American Lung Association Welcomes New FAA Rule on Oxygen Dependent Patients and Air Travel

Main Category: COPD
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 15 Jul 2005 - 13:00 PDT

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Statement by John L. Kirkwood, President and CEO -

The American Lung Association applauds the Federal Aviation Administration for today issuing a long overdue rule to make commercial air travel a bit easier for patients who rely on oxygen. The new FAA rule will allow, but not require, airlines to permit patients to travel with portable oxygen concentrators during all phases of the flight, including take-off and landing.

The rule is an especially significant victory for more than one million Americans who have medical conditions -- such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis -- that require the use of supplemental oxygen to lead fuller, more productive lives.

Previously, people who depend on supplemental oxygen faced many obstacles during air travel. Air carriers followed differing internal rules for use of medical oxygen; many regional carriers and even some larger carriers did not provide the service at all. Patients had to pay an additional fee to rent oxygen equipment from the airlines for the in-flight segment of their travel. Then they were required to arrange for their own oxygen during layovers and at their final destination. This erratic system was both costly and inconvenient, forcing some patients to forgo air travel altogether.

The American Lung Association thanks the leaders of the Congressional COPD Caucus -- Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and John Lewis (D-GA) -- for their tireless efforts to make the new rule a reality.

Because the new rule does not mandate that airlines allow patients to travel with portable oxygen concentrators, the American Lung Association reminds patients to check with their individual airlines before making travel plans.

The oxygen rule was proposed on July 14, 2004 and finally goes into effect on August 11, 2005.

For additional information on the new FAA policy, click here.

About the American Lung Association:

For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined.

The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time."

For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call
1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org.

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