Flying with a BiPap - Can I use it?

AlanMacNeill · Post by **AlanMacNeill** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:47 am

Weird question time.

I know they can't make me check my machine, but what I haven't ever found is...

Can I *use* my machine while I'm on the plane? Assume I have a battery pack so electricity isn't a big deal. Of course I would respect the "Please turn off your electronic devices" stuff during takeoff and landing, but for the 6 hours of the Red Eye...see where I'm going here?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:24 am

BEFORE you purchase your ticket, you need to get written authorization from the airline to use your machine.
(it has to be one approved by that airline)
You will also need a written guarantee that you will be seated where there is an appropriate power supply.
If you already paid for your ticket , you are at their mercy.
If you are VERY lucky, this might be enough.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:34 pm

AlanMacNeill wrote:Can I *use* my machine while I'm on the plane? Assume I have a battery pack so electricity isn't a big deal.

Check with Resmed if they had FAA certification for in-flight use of your S9 VPAP model (most Resmed units do have it.)

If so, then you will be able to use it in flight, on battery power, for flights which start or end in the USA. For flights which do mot meet that criteria (and therefore on which FAA guidence may not apply), you will need to approach the airline concerned for the policiy on inflight use of xPAP systems.

Note that relevant FAA regulation states that you must have adequate battery capacity to power your xPAP for 1.5 times the duration of flight, but it is not clear if any airline actually checks that in practice.

Cheers,

Bill

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:20 am

AlanMacNeill wrote:I know they can't make me check my machine, but what I haven't ever found is...

Can I *use* my machine while I'm on the plane?

That is bc you need to check with the folks who own & operate the aircraft on which you wish to use your machine. People on the internet won't matter to them

AlanMacNeill wrote:Assume I have a battery pack so electricity isn't a big deal.

Don't assume they will allow you to carry hazardous materials on board either. See above.

It is hard for anyone to share their experience when they don't know which airline you intend to fly.

AlanMacNeill · Post by **AlanMacNeill** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:35 am

Seeing as how at this point those decisions haven't been made (one of my criteria is intended to be "can I do this?"), I was kinda hoping to get some experience reviews. Or an absolute "FAA REgulatiion 901.C.3 says no can do boss" (or "WHy yes, yes you can") as a blanket.

Guess those don't exist...which in and of itself is useful data.

But thank you for your positive addition to the thread.

Flying with a BiPap - Can I use it?