Update on airlines - cpap use on flight

Just FYI, these guys seem more on the ball than United.

Lufthansa will accept assistive devices with batteries as checked baggage as well as inside the cabin. Assistive devices with batteries include respirators, CPAP machines (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine), portable oxygen concentrators (POC) and ventilators. Lufthansa will allow qualified individuals with a disability who are using FAA approved personal respirators/ventilators to bring their equipment, including non-spillable batteries, onboard the aircraft. You must have sufficient battery power for 150% of the maximum flight duration.

British Airways
Medical clearance is not required for the carriage or use of CPAP machines (used in the treatment of sleep apnoea) as fitness to travel will not be in doubt. CPAP machines can be plugged into a laptop power-point, where available, with a suitable adaptor.
Maximum power output from the laptop points is 75 Watts and, if your equipment draws more than this, the outlet will be automatically deactivated. We cannot guarantee that any of the laptop points will be serviceable. If you intend to use one in flight, we recommend that you use a dry-cell battery-operated device.

elader wrote:You must have sufficient battery power for 150% of the maximum flight duration.

elader, I think this means that if a flight is 14 hours on Lufthansa, your battery has to show capacity for powering CPAP at your specific level (eg: 10cm H2O) for 21 hours? Even if you only use it for the usual 8 hours of wished-for sleep? Do you have an idea about why this is specified? Just curious. And what is a "spillable battery?"

In that listing, several devices are listed.....many of which might be needed throughout.... I'd guess that is where the confusion comes in.

It's life support only when you are asleep....

plr66 wrote:

elader wrote:You must have sufficient battery power for 150% of the maximum flight duration.

elader, I think this means that if a flight is 14 hours on Lufthansa, your battery has to show capacity for powering CPAP at your specific level (eg: 10cm H2O) for 21 hours? Even if you only use it for the usual 8 hours of wished-for sleep? Do you have an idea about why this is specified? Just curious. And what is a "spillable battery?"

I have been thinking about buying the little battery powered cpap - it lasts way longer than the 6 hours i need it for. But you are correct, it's only life support when you are sleeping. I doubt it's a problem.

elader wrote:I have been thinking about buying the little battery powered cpap - it lasts way longer than the 6 hours i need it for. But you are correct, it's only life support when you are sleeping. I doubt it's a problem.

So the "150%" is not required, but just recommended? And what is a spillable battery?

plr66 wrote: And what is a spillable battery?

Think of a lead acid car battery.

Fred