Skip to content
Young woman is giving her mother an emotional cuddle in the airport terminal before she leaves to board a flight.

Travelling by air

No matter what type of diabetes you have, it's essential to prepare for air travel to reduce the risks associated with diabetes and flying.

Talk to your health care team at least three months before you plan to fly and make sure you follow airline security regulations for your medication and equipment.

Read more in our fact sheet and booklet.

Travel fact sheet

Careful planning before travelling is very important when you have diabetes. You will need to consider your diabetes management and general health, available food choices what to pack and travel insurance.

Download now
Travel and type 1 diabetes (youth booklet)

Information booklet about travel for young people with type 1 diabetes.

Download

Visit travel and diabetes for advice on how to plan your next holiday or trip.

When travelling by plane, put all your diabetes supplies in your carry-on luggage.

  • Split the supplies (medication, insulin, glucagon, delivery devices and testing equipment) between two carry-on bags in case one goes missing.
  • Unless you’re travelling alone, it’s a good idea to give one bag to your travel partner to carry.
  • Pack a separate small bag with the bare minimum quantity of insulin, injection devices, testing equipment and hypo treatment needed for the flight. If flying long-haul, pack enough for the first leg and refill it before each new leg.
  • Always carry identification, emergency contacts and consider wearing a Medic Alert bracelet or another form of medical identification. If you have a smart phone, consider using an ICE (In Case of Emergency) app. This will show your identification and emergency contact details on the home screen even when the phone is locked. Health apps are also available to store the medical information you might wish to store on your phone.

If you use an insulin pump or a CGM or Flash GM device, they must not be removed even when going through airport security.

Metal detectors are safe, but insulin pumps and CGM transmitters can be damaged by x-rays in security equipment. Ask airport security staff to physically check you and your luggage rather than using the x-ray equipment. Security staff are required to respond to such a request under government agency regulations.

During your flight, there are some things you can do to make your journey an enjoyable one.

  • When boarding, you can choose to tell your flight attendant that you have diabetes so they can cater to your needs.
  • Keep your diabetes supplies where you can reach them immediately, even if the seatbelt sign is on. The best place is  in the seat pocket in front of you—not under your seat or in the overhead locker.
  • Wait until your meal is on the table in front of you before having insulin or oral medications. For added safety, you can take your insulin either halfway through the meal or immediately afterwards.
  • Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol—drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
  • Sleep whenever possible and ask the cabin crew to wake you up for meals.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and exercise your feet to help prevent swelling.
  • Move around the cabin as often as you can. Walking up and down the aisle will assist circulation, helps to keep your blood glucose levels under control and help to keep your blood glucose levels within your target range.

Decreased activity while you’re on the plane, together with the amount of food given on flights, often results in increased blood glucose levels. These return to normal once you get back to your routine at your destination.

There are specific Australian airline security regulations for people with diabetes. It’s essential to make appropriate arrangements when planning your trip so that you comply with the following regulations:

  • You must carry all diabetes supplies, including testing equipment, insulin and glucagon delivery devices (syringes and pen needles and insulin pump consumables) in the hand luggage of the person who has diabetes and whose name appears on the airline ticket. It is advisable to pack extra insulin in the person’s checked-in luggage.
  • Your name must appear on all insulin and/or glucagon pharmacy-labelled packaging.
  • You must carry prescriptions for all medications you are taking with you and check them before you go to make sure they are readable. Each prescription must include your name, the name and type of your medication and your doctor’s contact details.
  • You should carry your NDSS registration card to prove you have diabetes. This is accepted as primary proof that a person with insulin-treated diabetes needs to carry their diabetes equipment with them. Additional photographic proof of identity, such as a driver’s licence or passport may also be required.
  • Take several copies of any letter from your doctor, as you will need this to get through Customs. The letter should outline any medical conditions, your diabetes medications and the devices you use for your insulin and blood glucose testing, such as insulin pens, syringes and needles or pump unit. It should also stress the importance of carrying your medications with you. Check beforehand that the letter is readable.
  • International travellers have limits on liquids they can carry. Check the amounts. People with diabetes who need to carry supplies of insulin are exempt from this rule; however, they will need to present the insulin at the security point and carry proof of both their condition and their need for insulin.

Not travelling with an Australian airline? Make sure you check specific security guidelines with your chosen airline before you travel.

More information and support

Featured resource

Travel fact sheet

Careful planning before travelling is very important when you have diabetes. You will need to consider your diabetes management and general health, available food choices what to pack and travel insurance.

Download now
Travel and type 1 diabetes (youth booklet)

Information booklet about travel for young people with type 1 diabetes.

Download
Travelling here or there video

Watch our video about travel.

Watch now

Diabetes Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, waters, winds and culture. We pay the upmost respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by diabetes and those at risk.

Learn about the artwork