Plane Travel

[TxDiesel]

I need some advice. I need to travel by plane over 20 hours so I need to get a machine with a battery. I use an auto machine currently, but don't necessarily care if it is a straight cpap. I also want it to be used "just-in-case" my machine goes out!

Finances are tough and no insurance. What should I purchase?

[cpapernewbie]

you can survive 20 hrs of flight without sleeping,
Been there, done that so many times... just in 2009, I have experienced this 5 times back and forth

Buying CPAP with battery is not worth it if just for the plane

[bearded_two]

I am now carrying a basic IntelliPAP with a li-ion CPAP battery. The IntelliPAP is small and quiet, the CPAP battery is relatively lightweight and powers the CPAP for over 2 nights.

[Snorkler]

Unless you have a first class seat, chances are that you will have to sleep sitting upright. And sleeping sitting upright is usually less likely to cause bouts of apnea. If you have a business class or first class seat they often have an electrical outlet, and may have a seat that reclines almost as much as a bed.

[billbolton]

Unless you have a first class seat, chances are that you will have to sleep sitting upright.

Many business class seats nowadays are sleeper configurations, particularly on long duration flights.

Cheers,

Bill

[billbolton]

Finances are tough and no insurance. What should I purchase?

Portable battery solutions of the type you would use on an aircraft are expensive and unless you specifically plan to use the battery a lot, are not particularly cost effective. If its a once-off trip you may be better off staying awake in transit, and paying for an extra day/night of accommodation on arrival to catch up on missed sleep.

Also keep in mind that for a variety of reasons, which vary from flight to flight and are not related to OSA, you may find it difficult to sleep on an aircraft in any case.

I've certainly had a few experiences, out of numerous long duration flights, where it was just not possible to sleep, despitehaving my CPAP machine and a battery available.

Cheers,

Bill

[dtsm]

If you're in J or F, sleeper is common with power. Usually 115 v, 400 hz.

But not every airline permits on-board use with their power. Cathay Air does, as does UA but Singapore Airlines requires your own battery. I haven't had personal experience but did some research here as well as other boards - source of above post. And call the airlines or go to their website, usually listed under 'disability and/or medical travel' section.

Here are a few related threads in case you want to read:
viewtopic/t48598/CPAP-and-Travel.html
viewtopic/t46934/ever-use-machine-DURING-flight.html
viewtopic/t47138/flying-in-airplane-with-cpap.html
viewtopic/t45678/A-CPAP-that-will-work- ... ights.html

Plus this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disabili ... light.html

As far as travel cpap units, there are two promoted on this board - go to cpap.com products to see the two models. One has battery pack that is quite small.

Good luck and let us know what happened. I take several transpacific 15-17 hr non-stops in J class and would like to know of your experiences.

[Like it is]

A lot of airlines are restricting CPAP onboard, except for carryon.

It's one of those things, if you can't confirm to that particular airline's rules, don't fly with them. The world doesn't revolve around one person. Dont be surprised if one day, all airlines will restrict CPAP use. If sleeping on a plane is such a big deal for you, one needs to look at other options like have an overnight layover where you can check yourself into a hotel and catch another flight. Dont expect others including airlines to bend their back for people. We've all become way too selfish and demanding in our quest to exercise our rights.

[billbolton]

450 mhz.

I'd like to see that!

Cheers,

Bill

[kingsmith]

Hey mate. Don't worry about air travel. Millions fly on planes everyday and the likelihood of an accident or terrorist attack is very small. I know how it is driving for two days (not fun): believe me, you'll be a lot happier flying there in two hours, and it'll be over in no time. Baggage delivery in US airports is way ahead of any developing country. Again there's a very small chance you'll be held up in Washington waiting for your bags. Flying on a plane for the first time is an awesome experience, and I'm sure you'll love it, so look forward to it! I still do after many years of flying several times a year. One final point to make sure you're comfortable with flying: air travel is the safest mode of transport, so you've better chance of getting yourself killed on the road than you do in the air. Good luck!

[JohnBFisher]

450 mhz.

I'd like to see that!

Cheers,

Bill

Bill, as I suspect you realize, but not everyone would, I the poster meant 110V, 400Hz. 450mhz would be "humming right along" ... foot loose and fancy free ... especially since all the electrical equipment would be fried out!

[dtsm]

450 mhz.

I'd like to see that!

Cheers,

Bill

Bill, as I suspect you realize, but not everyone would, I the poster meant 110V, 400Hz. 450mhz would be "humming right along" ... foot loose and fancy free ... especially since all the electrical equipment would be fried out!

A typo.
It should have read 115V and 400Hz -- has been corrected.

[JohnBFisher]

... A typo. ... It should have read 115V and 400Hz -- has been corrected. ...

So, I thought, just based on the quality of your posts.

But just think ... at 450mhz you would make Nikola Tesla proud. You would be able to transmit electricity without wires!