Flying with a POC in India: Airline Rules & Approval Process 2026

Flying with a portable oxygen concentrator in India: Air India, IndiGo rules and the approval process you actually need to follow (2026)

By Ishaani Reddy (Ishaani Reddy writes about the consumer-protection side of travel — DGCA passenger rights, OTA refund policies, hidden fees, dynamic-currency-conversion traps and the seven kinds of booking mistakes that quietly drain Indian travel budgets.) · Published 2026-06-14T10:00:00+05:30 · 11 min read

Flying with a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on Indian airlines is allowed — but only with the right device, the right paperwork, and a minimum 48-hour advance notice to the airline. Air India and IndiGo both permit approved POCs in-cabin, though the exact process and carriage conditions differ. Here is everything you need to know before you book.

TL;DR — the short answer

Yes, you can fly with a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on Indian carriers including Air India and IndiGo in 2026 — but only if the device is on the FAA-approved list, you give at least 48 hours notice to the airline, and you carry enough charged battery to last 150% of the planned flight time. IndiGo carries approved POCs free of charge (as medical equipment, not as checked baggage). Air India requires a MEDIF (Medical Information Form) signed by a doctor in most cases. The single biggest mistake people make is assuming verbal or email notice close to departure counts — it does not. The clock on '48 hours' runs from when the airline formally accepts and acknowledges your request, not from when you sent the email.

What is a POC and why do airlines treat it differently from other medical devices?

A portable oxygen concentrator is a battery-powered device that pulls ambient air through a molecular sieve to deliver enriched oxygen (typically 87-96%) to the user continuously or in pulse-dose mode. Unlike liquid oxygen cylinders — which are outright banned on all commercial flights — a POC does not store compressed or liquid oxygen. It generates oxygen on demand.

That distinction is why aviation regulators permit approved POCs in the cabin at all. But the device does draw significant electrical current, which is why airlines and regulators care about battery certification. The FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration) maintains the most widely referenced list of approved POCs — Indian carriers almost universally default to this list rather than independently certifying devices. Common approved models include the Inogen One series, Respironics SimplyGo, Philips Respironics EverGo, AirSep FreeStyle Comfort and a handful of others. Always verify the current FAA-approved POC list on the FAA website (faa.gov) before travel — it is updated periodically and a device that was approved two years ago may have been removed or had conditions added.

Devices that are NOT on the FAA approved list — including some portable oxygen units marketed in India — are typically not permitted in the aircraft cabin. Check your device model name and serial number against the FAA list before you even call the airline.

How to get approval from IndiGo for a POC

IndiGo's official position as of 2026 is that passengers may carry FAA-approved POCs in the cabin, free of charge, as a medical device (it does not count against your cabin baggage allowance). However, they do require advance notice and a doctor's certificate. Here is the process:

Contact IndiGo's special assistance team at least 48 hours before departure. The preferred channel is the IndiGo website (goindigo.in) via the 'Special Assistance' or 'Medical' request form, or by calling their customer care line. Email notifications alone, without a formal confirmation from IndiGo, may not be treated as adequate notice.
Submit a doctor's medical certificate confirming the passenger's condition and need for supplemental oxygen in-flight. IndiGo typically does not require a full MEDIF form (that is more Air India's domain), but the certificate should be recent — within 10 days of travel is the general guideline, though IndiGo's own page specifies the current requirement, so check there.
Confirm your POC model is on the FAA approved list and have that documentation available at check-in. Print out the relevant entry from the FAA list.
Battery requirement: You must carry sufficient battery capacity to power the POC for 150% of the flight duration, including anticipated delays. On a two-hour Delhi-Bengaluru sector, that means three hours of battery at a minimum. Carry extra battery packs. Lithium-ion batteries in spare packs must be in your hand luggage, not checked baggage (standard IATA dangerous goods rule 965-968).
Arrive early at the airport. The ground staff will inspect the device before allowing it in the cabin. Budget an extra 30-45 minutes beyond your normal check-in time.

One important IndiGo-specific note: the aircraft must have a compatible power outlet for the sector you are flying. Some older IndiGo A320ceos do not have in-seat power, so you may not be able to charge the POC during flight — which makes the 150% battery rule even more critical. Ask IndiGo's special assistance team specifically about aircraft type when you notify them.

Air India's POC process: where MEDIF comes in

Air India — now the full-service flag carrier that has absorbed the old Vistara network — handles medical device requests more formally. For a POC, Air India typically requires a MEDIF (Medical Information Form), which is a standardised IATA document completed by both the passenger's doctor and (the first section) the airline's own medical department.

The MEDIF process for Air India works roughly like this:

Download the MEDIF form from Air India's website (airindia.com — navigate to 'Special Assistance' then 'Medical').
Have your doctor complete Part B of the form, which covers the specific medical condition, the oxygen flow rate required, and a declaration that the passenger is fit to fly.
Submit the form to Air India's medical desk — not to general customer care — at least 72 to 96 hours before departure. Air India has, in practice, a longer internal processing pipeline than IndiGo. Call Air India's special services desk to confirm receipt and get a case reference number.
Air India's medical team may then respond with conditions — sometimes requiring the passenger to sign a fitness-to-fly declaration at the airport as well.

The POC itself still has to be FAA-approved, and the same 150% battery rule applies. Air India's long-haul international flights (on the 787 and 777 fleet) generally have power outlets at every seat, which makes battery management easier.

