This guide is written from Air Canada’s international tariff Rule 45 and Fitness for Air Travel form, and WestJet’s oxygen and medical equipment pages, read on 14 October 2026. Confirm with the airline before you fly.
Air Canada
The rules apply to Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge.
Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
- Tell Air Canada at least 48 hours before departure.
- A medical certificate is needed for transborder (Canada–US) trips. For other trips you need medical clearance from Air Canada.
- The POC must be a type approved by Air Canada and free of oil and grease.
- Bring spare batteries in carry-on, enough for the entire itinerary, including check-in, connections and a buffer. Batteries can’t be checked.
- Aircraft power can’t be used to run the POC or recharge batteries.
- The POC and spare batteries travel free, in addition to your carry-on allowance, if they fit under the seat.
- You can’t check in online or at a kiosk; see an airport agent.
- Using any battery-powered medical device on board, including a CPAP, needs prior approval from Air Canada Accessibility Services. The Fitness for Air Travel form gives the same 48-hour notice for CPAP.
Air Canada-supplied oxygen
The tariff says you can’t bring your own oxygen, except dry D-type cylinders under 22 inches on flights within Canada. However, Air Canada’s restricted items page lists personal oxygen cylinders as not allowed, so don’t plan on the exception without written confirmation. Liquid oxygen is banned on all aircraft. Air Canada supplies cylinder oxygen with 48 hours’ notice (72 hours at some stations, including Sydney, Hong Kong and Seoul). It is delivered by nasal prongs only. Fees from the tariff:
| Scheduled flight time | 2 LPM | 3 LPM | 4 LPM | 5 LPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 h | $220 | $220 | $220 | $390 |
| 2–3:59 h | $390 | $390 | $390 | $560 |
| 6–7:59 h | $390 | $560 | $730 | $900 |
| 13:37–16 h | $730 | $900 | N/A | N/A |
The fee isn’t discounted and isn’t refundable if you cancel within 72 hours of departure.
WestJet
- Only portable oxygen concentrators are accepted where oxygen is needed in flight.
- Send the Air Travel Requirements Assessment Form for medical clearance to MedDesk@WestJet.com or fax 1-866-737-1202.
- The POC must carry the manufacturer’s label saying it meets FAA acceptance criteria, or be on WestJet’s short approved list. Other POCs may be used only during cruise.
- The POC must run on battery only. Batteries, including spares, may not exceed 100 Wh. WestJet suggests enough charged batteries for 1.5 times your total travel time.
- Spares travel in carry-on only, with terminals protected. Up to 20 spare batteries are allowed.
- The seat-side charging ports are not designed for medical devices.
- WestJet doesn’t charge for medical equipment, but a CPAP or other portable medical device with batteries must be approved for air travel.
The battery limits differ: WestJet allows at most 100 Wh, while Air Canada’s baggage rules allow up to two spare lithium-ion batteries of 100–160 Wh, subject to approval by airport agents. Check your battery’s Wh rating before booking.
Power in Canada
Canada uses 120 V, 60 Hz with Type A and B plugs (Electrical Safety First). Visitors from the UK, Europe, Australia or New Zealand need a plug adaptor. A device rated only for 230 V also needs a converter. An adaptor doesn’t change voltage. Check the rating on your machine’s power supply.
For machines that travel well, see CPAP machine prices in Canada (AirMini) and portable oxygen concentrators.