How do we deal with my mother, who requires oxygen 24/7, while enduring air travel?
My mother is on oxygen 24 hours a day. She needs to travel to my home in Tucson, AZ from Pittsburgh, PA. We need both information regarding what airlines make this process the easiest and whether there are any sources for financial help, as we were told that the oxygen concentrator is very expensive to rent.
Expert Answer
Check with the airline your parent is traveling on. Airlines usually have their own rules about oxygen use. Most airlines provide oxygen for those who arrange it in advance, with a prescription from their doctor. It does vary from airline to airline, however. You should also check with your mom's doctor, respiratory therapist or physical therapist (whoever is monitoring her oxygen use), and ask for travel advice. Your mom should probably get a check up before traveling anyway, and this is a good time to ask about oxygen, and to get a prescription for the airline (if needed). The good news is your mom should be able to travel in comfort with her oxygen. But you'll need to do a little more groundwork to get there.