FAA ISSUES DANGEROUS GOODS ADVISORY BULLETIN ON CANNED OXYGEN
Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Security and Hazardous Materials Safety issued a Dangerous Goods Advisory Bulletin advising that personal oxygen canisters are not allowed to be carried onto commercial aircraft by passengers or crewmembers.
Personal oxygen canisters, also known as “canned oxygen,” “recreational oxygen,” and “flavored oxygen,” contain compressed oxygen in metal canisters. They are sold in airport shops, airport vending machines, specialty shops, hotels, ski resorts, and online. These products, which range in size from four to 22 ounces, are often marketed to help disembarking airline passengers recover from the effects of flying, but their availability for purchase at airports should not be construed by passengers or crewmembers to mean that they permitted on commercial aircraft.
Canned recreational oxygen products are forbidden in the aircraft cabin (including carry-on baggage) and in checked baggage by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations, 49 CFR 171-180 (the HMR). Although the HMR contains exceptions allowing airline passengers and crew to carry a limited amount of certain hazardous materials that are medicinal/toiletry items (49 CFR 175.10), recreational oxygen does not qualify as an exception.
Even personal oxygen equipment prescribed by a physician for medical purposes must typically be left at the gate with an oxygen service or passenger escort.Passengers needing oxygen during a commercial flight have two options:
- Contact the airline and arrange oxygen service via the airline (surcharges apply). Keep in mind, however, that most U.S. airlines do not provide onboard oxygen service.
- Passengers may carry an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator, which does not contain oxygen but concentrates it from the ambient air. Passengers should contact their airline for additional instructions for carrying portable oxygen concentrators.
If you have any questions regarding the Dangerous Goods Advisory Bulletin or the purchase and use of “Canned Oxygen,” please contact our office.