Travelling with an Oxygen Concentrator in Australia
Key takeaways
- Every Australian airline treats a portable oxygen concentrator differently. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Rex each publish a list of accepted models. Jetstar accepts any FAA-authorised device instead of naming models.
- FAA approval is not airline approval. Your model has to appear on the operator's own list, or be cleared individually before you fly.
- Notice periods run from 48 hours (Virgin Australia, Rex) to five days (Qantas).
- Plan batteries for at least 150% of the scheduled flight time, counted from when you leave home rather than from wheels-up. How many that comes to depends on your flow setting and your device. Airports often have power points at the gate or in a lounge, but treat those as a bonus rather than part of the plan. Use the battery planner below to work out your own number.
- The Eclipse 5 requires an extra purchased seat on Virgin Australia, and the GCE Zen-O is not on Rex's published list. Both are worth knowing before you book.
- None of this replaces your treating clinician. Oxygen is a prescription therapy in Australia and flying changes what you need.
Getting cleared before you book
Talk to your respiratory clinician before you book, not after. Cabin air holds less oxygen than the air at your front door, and the flow rate that keeps your saturation stable at home may not be enough at cruising altitude.
What happens to your oxygen levels in a cabin
Australian COPD guidelines put the numbers plainly. Commercial aircraft cruise as high as 12,500 metres, with the cabin pressurised to the equivalent of 2,100 to 2,400 metres. At that pressure a healthy person's oxygen saturation drops from about 97% to about 93%. If your lungs are already working hard at sea level, the drop is steeper.
The COPD-X guidelines set out how clinicians assess fitness to fly. Resting oxygen saturation is the starting point, and cases that are not clear cut go to specialist assessment. That judgement belongs with your clinician and is not something to work out from a website.
The part worth raising with them directly: people already on long-term oxygen therapy often need a different flow rate in the air than they use at home. Being on oxygen at home does not mean your home setting is your flight setting, so ask specifically what your in-flight setting should be rather than assuming it carries over.
What to get from your clinician
- A current prescription stating your flow rate and whether you need pulse dose or continuous flow.
- The airline's own medical clearance form, completed and signed. Every Australian carrier has its own, and a letter from your GP is not a substitute.
- A short medical summary listing your conditions and medications, useful if you need care away from home.
- Confirmation of your in-flight setting, which may differ from your usual one.
Virgin Australia states that if you use your concentrator more than 80% of the day, the device may not be sufficient for air travel and you will need a supplementary oxygen bottle. Qantas applies the same 80% threshold to international sectors. Sort this out before you buy a non-refundable fare.
What each Australian airline requires
Four airlines fly the same routes with four different sets of rules. Pick your carrier below.
Airline requirements checker
Select the airline operating your flight
Qantas
- Device approvalYour model must appear on the authorised medical support devices list.
- PaperworkTravel Clearance Form signed by your doctor, submitted with an Accessibility, Medical and Inclusion Request Form.
- Notice periodAt least 5 days before travel.
- When you can use itQantas states devices may only be operated after take-off once the seatbelt sign is switched off, until cabin preparation for landing begins, unless the equipment is required for life support.
- Aircraft powerAvailable on some aircraft only, not guaranteed, and must be requested when you submit your clearance form.
- Carry-on impactMedical equipment is carried in addition to your standard allowance, up to 10 kg per piece.
- BatteriesAll accepted devices except the Inogen One use batteries under 101 Wh, needing no dangerous goods approval. Two spares maximum on international sectors.
- Airline oxygenCylinders on selected international flights, A$100 to A$110 each. Not available on QantasLink flights QF1400 to QF2899.
- If you have no formYou may be denied boarding.
Virgin Australia
- Device approvalYour model must appear on the Personal Medical Equipment List. Unlisted devices can be assessed via a Request for Personal Medical Equipment form.
- PaperworkMedical Clearance Form, dated within 10 days of your initial departure.
