No, canned oxygen is banned in carry-on and checked bags; use an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator instead.
Airlines treat oxygen in several forms, and the details matter. Recreational cans look harmless, yet they contain a compressed gas that aviation rules treat as hazardous. The same goes for personal oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen. What flyers can actually bring is a different device entirely: an FAA-permitted portable oxygen concentrator (POC) with batteries packed correctly. This guide spells out what gets a green light, what does not, and how to set up a smooth trip with medical oxygen needs. You will see clear tables, plain steps, and links to official sources. If you only need relief for sports or wellness, leave the can at home; it will be stopped. If you use oxygen for health, plan for a POC, build a battery cushion, and call your airline early so seating, outlets, and paperwork do not turn into last-minute stress at the gate.
Quick Answer And Safer Alternatives
Canned oxygen, also sold as flavored oxygen or wellness oxygen, is not permitted in the cabin or in checked bags. Those containers hold compressed gas, which aviation safety rules restrict in passenger baggage. Personal oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen are out as well. What is permitted for passengers is an approved portable oxygen concentrator that makes oxygen from cabin air. A POC is not a cylinder, so it does not store compressed gas. You carry it on, keep it under the seat, and run it on battery power. Bring enough battery life for your itinerary and a buffer for delays. Most airlines ask for notice before travel so they can confirm model details and any document their staff may need to see. If you only want a boost after a workout or a long day, skip the can; the device will not pass the checkpoint, and airlines will not let it ride even in checked baggage.
What’s Allowed And What’s Not
| Item | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational/canned oxygen | No | No |
| Personal oxygen cylinder | No | No |
| Liquid oxygen | No | No |
| Portable oxygen concentrator (FAA-approved) | Yes (conditions) | No |
| Metered-dose inhaler | Yes | Yes |
| Nebulizer (with meds) | Yes (screening) | Yes |
| Spare lithium POC batteries | Yes (carry-on only) | No |
Note: TSA may allow personal oxygen cylinders through screening to the gate, yet FAA rules bar them from the cabin and from checked bags. Airline rules add another layer. Some carriers want a form or model check for your POC, and many ask for notice at least two days before departure. Always carry the manual pages that show the model nameplate and battery specs.
Why Canned Oxygen Is Banned
Canned oxygen falls under rules for compressed gas. Pressure inside the can increases with heat and altitude. That risk is not acceptable in passenger baggage. The FAA tells passengers they may not bring their own oxygen, whether compressed or liquid. The agency also names recreational oxygen and flavored oxygen as prohibited products. TSA’s list matches that stance and flags recreational oxygen as not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. The same logic applies to personal oxygen cylinders, even when empty; the device still qualifies as a hazardous article and is not permitted as baggage. Airlines supply medical oxygen on board only under their procedures, and that service is not the same as bringing your own bottle. For travelers who need supplemental oxygen, the allowed route is a portable oxygen concentrator, which does not store gas. It makes oxygen from cabin air and runs on batteries.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators: Flying The Right Way
POCs are the approved path for passengers who need oxygen during a flight. They draw oxygen from ambient air and deliver the flow you set through a cannula. Airlines accept many models; the brand and model must match the device’s label and manual. Bring the manual page that shows FAA acceptance wording or the model’s compliance note. Expect to keep the unit under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. You may move the strap to your shoulder when seated. Gate agents may ask you to show that the unit powers on and that you have spare batteries. Plan power for the scheduled flight time plus a cushion. A common target is one-and-a-half times the gate-to-gate duration. If your route includes long connections, carry more. Keep spare batteries in carry-on only, with terminals protected from short circuit by caps, sleeves, or tape over exposed contacts.
Battery Rules That Matter
Spare lithium batteries ride in the cabin, not in checked bags. Under 100 watt-hours, you can carry several for personal use. Between 100 and 160 watt-hours, most airlines allow up to two spares; ask for approval at the counter if your pack falls in that band. Anything larger is not allowed. Keep each battery in its own sleeve or hard case. Cover exposed contacts with nonconductive tape. Do not stack batteries loose in a tote. If your POC has a removable battery that uses bare terminals, remove it before boarding and treat it as a spare. If the unit has an internal battery with no exposed contacts, keep the device switched off during taxi, takeoff, and landing unless a medical need requires use at those times.
