Assistive Devices & Medication

On Board Medical Oxygen

Delta no longer provides compressed medical oxygen. However, Delta does allow you to use approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) with at least 48 hours advance notice. Personal oxygen systems containing liquid oxygen are not accepted on any Delta or Delta Connection flights.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Your own FAA-approved POC — or a rented, approved POC — is allowed in the aircraft cabin. Please complete our POC Approval and Battery Approval Request, form and fax or email it to our oxygen provider OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, at the contact information listed on the statement at least 48 hours prior to departure.

If your Delta-ticketed flight is operated by partner airline, contact them directly for their policy regarding medical oxygen or inquire with OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window at 866-692-0040.

You cannot be seated in an exit row or bulkhead if you intend to use a POC. Your POC does not count toward your carry-on baggage limit, but must meet the following conditions to be allowed on board:

• The battery should be removed and packaged separately if not in use
• It should have a recessed battery terminal, and the packaged battery terminals should not contact any metal objects.

For international flights subject to onboard mask requirements, customers using FAA approved POC onboard must also wear a mask that covers their mouth, nasal cannula and/or airway and cover any exhaust valves in the device.

Renting a POC

To rent a POC, contact our oxygen provider OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, at 866-692-0040.  The OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, personnel will guide you through all steps necessary to rent equipment that may be used for your entire air and land trip, so you will not need any additional equipment. You may also rent equipment for just your onboard needs.

Using Your Personal POC

If you have your own equipment, you may use that equipment by completing the steps below:

1. Complete your travel plans and purchase your ticket.
2. Verify that you or your FAA approved POC supplier will have the required 150% of battery life for your cumulative flight times. Call OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, at 866-692-0040 to discuss your specific battery needs; OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, rents batteries for most POCs.
3. At least 48 hours prior to travel, you must complete the POC Approval and Battery Approval Request, form and fax/email it to OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, at the contact information listed on the statement. Failure to submit the POC Battery Approval Request at least 48 hours prior to travel may result in delays or refusal to board.
4. You will receive a telephone confirmation from OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, when they have received the completed POC Approval and Battery Approval Request, form. Contact OxygenToGo®, opens in a new window, if you do not receive a confirmation call within 24 hours of submission.
5. You must bring the completed POC Approval and Battery Approval Request, form to the airport to confirm you are traveling with the required number of batteries to last the duration of your flight. Carry the statement with you, rather than in checked baggage.

If you do not intend to use your FAA approved POC during flight, you may bring it on board, and are not required to travel with 150% of battery life for the duration of the trip.

Approved POCs

The following POCs are accepted on Delta, Delta Connection and the Delta Shuttle®.  If you do not see your POC listed, please contact OxygenToGo®  at 866-692-0040 for approval.

The following devices can be used on board provided you have an independent power source (battery) that is compliant with airline requirements and fits in an FAA approved storage location. The device must also have 150% of the actual flight time in battery life, regardless of how long you choose to use the device while on board. 

If you do not intend to use your FAA approved PAP machine during your flight, you may bring it on board and are not required to travel with 150% of battery life for the flight time. The battery must still comply with airline requirements.

For international flights subject to onboard mask requirements, customers using PAP machines onboard must wear a mask or face covering that covers nose, mouth, and/or airway and cover any exhaust valves in the device, or tubing with a surgical mask.

Certain PAP devices are required to have a manufacturer label stating compliance with RTCA DO-160 Section 21 Cat H, meaning it can be used on board the aircraft. Please refer to the chart below for information about your device.  

If you do not see your device listed, and it does not have the RTCA DO-160 Section 21 Cat H label, please contact our accessibility assistance line at 404-209-3434 for approval

For clearance to travel with a respirator or ventilator, please contact us at 404-209-3434 at least 48 hours in advance of your flight.

The following devices can be used on board provided you have an independent power source (battery) that is compliant with airline requirements and fits in an FAA approved storage location. The device must also have 150% of the actual flight time in battery life, regardless of how long you choose to use the device while on board. 