Air India Express — the low-cost arm, flying shorter domestic and regional international routes — has its own medical assistance process that is closer to IndiGo's model. Check the Air India Express website separately if you are flying that product.

Battery rules for POCs: the detail that trips people up

The battery rules for POCs are the part most people underestimate. Here is what the regulations (following IATA guidelines that both Air India and IndiGo implement) actually require:

The battery must power the POC for 150% of the maximum flight time, including reasonable ground delay. Not 100%. Not the scheduled flight time. The maximum, with a 50% buffer.
Spare lithium batteries must travel in the cabin, not in checked baggage. They must be individually protected against short circuits — keep them in their original packaging or in a battery case. Most POC batteries are rated above the 100Wh per-battery limit that airlines allow without prior approval — check the watt-hour rating on the battery label. Batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh are allowed in the cabin but the airline can limit you to two spare batteries. Above 160Wh, prior airline approval is required (and often refused on smaller aircraft).
You cannot rely solely on aircraft power. Even if the seat has an outlet, you must have self-sufficient battery capacity. Treat the outlet as a bonus, not a primary power source.
The POC must be turned off during taxi, takeoff and landing on some airlines — confirm the exact requirement with the airline, because this varies.

The safest approach: when you notify the airline, explicitly ask them to confirm the battery capacity requirement for your specific flight number, as flight times vary. Get that confirmation in writing (an email reply or the reference number from the special assistance team).

What if the airline or ground staff refuses to allow the POC?

It happens, unfortunately — sometimes ground staff are unfamiliar with their own airline's POC policy, especially at smaller stations. A few things that help:

Carry printed documentation: the airline's written approval (email), the FAA-approved device list entry, the doctor's certificate and the MEDIF (if applicable). Ground staff are more likely to defer to paperwork they can see and verify.
Ask for the station manager or duty manager rather than arguing at the check-in counter. Station managers typically have better familiarity with special assistance procedures.
Cite the DGCA passenger rights framework — the DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirement Section 3, Series M, Part IV, which governs special assistance passengers, states that airlines must make reasonable accommodation for passengers with disabilities and medical needs when advance notice has been given. If you gave 48-hour notice and have written approval, a refusal at the gate may be grounds for a complaint to DGCA via the AirSewa portal.
File a complaint post-travel if you were denied boarding despite valid advance approval — this is a DGCA-enforceable issue, not just a customer service complaint.

For planning future travel or comparing fares while you sort the medical paperwork, FlightGPT's AI search can help you find the most schedule-convenient flights on your route — then take the itinerary directly to the airline's website to initiate the special assistance request. Also see our related guides on DGCA seat rules for families and flying with children as unaccompanied minors.

Quick checklist before you fly with a POC

Confirm your device is on the current FAA-approved POC list (faa.gov)
Contact the airline's special assistance desk at least 48 hours before departure (72-96 hours for Air India MEDIF)
Get written confirmation of approval with a case/reference number
Obtain a doctor's certificate or completed MEDIF dated within 10 days of travel
Calculate battery requirement: 150% of maximum flight time, not scheduled time
Verify battery watt-hour rating — keep spare batteries in cabin baggage, individually protected
Arrive at airport 45+ minutes earlier than usual to allow device inspection
Carry all paperwork in print, not just on your phone

Frequently asked questions

Which POC devices are approved for IndiGo and Air India flights?

Both IndiGo and Air India default to the FAA's list of approved portable oxygen concentrators. Common approved models include the Inogen One G3/G4/G5, Respironics SimplyGo, Philips Respironics EverGo and AirSep FreeStyle Comfort. Check the current FAA approved POC list at faa.gov before booking — the list is updated periodically. Any device not on the FAA list is generally not permitted in the cabin.

Does IndiGo charge for carrying a POC?

As of 2026, IndiGo's policy is to carry FAA-approved POCs free of charge, treating them as medical equipment rather than as part of cabin baggage. However, you must give at least 48 hours advance notice and have the airline's written confirmation. Confirm the no-charge policy with IndiGo's special assistance team when you submit your request, as policies can change.

How long before the flight do I need to notify the airline?

A minimum of 48 hours before departure for most Indian carriers. Air India's MEDIF process in practice requires 72-96 hours because it involves their internal medical desk. The 48 hours starts from when the airline formally acknowledges your request, not from when you sent the email. Always call to confirm receipt and get a reference number.

What battery capacity do I need for a POC on a two-hour domestic flight?

You need enough battery to run the POC for at least three hours — 150% of the two-hour flight time. If there could be a ground delay, calculate from the maximum realistic block time. Carry the battery in your hand luggage, not checked baggage. Check the watt-hour (Wh) rating on the battery; most POC batteries exceed 100Wh, so confirm the airline's carry-on battery policy when you notify them.

Can I take a POC on an international flight on Air India or IndiGo?

Yes. The FAA-approved device requirement and battery rules apply on international routes as well as domestic. For Air India international flights — including the long-haul routes to the US, UK and Europe — the MEDIF process still applies. The benefit on long-haul aircraft (777, 787) is that most seats have in-seat power, making battery management easier, though you still need the 150% standalone battery capacity.

What if I bought a POC from an Indian medical equipment supplier and it is not on the FAA list?

Then it is very likely not permitted in the aircraft cabin on any Indian carrier. Some portable oxygen devices sold in India are marketed as 'flight-safe' or 'travel POCs' without being on the FAA approved list. Check the specific model name and serial number on faa.gov before purchase if flight use is the primary purpose. If you already own such a device, contact the manufacturer to see if they have submitted it for FAA approval.