I do have to tell that U I was gifted with the air filter. when I recieved the new filter I got a great surprise when I opened the the machine. The plastic bag was on the original air filter, and I had been using it for aprox 7 months. I alerted the gifter, ( bought 3 ) and the two others were still in their bags () I think the filter that is original to the machine should be packed in machine "ready to go". Who knows how many people are not checking the filter. Thanks for the speedy service, I now have an extra filter