DOT Outlines New Regulations for Oxygen Devices on Airplanes

July 1, 2008

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule regarding traveling on airlines with devices, including ventilators, respirators, continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machines and portable oxygen concentrators (POC). The rule will go into effect May 13, 2009.

The requirements allow POCs on board as long as the devices have been tested and labeled as meeting FAA requirements.

Airlines are required to inform passengers, through the reservation process, who express a desire to use a device of any requirements to fly, including advance check-in, labeling, weight/size limits and/or written statements from physicians.

Airlines are not required to allow travelers to plug in devices or to provide priority seating. However, the DOT encourages airlines to permit passengers to plug in devices where the service is reliable.

Airlines may deny boarding on the basis of safety if the passenger does not have the requisite number of batteries or the batteries are not properly packaged.

The Department of Transportation has not yet decided whether to require airlines to provide free in-flight medical oxygen to passengers. The Department instead announced it will soon seek additional comments about the cost of carrier supplied oxygen.

For more information, visit safetravel.dot.gov or www.faa.gov.

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