British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Don't get bugged unnecessarily! I am flying on Friday 13th January but that doesn't influence me at all and I'm hoping that there's a row 13 for me to find a window seat in!

I took my machine on a short haul flight and arranged with the airline to carry it as an extra piece of hand luggage. They would not allow me to use it on the flight, but then for three hours it would not have been worth it. Generally speaking it is up to the airline what they allow on, so I understand, particularly when it comes to essential medical equipment.

It is absolutely vital to contact your airline well before travel and to see what their rules are about using CPAP on board and whether they'll give you extra baggage to carry it by hand.

OSA treatment by xPAP is becoming far more common and most airlines are sympathetic to xPAP users. Do not count on using your equipment on board using their electrical outlet sockets because if your machine draws too much power, the socket will just shut down and the onboard crew will not be able to reactivate it. A dry cell battery, such as the one offered by BSSAA is the way to go.

Happy landings to all.

I hope your flight went well!

I might have something to report on South American air travel later in the year......

Cheers,

Bill

Happy New Year Bill! Great to see you posting.

I had no problem using my CPAP on both my BA flights to Nairobi, and got 4.5 hours useful sleep out of my battery on the return ... before it ran out!

I'm at 14 pressure ... would love to hear of a battery that would give me longer time at this level. Any suggestions folks?

For information ... from Ryanair's website's terms and conditions

Can I carry and use a Respiratory Personal Device (RPD) on board?

Respiratory Personal Device (RPD)

Carriage of a Respiratory Personal Device:

Assistive or non-oxygen generating support devices such as a respirator, nebulizer, ventilator, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or BiPap machine may be carried in the cabin of the aircraft without prior approval provided the item is within the cabin baggage dimensions. Passengers wishing to carry an RPD in addition to their baggage allowance (either checked and cabin) should obtain a Medical Equipment Baggage Waiver letter by calling the Special Assistance line. This waiver letter must be presented at the bag drop desk or at the boarding gate if travelling with no checked baggage.

Use of a Respiratory Personal Device during Flight:

CPAP machines are not permitted for use on board. If you wish to use an other type of RPD such as a respirator or nebulizer during your flight please contact our Special Assistance line to obtain prior approval, for the use onboard you will be required to complete a “Fit to fly form” which will be sent to the passenger once the requirement has been notified to our Special Assistance Line. This completed “Fit to fly form” must be returned to Ryanair between 14 up to 2 days prior to travel for validation. The validated “Fit to fly form” must be carried by the passenger on all flights and produced to our cabin crew on boarding the aircraft.

Some devices including but not limited to CPAP machines may not be suitable for inflight use and if you are unsure please contact the Special Assistance line

Where have Ryanair hidden the extra charge?
Its free never, its Ryanair we are talking about here!

If you read the Ryanair terms and conditions very careful you will find that CPAP machines get a mention.

On another holiday forum site that I frequent, questions were being asked about carriage of CPAP machines with Ryanair. This is the information that surfaced ....

You need to phone the Special Assistance line ... and when they answer you will need to provide your flight details, and also the following 'vital statistics' - CPAP make, model number, overall weight and overall case dimensions. They will then generate a letter which will be valid for all flights for 6 months from the date of issue AND they'll require your passport number and date of expiry.

So get everything prepared BEFORE you phone ...