Taking Canned Oxygen In Checked Luggage: Rules That Apply
The short answer for checked bags is still no. Canned oxygen cannot ride in the hold. The same ban covers personal oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen. Even an “empty” cylinder can hold residual pressure or leftover oxidizer, so airlines and screeners will not accept it. Portable oxygen concentrators do not belong in checked luggage either if you need them in flight. Treat a POC as a carry-on medical device. Pack the machine, charger, and spare batteries in the cabin so you control temperature, handling, and access. If you own a POC but will not use it on board, confirm with your airline before you check it; policies differ on checking the device without batteries. Regardless, never place spare lithium batteries in checked baggage. Keep them with you, protected from damage and short circuit.
Medication, Inhalers, And Nebulizers
Metered-dose inhalers and nebulizers are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. Keep inhalers with you so they do not end up inside a hold bag by mistake. Liquid medications that support your nebulizer can exceed the 3-1-1 toiletry limit. Tell the officer you are carrying medically necessary liquids and expect screening. Keep meds in original packaging when possible. Bring prescriptions or a doctor’s note if you have one, though it is not required. If your nebulizer uses a removable lithium battery, treat that battery as a spare and keep it in the cabin. Pack tubing and small accessories in a clear pouch so they stay clean during screening. If you also carry a POC, pack the device and your inhaler together in a small tote so you can present them quickly at the checkpoint.
Plan Your Power And Paperwork
Two tasks make oxygen travel days easier: confirming acceptance ahead of time and packing more battery than you think you need. Many airlines want notice 48–72 hours before departure for passengers who will use a POC. They may ask for a form or a simple statement from your clinician with your flow setting. Some carriers require a printed note; others accept digital copies. Save the file on your phone and bring one paper copy. Label each battery with its watt-hour rating and keep the sticker visible. Pack chargers and a small extension cord in your personal item; those two items fix many gate issues. If your seat has power, treat it as a bonus rather than a plan. Outlet types and serviceability vary by aircraft and seat map, and power may be off during parts of the flight. Your battery plan should stand on its own even when outlets are unavailable.
POC Battery And Power Guide
| Battery Or Power | Carry-On | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion spare ≤100 Wh | Yes | Unlimited for personal use |
| Lithium-ion spare 100–160 Wh | Yes | Max two; airline approval |
| Lithium-ion spare >160 Wh | No | Not allowed |
| Installed battery (no exposed contacts) | Yes | Keep device off when not in use |
| Charging at seat power | N/A | Treat as backup only |
| Chargers and cords | Carry-on | Keep with device |
International Trips And Airline Differences
On foreign carriers, the no-canned-oxygen rule still applies. Dangerous goods codes used worldwide treat pressurized oxygen as a restricted article in passenger baggage. Airlines sometimes offer medical oxygen on select routes for a fee, but that service is arranged by the carrier and follows its own process. Do not assume a can from a shop abroad will be accepted on a return leg. For POCs, bring power plug adapters for the country you visit so you can recharge during layovers. Keep a quick note with your model, flow setting, and battery plan in the local language if you can. Arrive early so staff have time to review the device paperwork without pressure from the boarding clock. If you connect between partner airlines, print two copies of your form set so each airline can keep a copy at the gate.
Travel Day Checklist
- Charge all POC batteries to full, and label each with its watt-hour rating.
- Pack chargers, power cord, and a small extension cord in your personal item.
- Place spare batteries in carry-on only; protect terminals with caps or tape.
- Print your airline form set, plus one extra copy for connections.
- Keep the device under the seat; do not block aisles or exits.
- Arrive early and let the agent know you will use a POC.
- Carry a short note with diagnosis, flow setting, and clinician contact details.
- Store tubing, cannulas, and wipes in a clean pouch for quick screening.