Respiratory - Pre-Flight Oxygen Test

If you are planning a holiday, there are some things that you may need to consider.

People with breathing conditions may require a pre-flight oxygen test (also known as a hypoxic challenge) to determine if oxygen will be needed during a flight. This test involves breathing thin air with reduced levels of oxygen like you would on an aeroplane and monitors how your lungs react to this.

It is important to appreciate that this test on its own is not enough to declare that you are medically fit to fly. Your doctor will need to assess your ability to safely travel in a plane using information from this test and others if needed. Therefore, a brief appointment may need to be arranged with your doctor so they can discuss this with you.

When is a pre-flight oxygen test needed?

Having a breathing condition may mean that oxygen levels can be reduced. Oxygen levels can be measured with a pulse oximeter device (sometimes referred to as a sats monitor or sats probe). These devices are placed on the fingertip and work out how much oxygen is in your blood.

You may require a pre-flight oxygen test if your oxygen saturations are below a certain level at rest or when exercising. Other factors need to be considered too such as your type of lung disease and how stable you have been.

It is therefore important that you to speak to you specialist doctor or nurse before booking a flight.

How to arrange a pre-flight oxygen test

Contact your respiratory consultant’s secretary or your respiratory nurse 8-12 weeks before your planned flight to discuss having a flight assessment. It is important to remember that a flight assessment is valid for 3 months and therefore it should be arranged in enough time for a holiday but not so far away that it has expired before the actual holiday takes place.

What happens after the test?

Your doctor may still need to see you and if this is the case, they will let you know. The test will help your doctor make the decision about whether you are able to fly; if oxygen is indicated during the flight and how much will be needed.

If needed for your airlines, you may be provided with a formal letter or have the airline’s form(s) completed by your doctor.
Please allow sufficient time for this as these forms are lengthy and your doctor may not be able to complete them at short notice.

Arranging oxygen for flying

Only a doctor can issue and sign a letter that contains the information you will need, or a form issued by the airline.

If you are not under the care of a respiratory consultant, you will need to contact your GP before the hypoxic challenge is arranged to ensure that they will be able to sign the form.

Airlines should be made aware well in advance if you need to use oxygen during the flight and not when checking in at the airport for the flight.
 
Rules about inflight oxygen vary from airline to airline. Therefore, it is very important to check the oxygen policy of the airline you will be flying with, especially if you are not returning with the same airline that you flew out with. You should do this before you reserve your flights as some airlines do not provide inflight oxygen.

This information should be available on the airline’s website and will detail what actions to take before oxygen can be taken/ used on a flight.

Some airlines may accept a formal letter that details your oxygen requirements and states that you can fly. Other airlines will require a specific form completing (medical information form – MEDIF). Some will provide both.

Where to hire oxygen equipment

Inflight oxygen differs between airlines, some will provide oxygen for a fee and the cost of this can vary. Others will allow passengers to take their own oxygen equipment, but this will have to meet certain specifications, again these may differ between airlines. It is therefore important to check with the airline before hiring equipment.

Once your doctor has provided you with the relevant letter or form, you should contact a specialist oxygen hire company to arrange your oxygen supply.

Oxygen equipment that has been provided by the NHS cannot be taken outside of the UK.
 
Below are details of companied that can hire oxygen equipment for holidays. (Please note this is not an exhaustive list and is provided for information only. The Northern Care Alliance does not endorse any of their services)

Pure O2

Viking House, 71 Princess Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 5ST
Website: Portable Oxygen Equipment from Pure O2: European leader (healthoxygen.com)
Email: info@healthoxygen.com Telephone: 0161 747 2617

The Oxygen Store

Old Bank chambers, 4 Glebe Street, Stoke on Trent, ST4 1HG
Website Oxygen Concentrator Rental | The Oxygen Store
Email: admin@theoxygenstore.com
Telephone: 0178 533 8111

What happens if I oxygen (LTOT) at home?

Oxygen can be provided free of charge by your oxygen provider if you to choose to holiday within the UK. You should contact them to advise them of your travel arrangement and they will then provide oxygen equipment, like that you have at home, at your holiday address.

If oxygen is needed abroad (not just during a flight) it is important to plan before travelling. Portable oxygen concentrators may not be suitable to use overnight. The European Lung Foundation has a list of oxygen providers in Europe.

Useful websites

The Asthma and Lung UK and European lung foundation websites have lots of useful information about holidaying with oxygen and travel insurance.

Asthma + Lung UK
(asthmaandlung.org.uk)

European Lung Foundation (search 'air travel')
(europeanlung.org)