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The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7171 p595-597
27 October 2001

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Travel medicine

Treatment requiring mains power in flight

From Dr B. A. Matthews, MRPharmS

The final article in your excellent series on travel medicine (PDF* 80K) by Dr Larry Goodyer (PJ, 6 October, p464) is a comprehensive and useful review of problems associated with air travel. Although Dr Goodyer mentions chronic obstructive airways disease, there is another respiratory condition for which there is a good treatment but which is unavailable to many passengers. I refer to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) for which CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machines provide an effective treatment. Latest models of these machines are lightweight, multivoltage and can be carried in hand baggage.

One of the pioneer manufacturers of CPAP machines, ResMed Ltd, in Australia, has co-operated with Qantas and in a personal letter has informed me that most of their CPAP models "have been tested and approved for use on Qantas flights. Other airlines such as Swissair, Argentine Airlines, Air New Zealand and United have allowed passengers to use our CPAP machines based on the Qantas testing." Unfortunately not all long-haul airlines are so accommodating, among them British Airways which when approached said it would only permit use of a CPAP if it were battery-powered. There are power points on modern aircraft that can be used in those airlines mentioned above. The reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the plane which Dr Goodyer mentions might well aggravate the effects of OSA on a patient and it is regrettable that all long-haul airlines do not allow patients access to this effective therapy.

Brian Matthews
Horsham, West Sussex

British Airways replies:

Although it may be technically feasible to use the mains power supply for personal medical equipment in flight, British Airways does not offer this facility to passengers.

There are a number of reasons why. Our primary concern is electromagnetic interference from equipment running on aircraft power. Even if a specific piece of equipment is approved for aircraft use, it would need to be individually tested to ensure it would not adversely affect the aircraft. There are also some logistical issues.

Aircraft power sockets are not available on all aircraft. When they are they vary in position and are often disabled in flight. As such, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee a specific seat that could be used. Depending on the size and location of the equipment being used there may be health and safety issues around unsecured objects and trailing wires in the cabin.

Finally, any piece of equipment using an aircraft power supply in flight is essentially part of the aircraft and would need to be certified as such. This would involve a licensed aircraft engineer checking its suitability for use in flight, and installing and removing the unit.

Although we always regret disappointing any customer, we are currently unable to accommodate the use of an electrical outlet on board. However, we appreciate the opportunity to explain our position.

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