What are the airport rules for flying with insulin or CGMs, and how do I keep my medication properly cooled and secure during long international flights?
What are the airport rules for flying with insulin or CGMs, and how do I keep my medication properly cooled and secure during long international flights?
Traveling with diabetes requires a bit of extra planning, but it shouldn’t hold you back. Always pack double the amount of insulin, test strips, pump sites, and CGM sensors you think you will need, in case of delays or failures. Crucially, never check your insulin or electronic devices in the cargo hold. The extreme freezing temperatures in the belly of the plane will destroy the molecular structure of the insulin, rendering it useless. Carry all of your medical supplies in a dedicated carry-on bag. Airport security allows you to carry liquids (like insulin and liquid low treatments) that exceed the standard 3.4-ounce limit, provided you declare them as medical supplies before sending your bag through the X-ray. If you use a CGM or an insulin pump, you should avoid full-body millimeter-wave scanners and X-ray machines, as the radiation can corrupt the device software. Instead, politely request a manual pat-down from a TSA agent. Keep your insulin cool during the journey using specially designed, reusable cooling wallets like a Frio pack, which requires only cold water to activate.