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CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
Hi, I'm a new CPAP user and am getting on well. I'm going on short-haul flights in October by Vueling to Spain and back and have booked cabin baggage and hand luggage only. I have a certificate from the hospital to say my CPAP machine is essential medical equipment. I shan't need to use it on the flight of course, but I shall struggle to get everything I need into the suitcase with it.
My question for those who have experience of travelling by air with CPAP is, please: does the equipment need to fit in to my existing baggage, or should the certificate enable me to take the CPAP bag on in addition to it?
Views: 146
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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I had to check out Vueling as it's not a flight company we've been asked about before (perhaps they're newish). If you go to this page on their website you'll see it states you can take the CPAP in its bag and store it under the seat https://help.vueling.com/hc/en-gb/articles/24400281141393-Apnoea-ma... They do need you to take the letter/certificate from the hospital (chances are they won't ask to see it, but it needs to be there just in case). They also want to see it's approved for flights, so if there's no sticker on the CPAP about being FAA approved, then take the manual with you in the CPAP bag.
Good to hear you're getting on well with your CPAP and just in case you haven't though about it, your holiday insurance company will need your sleep apnoea listed.
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Permalink Reply by Antony Warren on
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Thanks Kath, I had tried to contact Vueling about this but hadn't found the web page so that's really helpful.
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I have a large swing-tag attached to mine. This appears to be an up-to-date equivalent https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medical-identification-luggage-tag...
The only short-haul flight I have taken was with British Airways, and it was not an issue to carry the machine separately. Other flights have been long-haul and also not an issue.
I have taken a look at the CAA's website, and Vueling's and cannot see anything helpful. The Vueling one talks about using the machine, not carrying it on-board.
Enjoy your travels.
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The link I provided to Vueling had sub-links Jonathan and this is from one of them about carrying medication onboard, and clearly states you can carry CPAP at no extra charge. I was impressed at the info provided from a flight company I'd not previously come across:-
We have the luggage tags at the Hope2Sleep Charity which help at airports and we've even had a couple of reports where people have lost their CPAP and quickly had it returned to them from the mobile number provided on the tag (thanks for the reminder as I should have told Antony) https://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/cpap-ventilator-luggage-tag.html
Agree British Airways gives no hassle and Jet2 is good as well. Virgin caused me a nightmare coming back from Florida https://www.facebook.com/hope2sleep.co.uk/videos/1154517558060288/
Jonathan said:I have a large swing-tag attached to mine. This appears to be an up-to-date equivalent https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medical-identification-luggage-tag...
The only short-haul flight I have taken was with British Airways, and it was not an issue to carry the machine separately. Other flights have been long-haul and also not an issue.
I have taken a look at the CAA's website, and Vueling's and cannot see anything helpful. The Vueling one talks about using the machine, not carrying it on-board.
Enjoy your travels.
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Ah, yes, I hadn't spotted Vueling's statement. Thank you. And your tags are very similar to the one I purchased at the start of my CPAP journey in the 15+ years ago.
My only bad experience (as I have written about here) was getting sign-off from Singapore Airlines in advance that I could use my machine on a 13 hour journey to Singapore, only to be taken aside at check-in to be told that I could NOT use it. Subsequently for long-haul I bought at battery pack for my machine, so I am not dependent on plugging my machine in to the in-seat power socket.
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Yes I empathise, as it was a similar story to mine with Virgin (not chasing them for my official confirmation). Even worse though was they said I couldn't use it and therefore couldn't fly due to my fit-to-fly letter stipulating I need it for sleeping, as it was a night flight and I had my battery with me. They even unloaded my luggage off the plane, but thankfully the captain over-ruled them with common sense (it was their fault anyway). My family were mortified as they were all checked in by then. Mostly flying with CPAP is straightforward, but when there is a rare problem it's a big one! That's why we always advise checking with each flight company first, just in case...
Jonathan said:Ah, yes, I hadn't spotted Vueling's statement. Thank you. And your tags are very similar to the one I purchased at the start of my CPAP journey in the 15+ years ago.
My only bad experience (as I have written about here) was getting sign-off from Singapore Airlines in advance that I could use my machine on a 13 hour journey to Singapore, only to be taken aside at check-in to be told that I could NOT use it. Subsequently for long-haul I bought at battery pack for my machine, so I am not dependent on plugging my machine in to the in-seat power socket.
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