Travel Tips

Traveling With an Oxygen Tank

If you require supplemental oxygen when you travel, due to a medical condition, you know that traveling can be difficult. So here’s what you need to know.

But there are things you need to know to make it better. The good news is that as of this summer, it’s much easier to fly with oxygen.

All US airlines are required to allow FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators—but not oxygen tanks—on any commercial airplane.

But what about traveling on trains or taking cruises if you need oxygen?

You can take your own oxygen tanks onto Amtrak trains, provided you give them at least 12 hours advance notice and make a reservation by phone.

Most cruise lines will allow you to take your own equipment on board, such as cylinders, CPAP machines, concentrators, and nebulizers.

But you must have enough to last the duration of the cruise.

There are oxygen supplies on board the vessels, but they are for emergency use only!

Oxygen equipment must be hand-carried onto a ship, and whatever you do, don’t put it through the security X-ray machines.

For more, visit our Travel Health & Fitness section.

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