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What airplane mode is for
Your CPAP carries cellular communication to send your data out. Like a phone, it has to stop transmitting on board an aircraft. That is exactly what airplane mode does.
It changes nothing about your therapy: pressure, ramp and humidification carry on as normal. Only data transmission stops.
Turning on airplane mode on a ResMed AirSense 11
- From the Home screen, tap MORE.
- Swipe through the menu until you find Airplane Mode.
- Tap Airplane Mode to switch it on.
Turning on airplane mode on a ResMed AirSense 10
- From the Home screen, turn the dial to My Options, then press.
- Turn the dial to Airplane Mode, then press.
- Turn the dial to select On, then press to save.
The airplane mode icon then appears at the top right of the screen. That is your visual confirmation.
The absolute rule: the tub must be empty
One point many people discover at takeoff: the tub, even empty, must stay inserted in the device. Without the tub or the side cover, the machine will not work at all.
The three mistakes that spoil a flight
Forgetting to turn airplane mode off afterwards
By far the most common. You get home, plug in, and your data stops reaching your provider for weeks. Get into the habit of switching it off as you unpack.
Taking the wrong power cord
ResMed recommends making sure you have the power cord appropriate for the region you are travelling to. A plug adaptor is not always enough, it is the power supply unit that matters.
Leaving the humidifier on while on battery
If you use an external battery, turn the humidity level off. The humidifier heats water all night and halves your runtime. See our guide to the CPAP battery.
Packing
- Use the travel bag provided, it protects the device from knocks
- Empty the tub and pack it separately
- Your CPAP travels as hand luggage: it is a medical device and does not count toward your carry-on limit
- Both devices meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements, and air travel compliance letters can be downloaded from the ResMed website
Read more
- CPAP on a plane: rules and airlines
- Travelling with a CPAP
- CPAP battery: the complete guide
- ResMed AirMini: the travel CPAP
All our settings tutorials
Each tutorial gives the procedure for both the AirSense 11 and the AirSense 10.
- Setting the ramp
- Setting humidification and tube temperature
- EPR and SmartStart: what you set yourself
- Running the mask fit test
- Cleaning and maintaining your device
- Replacing the air filter
- SD card, myAir and therapy data
Frequently asked questions about airplane mode
No, not at all. It only cuts the cellular link that sends your data. Your prescribed pressure, the ramp and humidification all work exactly as usual.
Not necessary, the requirement applies to aviation. The instruction to empty the tub before any transport does apply to cars and trains too, though: jolting can push water into the machine.
That is expected behaviour. The device refuses to run without either the tub or the side cover in place. Put the empty tub back, or fit the side cover designed for use without the humidifier.
On the device side yes: both meet air travel requirements and the compliance letter downloads from the manufacturer. On the airline side it is another matter. Several European carriers allow carriage but not use on board, and most will not let you power a medical device from their sockets. Ask the question separating "carry" from "use in flight", at least 48 hours ahead. Details on our page CPAP on a plane.
An aeroplane icon shows in the status bar at the top right of the screen. If your data stops reaching your provider after a trip, that is the first thing to check.
It travels in the cabin as a medical device and does not count toward your hand luggage allowance. Flag it at security, where you will usually be asked to take it out of its bag, like a laptop.