I use a BiPap machine and a foldable cane and am trying to find out what problems I might have when traveling in Europe...Switzerland, Austria, Italy & France.
U.S. airlines allow you to take a BiPap machine as a carry-on without any problems and don't count it as carry-on baggage. I'm having difficulties finding info on how European airlines ( especially discount carriers ) treat devices like this and canes. I looked at Hop! and RyanAir web sites but could not find any helpful info. Would it count as your only allowed carry-on item?
I'm assuming trains don't care, but could be wrong.
Anyone have any info that would help in this regard?
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8312 posts
I took a CPAP machine to Italy last year, and carried it and a laptop in a backpack. No problem.
But when budget air carriers say one bag, they mean one bag. No exceptions, including ladies' purses. You just have to pack accordingly or pay extra to check your luggage. Or fly on more expensive legacy carriers.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7153 posts
Both Ryanair and Easyjet allow medical equipment to be carried on free in addition to the 'one carry-on' bag. You'd have to call the specific airline you're going to use (or visit their website), but my feeling is that all of them allow these machines along with the normal one carry-on bag, just as they do with canes, crutches, etc.
Posted by
OP
just North of San Diego ,CA, USA
32 posts
Thanks...just emailed "[email protected]" regarding this for HOP! regional carrier of Air France.
I'll post their reply. I was looking at a flight from Florence to Caen in April that HOP! has in lieu of taking trains.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
FWIW, I recently emailed Aegean Airlines with the same question and their email response was "Referring to your request, we would like to inform you that each passenger may carry on board the plane one (1) item of hand luggage, weighing no more than eight (8) kilos and measuring no more than 55cm in length x 40cm in height x 20cm in width as well as his medical equipment which meets the same dimensions." The CPAP meets those requirements.
Because there is also a chance that we might use Alitalia between FCO and ATH, I checked their baggage info online, and it appears that my husband's CPAP will be acceptable because his messenger bag is really a type of briefcase. "The hand baggage you bring on board with you may weigh no more than 8 kg and measure no more than 55 cm in height, 35 cm in width and 25 cm in depth – including handles, side pockets and wheels. ... Briefcases and laptop computers are considered hand baggage and may be brought on board in addition to the limits indicated." I emailed them for verification, but I haven't heard back from them yet.
Once you know what airlines you might use, I would check their websites for baggage info. All seem to openly mention crutches, but nothing else. It's worth the time to email them for an answer so that you have it in writing. Not being allowed to carry the CPAP on the plane as a 2nd carry-on is not a deal-breaker for us, but it would take up space in my husband's RS backpack and cut back on how many clothing items he can pack. Hmmmm? Maybe that would be a good thing!
Update: Alitalia emailed me back and told me to call their customer relations number. I did that and naturally got the "press 1 for..." menu. The only option that sounded likely was one dealing with kids traveling alone and people with medical needs. I found out that my husband can carry-on the CPAP in addition to his messenger bag. "No problem," according to Robert. I added a note about that to the email and I hope that will work if we need to take Alitalia.
Posted by
OP
just North of San Diego ,CA, USA
32 posts
unfortunately HOP! airlines never responded to my email so it looks like we'll be taking a train
:-(
Posted by
OP
just North of San Diego ,CA, USA
32 posts
I finally got a reply after 2 emails and was notified that a CPAP OR BIPAP machine can be carried on board and not be counted against the carry on luggage limit...but they want to know the flight and booking number ( I suspect they will notify the crew ).
I'll keep the forum updated with further progress.
Anybody know how to search for your own posts? I've tried a couple of different things unsuccessfully.
With activity picking up on the new and developing forum my posts slide back several pages and it would sure be easier to search for your own posts with one search parameter.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
My husband has both the C-PAP and his special mouth guard. It is much easier for him to use the mouth guard, especially during travel. There are specialists who can fit you with an expensive mouth guard for sleep apnea. We have been to two different specialized dentists. My husband has had two mouth guards, the most recent from last year. After he gets fitted, he goes in for another over-night sleep study, to make sure he is as safe as with his C-PAP. He has passed using the mouth guard.
Posted by
OP
just North of San Diego ,CA, USA
32 posts
Final post.
After several emails with HOP! airlines staff @ [email protected] (service for reduced mobility passengers) I was able to obtain permission to carry on my BiPap machine as an additional no cost piece of hand held luggage.
They actually added a comment to my ticket with that info after I booked my flight.