Using CPAP machines while in flight

Have,

I'd suggest have a look at a website such as Seat Guru, and check the aircraft specifics for the flight you'll be taking. Especially in "premium class", 115 VAC outlets are often provided at each seat so you shouldn't have any problem connecting your CAP machine.

Be sure to check the spec's on the CPAP power supplies to ensure these will operate on the European 220 VAC electrical systems. Plug Adapters will of course be required.

Thank you Ken! I checked Seat Guru and there are individual laptop power ports at each seat in Premium class on my airline. Those should work. Yes, my CPAP can be used on both 110 and on 220 power.

It is up to the airline whether or not you each can use a CPAP on your flights. There was paperwork involved when we inquired about this for a lengthy international flight on United in Business Class . And even though we decided not to use it, it had to be removed from our carry on and inspected at check in. So check with your airline first. We travel internationally several times a year and have never seen anyone using a CPAP or BiPAP on a flight which is surprising.

I used to travel with a friend who used a CPAP in our hotel rooms. I found it quite noisy. Is this not the case now or will your use of the thing disturb others?

I will second Norma's comments about noise. If your CPAPs are not extremely quiet, then both of you using them could very well mean that while you might get a good night's sleep, the others around you might not and that seems a bit selfish to me. I have friends and relatives that use CPAPs but none of them use them on flights. Save them for your hotels.

Actually the newer CPAP machines which my husband and I use are extremely quiet. In fact, they are much more quiet than the people snoring. It is because people snore and gasp while they sleep that their partner realizes that they need a CPAP.

Unless they are very old machines, most seem to be quite quiet now. Given the background noise on an airplane, I know mine would never be heard. I have traveled with people and shared rooms and they were surprised to see me pack it up at the end of the trip because they could not hear it. I can't say I thought about using it in flight though.

I use a CPAP. I haven't tried to use it in flight (because I have always just assumed there is no place to plug it in). At least for me, if I am sitting up in my seat, there is less need for it (because gravity is not pressing my throat closed). But it might be nice to have it available to use, so I will be checking that out for my Air France direct flight from Seattle to Paris.

You need to be very careful not to lose it or leave it somewhere while traveling. In Lisbon, we took a taxi from the rental car drop off to our hotel, and the taxi driver drove off without taking it with our other bags out of the trunk. I realized it just as he was driving off, but couldn't catch him.

As a result, we spent about 1/2 day going to the local hospital, where they luckily managed to come up with a loaner that I could use for the last 3-4 days of our trip. They were extremely nice about it. So it didn't turn out to be that horrible of an experience. But multiple days without it would have ruined my trip, been extremely unpleasant, and possibly even been life threatening.

We had some extra time at the airport on the way home, and (rather miraculously) found my CPAP in the lost and found, where the taxi driver had apparently turned it in.

I will weigh in on this! I used to get this question a lot in the months before summer, when I worked as a clinical specialist at ResMed. I also use CPAP myself.

Contacting your airline should be able to tell you if there is an accessible plug. What may be a limiting factor though is you would need 2! Also do NOT use your humidifier! Water can splash if there is turbulence, and destroy your device. Batteries are nice, but are quite expensive, and usually not covered by insurance (the VA does sometimes cover them though). Also some airlines may not allow batteries on board, because of battery overheating and fire concerns. If you need a battery contacting your medical equipment provider or the manufacturer customer service can help.

Make sure you get a letter of medical necessity and order from your MD to carry with you! In fact please always include your MD into the plan, they will help direct you! The airline will have requirements as to what you will need. Make sure you ask your MD or medical equipment company early enough for needed paperwork!

If you are travelling it is also important to notify your medical equipment company and let them know your device may not be transmitting signals. Monitoring is being used more and more by insurance companies who provide you their equipment and if your signal is lost and you are in the early stages of using PAP, that may affect them paying for your equipment. Typically signals are not transmitted outside of the US and Canada. Europe and elsewhere use different types of wireless monitoring systems and the systems do not talk to each other! Patients usually have to use their device well within their first 90 days of use. There are ways around this, such as using data cards, so talking to your medical equipment company is needed. Talking to them ahead of time is crucial!

Like the other poster, I do not use my device in flight. I want to be respectful of the others on the plane, and I cannot use mine without the humidifier! I do, however, ALWAYS travel with my device. Your apnea will be less prominent if you are sleeping upright and a neck support pillow like THIS will help https://trtltravel.com/. You can also look into a oral device made by a dentist, if your apnea is mild or moderate to use in place of your PAP.

Again ask your MD what they recommend and if it is OK to skip a night and adjust your plan accordingly.

Lastly, WATCH your device carefully. It should be firmly in your lap, on your shoulder or between your legs while in a airport. I had mine stolen at the airport in Venice. There is a healthy black market for medical devices and thieves stole mine while my husband was distracted in Venice. I spent 3 days without mine and was JUST fine.

Please PM me if you have questions

Nancy Brewer, RPSGT

I'm flying British Airways, and contacted them about CPAP's use and carryon status. They indicated that they can be used on board. But what was interesting is the rules say if they are carried on as medical equipment they must be used in flight or will be charged as extra baggage. Can't imagine how they would verify this, but I'll definitely be saying that I used. They also said that a perscription from doctor must be included with CPAP to qualify.

A few additional comments to add to my earlier post.....

You may find this article helpful - https://traveltips.usatoday.com/tsa-rules-cpap-machines-110222.html . As others have mentioned, it would be prudent to have documentation provided by your doctor.

While you shouldn't have any issues getting through airport security and carrying the CPAP as carry-on luggage, there will be an issue carrying distilled water with it. I doubt there's any way you'll be able to get around the liquids rule. However if your budget allows, you could purchase a "waterless" travel CPAP such as this model - https://cpapmachinescanada.net/collections/travel-machines/products/airmini-cpap-system?variant=43796957191 .

I probably wouldn't use one during a flight even if power is available as it would be rather awkward and cumbersome. As others have mentioned, it may annoy those seated near you, especially if you have an aisle seat and they have to climb over the conglomeration of machines and tubes in order to use the WC.

As you plan on using the CPAP during the flight, you may have to obtain prior approval from the airline. They will probably insist that Airplane mode be activated on the device. AFAIK, the ResMed Airsense devices do have the capability of Airplane mode, which will turn the cellular data transceiver "Off".

I've used my CPAP on an international flight and the ambient noise of the airplane engines drowns out the air hissing noise of the CPAP.
I was self conscious with wearing the mask in public on the plane, so I threw a blanket over my head and that helped dampen the noise.
I would only be concerned with the passengers to either side of you. I sat in a window seat, so the only person that was bothered was my wife sitting next to me, and she hears the CPAP noise every night.

Never sat in premium class, so if the row is three seats, I would be concerned with bothering the third person. But if it's just you two in a row, I think you will be fine.