Travelling with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) involves far more than booking flights and packing a suitcase. From flying with oxygen and managing medication across time zones to arranging airport assistance and securing the right travel insurance, every detail requires careful planning.
In this post, I share what travelling with PH really looks like behind the scenes, along with practical tips to help you travel more safely and confidently.
Travelling with Pulmonary Hypertension: What You Don’t See
From the outside, our trip might have looked like a straightforward holiday. In reality, it took months of planning to make it safe.
With Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), travel is never just about packing a suitcase and heading to the airport. Every decision has to be made with your health in mind. Every stage requires thought, preparation, and contingency planning.
What looked like a few weeks away was, in truth, the result of constant awareness, organisation, and risk management.
From the outside, our trip might have looked like a straightforward holiday. In reality, it took months of planning to make it safe.
With Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), travel is never just about packing a suitcase and heading to the airport. Every decision has to be made with your health in mind. Every stage requires thought, preparation, and contingency planning.
What looked like a few weeks away was, in truth, the result of constant awareness, organisation, and risk management.
The Medical Preparation
The medical side alone was extensive.
It wasn’t just about bringing enough medication. I carried a full supply for the entire trip, plus extra, split across different bags in case anything was lost. Everything stayed in its original packaging, and I adjusted timings carefully to account for time zone changes.
I also travelled with copies of prescriptions, a detailed medical summary, and letters from my consultant explaining my condition, treatment, and need for oxygen support. These were not just helpful, they were essential for airport security, peace of mind, and accessing care abroad if needed.
Because I rely on oxygen, my airline-approved portable oxygen concentrator was one of the most important parts of the journey. But travelling with it required more than just packing it. Each airline needed medical clearance forms, completed and signed by my consultant, confirming I was fit to fly and outlining my oxygen requirements.
That meant a last-minute trip to the Royal Brompton Hospital to get signatures and official stamps on all documentation.
I also had to think ahead, ensuring enough battery life, access to charging, and a basic backup plan in case of equipment issues.
Without that approval, I would not have been allowed on board.
The medical side alone was extensive.
It wasn’t just about bringing enough medication. I carried a full supply for the entire trip, plus extra, split across different bags in case anything was lost. Everything stayed in its original packaging, and I adjusted timings carefully to account for time zone changes.
I also travelled with copies of prescriptions, a detailed medical summary, and letters from my consultant explaining my condition, treatment, and need for oxygen support. These were not just helpful, they were essential for airport security, peace of mind, and accessing care abroad if needed.
Because I rely on oxygen, my airline-approved portable oxygen concentrator was one of the most important parts of the journey. But travelling with it required more than just packing it. Each airline needed medical clearance forms, completed and signed by my consultant, confirming I was fit to fly and outlining my oxygen requirements.
That meant a last-minute trip to the Royal Brompton Hospital to get signatures and official stamps on all documentation.
I also had to think ahead, ensuring enough battery life, access to charging, and a basic backup plan in case of equipment issues.
Without that approval, I would not have been allowed on board.
Navigating Airports
Airports are demanding at the best of times what with long distances, queues, and constant movement. With PH, that level of exertion can take a serious toll.
To manage this, I arranged special assistance at every airport. Wheelchair support was booked in advance for departures, arrivals, and connections.
The difference was huge. Instead of struggling through crowded terminals, I was guided through each stage, from security to the gate, and assisted again on arrival. It reduced physical strain, eased time pressure, and made the experience feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Airports are demanding at the best of times what with long distances, queues, and constant movement. With PH, that level of exertion can take a serious toll.
To manage this, I arranged special assistance at every airport. Wheelchair support was booked in advance for departures, arrivals, and connections.
The difference was huge. Instead of struggling through crowded terminals, I was guided through each stage, from security to the gate, and assisted again on arrival. It reduced physical strain, eased time pressure, and made the experience feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Getting Around and Where We Stayed
The planning did not stop once we landed.
Even getting from the airport to the hotel required thought. Walking long distances, especially in heat or humidity, can be incredibly difficult with PH. To avoid unnecessary strain, I downloaded taxi and transport apps for each country in advance.
Accommodation mattered just as much. Every hotel needed a lift. Stairs might seem minor, but after a long day they can be exhausting. We also chose central locations wherever possible, reducing travel time and making it easier to rest when needed.
I also had to stay mindful of the environment, the heat, humidity, and altitude can all have a noticeable impact on breathing and energy levels.
