To fly or not to fly - Inflight Oxygen
By Pippa GrahamFollowing an enquiry made to our Helpline by a very fed up GUCH member, I thought I would try and get some facts For people who need oxygen whilst flying. Having tried several local travel agents who very helpfully suggested that would-be holiday makers just had to try each airline, I did just that, as apparently no-one holds a list giving this information. If you know of any organisation that holds such as list, please let us know at magazine@ GUCH.org.uk or 75 Tuddenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IN 2HG.
Very few airlines make it easy to find out information concerning special requirements. Having first searched the internet, unless it is a FAQ (frequently asked question), and these do not often give all the information you need, you have to telephone the airline concerned. It is not always easy to find a telephone number hidden within the multicoloured pages of their websites. And beware! Some of the telephone numbers, particularly those to customer services. arc charged at premium rates which can be as much as £1 per minute. As some airlines only take one passenger per flight who requires oxygen, so you will probably need to book early.
Aer Lingus. British Airways. Monarch and Virgin were all very helpful, and Virgin is hoping to install a new system which means it can increase the number of passengers it is able to carry who need oxygen.
If you take your own oxygen, the rules regarding oxygen supplies have changed (as of 1st February), and you can no longer get it from your local pharmacy
If you need oxygen when you fly, your GP or consultant will fill out a home oxygen order form (HOOF) and fax it to the supplier who covers your area. 1 he cylinder should arrive within three days. I spoke to the supplier for the Eastern Region and it has three-kilo cylinders hut by later this year should have two kilo-ones. Its travel section confirms these can be taken abroad as long as they are returned. To replace a cylinder costs about £150.
Below I have compiled a list of the policy of 12 airlines. It's not meant to be an exhaustive list and please remember the information I managed to obtain is only as good as the day we went to press.
| Airline | Own | Provide | Charge | Letter/ Cert | Booking Requirements/Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMI Baby | No | Yes | £100 | Cert £25 | Book your flight, then go to their designated doctor. If he
refuses you a certificate you can get a refund on your booking. Call
0871 244 2366. |
| Monarch | Yes | Yes | £75 Each way | Letter | Own cylinder max 18" from top to bottom. clearly labelled.
Advise the company when booking as crew must be given seven days
notice. Before booking ring 01 582 556332 to check availability. |
| Easyjet | Yes | No | Unconfirmed | Cert | Can only take one person per flight so advise at time of
booking online. There seems to be only recorded messages available when
you call the company. |
| Virgin | No | Yes | Free | Letter | Can only take one person per flight. Before booking, call 0870 380 2004 Monday to Friday 8am-7pm. |
| Ryanair | No | Yes | £100 return | Letter | Can only take one person per flight. Book with disability line first on 0353 1 2497700. |
| Brittania now Thompsonfly | No | No | N/A | N/A | Will not take passengers who need oxygen in flight |
| Air France | Yes | Yes | Flights within the same country, Europe £221 within £329, worldwide £550 *1 | Yes | An oxygen kit can be provided. Call 0870 142 4343 before
booking and you have to 'answer a lot of questions'. The charge for
bringing your own oxygen was unknown. |
| British Airways | No | Yes | £100 Each Way | Cert | The cost is per journey regardless of length. Eg: London to
Glasgow or London to Sydney with three stops is still £100 each way!
They provide a medical certificate for your doctor to complete. Call
020 8738 5444 to book your oxygen before booking your flight. Short
haul 2-4 Its per min Long haul 4Its per min. |
| Wizz Air | - | Yes | Unconfirmed | - | Flies from Luton and Liverpool. Could not obtain any more
information online and they have no UK office. Call centres are in
Poland and Hungary. |
| Air Canada | No | Yes | £72.64 each way *2 | Cert | Call reservations on 0871 2201111 They handle the initial
booking and request and will pass it to their medical clearance centre,
which will then contact you direct concerning your medical condition. |
| United Airlines | Yes | Yes | £56 *3 | *3 | Call 0845 8444 777 to make a booking and reserve oxygen |
| Flybe | Yes | No | Unconfirmed | Cert | Size of oxygen cylinders to be within hand baggage
restrictions - see website. Only four passengers with oxygen allowed
per flight. Advise company when booking on 0871 7000 123 and then call
0870 889 0941 to advise them of your medical details. |
Key to abbreviations:
Letter - 'fit to fly' letter from your doctor to be dated no more than seven days before you fly. Cert - medical certificate from your own doctor
*1 Rate of exchange used Euro 1.4 *2 Rate of exchange used CAN $2.06 "3 Rate of exchange US $1.79
Printed in GUCH News - Spring 2006