Customers needing medical oxygen can travel on United Airlines and United Express using an approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) during all phases of flight, as long as:
Approved POCs
Only the following POCs are allowed for use on our aircraft:
- AirSep FreeStyle
- AirSep LifeStyle
- Delphi Central Air
- DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo
- Inogen One
- Inogen One G2
- International Biophysics LifeChoice
- Invacare XPO2
- Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator
- Respironics EverGo
- Sequal Eclipse
Note: FAA Regulations forbid the carriage of other personal oxygen units, including units which contain compressed or liquid oxygen. Compressed and liquid oxygen are classified as Hazardous Materials.
Non-approved POC brands and models that do not contain compressed or liquid oxygen may be carried in the cabin if they meet United’s carry-on size and weight requirements. Alternatively, they may be transported as checked baggage.
POCs are considered assistive devices and do not count toward carry-on limits, whether or not they are used on board. They must be able to fit underneath the seat or in an overhead compartment.
Advance notification to United
Anyone intending to use a POC onboard the aircraft must notify United of his or her planned POC use by calling 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) at least 48 hours prior to the day of travel. This includes customers whose reservations were booked through a travel agent or on the Internet. If connecting to another airline or a codeshare flight, customers must contact the other airline or the operating carrier for their rules on traveling with portable oxygen concentrators.
Physician’s Statement
Customers wishing to use POCs onboard will be required to have a signed Physician's Statement, dated within ten (10) days of the scheduled departure of the initial outbound flight, and must be prepared to show the statement to United personnel upon request on the day of travel. United strongly recommends printing the Physician's Statement that is available on united.com (Adobe Reader is required to download, view, print and complete the Physician's Statement).
The statement must specify:
- That the user of the POC has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear and understand the POC’s aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take appropriate action in response to those cautions and warnings;
- Whether oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the flight(s) listed on the customer’s itinerary; and
- The maximum oxygen flow rate in liters per minute corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions.
Additional requirements
Any customer traveling with a POC is exclusively responsible for traveling with a sufficient supply of batteries to last the entire journey, per his or her oxygen requirements, including the duration of the flight, all ground time (before and after flight and during connections) and for unexpected delays (150% battery supply). Please plan accordingly. Reservations agents can assist you in determining the total anticipated travel time. For more information, please call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).
Customers are also responsible for ensuring that all extra batteries are properly protected from short circuiting by having recessed battery terminals or by packaging the batteries so they do not contact metal objects, including the terminals or other batteries.
In addition, each customer must ensure that his or her POC is free of oil, grease and other petroleum products and is in good condition, free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse.
During flight, the POC must be placed beneath the customer’s seat. A customer using a POC may not sit in an exit row or bulkhead seat. Additionally, a customer using a POC during takeoff and landing may not sit in an aisle seat. A customer may use his or her POC while moving about the cabin as long as the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is not illuminated.
Failure to meet the above requirements will result in being denied use of a POC during travel.
Companies that provide POC services
There are companies that provide equipment and services to meet a traveling passenger’s special needs. Advanced Aeromedical is one company currently offering a discount to United customers who rent POCs through them. For information about their products and services and the available discount, please contact Advanced Aeromedical directly.