The planning did not stop once we landed.
Even getting from the airport to the hotel required thought. Walking long distances, especially in heat or humidity, can be incredibly difficult with PH. To avoid unnecessary strain, I downloaded taxi and transport apps for each country in advance.
Accommodation mattered just as much. Every hotel needed a lift. Stairs might seem minor, but after a long day they can be exhausting. We also chose central locations wherever possible, reducing travel time and making it easier to rest when needed.
I also had to stay mindful of the environment, the heat, humidity, and altitude can all have a noticeable impact on breathing and energy levels.
Pacing and Health
One of the biggest challenges was pacing.
PH does not take a holiday. I had to constantly balance activity with rest, listen to my body, and accept that I couldn’t do everything. Building downtime into our plans wasn’t optional. It was essential.
Before travelling, there were important health checks. After recovering from a three-week chest infection, I needed to be sure I was well enough to go. My oxygen levels had to be stable, and blood tests showed low iron and vitamin D levels, leading to an iron infusion and a course of high-dose vitamin D the week before departure.
All of this was about giving my body the best possible chance to cope.
One of the biggest challenges was pacing.
PH does not take a holiday. I had to constantly balance activity with rest, listen to my body, and accept that I couldn’t do everything. Building downtime into our plans wasn’t optional. It was essential.
Before travelling, there were important health checks. After recovering from a three-week chest infection, I needed to be sure I was well enough to go. My oxygen levels had to be stable, and blood tests showed low iron and vitamin D levels, leading to an iron infusion and a course of high-dose vitamin D the week before departure.
All of this was about giving my body the best possible chance to cope.
Planning for the Unexpected
Even with careful planning, things can change.
Travelling with PH means thinking ahead to “what if” scenarios. I made sure we knew where local hospitals were, kept emergency contacts easily accessible, and shared our itinerary with family at home. That safety net made a real difference.
Our outbound flights via Dubai were cancelled before we even left, and we had to reorganise everything with a different airline. Situations like this are stressful for anyone, but with medical needs, flexibility becomes even more important.
Even with careful planning, things can change.
Travelling with PH means thinking ahead to “what if” scenarios. I made sure we knew where local hospitals were, kept emergency contacts easily accessible, and shared our itinerary with family at home. That safety net made a real difference.
Our outbound flights via Dubai were cancelled before we even left, and we had to reorganise everything with a different airline. Situations like this are stressful for anyone, but with medical needs, flexibility becomes even more important.
The Importance of Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Not just any policy, but one that fully covers pre-existing conditions, including PH, oxygen use, and cancellations. Everything has to be declared properly. It is an extra step, but it provides vital protection and peace of mind.
Travel insurance is essential.
Not just any policy, but one that fully covers pre-existing conditions, including PH, oxygen use, and cancellations. Everything has to be declared properly. It is an extra step, but it provides vital protection and peace of mind.
Was It Worth It?
The journey itself, long-haul flights, multiple connections, changing climates, and time zones, was physically demanding.
But with the right preparation and support, it was possible.
This wasn’t just about organising a holiday. It was about managing a complex condition in unfamiliar environments, reducing risk at every stage, and putting safeguards in place for things most people never have to think about.
The photos may show the highlights, but behind them is a huge amount of unseen effort.
Travelling with PH may never be simple, but with the right preparation, it can still be possible.
And in the end, every bit of that effort was worth it, for experiences we might never have thought possible.
The journey itself, long-haul flights, multiple connections, changing climates, and time zones, was physically demanding.
But with the right preparation and support, it was possible.
This wasn’t just about organising a holiday. It was about managing a complex condition in unfamiliar environments, reducing risk at every stage, and putting safeguards in place for things most people never have to think about.
The photos may show the highlights, but behind them is a huge amount of unseen effort.
Travelling with PH may never be simple, but with the right preparation, it can still be possible.
And in the end, every bit of that effort was worth it, for experiences we might never have thought possible.
Travelling with PH: Key Must-Dos
- Speak to your consultant early and get medical clearance
- Carry extra medication and split it across bags
- Keep all medical documents with you
- Book airport assistance in advance
- Check airline oxygen requirements carefully
- Plan transport to avoid unnecessary walking
- Choose accommodation with lifts and central locations
- Pace yourself and build in rest time
- Ensure full travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
- Have an emergency plan and know local medical facilities
- Stay flexible... plans can change