- Notice periodAt least 48 hours. Virgin recommends 72 hours to avoid delays on the day.
- Aircraft powerNone. All devices must be battery powered only.
- Battery ruleEnough charge for 150% of the flight time, to cover diversions and delays.
- Carry-on impactThe concentrator must fit within cabin baggage size and weight restrictions, so it comes out of your allowance.
- SeatingMedical devices are not permitted in an emergency exit row or at a bulkhead. The Eclipse 5 requires an extra purchased seat.
- If you have no formYou may be denied boarding.
Jetstar
- Device approvalAny concentrator authorised by the FAA. No separate Jetstar model list.
- PaperworkMedical Clearance Form, approved and presented at check-in.
- Aircraft powerNone. Jetstar states its aircraft have no power outlets for oxygen or assistive devices.
- Aircraft type mattersConcentrators are accepted on A320, A321 and Boeing 787. Oxygen cylinders are accepted on A320 and A321 but not the 787. Check your itinerary, and re-check if your flight changes.
- Airline oxygenNot supplied.
- ConnectionsIf you connect to a flight operated by another carrier, you must arrange clearance with that carrier separately.
Rex
- Device approvalYour model must appear on the published concentrator table. The GCE Zen-O is not currently on it.
- PaperworkMedical Certificate of Fitness to Fly, shown at check-in, with a copy given to the flight attendant for every sector.
- Notice periodAt least 48 hours, declared at the time of booking.
- If you have no formThe concentrator may travel, but you will not be permitted to use it in flight.
- Check-inOnline and kiosk check-in are unavailable for passengers carrying breathing aids. Allow extra time at the counter.
- StowageUnder the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing, with enough tubing that it does not obstruct the aisle.
- Unused devicesIf you carry the concentrator but do not use it, the battery must be removed and packaged separately unless the device has at least two features preventing accidental operation.
On board, whichever airline you fly
- The device is stowed under the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing.
- Tell a crew member you are using oxygen once you board, even though you submitted paperwork weeks earlier. It does not always reach the cabin crew.
- Crew cannot administer oxygen or medication. If you cannot operate the device yourself, every Australian carrier requires you to travel with a carer.
- If any leg is operated by a different airline, that airline's rules apply to that leg. Clear each operator separately.
Which concentrators the airlines actually list
FAA approval and airline approval are two different things, and this is where most travel problems start. A manufacturer can accurately say its device meets FAA requirements while the airline you have booked still declines to carry it.
Here is how the six portable concentrators Mega Medical stocks appear on the three Australian airline lists that name specific models.
| Model | Qantas | Virgin Australia | Rex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingon P2-E and P2-E7 | Listed as "Kingon P2" | Listed as "Zone Medical Kingon P2" | Listed as "Kingon P2" |
| Caire Freestyle Comfort | Listed | Listed as "Caire Freestyle comfort AS200-4" | Listed |
| Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| Caire / SeQual Eclipse 5 | Listed | Listed, extra seat required | "Eclipse" listed, model number not specified |
| GCE Zen-O | Listed | Listed as "Zen-O RS-00500" | Not on the published list |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile.
Two things to take from that table.
- The Eclipse 5 needs an extra seat on Virgin Australia. Virgin's equipment list states the device is approved for use on board but requires an additional seat, with the concentrator in the window position and the guest in the middle seat, because the unit is too large otherwise. That is a real cost to build into your fare, and it applies only to Virgin.
- The GCE Zen-O does not appear on Rex's published table. Qantas and Virgin Australia both list it. If you fly Rex regional routes with a Zen-O, call Rex on 13 17 13 before booking rather than assuming.
- The Kingon entries name the P2, not the variant. All three lists say "Kingon P2" rather than P2-E or P2-E7. In practice that is the family name, but if you carry the P2-E7 it is worth confirming your exact model with the airline when you submit your clearance form, so nothing is queried at the gate.
