overnight flights

[lindyjoy]

I hope there is someone out there who has flown overnight. Did you use your cpap in-flight? What extra equipment did you need? I really need help. We are flying to Thailand soon and I don't know what to do. Do I invest in one of those little machines? Will I be allowed to use it? What about plugging in/battery? This is a very, very long trip; like 15-18 hours. I cannot stay awake the whole time!! Guess I should add that I am currently using a RemStar Auto, Series M, AFlex, with Breeze SleepGear. The machine is great and not too heavy even though it has a humidifier. I have travelled with it several times but only in the U.S. and Canada. Although customs checks it, there has never been a problem. I have never had to use it in-flight since the longest flight has been 6 hours. I am starting to get really concerned as the departure date gets closer. Someone please help!!!!
Lindyjoy

[Craig-Tx]

I would check with the airlines disability program.

I have flown with my M-Series PRO on American on my way to Turkey. I used it without the humidifier in flight (didn't want water sloshing into anything). If you decide to do this, make sure not to forget the little thing that goes on the back when not using the humidifier. I called the airlines ahead of time to get the unit authorized. They informed me I had to use a battery, and I couldn't use the airlines power. Once I got on the airplane, I let the flight attendants know I planned on using my CPAP in flight. They all seemed familiar with it. One of the flight attendants then asked me if I knew where the power outlet was. (I was in First or Business class both ways.) They never had a problem with me using my CPAP.

I slept about 4 hours each way, which is MUCH better than I usually ever sleep on a plane.

I also made sure to let the people next to me know what a CPAP is before I strapped on a mask... I didn't want them panicking about someone strapping on some mask.

-craig

[lindyjoy]

Thanks Craig; That was really helpful. What did you do re: battery? Do you recommend buying/renting one of those little cpap machines to travel with?
Lindy

[Bearded_One]

I have a Battery Geek CPAP battery that I can carry in my CPAP bag for use on the plane. Note that there are three sizes of Battery Geek CPAP batteries and the largest one is too big to carry on board an aircraft. My battery is about the size of a hard back book and has a cigarette lighter socket in it; the battery comes with a cord and an assortment of connectors to adapt the cord to fit your CPAP (you don't have to buy another CPAP DC cord). My battery will power my CPAP (no humidifier, set at 10 cmh2o) for almost three nights.

[Craig-Tx]

Thanks Craig; That was really helpful. What did you do re: battery? Do you recommend buying/renting one of those little cpap machines to travel with?
Lindy

Honestly, I knew I would be in a seat that had power (First / Business calss). Because I couldn't afford to buy a battery, My plan was to plug it into aircraft power. If they stopped me, I simply wouldn't use the thing. Luckily the flight attendants almost expected me to use aircraft power.

Honestly, if your budget can afford it, I would get a battery. You never know.

It's my suspicion that the reason they said I must use a battery is that they didn't want to be liable in the case that their power damages medical equipment. (Could be rather pricey for them!) The other reason is that in seat power is NOT guaranteed. If it's not working, they will still fly the airplane. Therefore, if it's a medically necessary device, they don't want to be on the hook for guaranteeing power.

The above is one reason I would get a battery if I could...

Also, if you want to know if a particular seat in a particular airplane has in seat power, check out http://www.seatguru.com/. Great information on MANY airlines seat configurations.

[MMCGOWAN]

get a car cigarette lighter plug with a voltage converter that will power your machine

you may have to fly busines or first class to get the seats with the plugs

I flew KLM to Moscow and had no troubles at all

[billbolton]

Also, if you want to know if a particular seat in a particular airplane has in seat power, check out http://www.seatguru.com/. Great information on MANY airlines seat configurations.

At-seat power is never guaranteed regardless of travel class, even if it the seat is "equipped" with it. My aircraft engineering contacts tell me that it relatively rare to have all the seat power running on any commercial aircraft..... some of the units always seem to fail for one reason or another.

Also, the power is typically provided by an underseat unit that supplies two or three adjacent seats. The rating of the underseat unit is NOT 2 or 3 times the theoretical maximum power draw from a single outlet, it is somewhat less. So, if every occupant of the seats supplied from the underunit attempt to draw the maximum rated power from the outlets, it usually shuts down.

After a number of experiences with at-seat power failure, I gave up on relying on it for many medical purpose and noe use battery packs for running my CPAP in-flight on long haul international journeys.

Cheers,

Bill

[MMCGOWAN]

AWESOME INFO BILL