Questions and Answers

I suffer from sleep apnea. How practical is it to use my CPAP machine on board in business or first class on international flights? What airlines are the most and least accommodating?

Has anyone here faced this problem and if so what are your experiences flying?

My main concern is not for me–it is for the enjoyment of the other passengers. I have heard the recordings of my snoring and sleep apnea events and they are not pleasant. I do not want to inflict this horror on any other passenger. Are there any other good alternatives to the machine?

I think it’s perfectly acceptable, especially if youre in a business or first class seat that is pretty private.

Furthermore, many amenity kits in first and business class do come with ear plugs. You can also decide to be very transparent about it and maybe bring ear plugs to distribute it to passengers in your immediate area as a courtesy. There have been articles about people traveling with young children who bring ear plugs attached to a note to surrounding passengers.

Hey [USER=2667]@Smart Mouth[/USER], and welcome!

My in-laws both have sleep apnea, so I have some experience here. Essentially — I wouldn’t worry at all about using your CPAP machine, even in economy. No one will even be able to hear it over the engine noise anyway.

Just make sure you have the proper power voltage at your seat — if your seat power is broken ask the FA to move you for medical reasons. And it’s a medical device, so won’t count against your carry-on limit.