Quick Answer: Yes, you can carry your insulin and all medical supplies, including needles, on a plane. However, it's crucial to ensure you comply with aviation regulations and international border controls when travelling abroad.
Welcome aboard! If you're gearing up for a journey and pondering over flying with your insulin, you're in the right place. Travelling with insulin by air might initially seem a bit overwhelming. Navigating airport security with your injections and needles, ensuring your insulin remains chilled during the flight, and managing your injection timings across different time zones are just some of the hurdles you could encounter. But fret not-we've got you thoroughly covered!
So, buckle up and let's prepare to soar through the skies confidently and comfortably with your insulin supplies!
- Can you bring insulin and needles onto a plane?
- What diabetes supplies are permissible on flights?
- How much insulin can you pack in your hand luggage?
- Do you need a doctor's note to fly with insulin?
- How can you keep your insulin chilled on the plane?
- Tips for managing insulin on international flights.
- Can insulin be safely scanned at airport security?
- And more!
Related article: Does Insulin Need to Be Refrigerated? Essential Storage Tips!
Regulations for Taking Insulin on a Plane
Let's start with the basics: Can you actually bring insulin on plane? Absolutely, yes! You can take insulin on a plane. It's even super important to keep your insulin and diabetes supplies in your carry-on luggage to avoid temperature fluctuations in the hold and loss of luggage issues.
According to the CAA, the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, "Essential medicines are allowed in your hand luggage. If the medicine is a liquid, and the amount of liquid is more than 100ml, please carry either a prescription with your name on it or a letter from a medical professional confirming your need for the medical or dietary liquids".
Do You Need A Doctor's Note To Fly With Insulin?
Yes, if you're flying with insulin, you should get a letter from your GP or diabetes specialist to transit smoothly through airport security and customs.
While not always requested at UK airports, the letter should include details about your medication, especially if you carry insulin in containers over 100 mls, as well as any devices and medical supplies that you use. It is also good practice to take a copy of a recent prescription with you.
Regaring the airline company, you are not obligated to show any medical documents. However, informing them about your diabetes is prudent. Doing so can facilitate the flights, with diabetes-friendly meal options for instance.
How much insulin can you bring?
According to the CAA mentioned above, there's no limit to how much insulin you can take on a flight. However, "If the medicine is a liquid, and the amount of liquid is more than 100ml", you'll need to show proof of a medical prescription or a doctor's note to carry your insulin.
The general rule in any case is to be able to prove that all the insulin you're carrying is for personal use. Always carry the amount necessary for the duration of your stay, plus a little extra in case of delays or emergencies.
Can you carry insulin needles on the plane?
Naturally, travelling with insulin necessitates carrying both used and unused needles you need for your injections.
You're allowed to carry these items on flights across the UK. However, unused insulin needles must be sealed and accompanied by your insulin pen (as proof of medical need), while used needles should be carried in a sharps bin or similar puncture-resistant container.
Heads Up: You might encounter additional screening at the airport. It's wise to arrive early and allow extra time before your flight. As long as you have a doctor's letter and the quantities of your medical supplies are clearly for personal use, you should experience no issues.
Is is safe for insulin to go through airport scanners?
Yes, insulin can safely go through airport scanners. Insulin and all other diabetic supplies, including vials, pens, and needles are allowed to pass through security screening equipment.
While it is generally safe for insulin to be screened by X-ray machines, if you have any concerns about the effect of scanning on your insulin, you can request a manual inspection instead.
What about insulin pumps?
The sensitivity of insulin pumps to X-ray screening and full-body scanners varies depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. Many insulin pump manufacturers advise that insulin pumps should not be exposed to the high-energy X-ray used in some full-body scanners at airports.
To avoid any potential damage or malfunction, simply inform the security officer at the security checkpoint that you are wearing an insulin pump and would prefer a hand-check instead of going through the body scanner or having the pump pass through the X-ray machine.
Related article: Can Insulin Pumps go Through X-ray & Metal Detectors at the Airport?
Tips for Flying with Insulin
Taking insulin on a plane involves more than just remembering to pack it! Properly packing and storing your insulin and ensuring you have the appropriate paperwork are crucial for seamless travel, whether you're flying within the UK or internationally. Let's explore the best practices for packing your insulin and review the essential documents you'll need for a hassle-free trip.
Pack insulin in your Hand Luggage
Always keep your insulin and medical supplies in your hand luggage to safeguard them from damage due to extreme temperatures in the aircraft hold. Temperature fluctuations are common in checked baggage compartments because of varying cargo hold conditions. Moreover, this avoids the risk of losing your essential supplies if your checked baggage is misplaced or delayed.
