have to run her OxyGo at a higher level ( say 4 liters/min ). In that case her battery will only go 2 hours or less
Hi William,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Here is the link to read: https://www.inogen.com/resources/traveling-oxygen/faa-guidelines-oxygen-concentrators/ This should help answer your questions, but to summarize, yes she can fly with her POC. She will need to have 150% of flight time in batteries and need to reach out to her Physician on the flow setting needed for cabin pressure. This is from the OxyGo manual, page 18- "During Your Flight"-A change in altitude (for example, from sea level to mountains) may affect total oxygen available to the patient. The OxyGo has been verified to provide oxygen to specification up to 10,000 ft. (3048 m). Consult your physician before traveling to higher or lower altitudes to determine if your flow settings should be changed.
I hope this helps answer your questions.