For international flights subject to onboard mask requirements, customers using FAA approved respirators/ventilators onboard must also wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nasal cannula and/or airway and cover any exhaust valves in the device.

Certain respirators/ventilators are required to have a manufacturer label stating device compliance with RTCA DO-160 Section 21 Cat H, meaning it can be used on board the aircraft. Please refer to the chart below for information about your device.

Delta permits the use of portable dialysis machines onboard without medical approval provided you have an independent power source (battery) that is compliant with airline requirements. 

Customers traveling with one of the listed assistive devices must also have 150% of their actual flight time in battery life, regardless of how long you may choose to use the device as a carry-on item.

Please call our accessibility assistance line at 404-209-3434 to confirm that you’ll have the needed number of batteries to bring this device on your flight.

Devices listed can be used onboard without medical approval provided you have an independent power source (battery) that is compliant with airline requirements and fits in an FAA-approved storage location.

Customers traveling with an assistive device must also have 150% of their actual flight time in battery life, regardless of how long you may choose to use the device as a carry-on item.

If you do not see your device listed, please contact us at 404-209-3434 for approval.

Electric Field Therapy (EFT) devices are devices that use a low intensity electrical field to treat cancer.  Delta has approved 2 devices for onboard use:

• Novocure (trade name Optune) Model: NovoTTF-100A, which is approved for use during all phases of flight. It is limited to 2 spare batteries on domestic flights, properly packaged in your carry-on. No spare batteries permitted on international flights.
• Novocure (trade name Optune) Model: NovoTTF-200A, which is approved for use above 10,000 ft. only. Should be stored appropriately for taxi, takeoff, and landing.

Customers traveling with an assistive device must also have 150% of their actual flight time in battery life, regardless of how long you may choose to use the device as a carry-on item.

For optimal safety and health, always carry your medication with you in your carry-on baggage, rather than in checked baggage. Our galleys are not equipped to refrigerate or store medication and Delta employees are not permitted to assist in administering medication. If your medication requires refrigeration, please plan to travel with a personal cooling method like an insulated travel cooler. You can store this under the seat in front of you. Like a wheelchair or other medical device, we can also help stow your cooler at the front or back of the aircraft if space permits. Your method of cooling must meet all FAA requirements.

Outside of typical carry-on baggage restrictions for liquids, the TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. It is recommended, but not required, that your medications be labeled to facilitate the security process.  The final decision rests with the TSA supervisor on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.  Please visit TSA.gov, opens in a new window for more information.

Although we are aware of various state laws that allow medical marijuana possession, the TSA has stated that possession of marijuana, even medical marijuana, is illegal under federal law and that it will refer customers traveling with marijuana to law enforcement authorities. Accordingly, we do not allow customers to transport marijuana on our flights.

IV Devices and Other Medications Requiring Needles

If you use needles or syringes to take medication, you are permitted to carry on your medication and syringes in your carry-on baggage as long as you also have medication that has a prescription label identifying the medication and a manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label. Bring your prescription information that associates these medication, syringes and other medical equipment to you. 

You may use an IV at your seat as long as its use does not interfere with or have the potential to interfere with the deployment of the overhead oxygen masks or create an unreasonable risk to the safety of customers or crew members. You must be able to use the IV device to administer medication without the assistance of any airline employee.

Please alert the cabin crew if you have used any needles during flight so they may provide you with a medical sharps disposal container.

Going Through Airport Security

When going through airport security checkpoints, you are not required to remove your prosthesis. We recommend keeping your prosthesis assistance kit in your carry-on bag in case your flight experiences any unexpected delays. 

While Boarding and In Flight

There is no additional charge for your prosthesis, and it is not counted towards your baggage allowance. If needed, you may request pre-boarding at the gate for extra time to board the aircraft and stow your items. Please note that wheelchairs have priority for onboard stowage space, but if there are no requests to stow collapsible wheelchairs, other prostheses or assistive devices can be stowed ahead of all other bags.