How many batteries do you actually need?
Virgin Australia requires enough battery power for 150% of the flight time, to cover diversions and delays. Qantas applies a comparable rule and Rex requires enough for the duration of oxygen use including a conservative estimate for delays. Treat 150% as the floor, and count from the moment you leave home rather than from wheels-up.
Oxygen battery planner
How many charged batteries a trip needs, at 150% cover
The sum is simple. Take your door-to-door time, multiply by 1.5, and divide by the runtime your device gives at your prescribed setting. Round up. Your manual publishes runtime per setting, and the figure drops sharply as the setting rises, so use your own number rather than the headline one.
| Runtime per battery, at your setting | 3 h door to door | 5 h door to door | 8 h door to door | 12 h door to door |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 hours | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 5 hours | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 6 hours | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 8 hours | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile.
A 5-hour Sydney to Perth flight is rarely a 5-hour journey. Add the drive to the airport, check-in, security, the wait at the gate, taxi and hold time, disembarking and the trip to your accommodation, and the same flight is commonly 9 or 10 hours on oxygen. That is the number to put in the left-hand column, and it is why two batteries is often not enough on a sector that looks short.
This table is a guide only. Manufacturer runtimes assume a standard breathing rate, and real duration falls with a faster breathing rate, an older battery or colder weather. It is not medical advice. Always carry more capacity than the minimum, and confirm requirements with your airline or operator. If your numbers do not work, call us on 1300 881 824 and we will go through it with you.
The rest of the battery rules
- Spare batteries travel in carry-on baggage only, never checked. Tape the terminals or keep each battery in its own sleeve or original packaging.
- Batteries under 101 Wh need no dangerous goods approval on Qantas. Between 101 Wh and 160 Wh they need airline approval and only two spares are permitted.
- Both Qantas and Virgin Australia cap spare lithium batteries at two on international sectors.
- Charge every battery to full the night before. You cannot charge from aircraft power on Jetstar, Virgin Australia or Rex.
- Airport charging is a bonus, not a plan. Most Australian terminals have power points at the gate and in the lounges, and if one is free it is worth using. But they are shared, often occupied, occasionally out of order, and a gate change or an early boarding call can cut a charge short. Never build an itinerary that depends on topping up before you board.
Best portable oxygen concentrators for travel
Every model below is a prescription device and requires a valid script before dispatch. Which one suits you depends on your prescription, not on the specifications. Flow type comes first: if your prescription calls for continuous flow, only two of these six qualify.
Kingon P2-E Portable Oxygen Concentrator
On all three airline lists- Pulse dose, five settings, 90% oxygen concentration at every setting
- 1.98 kg with the battery fitted, carried on a shoulder strap
- 5 hours per battery on setting 1, down to 1 hour 42 minutes on setting 5
- Two batteries included, swapped over without tools
- 37 dB(A) on setting 2, quieter than a normal conversation
- AC and DC supplies included, so it runs from a 12V car outlet
Kingon P2-E7 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
On all three airline lists- Pulse dose, seven settings, 90% oxygen concentration at every setting
- Same 1.98 kg chassis and 22.1 x 8.5 x 16 cm footprint as the P2-E
- Up to 6 hours per battery on setting 1, 1 hour 42 minutes on setting 7
- Two batteries included, recharging in under 4 hours
- The extra settings give your clinician headroom without changing devices
- AC and DC supplies included
Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Extended Battery
Longest single-battery runtime- Pulse dose only, five settings, 87% to 96% oxygen concentration
- 2.72 kg with the extended battery attached
- Up to 9 hours on setting 2 at 20 breaths per minute, the longest figure in this range
- Fewer spare batteries to carry through an airport as a result
- Satchel-style carry case with the touchscreen accessible at the top
- DC adaptor works with any 12V outlet
