Airline Travel With CPAP

I haven’t flown for a while with my CPAP. In general, how are we supposed to prepare to go through security with it? Can I leave it in the bag and put the bag in the tray? Do they like it out of the CPAP bag and in those trays by itself or can I put it on top of the bag in the tray? I hate the thought of my CPAP in the same tray someone used to put their shoes in after walking around a city.

They might ask to to turn it on. Hopefully, if they do, there will be an electric socket nearby. On the return trip from another country, make sure that the adapter is handy in case they ask you to start it there.

FWIW, my wife & I travel with our CPAPs - TSA seems to be used to seeing these & haven't raised a fuss. We simply keep them in the travel bags & put them in the trays - no issues.

D.H. wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 19, 2025 11:44 am

They might ask to to turn it on. Hopefully, if they do, there will be an electric socket nearby.

They might ask you to turn on an electrically powered device, without an electric socket nearby???

I'll take things that never happened for a thousand please Alex.

I find going through TSA to be a breeze. Every now and then they want to wipe the machine to be sure that I haven't brought an illegal substance. I just ask them to use new gloves and wipes since I breathe through the machine. Not a problem. I always put my machine against a side of the overhead biin so it doesn't get knocked around by suitcases.

If it's been handled, whether by TSA staff, hotel staff, or porters, I would run it empty for a few minutes before using. This should clear out any contaminants that might have gotten in.