Alternative to CPAP-long airline flight

[me50]

Did you speak with a supervisor? I can't imagine a medical device being a part of your carry on limit but I could be wrong. Won't hurt to ask for a supervisor.

[DocWils]

I find that odd, medical devices are not considered part of the carry on allowance normally, and you should question it, but that said, Air Berlin may be following their own rules and not the IATA Guidelines - they are a discount airline, after all..... Both Swiss and Lufthansa, as well as BA, Air Canada and Air France all consider CPAP to be in the same class of medical devices as are covered in the guidelines, and do not count them toward the carry on limits.

Since I rarely have to have my carry ons examined or ticketed on the airlines I travel, I never encounter any problem at all. Normally I don't bother to say anything at all, just walk through... Also, ask how many carry ons you are allowed - most transatlantic flights allow one plus a purse or whatever, and that is also a way around it. Odd response from Air Berlin, though.

[harmonicamoon]

Hola DocWils. BA has informed me that only one carry on is allowed. I have asked, via email, if they could take this request of CPAP a part from cabin baggage (per IATA)to their supervisor. I will keep you deformed.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
Pako

[me50]

sorry but I got a chuckle out of harmonicamoon's post

[ThatOtherGuy]

:grin:

[Mike in Toronto]

I just returned from a flight to Asia (Toronto - Taipei- Toronto) via Eva air. I was fortunate enough to be in business class. There was no issue at all. On the way over no one mentioned my CPAP at all. On the way back two polite flight attendants asked me "what is that device?" I said it was a medical device to allow me to sleep and there was no issue thereafter.

BTW. I will do another post for this, but if have travelled to Asia a LOT! I have alway had severe jet lag as I could never sleep on the plane. A know realize that being on the plane kicked my OSA into high gear. This time I was was able to get over 8 hours sound sleep each way. What a difference! I still have jet lag of course as my body is twelve hours off from time zones, but I feel great!

Note that I also took my prescribed sleeping pill. Zopiclone.

[RonWessels]

Note that, strictly speaking, a CPAP device is almost certainly not rated to plug into an AC outlet on an aircraft. This is because the AC power supplied to those outlets is at a 400Hz frequency, rather than the 60Hz frequency expected for 110V operation. If you look at your AC adapter ratings, you should see it rated for 110-240V 50-60Hz. So 400Hz power is outside of its ratings.

Having said that, speaking as an Electrical Engineering graduate who actually understands these things, there really should be no problem.

The other issue is that power to these outlets is typically limited to 75W, so a blower + humidifier + heated hose might actually exceed that limitation and therefore not be powered properly. However, using just the blower + humidifier (or just the blower) should keep you within the power limitations.

[vsheline]

The other issue is that power to these outlets is typically limited to 75W, so a blower + humidifier + heated hose might actually exceed that limitation and therefore not be powered properly. However, using just the blower + humidifier (or just the blower) should keep you within the power limitations.

We should never use humidifier on a plane. Too risky.

If plane hits any turbulence (and it will) water may get splashed backwards into the blower unit, permanently killing the CPAP machine.