Caire Freestyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Choice of two battery sizes- Pulse dose, five settings, maximum output up to 1050 mL
- 2.3 kg with the 8-cell battery fitted
- Curved body designed to sit against you on a shoulder strap
- Up to 4 hours on the 8-cell battery, up to 8 hours on the 16-cell
- UltraSense delivery adjusts to your breathing pattern and activity level
- Virgin Australia lists it by its exact model code, AS200-4
Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Dual Battery
Continuous flow, check Rex first- Continuous flow and pulse dose in one device, delivering up to 2 L/min
- Rate Response Therapy raises output automatically when your breath rate rises
- Two 12-cell batteries, AC supply, car charger and pull cart included
- Eco Mode switches to fixed minute volume for longer battery duration
- Auto Mode keeps pulsing if no breath is detected for 60 seconds
- Listed by Qantas and Virgin Australia, but not on Rex's published table
Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Extra seat needed on Virgin- Continuous flow from 0.5 to 3 L/min plus pulse doses up to 192 mL
- The highest output of any unit here, suited to higher prescribed rates
- Runs on AC, DC or battery, with all flow rates available in the car
- Battery recharges while driving at 2 L/min or below
- Over 5 hours of battery duration at pulse setting 2
- Removable rolling cart with an adjustable handle
Call our team on 1300 881 824 and tell us where you are going. We can also arrange short-term hire if you only need a portable unit for one trip.
Road trips and driving with oxygen
Driving is the most forgiving way to travel with oxygen. No forms, no notice periods, no approval lists. The risks are different, and mostly about heat and fire.
Power
Every portable concentrator sold by Mega Medical accepts DC input from a standard 12V vehicle outlet, so it runs off the car indefinitely rather than draining batteries. Use only the manufacturer's DC adaptor, since a generic one may not deliver the right voltage. Bring the AC supply too, so you can recharge at motels and caravan parks overnight.
Securing the unit
Queensland Health's oxygen guidelines are direct about this: concentrators should be appropriately secured in the vehicle and remain upright. A loose 4 kg device becomes a projectile in a sudden stop. Run a seatbelt through the carry bag handle or the trolley frame.
Heat is the Australian problem
Portable concentrators have an operating range, typically around 5°C to 40°C. A car parked in the sun in Mildura or Katherine passes 40°C inside within minutes. Never leave the device in a parked car, and keep it out of direct sun through the windscreen while you drive.
Fire safety
Oxygen does not burn, but it makes everything else burn faster and hotter.
- No smoking in the vehicle at all, including passengers, and no vaping.
- Crack a window rather than running the air conditioning on full recirculation for hours, so oxygen does not build up in a sealed cabin.
- Keep aerosols, hand sanitiser and petroleum-based lip balms away from the outlet.
Planning the drive
- Take a break every two hours and get out for a short walk if you are able.
- Map fuel stops on remote stretches. A flat car battery on the Nullarbor is a different problem when your oxygen runs off it.
- Carry your prescription and a copy of your device manual in the glovebox.
Trains, coaches and cruises
Long-distance rail
No Australian rail operator runs an approved-device list the way airlines do. Declare your equipment when you book and you will almost always be accommodated. The catch is power.
- NSW TrainLink Regional. Tell staff when you book or call 13 22 32. Transport for NSW advises that your unit needs enough battery for the whole journey including delays, because batteries cannot be recharged on board. A continuous 240-volt supply cannot be guaranteed.
- Queensland Rail Travel. The Luggage Policy accepts concentrators as carry-on, but prohibits charging lithium-ion batteries on board entirely. The Spirit of Queensland takes roughly 25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns, so run that figure through the battery planner above before you book, and call 1800 872 467 if the numbers do not work.
- The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern. Journey Beyond asks you to declare oxygen equipment on the Fitness to Travel form at booking. Call 13 21 47 to confirm what power is available in your cabin type, since Gold Access cabins are limited and book out early.
