Am I allowed to bring my diabetes supplies with me while flying with an airline?
Yes. TSA allows diabetes supplies, like equipment, medications, and food to treat hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), through the checkpoint after screening or pat-down. Let TSA know you have these items and separate them from other belongings before screening. After passing through security checkpoints, airlines must allow diabetes supplies to stay with you on the plane under the Air Carrier Access Act.
What are general tips to prepare for travel?
- Download the My TSA app or check TSA's website for security updates.
- Consider a TSA Disability Notification Card.
- Pack medications and medical devices with prescription labels. Prescriptions are not required but may make the security process faster.
- Don’t forget to pack extra supplies, snacks, and a quick-acting form of carbohydrate in the bag you keep with you on the plane.
- Carry medical IDs and contact information for your doctor.
- Arrive 2-3 hours before your flight.
- To prepare for security, take out medications in a clear, sealable bag. Also, if you wear an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), consider if you prefer a pat-down to body scanners. Some manufacturers do not recommend taking devices through body scanners or other x-ray machines.
- Know that screening procedures may change the next time you go to the airport.
What are examples of items permitted through security?
- All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies.
- Insulin and insulin dispensers like insulin pumps, vials, jet injectors, and preloaded syringes.
- Unused syringes if you bring insulin or other injectable medication.
- Used syringes if in a sharps container or other hard-surface container.
- Insulin pump and supplies like cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle—you must bring insulin to bring insulin pumps and supplies.
- CGM and its supplies.
- Testing supplies like a blood glucose meter (BGM), glucose test strips, lancets, BGM testing solutions, alcohol swabs, and urine ketone test strips.
- Glucagon emergency kit.
- Liquids and gels, including water, juice, or liquid nutrition.
What if my insulin, liquids, and gels are more than 3.4 ounces?
- People living with diabetes may bring larger amounts of insulin, other medications, and treatments for hypoglycemia (including snacks). Glucose tablets, hard candy, and whole or dried fruit are always allowed in reasonable amounts because they aren’t liquids.
- If you bring medical liquids in containers greater than 3.4 ounces, remove them from your bags at the security checkpoint and tell TSA. Don’t put them in the quart-sized zip-top bag with your other liquids.
- Usually, insulin can safely pass through x-ray machines at security checkpoints. If you have concerns about x-rays, you can request a visual inspection.
- Do not place insulin in checked baggage. It could be damaged by severe changes in pressure and temperature. After traveling, inspect insulin for signs of damage. If it’s damaged and you don’t have backup insulin with you, call your doctor.
What if the airline tells me I need to check my bag with diabetes supplies?
Tell the airline you are a person with a disability and your bag has medication or devices you need for your disability. If you feel comfortable, you may tell them you have diabetes and what medication or devices you are carrying, but you are generally not required to. Airlines may not ask for a prescription or doctor’s note. In special circumstances, they may ask for a medical certificate to fly if the disability requires “extraordinary medical assistance” in-flight (understood as care requiring oxygen, a stretcher to travel, or other similar care). Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel, 70 Fed. Reg. 20,808 (Apr. 20, 2005).
Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines may not discriminate against people with physical impairments, which includes diabetes. 14 C.F.R. § 382.3 (2026).
The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces this law. They published a Bill of Rights clarifying passengers with physical impairments may have rights to travel with assistive devices, including medications, for free and to make a complaint with the airline or DOT if they have issues. U.S. Dep't of Transp., Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights: The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal (Feb. 5, 2025).
Passengers may keep their diabetes supplies with them on the plane in two ways:
- Bring a separate bag with diabetes supplies—separate from your other luggage. The airline must fly this bag for free and not count it towards your luggage limit. Make sure this bag only contains medical supplies. Let the airline know the bag has medical supplies and you are a person with a disability. 14 C.F.R. § 382.121(b) (2026).
- If you don’t want to use a separate bag, keep diabetes supplies in your carry-on or personal item bag. The airline must give bags with assistive devices priority over other passengers’ standard bags. Let them know you’re a person with a disability and your bag has medical supplies. 14 C.F.R. § 382.121(a) (2026).
If you have issues keeping diabetes supplies with you, file a complaint within 45 days after the incident and the airline will be required to respond. Check with the airline customer service desk in the airport or their website to file a complaint. You may also file a complaint with the DOT or contact the DOT Disability Hotline at 1-800-778-4838 (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET). U.S. Dep't of Transp., Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights: The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal (Feb. 5, 2025).
If you experience any issues bringing diabetes supplies on a flight, contact TSA Cares for security issues or the airline for flight issues. Please also share your experiences with us by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383).
