Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

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: 88

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

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.

Thanks Kath, I had tried to contact Vueling about this but hadn't found the web page so that's really helpful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

John replied to John's discussion A tale of two nasal dilators
"I've found they get lost easy. The Airmax one is £10, lasted a couple of weeks before disappearing.The white ones are quite cheap, work out about 50p each off Ebay.I was wanting to experiment with making a mould and crafting my own…"
Monday
John posted a discussion

Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?

Hi, I'm having trouble getting diagnoses for anything from the NHS recently. A pressing one being what exactly causes my apnea.Is it like this for everyone or do some people get told what is the specific physical problem and root cause?See More
Monday
John replied to John's discussion Oropharyngeal exercises
"Hi Kath yes I was pretty disappointed when the consultant told me this - as I had some papers sitting next to me saying studies showed an effect - and that's evidence.Looking at the exite thing it says, "has been clinically proven to…"
Monday
grumpycamel left a comment for Sarah Kirton
"Hi Sarah, Im interested in the Philips Dreamstation 2 Auto CPAP that you have for sale and would be grateful if you could contact me on 07909996432 at your convenience to discuss. Im not available durings parts of the day so if there is no answer…"
Oct 2
Jonathan replied to Jim Scullion's discussion UK Attendance Allowance
"My sleep apnoea just requires me to pop a mask on before I go to bed.  But your circumstances may be different."
Sep 16
Jim Scullion posted a discussion

UK Attendance Allowance

Does anyone know if Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can be the basis for a claim for attendance allowance in the UK?See More
Sep 14
Anthony N is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Sep 11
Amanda Lucas is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Sep 10
Profile IconHeidi Castro Ledwych and marion Edwards joined Hope2SleepGuide
Sep 9
Profile IconNiki tillson, Canyon and T-Bone joined Hope2SleepGuide
Sep 5
Sarah Kirton is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Aug 25
Kath Hope replied to Antony Warren's discussion CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
"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…"
Aug 25
Jonathan replied to Antony Warren's discussion CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
"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…"
Aug 25
Kath Hope replied to Antony Warren's discussion CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
"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…"
Aug 25
Jonathan replied to Antony Warren's discussion CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
"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-cpap-equipment The only short-haul flight I have taken was with British Airways, and it…"
Aug 25
Kath Hope replied to The SleepGuide Crew's discussion Welcome to our Forum - Feel Free to Introduce Yourself Here.
"Glad you found us Antony. I had a sleep endoscopy by Bhik Kotecha many years ago but I told him he was coming nowhere near me with his scalpel lol, as I have too many reasons for my severe sleep apnoea. We have Dr Vik Veer now who runs the UCLH…"
Aug 24
Kath Hope replied to Antony Warren's discussion Reporting to DVLA
"DVLA just create problems by not being clear about things. At least you won't need to tick the box next time as it says 'a condition you haven't reported before.' Glad this came up though as we get lots of DVLA queries at the…"
Aug 24
Antony Warren replied to Antony Warren's discussion Reporting to DVLA
"Thanks Kath, I'll hope that they don't pick up on it if I don't tick that box in three years time! I'll apply in good time just in case."
Aug 24
Antony Warren replied to The SleepGuide Crew's discussion Welcome to our Forum - Feel Free to Introduce Yourself Here.
"So pleased to have found this site, thank you. I'm a retired doctor and have had OSA for about 20 years despite having a BMI of 23, only ever sleeping on my side and not smoking. Over that time I have had five successful procedures of…"
Aug 24
Antony Warren replied to Antony Warren's discussion CPAP machine as cabin baggage on aeroplane
"Thanks Kath, I had tried to contact Vueling about this but hadn't found the web page so that's really helpful."
Aug 24

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service