Life with COPD
Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) means dealing with a condition that can change over time.
While COPD is a progressive illness, many people live full and active lives for years after diagnosis. With the right treatment, planning, and support, you can manage your symptoms and maintain your quality of life.1
Planning for the future
COPD symptoms can get worse over time, which means it’s helpful to start thinking early about what support you might need in the future. That includes both medical care and day-to-day help with things like getting around or managing flare-ups.1
Travelling with COPD
Having COPD doesn’t mean you can’t go on holiday or visit loved ones — it just takes a bit of extra planning.2
Things to consider:2,3
Weather
Sudden temperature changes can trigger symptoms
Pollen
High pollen counts may affect breathing
Air pollution
Look up air quality at your destination using resources like the World Air Quality Index
Insurance
Make sure your insurance covers your COPD and any other conditions you have. You also need to tell the insurance company about any treatment or tests you’re due to have
Altitude
Less oxygen at high altitudes can be difficult — check with your doctor before going
Flying with COPD
If you have COPD and are planning to fly, go to your GP for a fitness-to-fly assessment. This involves checking your breathing and oxygen levels.4
Before travelling, remember to pack all your medicine, such as inhalers, in your hand luggage. If you're using oxygen therapy, tell your travel operator and airline before you book your holiday, as you may need to get a medical form from your GP.4
If you're using long-term oxygen therapy, you'll need to make sure you have an adequate oxygen supply for your flight as well as for your time away. Airlines generally do not allow you to bring oxygen cylinders with you but may permit portable oxygen concentrator devices.4
Travel checklist for people with COPD2–6
Talk to your GP before booking
Make sure your rescue pack is stocked
Pack enough medication for your whole trip
Keep medicines and essential equipment in your hand luggage
Check if you need vaccinations
If you use oxygen, check airline policies and complete any forms in advance
Add a reminder to your discussion list to chat with your healthcare team about upcoming travel plans.
Thinking about future care
COPD can gradually affect your ability to manage day-to-day tasks. Planning in advance can help make sure your wishes are respected, and that your loved ones and medical team know what matters most to you.7,8
You might want to consider:7,8
You might want to:8
Healthcare team could include a GP, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, dietitian, occupational therapist, counsellor and stop smoking advisor.
Abbreviations:
References:
- Asthma + Lung UK. What can you do to manage your condition? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-can-you-do-manage-your-copd. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Travelling safely with a lung condition. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/travel/safely. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Travel insurance. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/travel/insurance. Accessed November 2025.
- NHS. Living with COPD. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/living-with/. Accessed November 2025.
- TravelHealthPro. Available at https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/index.php. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Travelling with oxygen. Available at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/travel/oxygen. Accessed November 2025.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Scenario: End-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/management/end-stage-copd/. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Thinking and planning ahead. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/end-life/thinking-planning-ahead. Accessed November 2025.