What is a fit-to-fly test?

A fitness-to-fly, or hypoxic challenge, assessment where you breathe air with a reduced oxygen level (similar to a plane) for a short time while monitored, to decide whether you need in-flight oxygen and at what rate. Ask your team early whether it applies to you.

Can I take my own oxygen cylinders on a plane?

Generally no. Airlines have their own rules — many allow approved portable oxygen concentrators with batteries, and some provide oxygen. Arrange it with the airline weeks in advance and complete any medical form. Never turn up expecting oxygen, and never increase your own flow for a flight.

How many batteries should I take for a flight?

Enough charged batteries for the whole journey including possible delays — airlines often require a reserve beyond the scheduled flight time. Also carry a doctor’s letter, your supplier and team contacts, and a plug adapter for using a concentrator abroad.

How do I get oxygen at my holiday destination?

Oxygen equipment usually cannot travel across borders, so it must be arranged in advance through your supplier and respiratory team, sometimes at a cost. Give plenty of notice with your dates and address, and declare your condition and oxygen to your travel insurer.

Travelling & Flying with Home Oxygen

Q: Why does flying need special planning with oxygen?

Because aircraft cabins are pressurised to less than ground level, so there is less oxygen in the cabin air and your blood oxygen falls during the flight. People on home oxygen — and some with lung disease who do not normally use it — may need extra oxygen in the air.

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 28 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Travelling with home oxygen is very possible — it just needs planning, and more of it for flying than for other journeys. Air travel is a special case because cabin air holds less oxygen, and airlines have their own rules that must be arranged well in advance. This guide walks through flying, car and other travel, the documents to carry, and how to sort out oxygen at your destination, so you can get away with confidence.

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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

This is general information; plan all travel with your respiratory team well ahead. Never change your own flow rate, including for a flight — the in-flight rate must be set by your team. Keep cylinders upright and secure and never in a hot car. Call 995 (or local emergency services abroad) for severe breathlessness, blue lips or chest pain.

Planning ahead

The golden rule of travelling with oxygen is to plan early and discuss any trip with your respiratory team well in advance. Rules, lead times and arrangements vary, and some — especially for flying — take weeks to organise. Starting early means you can sort out equipment, documents and oxygen at your destination without a last-minute scramble, and travel with peace of mind rather than worry. Building in extra time also gives you room to solve any unexpected hitch, such as a form that needs a doctor’s signature or an airline that needs more notice than you expected.

Flying — cabin pressure lowers oxygen

The key fact about flying is that aircraft cabins are pressurised to less than ground level, so there is less oxygen in the cabin air and your blood oxygen falls during the flight. People already on home oxygen — and even some with lung disease who do not normally use oxygen — may need extra oxygen in the air. This is why flying needs specific planning rather than simply taking your usual equipment along.

The fit-to-fly test

Your team may advise a “fitness-to-fly” assessment, sometimes called a hypoxic challenge test, to decide whether you need in-flight oxygen and at what rate. It involves breathing air with a reduced oxygen level, similar to a plane, for a short time while your response is monitored. The result guides whether and how much oxygen you need in the air. Ask your respiratory team early whether this assessment applies to you, as it feeds into your airline arrangements.

Arranging with the airline

You generally cannot use your own oxygen cylinders on a plane. Airlines have their own rules: many allow approved portable oxygen concentrators with batteries, and some provide oxygen themselves, sometimes for a fee. You must arrange this directly with the airline well in advance — often weeks ahead — and you will usually need to complete a medical form or letter from your doctor stating your equipment and the flow rate you need. Never simply turn up expecting oxygen, and never increase your own flow for a flight.

Batteries and documents

If you are using a portable concentrator on a flight, carry enough charged batteries for the whole journey including possible delays — airlines often require a reserve beyond the scheduled flight time. Carry a doctor’s letter listing your equipment and prescription, your oxygen supplier and respiratory team contacts, and, for a concentrator used abroad, a suitable plug adapter. Declaring your lung condition and oxygen use to your travel insurer is important too, so you are covered.

Car, train and ship

Other travel needs care but less paperwork. In a car, secure the cylinder, keep a window open for ventilation, and never leave oxygen in a hot car or in direct sun. For trains and ships, contact the operator or company in advance about carrying oxygen, keep cylinders upright and secure, and have your medical letter ready. Carrying your prescription and supplier details smooths the way whatever the mode of transport. Having your documents together in one place, ready to show if anyone asks along the way, takes a lot of the stress out of travelling with oxygen and lets you enjoy the trip itself.

Oxygen at your destination and your team

Oxygen equipment usually cannot travel with you across borders, so oxygen at your destination has to be arranged in advance — your supplier and respiratory team can advise how, though it may involve a cost. Give as much notice as you can, with your travel dates and where you are staying. With everything arranged ahead of time, a holiday or a trip to see family is well within reach for most people on home oxygen. In Singapore, plan trips through your respiratory team and oxygen supplier, who can help you arrange holiday oxygen and make sure your prescription and documents are in order before you go.

Sources

Asthma + Lung UK — Travelling with oxygen: asthmaandlung.org.uk
Asthma + Lung UK — Fitness-to-fly (hypoxic challenge) test: asthmaandlung.org.uk
UK Civil Aviation Authority — Respiratory disease and flying: caa.co.uk
British Thoracic Society — Air travel for passengers with respiratory disease: brit-thoracic.org.uk

General information only. This guide supports — but does not replace — the advice of your respiratory team and oxygen supplier, who set your oxygen and tailor it to you. Never change your own oxygen flow rate, and never smoke or allow naked flames near oxygen. Oxygen is prescribed for low blood oxygen, not to relieve breathlessness on its own. Call 995 if breathing becomes severe or does not ease as usual, if the lips or fingertips turn blue, for chest pain, or if the person becomes unusually drowsy, confused or hard to wake (a possible build-up of carbon dioxide from too much oxygen). If you are struggling emotionally, you are not alone — the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

Travelling & Flying with Oxygen (Singapore)