Need advice for flying and carrying CPAP machine

Dear All,

I would like to know, does somebody have any experience flying overseas (and local too) and carrying CPAP machine?

Did the TSA ever question you regarding the CPAP machine?

What I heard is, TSA would question electronic devices, and my friends adviced me to make sure my phone or any electronics is fully charged so that when TSA wants to see if it's really a phone/tablet/laptop, I can turn it on on the spot. The thing is, CPAP machine doesn't use battery though.

Also, I plan to fly oversea for my honeymoon soon. Any experience flying to Asia and carrying CPAP machine with you?
What I am afraid is, the custom or security check in foreign country airport might not be familiar with CPAP machine.

Do I need to bring a letter from my doctor explaining that I have sleep apnea condition and needs CPAP machine?

I would appreciate if you can share your experience flying with CPAP machine.

Thanks a lot!

I have a letter from my sleep doctor that my cpap is medical equipment, and that I need one. I've not had to use that letter, the flight people seem to know what a cpap is and what it's used for. They very likely see quite a few of them, I've seen a lot of ResMed bags when I've been traveling.

I've not had my tablets or phones looked into, charged or not. They're not obscure brands, so that may be helpful there *smile*.

One of our flights to and back from Europe last summer (don't remember if it was going or coming back) was the first and only time that I've had to take my cpap out of its case. So yes, you may have to do that, but not for sure.

And always take your cpap as a carry-on, since it's medical equipment it doesn't count as a carry-on. And that way you control how it's treated (mostly) rather than a crew of people that are paid more the further they can throw your luggage *smile*.

you could always put one of these on the bag:
http://www.directhomemedical.com/respir ... xygen.html

Don't ever, ever check it as 'baggage' - it's likely to get lost, but is allowed in the plane with you and not counted as carry-on.

Make sure you have an extension cord and adapters. Often there will not be an outlet you can use right near the bed.
I use my US 12 foot extension cord cord on 220 volts in Europe without any trouble. I plug the local adapter into the outlet and plug the extension into that.
Bring extra mask parts or an extra mask and hose if you have one.

I carry a copy of my prescription.

I prefer not to check my luggage and found walking down the aircraft isle of the plane with the extra bag is surprisingly more difficult. Then you need to find additional overhead space. It is worth the extra if you can pay for early boarding or sit in the rear of the cabin.

I have not been on a flight long enough I really needed to sleep on the plane.
If you will need to use your machine on the plane check with your airline and ask questions here.

I flew with mine on Thursday. I had it all ready in a ziploc bag so that they could take it out and swab it.

They took NO notice of it whatsoever. I put the Resmed bag through the scanner and picked it up on the other side without a single question or comment.

Domestic flight, Boston to Orlando.

Get a larger ZipLock bag that will hold your machine and keep it in the bag for the trip. Sometimes TSA folks will ask you to remove the machine before sending it through the scanner, sometime not.

ALWAYS carry the CPAP bag as carry-on luggage. You can't afford for it to go missing or be mis-delivered at your destination.

I printed and use the following tag attached to my CPAP case:


I took it to my local Staples and had it laminated.

The tag from DirectHomeMedical that PaleRider mentioned was included with my oxygen concentrator and is very well made and looks durable if you want to go that route. It is about the thickness of a credit card and comes with a loop to attach it to your case.

Like the others above, I have carried my CPAP on a number of domestic flights and have had no trouble. I always carry it in it's own case (ResMed) as an addition to other carry on. TSA folks have treated it differently, depending on the Airport, but all seem to recognize the case. Sometimes it goes right through the scanner, sometimes they want to open the bag. I, too, always put everything in individual zip lock bags inside the case. Though the case has been opened, no agent has asked to open an individual zip lock. One agent, seemingly a little concerned for my well being, asked where my humidifier was (which I never carry), as if I might have unintentionally forgotten it.

I travel lots - never had a problem

Thank you sooooo much all!

