Should I let the airline know I use an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (glucose sensor)?

Yes! You must contact your airline a few weeks before you fly. Airlines are concerned that pump or sensor electronics could potentially interfere with aircraft communication systems.  Some airlines will require you to notify them of your medical equipment in advance and fill in additional paperwork before you fly. If you don’t, you run the risk of not being allowed to board the plane. We are working on finding out which airlines do or do not require this.

Who else should I inform that I am going travelling?

As well as discussing this with your airline before travelling, you should also speak to your diabetes team – should you need to remove your pump for any reason, they can provide you with any extra equipment such as insulin pens and help plan your doses throughout your journey. Take the VoyageMD airport card with you. Some insulin pump manufacturers also provide “holiday rentals”.

If your pump or CGM cannot function without a wireless signal, then you may need to be prepared to remove your CGM and pump and administer insulin with an insulin pen for the duration of your journey. You would also need to test your blood glucose levels manually with a standard blood glucose meter.

Is it safe to go through the x-ray machines or full body scanners?

Insulin pumps and CGM are fine to pass through the metal detectors in airport security, but should not be passed through the X-ray machines or full body scanners. If insulin pumps and/or CGMs do go through the machines, then they can damage to electronic parts which will affect the insulin dosing abilities. You can request a hand-wand inspection from security staff rather than pass through the scanners.

What in-flight meal should I choose?

Airlines should be able to provide information on the times of most meals so you can plan your insulin. Order the standard meal (rather than the ‘diabetic’ meal which often has low amounts of carbohydrates and could increase your risk of a hypo) though this may not suffice. Flight attendants are usually able to provide extra fruit, crackers or bread rolls if you ask them nicely.

On long flights, you may require snacks in between meals and at bedtime to prevent blood glucose levels going too low, so try to carry extra starchy carbohydrate foods, such as biscuits (cookies) or cereal bars, on board the aircraft.

What hypo treatment should I take with me?

Glucose tablets and sugary (not diet) drinks or fruit juices can be carried on board along with longer-acting carbohydrates such as cookies (biscuits), sandwiches and fruit; remember, these “liquids” must be bought after going through airport security.

What are VoyageMD encouraging airlines to provide?

• Extra bread is available at all meals for people with diabetes.
• Fresh fruit or unsweetened fruit salad is an option for travellers with diabetes.
• Bread or fruit or biscuits are available between meals on flights of over three hours.
• Low-calorie beverages, including diet drinks, tea, coffee and water, are freely available.