To organise your insulin and all associated supplies efficiently and keep them accessible, consider using a transparent, plastic, airtight container. This arrangement not only keeps everything neatly in order but also facilitates the security screening process at airports. Using clear and secure packaging is advisable as it allows security personnel to inspect your medical supplies quickly and thoroughly without requiring you to unpack each item.
Flying abroad with insulin
When preparing for an international flight with insulin, it's crucial to acquaint yourself with the specific medication regulations of your destination country. Different countries have unique import laws and may necessitate specific documentation for transporting medicines across their borders.
While insulin and most diabetes supplies are widely recognized globally, ensuring that you carry quantities for personal use usually poses no issues, provided you comply with the legal restrictions and documentation stipulations of your destination. It's always prudent to have your insulin clearly marked and to carry the appropriate medical prescriptions or letters from your GP.
The National Health Service (NHS) as well as the embassy of your destination country can provide valuable advice and guidelines for travellers needing to transport insulin and diabetes supplies internationally.
Related article: Tips for Traveling with Medication Internationally: Preparation & Documents.
How to Keep Insulin Cold on a Airplane
Bringing insulin on a plane isn't just about taking it through airport security screenings. It's also about meticulous attention to how it is stored and transported during your flight.
Maintaining the correct storage temperature for your insulin pens and vials is crucial to ensure it remains effective and doesn't spoil during your travels.
- If you're flying with unopened insulin, you should carry it in a refrigerated travel case between 2°C to 8°C.
- If you're flying with opened insulin,it can be transported at room temperature under 25°C. for about a month, depending on the insulin type and brand of insulin you're using.
- When travelling to hot climates, you should use a travel cooler to keep your insulin cool.
But flying with insulin cooling cases can be challenging, particularly if your case isn't fully approved for air travel. To avoid any complications, we strongly advise ensuring that your insulin case complies with all airline regulations.
Related article: How to Travel With Insulin That Needs Refrigeration or Cooling!
Insulin Travel Case Coolers Approved for Air Travel
4AllFamily UK provides an extensive selection of travel cases & coolers specifically designed for travelling with insulin. All our cooling cases and mini fridges are approved for air travel and meet standard airport regulations across the UK, the EU, and internationally.
Travel Coolers for Opened Insulin:
- Chiller Insulin Pouch Cooler: Utilise evaporative cooling technology to keep insulin cool at room temperature below 26°C for up to 45 hours without the need for ice or electricity, making them perfect for air travels.
- Rambler Small Insulin Pen Case: Designed to keep a single insulin pen cool for 12 to 16 hours depending on external conditions. Ideal for short flights and week end get aways.
- Companion Diabetes Cool Bag: to fly with up to 5 insulin pens cool!
Mini Travel Fridges for Refrigerated Insulin:
- Voyager Mini Fridge for Insulin: This portable fridge can safely carry up to seven refrigerated insulin pens for more than 30 hours off-grid or indefinitely when connected to a USB power source.
- Nomad Insulin Travel Cases: These allow you to refrigerate up to seven insulin pens while travelling without electricity.
- Explorer 3-in-1 Insulin Cooler: Offers extended cooling for over 52 hours, ideal for longer journeys.
All these products are compliant with UK and international aviation security regulations, ensuring you can transport your insulin safely and legally on all your flights.
When you use our coolers with Biogel cooling packs, to breeze through security:
- Make sure the Biogel cooling pack is frozen.
- Carry your medication alongside the cooling case as proof it's for medical use.
If either of these conditions isn't met, we recommend packing your cool case in your checked luggage to avoid any potential delays or issues at airport security checkpoints. Safe travels!
Does flying affect blood sugar?
Yes, flying can impact your blood sugar levels due to changes in routine, stress, altitude and pressure variations, and extended periods of sitting during flights. Below are some tips for managing your blood sugar levels while airborne:
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar to respond promptly to any unexpected fluctuations.
- Staying hydrated is crucial as dehydration can affect blood sugar levels.
- Keep snacks on hand to manage either low or high blood sugar as needed.
- Consult your GP before your trip and discuss any necessary adjustments to your insulin regimen to manage potential travel disruptions effectively.
How to inject insulin on the plane?
Administering insulin on a plane involves a few additional precautions to ensure safety and efficacy, particularly due to atmospheric pressure changes which can affect insulin delivery.
Before injecting, ensure to prime your insulin pen to remove any air bubbles that might have formed due to cabin pressure changes.
If you feel uneasy about injecting in front of your seatmate, you might use a blanket or an item of clothing to maintain privacy. Informing a cabin crew member of your need to administer medication can help ensure you are not interrupted during the process.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
If you have any experiences or tips about flying with insulin, please share them in the comments below. Your insights could help other diabetic travellers navigate their flights more smoothly. If you have any questions about taking insulin on a plane, don't hesitate to ask. Let's support each other!