As one who is going to be flying next month for the first time since I started pap therapy, I greatly appreciate this thread as it has been very helpful. I thank everyone for their contributions.

49er

I'm a brand new user (just finished my very first night!), and I'm leaving in two days for a 3 week business trip to India, Malaysia, and England. I'm getting an extension cord and I have my travel adapters. They told me to be sure and bring distilled water with me, but I've seen online people saying it's not that big a deal to use regular water for a short period of time. I don't want to mess up my brand new machine! I was thinking I could fill up some smaller water bottles and put those in my checked bag. Maybe fancy hotels could find me some distilled water?

I was also told to use it on the plane! Has anyone done that? I've got several 10 hour flights in my future, but I can't imagine whipping out my full face mask rig on a plane. I guess it's better than snoring? My first flight to London is overnight, but I don't think that one has AC power at the seats.Has anyone actually used theirs on a plane?

They said it would take about a month before I felt better, but I have been so, so exhausted for so many years that I DO feel a difference this morning. I'm overwhelmed with the full face mask. I was just diagnosed recently, so this is all new, but I'm glad I found this board.

RogerSC wrote: ...... since it's medical equipment it doesn't count as a carry-on. ......

We see this advice all the time on this board, often repeated by regulars who should know better. It's only correct in the USA.

The rule that medical equipment does not count as a carry on is USA- TSA rule and only applies to USA flights. When you are flying outside of USA on a non-USA carrier, the USA- TSA rule does NOT apply. Other countries may have their own rules and there is no guarantee that they match those in the USA.

For example, for flights in Canada the CATSA rule is that xpap is a permitted carry-on but it is left to the individual airline to decide whether or not it is counted as a carry-on.

The best advice is to always check with your airline in advance of travel and plan accordingly. This includes the carriers for all connecting flights that you might be making.

Note that this does not negate the excellent advice that one should NEVER CHECK your CPAP - treat it as carry-on, only.


BTW, I've traveled by air to many destinations in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe on many different airlines. I've always carried-on my apap and I've never had a problem with it as a carry-on. The biggest risk is when you are among the last to board the aircraft and flight crew have decided that there is no more room on board for any carry-ons and they force the remaining passengers to check all carry-on luggage. This is a direct result of more people carrying-on everything they own to avoid checked-bag fees, leaving no room for those with legitimate and necessary carry-on-only baggage. Such is the sorry state of air travel in economy class.

I have a long plane trip from US to South Africa in the future. I tried to learn whether I could use my APAP on the plane and could not find it on the airline web site. I called and they were very courteous and said they would check with "headquarters" and call me back. They did and the answer was "yes, as long as I was using it with a battery and not with airplane power".
I was also concerned about the "carry on policy". I will fly intercontinental in business and the allowance is 2 carry on bags but I will also take 3 flights in country in economy. My concern was that they may charge a baggage fee for those flights. I sent an e-mail to their customer service stating my itinerary and class of travel, stating I knew I could only use it on battery and asked whether I would be charged the extra fee in economy. The reply which I will carry with me is
"No, medical equipment does not count toward a customer's hand luggage allowance. You may pack your CPAP in a separate bag, if necessary, and you will not be required to check your other carry-on bag."
I do not have severe apnea and I am not concerned about flying without using it but I feel sure that I could if I wanted to bring a battery system like some of the ones discussed in the camping threads or if I had a small portable machine then I could use it in flight.

By the way, foreign air carriers must comply with USA carry on rules for flights beginning or ending in the US.

I flew last month for the first time. As I was standing in the checkin line, I noticed 2 other people with CPAP machines, (the bags are pretty obvious). In fact the guy in front me had the same bag... it's a great conversation starter.

At security I didn't have to remove it from the bag and nobody from TSA blinked. That said, don't be surprised if occasionally they may have you take it out of the bag. Even though TSA knows all about them and you may have an innocent look, there's nothing stopping a potential terrorist from turning one into an explosive device.