If you have seen the PPOC airline code on a flight booking or while arranging medical assistance, it is an airline Special Service Request (SSR) code used for a passenger travelling with a personal portable oxygen concentrator.
PPOC tells the airline that you are bringing your own portable oxygen concentrator for use during the journey. It is different from codes used when a passenger needs airline-supplied oxygen or is travelling with another form of oxygen equipment.
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Because portable oxygen concentrators are medical devices powered by batteries, airlines can have specific approval, documentation and battery requirements. The code itself does not mean that every concentrator is automatically accepted.
What Does the PPOC Airline Code Stand For?
PPOC means Personal Portable Oxygen Concentrator. IATA lists PPOC as the SSR code for a passenger travelling with their own portable oxygen concentrator. The code is added to the passenger reservation so the airline knows that an approved medical device will be travelling with the passenger and may be used during the flight.
PPOC is not an airport code or an airline identifier. It is a four-letter service request code used in airline booking systems.
What Is a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
A portable oxygen concentrator, often shortened to POC, is a medical device that takes in surrounding air, removes much of the nitrogen and delivers oxygen-enriched air to the user. Unlike a compressed oxygen cylinder, a concentrator does not carry a stored supply of compressed oxygen. This difference is important in aviation because portable oxygen concentrators are handled under different rules from oxygen cylinders.
Some concentrators provide continuous flow, while others provide pulse-dose oxygen. The airline may need to know which model you use and how it will be powered during the flight.
Is the PPOC Airline Code the Same as the OXYG Code?
No. The PPOC code and the OXYG code are different SSR codes.
- PPOC – the passenger is travelling with their own personal portable oxygen concentrator.
- OXYG – the passenger needs oxygen during the flight.
IATA guidance also uses POXY for passenger-supplied oxygen in circumstances where that is permitted, while airline-supplied oxygen is handled separately. These requests can involve medical clearance and airline-specific procedures.
The key point is that the PPOC airline code specifically identifies your own portable oxygen concentrator rather than a general need for oxygen.
Does PPOC Mean My Oxygen Concentrator Is Approved?
No. Having the PPOC airline code recorded on a booking does not mean that any portable oxygen concentrator can be used automatically. Airlines can restrict use to models that meet applicable aviation safety requirements. They may ask for the manufacturer and model number before approving the device.
If you are flying to, from or within the United States, additional US rules may apply. Other countries and airlines can use different approval processes, so always check with the operating carrier.
Will I Need Medical Clearance to Use a PPOC?
You may. Airlines can ask passengers who need oxygen during a flight to complete a medical information form or provide medical clearance. The airline may want confirmation of your oxygen requirements and whether you are fit to fly.
Depending on the carrier, this could include information about:
- the make and model of your concentrator;
- whether you use continuous flow or pulse dose;
- your prescribed flow setting;
- whether oxygen is needed continuously;
- your expected battery requirements; and
- whether you can operate the device independently.
Do not change your prescribed oxygen settings for travel without advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
How Do You Add the PPOC Airline Code to a Flight Booking?
Contact the airline’s medical, accessibility or special assistance team before travelling. Tell them that you need to bring and use a portable oxygen concentrator during the journey. You do not need to know the PPOC code yourself. Airline staff can add the correct SSR after confirming your equipment and requirements.
Start the process as early as possible because the airline may need time to review the device and any medical documents. If your itinerary involves more than one operating airline, check the requirements with each carrier.
What Information Should You Give the Airline?
Have the concentrator details ready when you contact the airline. Useful information can include:
- manufacturer and model;
- device dimensions and weight;
- battery type;
- expected battery operating time;
- number of spare batteries you plan to carry;
- your prescribed oxygen setting; and
- whether the device will be used throughout the flight.
The airline may also ask you to complete a medical or device approval form. Keep a copy of any written approval with you when travelling.
How Much Battery Power Do You Need for a PPOC?
Battery planning is one of the most important parts of travelling with a portable oxygen concentrator.
Airlines can require passengers to carry enough battery capacity for the planned flight plus additional time in case of delays. The exact requirement varies, so follow the operating airline’s current policy rather than assuming there is one universal rule.
Do not rely on aircraft power as your only source of electricity. Even if a seat has a power socket, the airline may not allow you to depend on it for essential medical equipment.
How Should Spare PPOC Batteries Be Carried?
Portable oxygen concentrators commonly use lithium batteries. Spare lithium batteries normally need to be carried in the cabin and protected against short circuit.
