Travelling with Diabetes:

Your Airport Security & Packing Checklist

Navigating airport security with diabetes is one of the most commonly asked questions in the online community, especially in summer. Every airport is different, and so is every person with diabetes. However, there are some well-vetted tips and packing recommendations listed on this webpage, which was created with huge thanks 🙏❤️ to the Irish Diabetes Online Community #IreDOC on Facebook and from Thriveabetes cofounder, Grainne’s years of personal experience in travelling with diabetes through many airports.

Preparation Checklist

Some people may be able to pack the night before a trip, but many people with diabetes will need to start preparing for their trip well in advance.

    • A copy of your prescription

    • A letter from your GP or diabetes team for airport security outlining:

      • Type of diabetes

      • Medications/ insulin

      • Diabetes devices and requirements for airport security (read more on this below)

      • Seldom needed but still good to have.

    • Travel/medical insurance details (EHIC for EU)

      • If purchasing Travel insurance, make sure pre-existing conditions are covered.

      • If travelling to an EU member state, bring your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). Find out more about how to get an EHIC here.

  • Do you need an Extra Baggage Allowance for your diabetes supplies on the aeroplane?

    Airlines generally allow extra medical bags, especially when they contain necessary equipment or medication.

    It’s best to organise this in advance, and each airline has a different process on how to do so.

    Look up the airline’s website on getting a medical baggage waiver or to find out what their procedure is. Or Google the name of the airline with the words “medical Baggage Allowance” or “medical baggage waiver” to find out what their procedure is. Some airlines may not state this information clearly, in this situation, contact their customer service before travel.

  • The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard was designed to allow passengers to choose to indicate they have an invisible disability.

    It discreetly indicates to airport staff that you may need addition time going through airport security and boarding the plane. Sometimes, the airport staff will indicate that you can use the Fast Track Airport Security line, but this is not always the case.

    Sunflower lanyards are available at the check in passenger desk in many airports around the world and in all of the International Irish airports.

    Find out more about the Sunflower Lanyard here.

Packing Check List

Remember to pack all diabetes supplies in your carry-on hand luggage! Why? Insulin can freeze in the hold of an aircraft, and hold luggage can sometimes go astray!

Think about making a list of all of your supplies. This might sound obvious, but Thriveabetes founder, Gráinne, can think of 5 or more times where she arrived at her destination without at least one of the above! Seriously!

Take twice as many supplies as you will use in that time. Sometimes flights get delayed, and your trip gets extended beyond your control.

Diabetes Travel Packing Checklist
  • ✓📝 Prescription and GP/Diabetes Team letter
  • ✓Insulin
  • ✓💉 Syringes/pen needles
  • ✓Spare sensors (if you use CGM)
  • ✓🔋 Spare batteries (meter/CGM/pump)
  • ✓🧪 Test strips & meter (if not on CGM)
  • ✓📦 Twice the supply you need
  • ✓Medical identification (card or jewellery)
  • ✓🩸 Insulin pump reservoirs and insets
  • ✓Spare insulin pens or syringes if using a pump in case of pump failure
  • ✓🌡️ CGM sensors + backup BG meter
  • ✓🍬 Fast-acting glucose & hypo treatments
  • ✓🚨 Glucagon kit
  • ✓Ketone Meter + test strips
  • ✓🍫 Extra snacks & illness meds
  • ✓Medicine for minor illness, and for travel sickness (e.g., Imodium, Dioralyte)

Airport security

“Anyone has the right to refuse to go through scanners and can request a pat down/body search instead”

There are three airport security machines:

  1. Hand luggage X-ray, where your carry-on bags go before you are asked to walk through either the:

  2. Metal detector,

  3. And/or the Full body scanner

Check in advance if you are wearing a device that may not be recommended to go through any of the security machines. The image below, from NHS Scotland, is really helpful.

If it is recommended to avoid going through the Full Body Scanner with your diabetes device:

  • Politely inform the Security Agent and request a pat-down.

  • Repeat if necessary or add, “I understand what you are saying, but I would still like to request a pat-down”,

  • If the Security Agent still doesn’t “hear” you, request to speak to a supervisor.

Image Source: MyDiabetesMyWay: Diabetes Technology and Airport Security, https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/diabetes-technology-and-airport-security/