Three years ago I had a sleep study and started CPAP the day before a Virgin Atlantic flight LAX-LHR-CPT in PE. I called VA to ask if I could bring my machine with me in the cabin without it being counted as an extra carry-on. I was nervous putting it in my checked luggage. I DIDN'T ASK TO USE THE MACHINE DURING THE FLIGHT. They said no problem. I got to the check-in counter and the drama started. They said that they weren't sure I could fly because I had "Apneoa Syndrome" (their spelling) and I could stop breathing during the flight. I ended-up talking with some nurse from VA and I had to agree to keep my seat vertical for both flight segments from LAX-LHR-CPT. I also had to get a 'fit to fly" statement faxed by my EENT to VA. I was livid, but I agreed so that I could board my flight. I thought that was the end of it, but no. The same thing happened to me me in London when I was boarding my flight to Capetown, AND Capetown to London AND London to Los Angeles. I fly VA a lot; I just returned from South Africa three weeks ago and you can bet that I never mentioned CPAP. VA hasn't changed their policy as far as I know. They do not allow the use of CPAP with or without battery power. I would sure like to be able to use the machine when I fly UC, if not for me for my fellow passengers with my intense snoring.
I'm planning a trip to Chennai, India in April and I'm considering flying Singapore Air if they would let me use my machine instead of flying LAX-LHR-DEL and then taking a domestic carrier to Chennai (MAA).
Originally Posted by
Yaatri
First of all, it's great that you found out you needed it. I had to fight with my doctor here to even order a sleep study. I had had already done in India on a suggestion of a doctor in Delhi, but I couldn't use results of that to get a CPAP.
Some units are certified for use on aircraft. If your unit is certified for use on the aircraft you will be on, the airline should alow you to use it on board. The reality is quite different. The response you get from the airline depends on who answers your phone and how diligent they are in digging up information. Some airlines would allow you to use CPAP only if it runs on a battery (quite expensive at $400 or more). You can also attack the problem from Resmed end. Have them produce documentation to you as to which aircraft teir unit has been certified for. Requiring battery use makes no sense as seats with power points provide enough power from a CPAP (other than empower ones) nor is the EM radiation from a CPAP is not likey to be much more than that from a DVD drive on a laptop. After spending hours with the airline and the manufacturer, the best I could get was "You can use it on the aircraft if you run it on a battery, and NOT use aircraft power).
That said, you will not die if you don;t use CPAP for one night. I had an AHI of 93 with a pressure setting of 16 mm of water. DO you mind sharing what your numbers were. It does make a big difference once you start using it. My BP numbers became normal only after a week's use.