Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

jpek · Post by **jpek** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:42 am

Periodically I fly to Mexico via Aeromexico. This company seems to have a policy regarding bringing a CPAP machine on board that violates FAA guidelines and ADA requirements. According to Aeromexico, CPAP machines are allowed in the cabin, but they count as one of the carry-ons. Obviously, this makes the passenger's luggage situation more complicated and potentially costly.

I want to file a complaint about this with Aeromexico. I've read a lot of references online about the rules for traveling with CPAP, but I'd like to see the actual regulations. Can anybody point me to the right source?

Dog Slobber · Post by **Dog Slobber** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:09 am

You're not going to find any documentation supporting your position, because your position is not true.

That are no laws, ADA or FAA requirements that CPAP must be allowed as carry-on and not count towards one's carry-on. Most US (and other countries) carriers have a policy stating as much, but it's each airlines policy.

Here's a Resmed page that links to many airlines policies on CPAP:
https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-heal ... -policies/

jpek · Post by **jpek** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:47 am

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:09 am
You're not going to find any documentation supporting your position, because your position is not true.

That are no laws, ADA or FAA requirements that CPAP must be allowed as carry-on and not count towards one's carry-on. Most US (and other countries) carriers have a policy stating as much, but it's each airlines policy.

According to this page from the US Department of Transportation https://www.transportation.gov/individu ... ve-devices, you are incorrect. And this is not the only place I've seen this information. However, I can't find the laws that support this policy.

robysue1 · Post by **robysue1** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:53 am

jpek wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:42 am
I want to file a complaint about this with Aeromexico. I've read a lot of references online about the rules for traveling with CPAP, but I'd like to see the actual regulations. Can anybody point me to the right source?

The only thing I could find in a quick search of the official Department of Transportation site was the following pdf of a pamplet:

https://www.transportation.gov/sites/do ... mphlet.pdf

A more thorough search of the government's sites might turn up what you are looking for.

Nocibur · Post by **Nocibur** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 10:43 am

jpek wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:42 am
I've read a lot of references online about the rules for traveling with CPAP...

IMO you need to search for "charges for carry-ons". AI says it's up to the individual carrier. DOT says:

Some airlines permit one or two checked bags at no charge; other carriers charge for even one checked bag. There can also be an extra charge if you exceed the airline's limits on the size, weight or number of the bags.

stevenal · Post by **stevenal** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 10:01 am

Guess I missed where the links above speak of how medical devices don't count against the carry-on limit.
Complicated? I fail to see how a carry-on, a personal item, plus a CPAP is less complicated. Sounds like a lot to carry and possibly loose to me.
I read the other day a story of someone who grabbed a similar looking CPAP bag from the overhead bin, and arrived at their hotel with the wrong equipment. Not the airline's fault or liability.

I have a travel CPAP and equipment in a small bag with a medical tag that goes in my carry-on. It's pulled out for the TSA check, then goes back in.

stevenal · Post by **stevenal** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 10:42 am

Try this link to the actual CFR. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/c ... D/part-382

In implementing your carry-on baggage policies, you must not count assistive devices (including the kinds of items listed in paragraph (a) of this section) toward a limit on carry-on baggage.

Also note how they address foreign carriers. Seems that once your flight no longer begins or ends in the USA, things change.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 2:00 pm

Here's the policy: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/do ... mphlet.pdf It includes CPAP

You can certainly file a complaint against the airline, the brochure tells you what agency to contact. HOWEVER, I assume you are making a round trip, and there's no such requirement on the Mexico side. So even if you can successfully get the airline to agree not to count it on your way to Mexico, it will count as one on your return trip.

stevenal · Post by **stevenal** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 7:37 pm

Air transportation means interstate or foreign air transportation or the transportation of mail by aircraft, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102. Generally this refers to transportation by aircraft within, to or from the United States.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 1:27 pm

File a complaint then. See if that gets you any traction. Let us know.

Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

Re: Looking for documentation proving that CPAP is allowed as "extra" carry on on airplanes

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