Respiratory Assistive Devices

New regulations permit the transport and use of personal respiratory assistive devices, by customers onboard the aircraft. 

TYPES OF RESPIRATORY ASSISTIVE DEVICES:

o          PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS (POCs)

o          VENTILATORS & RESPIRATORS

o          NEBULIZERS 

o          CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICES (CPAPs)  

NOTE: Spirit Airlines will not accept any personal oxygen systems containing liquid oxygen. Supplemental (medical) oxygen may not be transported on Spirit Airlines. Spirit Airlines does not provide supplemental (medical) oxygen onboard. 

Respiratory devices are considered assistive devices and are permitted in addition to the free baggage allowance. Respiratory devices may be carried onboard for use in the cabin or transported as checked luggage. 

We encourage our customers to carry enough fully-charged batteries to power any device throughout the entire journey, including all ground time (between connections), the duration of the flight, and for any unexpected delays. All batteries must be transported in carry-on baggage, and must be packed in a manner that protects them from physical damage and short-circuits. Batteries must be NON-SPILLABLE. Spirit will not accept spillable batteries. Aircraft electrical plugs are not available for use with any electronic device.  

Customers may not sit in an exit row seat or the first row of the aircraft. Customers are generally assigned a window seat; however, the middle seat may be acceptable if no one is seated in the window seat. The aisle seat is acceptable if no one is seated in the window and middle seats. 

The respiratory device must be FAA compliant to be accepted for use onboard.

To determine FAA compliant devices, follow the guidelines below: 

A. A label or a sticker must display approved by the FAA, or

B. A label states that the device is RTCA/DO-160D Subpart 21 M Compliant.

Please note: If your respiratory assistive device does not display either of these statements, it will not be accepted for use onboard. If the device is not FAA compliant, it may be carried, but not used in the cabin, with the batteries removed. In this case, the device must meet Spirit’s carry-on size and weight requirements, or it must be transported as checked baggage. 

It is requested, but not mandatory, that customers traveling with a POC or other respiratory assistive device check-in early to allow time to review any paperwork and to make sure the device is approved for onboard use. Early check-in is one hour before departure of a domestic flight, and two hours for an international flight. 

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) Acceptance Policy:

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are battery-powered devices that provide the user with a pulse flow of concentrated oxygen, but do not store oxygen.

Customers should call our Spirit Airlines Reservations at 801.401.2222, at least 48 hours before scheduled departure, to have it documented that the customer will be traveling with a POC. Customer must print and complete the Medical Verification Statement & Customer Acknowledgement form (PDF file). The customer’s physician will need to complete and sign part of this form also. Upon boarding, customers must show the form to the Flight Attendant, as well as the Pilot for verification.

Spirit will also accept other airlines’ medical forms, or a letter on physician letter head stating that the customer may travel with a POC or respiratory assistive device onboard. (The form or letter must be dated within the last year.)


Ventilators/Respirators/Nebulizers/CPAPs Acceptance Policy:

Effective May 13, 2009, new regulations permit the transport and use of other respiratory assistive devices including ventilators, respirators, nebulizers and Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAPs) if they meet FAA requirement.

It is recommended that the customer call Spirit Airlines Reservations at 801.401.2222, at least 48 hours before scheduled departure, to have it documented that the customer will be traveling with a respiratory assistive device. A Medical Verification Statement & Customer Acknowledgement form (PDF Document) from the Spirit Airlines website, may be requested if the medical condition of the individual is such that there is reasonable doubt that the customer may complete the flight safely. Customer’s physician will need to complete and sign part of this form also.  

Spirit will also accept other airlines’ medical forms, or a letter on physician letterhead stating that the customer may travel with a POC or respiratory assistive device onboard. (The form or letter must be dated within the last year.)