My friend has to have an oxygen cylinder

[lankeela]

to occasionally help her breathe. We have a holiday booked to Malta soon, does anyone know of any restrictions on taking them on the plane, or if its possible to hire/buy one in Malta, or get it refilled out there?

[Buenchico]

Many (most? all?) airlines prohibit passengers from carrying their own oxygen cylinders on aircraft, on the grounds of safety.

For example, Ryanair (who fly to Malta from 6 UK airports) has this ban in place:
http://www.ryanair.co...my-own-oxygen-onboard
They do permit passengers to pre-book oxygen provided by the airline, but at a cost of £100 in each direction:
http://www.ryanair.co...how-can-i-book-oxygen

It would help to know which airline your friend will be flying with.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Just a thought:
Has you friend considered hiring a portable oxygen concentrator?

See here (using Ryanair again for my example)
http://www.ryanair.co...or-on-board-my-flight
and here (for a possible hire source):
http://www.portableoxygen.co.uk/holidayoxygen

[lankeela]

Flying with Air Malta. I have just googled and found out that she can get oxygen from the dispensary at the Mater Dei Hospital in Malta, so we just need to sort the flight out. She has to fill in a form and submit to Air Malta beforehand, so we should be able to find out what their rules are. Probably won't need it but of course we have to take every precaution. Thanks Chris.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

Oxygen cylinders are normally prohibited aboard Air Malta planes:
http://www.airmalta.c...rous-items-in-baggage

However, as you state, there's a special form to be completed:
http://www.airmalta.com/file.aspx?f=228

If your friend still has concerns, here's the email address for Air Malta's Medical Help Desk:
[email protected]
or she could phone the Help Desk on 0906 103 0012 (15p per minute)

Chris

[lankeela]

Thanks again. Most helpful, as usual.

[Alibeth]

There really is only one answer here, and that would be to talk to your airline, or if you've booked through a travel agent, get them to do the legwork for you. Anything that goes on a plane is at the airline's discretion, and the last thing you need to do is chance getting turned away on the day of your flight because you didn't check properly. Hope it all works out and you all have a lovely holiday. Incidentally, I don't know your friend's problem with breathing is, but FYI it's supposed to be be pretty hilly around Valetta. It might be worth bearing that in mind if walking makes him/her breathless.

[lankeela]

Thanks, but we don't do walking! Driving round sightseeing or just lazing on the beach/balcony! Next question will be could we hire a wheelchair if necessary!

[237SJ]

I can`t remember what facilities short-haul aircraft have but passenger oxygen can be provided on long haul. The norm is that the passenger is supplied by the aircraft`s ring-main oxygen and which will be tapped with a therapeutic mask. The ring main can`t be used for take off or landing so a portable oxygen bottle from the aircraft supply will be used. Most ring mains are 4L per minute and passengers are allowed to bring their own bottle if they need a higher flow rate.