CPAP on a plane

[EwanJon]

Hi there,

I'm off to Italy next week and I have my letter from the clinic regarding the machine etc as this was all i was told I needed to take it on the plane.

Whilst printing off my boarding card etc last night, I saw that Ryan Air have a policy for CPAP machines in that you can take it as hand luggage and it won't form part of your baggage allowance. Excellent.

However, they now say that they won't let me fly without a letter from the doctor stating I am indeed fit to fly?

Has anyone else experienced this as everyone I've spoken to has said all I need is the letter from the sleep clinic explaining I need the machine??

I rang the sleep clinic who advised I need the letter from my GP. I'm now trying to get hold of my GP....

Thanks,
Ewan

[Tigers Fan]

You've it the snag!

Hi ewanjon

This is what airlines do when you try to do it right!

The fuss with airlines is twofold: about needing to use the CPAP during the flight and about it not counting as part of your baggage allowance.

The easiest way round the first is not to use it during the flight - buy a gizmo from Intus to see you through the flight. And the second isdealt wih by biting the bullet, stripping your travel rig to be bare essentials and putting it in your hand baggage.

Many airports security firms refuse to allow more than one piece of hand baggage, so don't carry your CPAP separately.

The trick is not to alert the airlines and get them all het-up. Of courseyou are fit to fly! We OSA-ers are no different than anybody else until we fall asleep - so watch movies!

Ewanjon, I know this doesn't help you - it's aimed at others flying to their holidays. Good luck with the letters!

TF