Travelling With Oxygen  [ Return to  Safety  ]

Advanced planning is the key to the success of your trip, whether you plan to use public transportation, car, camper or motor home. Travelling with oxygen can present some unique problems, most of which can be solved with careful planning.

Local: Services can be arranged at your destination branch. Contact your local office one week in advance.

National: When travelling nationally, and using the Air Liquide Healthcare network, please contact your local branch at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements.

International: Air Liquide Healthcare has sister companies in many countries around the world and arrangements can be made for most other popular destinations. Contact your Air Liquide Healthcare office at least one month in advance.

Some airlines require a special form to be completed by your physician.

If you receive assistance for the cost of home oxygen from a funding program, please note that the cost of oxygen and related supplies when travelling may not be directly covered.

• Name.
• Address.
• Telephone number.
• Costs involved.
• Keep receipts.

When travelling, be sure to take into account any stopovers along the way, especially any layovers or flight changes where you will need extra oxygen.

Notice: All medical and therapeutic information and advice contained on this website is necessarily general in nature and may not be appropriate to your particular condition. Consequently, we caution all our readers that the information and advice contained on this website should be acted or relied upon only after consultation with your physician or health care professional.

If you are travelling by car, you can transport your concentrator or cylinder with you. Always remove the humidifier or 'bubble bottle' before transporting oxygen. Concentrators may be placed in the boot, horizontally or vertically. Concentrators should always be firmly restrained.

Cylinders in use should be firmly secured behind the user seat. Additional cylinders should be transported securely in the boot of the car. Cylinders can be transported horizontally, but must be tightly secured to avoid rolling around. Since these cylinders are for personal consumption, vehicles are exempt from displaying warning stickers denoting oxygen in use. We recommend that you leave your window slightly open during travel. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the vehicle whilst oxygen is in use or when transporting oxygen.