This leaflet is designed to help you plan your trip in advance especially if you are planning to fly or travel abroad.

Am I well enough?

You need to ask your doctor this, as further tests may be required before written consent is given, especially if you are planning to fly or travel abroad.

Where can I holiday?

People living with a lung condition can have enjoyable holidays at home and abroad. Preparation is the key. Plan your trip in advance. You can go anywhere on your holidays but first of all you must consider:

Climate

Some people with lung conditions may prefer warm climates that are not too hot and have salty air. Higher altitudes can make breathing more difficult.

What you need

Consider disabled and wheelchair access and transport availability. Remember to take enough medication and inhalers, repeat prescription, any standby antibiotics and steroids you may have, and details of your GP and next of kin.

Terrain

Find out whether where you are staying is on the flat or on a hill as it may affect your ability to get around in comfort.

Be realistic

Plan in advance as you could forget something crucial. Pick somewhere you can cope with physically.

Travel agents

Many offer holidays for people with special requirements. Ask questions related to your needs.

Travel insurance

Travel and medical insurance are essential. Make sure you are covered for pre-existing conditions and that you are covered for any problems, such as transport home by commercial flight if health problems do arise. If you do become unwell on holiday, a chest infection should be treated before flying and you may require medical approval before flying home. It is sensible to take a list of your medications, past medical history and diagnosis with you, to be given to any healthcare professionals or doctors that you may need to see you if you are unwell.

The British Insurance Brokers Association has a list of firms that provide travel insurance for people with permanent illness. They can be contacted on 0370 950 1790.

You must also apply for the European Health Insurance Card - EHIC (previously E111 form) from the Post Office. This entitles you to reduced or free medical treatment in Europe.

How can I travel?

Coach

Check with the coach company what facilities they provide, for example,  kneeling suspension and the toilet situation. Some coaches have toilets that are level with the seating. Make sure you give notice of your requirements when booking. You can normally use your own oxygen cylinders on coaches but it is important to check before booking.

Rail

Plan your route in advance. All rail companies offer assistance to customers. Make sure you contact them regarding your requirements prior to booking. You can contact National Rail on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Apply for a disabled persons railcard. For information visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or phone 0345 605 0525.

By rail abroad

Eurostar trains have been designed to cater for passengers with special requirements. Some coaches have wheelchair access and permit portable oxygen cylinders. Before booking enquire by phoning 08432 186 186.

Contact the appropriate European train company for its policy on travelling with oxygen. Give notice of your requirements prior to booking.

By car abroad

Plan your route with frequent stops and suitable accommodation. Check with your insurance company whether you require a green card. Ensure your medication is to hand and not packed in the car boot.

Blue badges are valid across Europe and most of the world. This can be checked with the specific country’s embassy.

By ferry

Many have disabled facilities and give priority loading and have disabled parking spaces, but provision does vary so contact the company for their policy.

By air

Having a lung disease does not necessarily stop you flying. Before you book a flight make sure you have asked your doctor whether you can fly. Some airlines will require a fitness to fly certificate from your GP, whilst others ask you to fill in a medical form, verified by your GP or by the airline’s medical staff.

Will I require additional oxygen to fly?

Some people require additional oxygen to fly. Being in an aircraft is like being at 5,000 to 8,000 feet on a mountain and at high altitudes blood oxygen levels fall in everyone. If you have low blood oxygen levels already because of your lung condition then whilst you are in a plane you may feel more breathless.

People who can walk 50 metres on the level without needing oxygen, at a steady pace or climb one flight of stairs without feeling severe breathlessness or needing to stop, are not likely to have difficulty with the change in cabin pressure. If you cannot do this, you need to ask your doctor whether you can travel by plane. You may need to have some breathing tests. Most people can travel by plane, even if they need oxygen. Your doctor will inform you whether you are fit to fly.

If you require oxygen the airline needs to know how much oxygen you need, whether you need it intermittently or continuously, the duration of your flight, your route and whether you are travelling alone or with a companion.

Airlines will arrange the oxygen, though they will probably charge for this. Different airlines charge different rates. Check the oxygen policy for your specific airline before booking the flight and double check the arrangements at least one month before you travel.

Most airlines require a medical certificate to be supplied, stating your reason for requiring oxygen and that you are fit to fly. Most airlines also have dedicated help lines or websites to answer any of your queries regarding fitness to fly and oxygen provision.

Do not chance your luck that the plane will have oxygen on board. Even though they carry emergency supplies it is not enough for several hours.

Other important issues

Consider the length of the flight and whether delays are likely.

Also find out what facilities are available at the airport as well as the plane, for example:

• assistance with luggage
• assistance before boarding the aircraft
• wheelchair realities
• whether oxygen is available
• if it’s a long haul flight, establish how long will be spent at the second airport and if oxygen is supplied there if required.

If you are taking a portable nebuliser, check that you can carry it into the cabin and whether there will be additional costs. Remember that an inhaler and spacer are just as effective.

If you need your inhaler or other medication, take it in your carry-on bag. Do not put it in the hold.

During any flight, move every hour and exercise your legs.

To maintain hydration, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluid.

Travelling with oxygen in the UK and abroad

Make sure that your accommodation can meet your oxygen requirements. Decide whether you are going to take your oxygen with you or have it delivered to your accommodation.

Make sure it is ordered in advance – at least two weeks before. Take a spare mask and/or cannula with you.

Useful contacts

The British Lung Foundation

08458 505020

www.lunguk.org

Dolby Vivisol (South east England oxygen provider)

24 hour helpline: 0500 823773

www.dolbyvivisol.com/england

UK Civil Aviation Authority – Aviation Health Unit

01293 573674

ahu@caa.co.uk