Airlines can impose limits based on battery watt-hour ratings and the number of spares carried. Check the battery label and the airline’s dangerous-goods guidance before packing.
Protect exposed terminals and keep batteries in individual protective packaging or cases where required. Do not place loose spare batteries in checked luggage.
Can You Use a PPOC During Take-Off and Landing?
Whether a concentrator can remain in use during all phases of flight depends on the approved device, the airline’s procedures and how the equipment can be safely positioned. Airline staff may give instructions about where the concentrator must be placed so that it does not block an aisle, emergency exit or evacuation route.
Follow the cabin crew’s instructions and make sure the tubing and equipment do not create a trip hazard.
Can You Put a Portable Oxygen Concentrator in Checked Luggage?
If you need the concentrator during the flight, it must obviously remain with you in the cabin. Even when a device is not being used, battery and medical-equipment rules can affect whether it can be checked.
Spare lithium batteries generally belong in cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. Before travel, ask your airline how it wants the concentrator and spare batteries packed.
You may be entitled to travel with medical luggage if you need to bring extra cabin bags for medical equipment.
Does the PPOC Airline Code Include Wheelchair Assistance?
No. The PPOC airline code records that you are travelling with a personal portable oxygen concentrator. It does not automatically request wheelchair assistance or other help through the airport. If you also need help with walking distances, stairs, boarding or reaching your aircraft seat, tell the airline separately. Additional SSR codes can be added to describe those requirements.
For more information about airport support, read my guide to airport assistance and guide to airport special assistance for hidden disabilities and my overview of specific airports which you can find in my guide to airport assistance guides around the world.
The PPOC Airline Code and PRM Assistance
You may also see the term PRM when arranging accessible air travel. PRM means Person with Reduced Mobility and is a broader term used in transport accessibility.
PPOC is different because it specifically identifies a portable oxygen concentrator in the airline booking system.
A traveller can therefore have PPOC recorded for their medical device and also receive PRM or wheelchair assistance if needed. My guide to what PRM means for disabled travellers explains the terminology in more detail. You may also find my guide to airline disability and SSR codes helpful in determining which code suits your needs best.
What Should You Take to the Airport?
Keep the important information about your concentrator with you rather than packing it in checked luggage.
You should bring with you the following when travelling with the PPOC airline code:
- Airline approval for the device.
- Any required medical clearance or medical form.
- The make and model of the concentrator.
- Battery specifications.
- Spare batteries packed according to airline rules.
- Charging equipment if permitted and useful at your destination.
- Manufacturer instructions where they may help staff identify the device.
Allow enough time at the airport for staff to verify the arrangements before boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PPOC Airline Code
What does PPOC mean on a flight booking?
PPOC is the airline Special Service Request code for a passenger travelling with their own personal portable oxygen concentrator.
Is the PPOC airline code an IATA code?
Yes. IATA lists the PPOC SSR code as the SSR code used when a passenger travels with a personal portable oxygen concentrator.
Is the PPOC code the same as the OXYG code?
No. PPOC specifically identifies a passenger’s personal portable oxygen concentrator. OXYG is used for a passenger who needs oxygen during the flight.
Do I need airline approval for a portable oxygen concentrator?
Usually, yes. Airlines commonly ask for the make and model and may require medical or device documentation before approving in-flight use.
Do I need spare batteries for a PPOC?
You should carry enough approved battery capacity to meet the airline’s requirements for your journey. The airline may require additional capacity to cover delays, so check its current policy before travelling.
Can PPOC be combined with wheelchair assistance?
Yes. The PPOC airline code identifies the oxygen concentrator, while separate SSR codes can describe wheelchair or other airport assistance needs.
Understanding what PPOC means can help you prepare properly when flying with your own portable oxygen concentrator. The PPOC airline code tells the airline that you will be travelling with a passenger-owned portable oxygen concentrator, allowing them to record the equipment and any associated requirements on your booking. Always contact the airline well before departure to confirm that your particular device is permitted, what documentation or medical clearance may be required, and the airline’s rules regarding batteries and use during the flight.
Continue Learning About Airline Codes
Understanding these SSR codes can make it easier to check that the right assistance has been added to your booking. You can explore my guides to airline SSR disability codes to learn what the different codes mean, when they are used and what support you may need to arrange before you fly.
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- Download a copy of all of the airline SSR disability codes for free
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- Download a list of all of the airline meal codes for free
- Learn which airline meal codes are for travellers with allergies
- What does DPNA mean?
- Download a free, printable checklist for MEDA passengers to complete before they fly
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