This guide is written from Qantas’s medical equipment page, its oxygen page and authorised equipment list, and Virgin Australia’s medical conditions and oxygen pages, read 14 October 2026. Qantas’s oxygen page was read on its Hong Kong site, as the Australian page blocks scripted access.
Qantas: CPAP
- No approval needed to travel with or use a CPAP or PAP, but Qantas recommends a letter from a medical professional explaining why you need it.
- In-seat power can be used where fitted, limited to 150 W. It is not available in all cabins or on all aircraft and cannot be guaranteed.
- Batteries are allowed on all Qantas aircraft and must meet dangerous goods rules.
- Aircraft medical power, if you rely on it, needs a Travel Clearance Form and an Accessibility, Medical and Inclusion Request Form at least 5 days before departure.
- If you need CPAP to avoid serious deterioration in flight, bring enough battery for the whole journey, including transits and delays.
- You can bring the device as an extra carry-on piece at no charge.
Qantas: portable oxygen concentrators
- Medical equipment used onboard must be on the authorised list and be cleared with a Travel Clearance Form. “No other equipment can be accepted.”
- Equipment used on domestic flights must be battery operated.
- Make the device available for inspection a few hours before departure. Qantas asks for clearances up to 72 hours before the flight.
- Doctor-signed Travel Clearance Form and an Accessibility, Medical and Inclusion Request at least 5 days before travel, or you may be denied boarding.
- Qantas does not supply concentrators. If your daily use exceeds 80% of the device’s capacity, Qantas says it may not be enough for international travel and you may need supplementary oxygen.
The list, downloaded 14 October 2026, includes the Philips SimplyGo Mini, GCE Zen-O, Caire Eclipse 5 and Kingon P2, and Inogen’s One and G2 to G5. It does not list the Inogen Rove 6. See portable concentrators in Australia.
Qantas: batteries
| Lithium battery | Rule |
|---|---|
| Under 101 Wh | No restriction |
| 101 to 160 Wh | Dangerous goods approval at check-in or by email; at most two spares |
| Over 160 Wh | Forbidden, in the device or as a spare |
Spare batteries and power banks go in carry-on only, with terminals protected, for example taped.
Qantas: oxygen cylinders
You can book Qantas-supplied cylinders for a fee, which Qantas recommends on international flights, or bring your own under strict rules: from an approved supplier and no more than 5 kg each.
Virgin Australia
- Medical Clearance Form if there is reasonable doubt you can complete the flight without extraordinary medical help. A registered doctor must complete it, dated within 10 days of the first flight, and you should send it at least 72 hours before departure. Crew will ask to see a copy when you board.
- Long-Standing Medical Clearance is available for stable chronic conditions. Request it at least 7 days before travel at VA.Medical@virginaustralia.com, then notify Virgin 48 hours before each trip.
- Oxygen in flight: bring your own portable concentrator or a cylinder pre-booked from a selected supplier (BOC, Air Liquide or Linde Gas in Australia), booked through the Guest Contact Centre.
- Cylinders can’t be used in Business or Premium Economy, are not permitted on flights to or from the US, and need prior approval on other international long-haul flights. Concentrator users are not affected by the cabin limit.
Power on arrival
Australia uses 230 V, 50 Hz with Type I sockets (Electrical Safety First). Visitors from the US and Canada need an adaptor, and a machine rated only for 120 V needs a converter; check your power supply’s label.