Coaches
Coach operators handle oxygen case by case, so call ahead. One quirk worth knowing: when a rail service is replaced by a coach because of disruption, the coach operator's rules apply, not the rail operator's, and some coach companies decline lithium battery devices entirely. Ask what happens to your oxygen arrangements if your train is replaced.
Cruises
- Declare it when you book. Every major line sailing from Australian ports has a pre-cruise special needs form with a tick box for oxygen tanks, a concentrator, or a CPAP machine.
- Hand-carry the device. Carnival prohibits putting oxygen machines in checked luggage, and cylinders must never go through security x-ray machines. Crew are not permitted to handle medical equipment during embarkation, so plan how you will move it.
- Bring your own supply for the whole voyage. Ship oxygen is for emergencies only.
- Label everything with your name, contact details and cabin number.
- Check the outlets on international itineraries, since ships do not all use Australian plugs.
- Ask about stateroom power when you book. Accessible staterooms often have better outlet placement, which matters if you run continuous flow overnight.
Pre-departure checklist
Tick items off as you go. Nothing is saved, so print the page or come back to it.
Four to six weeks out
Two weeks out
The week before
On the day
Frequently asked questions
Are portable oxygen concentrators FAA approved for air travel?
Most modern portable concentrators meet FAA requirements for carriage and use on aircraft, and manufacturers state this in the user manual. FAA approval covers the device itself. It does not oblige any airline to carry it. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Rex each publish their own list of accepted models, and Jetstar accepts FAA-authorised devices generally. Check the operator's list, not just the manufacturer's claim.
Can I use my oxygen concentrator during the whole flight?
Not on every carrier. Qantas states in its authorised medical support devices document that devices may only be operated after take-off once the seatbelt sign is switched off, and until cabin preparation for landing begins, unless the equipment is required for life support. On Rex the unit must be stowed under the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing. If you need oxygen continuously through those phases, raise it specifically with the airline's medical team when you submit your clearance form.
Do I need a prescription to buy a portable oxygen concentrator in Australia?
Yes. Supplemental oxygen is a prescription treatment here. A valid prescription from your treating clinician is required before a unit can be dispatched.
What if my concentrator is not on the airline's list?
Virgin Australia will assess unlisted devices individually if you submit a Request for Personal Medical Equipment form at least 48 hours before departure. For other carriers, phone their specific needs team with your make, model and serial number well before you book a non-refundable fare.
Can I hire a concentrator just for a trip?
Yes. Hiring makes sense for a one-off holiday, a recovery period, or if you want to try a model before buying. See our portable concentrator hire options.
Can I use a pulse dose concentrator while sleeping on an overnight flight?
Pulse dose devices are generally not recommended for use while sleeping, because they may not reliably detect shallow breathing. If your itinerary involves overnight travel, ask your clinician whether you need a continuous flow device for those legs.
Is a concentrator or a cylinder easier to travel with in Australia?
A concentrator, in almost every case. Cylinders must come from an approved supplier (BOC, Air Liquide, Supagas or Coregas), have size and weight limits on every carrier, cannot be checked in, and may require you to buy an extra seat. A concentrator makes its own oxygen and only needs power.
Planning a trip?
Tell us where you are going. We can help you match a device to your prescription and work out how many batteries the itinerary actually needs.
1300 881 824This guide is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for your treating clinician's direction. Airline and operator policies change without notice. Confirm current requirements with each operator before you travel. Oxygen therapy should only be used as prescribed by a physician or healthcare professional.
Sources: Qantas travelling with oxygen · Qantas authorised medical support devices · Virgin Australia flying with medical conditions · Virgin Australia Personal Medical Equipment List · Jetstar travel oxygen · Rex special requirements · Transport for NSW personal medical needs · Queensland Rail Travel Luggage Policy · Journey Beyond Fitness to Travel form · COPD-X fitness to fly · Queensland Health MASS oxygen guidelines · Carnival guests with disabilities. Policies verified 3 September 2026.
