Traveling with oxygen

Learn more about our policies for oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines and providing medical oxygen during your flight.

Personal medical devices

You can fly with a portable oxygen concentrator, ventilator, respirator or CPAP machine, but there are a few rules you’ll need to follow depending on the device you’re bringing.

Portable oxygen concentrators

You can use a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) that’s been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during your flight.

Traveling with POC policy

You can bring POC with you for free on United and United Express flights. Book a flight with your POC today.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling
1-800-228-2744.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling
1-800-228-2744.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling 1-800-228-2744.

If you don’t need to use your POC during your flight, you can bring it as a carry-on or in a checked bag with the batteries removed. There are additional rules for traveling with compressed gas POC.

You can use a FAA approved POC during any United flight, but not all United Express flights. When you call us before your flight we’ll work with you to make sure you’re on a plane that allows POC use.

In order to use your POC on your flight you must bring a completed and printed copy of the portable oxygen concentrator form.

You must bring enough charged batteries to power your POC for 1.5 times your flight duration. For example: If you have a 3-hour flight the battery life for your POC should be 4 hours and 30 minutes. We can’t guarantee you a seat with in-seat power during your flight.
All extra batteries should be packaged to prevent short circuiting through contact with metal objects, including the terminals of other batteries. Batteries with recessed terminals do not need to be packaged.
Learn more about traveling with batteries.

Traveling with POC policy

You can bring POC with you for free on United and United Express flights. Book a flight with your POC today.

If you don’t need to use your POC during your flight, you can bring it as a carry-on or in a checked bag with the batteries removed. There are additional rules for traveling with compressed gas POC.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling
1-800-228-2744.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling
1-800-228-2744.

If you need to use your POC during your flight, you must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling 1-800-228-2744.

You can use a FAA approved POC during any United flight, but not all United Express flights. When you call us before your flight we’ll work with you to make sure you’re on a plane that allows POC use.

In order to use your POC on your flight you must bring a completed and printed copy of the portable oxygen concentrator form.

You must bring enough charged batteries to power your POC for 1.5 times your flight duration. For example: If you have a 3-hour flight the battery life for your POC should be 4 hours and 30 minutes. We can’t guarantee you a seat with in-seat power during your flight.
All extra batteries should be packaged to prevent short circuiting through contact with metal objects, including the terminals of other batteries. Batteries with recessed terminals do not need to be packaged.
Learn more about traveling with batteries.

If you’re flying on another airline, including a partner airline, you’ll need to contact them directly to confirm their POC policy.

Ventilators, respirators and CPAP machines

You can use ventilators, respirators and CPAP machines that have been approved by the FAA during your flight. There should be a manufacturer’s label on your device if FAA standards are met.

If you plan on using any of these personal devices during your flight, you’ll need to comply with the following policy:

You can…

  • You can bring a ventilator, respirator or CPAP machine with you for free.
  • You can use a FAA approved device during any United or United Express flight.

You should know…

  • You must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling 1-800-228-2744.
  • You must bring enough batteries to power your device during your flight and time at the airport, plus 3 extra hours. We can’t guarantee you a seat with in-seat power during your flight. Learn more about traveling with batteries.

You can…

  • You can bring a ventilator, respirator or CPAP machine with you for free.
  • You can use a FAA approved device during any United or United Express flight.

You should know…

  • You must let us know at least 48-hours in advance by calling 1-800-228-2744.
  • You must bring enough batteries to power your device during your flight and time at the airport, plus 3 extra hours. We can’t guarantee you a seat with in-seat power during your flight. Learn more about traveling with batteries.

Onboard medical oxygen

We only provide onboard medical oxygen on flights between Guam and Honolulu, Manila, Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. If you need medical oxygen on flights to other destinations, you’ll need to use a personal medical device.

Requesting onboard medical oxygen

  • You must let us know at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the Guam medical desk at 1-671-645-8215 or CMICRC@united.com.
  • We’ll provide an oxygen setup for each flight segment, which costs $150 USD per segment.
  • We only provide oxygen on your flight, not at the airport. If you need oxygen at the airport, work with your doctor to contact an oxygen provider.
  • You must bring a completed and printed copy of the onboard medical oxygen request form.
If you’re flying on another airline, including a partner airline, you’ll need to contact them directly to confirm their onboard medical oxygen policy.

Traveling with oxygen FAQ