Q. My spouse and I are flying to New York for the holidays and I wanted to know if there is oxygen on the plane. We don't want to take the oxygen machine with us?...S

A. Yes and no. There is oxygen on the plane, but it is only used in case of an emergency. There are two types. Oxygen masks are used in case of a drop in cabin pressure. They automatically drop from a compartment above your seat. This oxygen cannot otherwise be accessed. The flight attendants demonstrate the masks during their safety demonstration before takeoff.

There are also oxygen canisters onboard that can be accessed in case of a medical emergency. You should be aware that if someone needs oxygen during a flight that his/her condition would be considered a medical emergency. The flight attendants must follow the airline’s procedure that includes making a request through the public address system that medical help is needed.

If necessary, they will contact Med-Link, an onboard communication system that links airline personnel to doctors on the ground, explaining the condition. If a doctor determines it is life-threatening, the airplane will land at the nearest airport so s/he can be transported to hospital. If the condition is not life-threatening, medics will meet the flight and assist the person off the plane before all other passengers.

If your spouse or you needs oxygen, you may want rent or buy a portable oxygen concentrator, if you don’t have one already. This system may be taken onboard if authorized by the carrier. Not all portable oxygen systems are approved and not all carriers will allow them onboard. The unit, if allowed, must fit under an airline seat.

You need to call the carrier you are flying on and find out their protocol for brining oxygen onboard. If you don’t and just bring your machine, you may not be able to get onboard. If you happen to be flying on Alaska Airlines, click this link for their procedure.

P.S. Don’t forget that airline cabin altitude is set at 8,000 feet.