Travelling with COPD: Oxygen Tips to Keep Your Holiday Safe and Enjoyable

Travelling with COPD is possible and can still be enjoyable with the right preparation. From carrying the correct paperwork and choosing an airline-approved concentrator, to planning accommodation that suits your oxygen needs, small steps make a big difference. With OxygenWorldwide handling the logistics of prescriptions, deliveries, and local support, you can focus less on equipment and more on making the most of your holiday.

If you live with COPD, the thought of travelling can feel, well frankly, daunting. Airports and the assistance, the flights themselves, new environments, and the logistics of lugging medical oxygen can make a simple holiday look like a complicated puzzle and  massive effort. But here’s the truth: many people with COPD continue to travel safely, enjoyably, and often. The key is planning ahead, knowing what to expect, and not being afraid to lean on experts who handle these challenges every day.

Travel is about freedom, connection, and renewal. And COPD doesn’t have to mean giving that up. Let’s walk through the main things you need to think about before booking that trip, and how to make it not only safe but genuinely enjoyable.

Understanding COPD and oxygen needs when travelling

COPD, whether caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or a combination of both, can limit lung function and make everyday exertion harder. Add travel into the mix—airports, stairs, heat, or even just walking a little more than usual—and suddenly oxygen needs change.

This is why your prescription comes first. Your doctor determines the flow rate and whether you need oxygen continuously or just during activity or sleep. Never adjust it on your own. Travel is possible only when you follow your prescribed therapy carefully.

Think of it this way: oxygen is not a limitation, it’s your enabler. It allows you to enjoy that city walk, that beachside dinner, or that cruise without anxiety about your breathing.

Flying with COPD and oxygen

Flying is one of the first questions COPD travellers ask. Can you board a plane safely? Yes, you can—but only with the right preparation. Airlines do not allow oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen onboard. Instead, you’ll need a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) that is specifically approved by the airline.

Here’s what matters most:

• You will need to apply for medical clearance in advance. This usually means a form your doctor completes, which is then signed off by the airline’s medical team.
• You must prove that your POC is approved and provide information on battery capacity. Airlines require enough power for at least 150 percent of the flight duration. A six-hour flight? You need nine hours of battery life.
• Carry both printed and digital copies of your approval paperwork. Airline staff are not always consistent, and showing the documentation avoids stressful conversations at the gate.

Practical tip: choose an aisle seat so you can move without asking others to stand, and request pre-boarding if available. Small details make breathing and moving around far easier. For more airline-specific guidance, see OxygenWorldwide’s Travel Tips.

Staying safe once you arrive

On the ground, your environment matters just as much as the flight. COPD can be aggravated by heat, humidity, or even high altitude. So when booking accommodation, don’t just think about price or location. Ask practical questions:

• Is there a lift or will you be climbing stairs?
• Can deliveries of medical oxygen be accepted before you arrive?
• Is the room air-conditioned, especially important if you use oxygen at night?
• Are there safe power outlets near the bed for your concentrator?

If you’re staying in a hotel or rental, let them know in advance that you’ll be using medical oxygen. Many are happy to help, but clear communication makes all the difference. If you’d prefer not to handle those calls or emails yourself, OxygenWorldwide can liaise with your accommodation and local suppliers on your behalf.

Prescriptions abroad: don’t forget this step

Your oxygen prescription is as essential as your passport. Without it, suppliers abroad will not provide equipment. Some countries may also require translations into the local language, particularly France, Spain, or Germany. Always carry several paper copies and save a scanned version on your phone.

Your prescription should specify the flow rate, whether it is continuous or pulse, and the type of equipment required. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor to write this clearly.

OxygenWorldwide can coordinate deliveries of cylinders, LOX, or stationary concentrators directly to your destination. That means you don’t need to figure out the local healthcare system on your own. Start the process with our Enquiries form.

Insurance and emergency planning

Insurance is often overlooked until it’s too late. Standard travel insurance may not cover COPD, especially if oxygen therapy is involved. You must check in advance that your policy includes coverage for pre-existing conditions and oxygen use abroad. Otherwise, you risk high medical costs if something goes wrong.

In your carry-on bag, include a medical summary: your diagnosis, medication list, oxygen prescription, and emergency contacts. Also pack spare cannulas, extension tubing, and enough medication to last beyond the trip. Think of it as redundancy. If one part fails, you have a backup.

OxygenWorldwide also provides emergency backup for existing clients in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. Knowing this safety net exists gives you peace of mind if equipment fails. More detail on insurance considerations is available here.

Making holidays enjoyable with COPD

Safety is essential, but so is enjoyment. COPD doesn’t mean every trip has to be limited to sitting indoors. With pacing and preparation, you can enjoy the same sights and experiences as anyone else.

Plan activities during cooler parts of the day. Allow time for rest between excursions. Carry your POC in a comfortable backpack or cross-body case so you don’t feel weighed down. And don’t be shy about asking for small adjustments: hotel staff moving a table closer to the lift, tour guides slowing the pace slightly. These tweaks make experiences more inclusive.

Some travellers with COPD prefer cruises, where oxygen can be delivered to the cabin and mobility is easier. Others enjoy city breaks, using POCs for daily excursions and cylinders for backup in accommodation. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right holiday is the one that suits your prescription and your pace.

How OxygenWorldwide supports COPD travellers

Here’s where experience matters. OxygenWorldwide has decades of practice arranging oxygen for travellers worldwide. What does that mean in practice?

• Coordinating with airlines to confirm medical clearance and device approval.
• Contacting local suppliers to ensure prescriptions are accepted and equipment delivered.
• Speaking with hotels in their own language so there are no misunderstandings.
• Offering multilingual support in English, Spanish, French, German, and Dutch.
• Providing emergency solutions if equipment fails abroad.

When you have someone handling the logistics, you can stop worrying about the details and focus on your holiday. That’s the real value of having an expert partner.

Practical checklist before you go

• Doctor’s letter confirming COPD and oxygen needs
• Prescription (with translations if needed)
• Completed airline clearance form
• Approved portable oxygen concentrator with spare batteries
• Travel insurance covering COPD and oxygen therapy
• Emergency medications and inhalers
• Contact details for OxygenWorldwide and your doctor

Final thoughts: safe and enjoyable travel is possible

COPD may change the way you travel, but it doesn’t have to take travel away from you. With preparation, the right equipment, and trusted support, you can enjoy your holiday with confidence.

If you’re planning a trip with COPD, don’t let paperwork or equipment worries get in the way. Let OxygenWorldwide take care of the logistics so you can focus on the good part: making memories, enjoying the destination, and breathing a little easier knowing you’re supported.

Start planning today by reaching out via our contact form.

FAQs: Travelling with COPD and Oxygen