Oxygen on flights
 

Hi all. My father was hospitalised in Singapore on Wednesday, after becoming ill while flying from FRA to MEL. He is now recovering from pseudomonas pneumonia, in hospital in Singapore. Having heard he was hospitalised, I flew to SIN, and am trying to arrange his onward travel to MEL. The doctors here are of the opinion that he is likely to be able to fly as early as Friday, albeit with supplementary oxygen. My cousin, who is an RN, has offered to fly to SIN to escort him to MEL. I will also likely fly with them to MEL.

My questions here are:

1. Which airline is best geared up for such requirements?
2. How much oxygen can we take on board, and how do we organise this?
3. Does it make a difference whether we fly in Y or J?

I know of course, that we will need to buy a completely new ticket for him to travel, so the choice of carrier is entirely open.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
The Bouncer

As this is not specific to the Information Desk we'll try this out in disability travel, they tend to excel with this kind of Information. If you've unable to contact the carriers, perhaps involve the services of a travel agent as well.

~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk

Thanks very much.

I think you're probably going to have to spend some time on the phone. Here's an overview: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/sup...ond-the-basics

I'm glad to hear that your father is recovering, and I hope his trip home is uneventful. Let us know what you discover, and hopefully some folks who are more familiar with traveling with supplemental oxygen will chime in as well.

Thank you
 

Thank you very much for your time and effort Katja. Unfortunately my dad was not able to make the flight. He suffered further complications and passed away in hospital in Singapore.

Oh, Bouncer, I am so sorry for your loss...

My thoughts are with you and your family in this difficult time.

Thank you for your sentiments Katja. I now have a further question. My dad has been cremated locally in Singapore, but had previously requested for his ashes to be scattered in his native Ireland. If possible I would like to collect the ashes personally and deliver them to Ireland. How is this likely to work on a flight? Obviously I want to minimise the chance of any mishaps on route, so I would prefer to carry the urn in my hand luggage. Is this possible? Do I need to advise the airline in advance? Are certain carriers more amenable than others? Thanks in advance for any advice.
The Bouncer

The only personal knowledge I have on this was that we had no trouble at all taking my fathers ashes on a domestic US flight from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles as hand luggage. I suspect that there may be paperwork involved in crossing national borders, but I don't know anything more.

Thanks for your contribution Katja. I delivered Bouncer Senior home to Ireland on Sunday without incident (other than an aborted landing due to high winds at ORK and the resultant diversion to SNN).

For anyone in a similar position, ashes can be carried as hand luggage - the following steps need to be taken:

1. Inform carrier of the nature of the package.

2. Obtain the relevant documentation:
Death Certificate
Cremation Certificate
Written statement from undertaker, confirming contents of urn.

3. Ensure the ashes are correctly packed. The urn must be non-metal and encased in a non-metallic outer container, clearly marked "Human Ashes", and the name of the deceased.

4. Inform security agents at airport and present the above documents. The package will be x-rayed but not opened.

5. Declare to customs officials on arrival, the nature of the package.

Ashes may also be carried in checked baggage, but I would strongly recommend against this, due to the risk of loss or damage.

For the record, I travelled with BA from SIN to LHR, connecting with EI to ORK (SNN).

Thank you for reporting back on your experience. I'm glad to hear that Bouncer Senior has been returned home without any extra hassles.