Can you fly with medication and medical devices?
The short answer
TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your flight, if you declare them at the checkpoint. Pills must go through screening. The FAA allows portable oxygen concentrators that meet its acceptance criteria.
Medication at the checkpoint
TSA says medication in pill or other solid form must be screened, and clear labels help. Tell the TSA officer before screening starts that you carry medically necessary liquids or medications. Place them in a separate bin with items such as freezer packs, IV bags, pumps and syringes.
Medically necessary liquids are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule in reasonable amounts, but must be declared. Ice packs and gel packs may be frozen, partly frozen or melted. If you do not want a liquid medicine X-rayed or opened, tell the officer. Extra screening applies instead.
Insulin pumps and glucose monitors
TSA says you do not have to remove a device attached to your body. Tell the officer where it is before screening. A disconnected device may be X-rayed, and you can ask for alternative screening.
Portable oxygen concentrators
- TSA says not all airlines allow them, so check with your airline and the manufacturer.
- FAA acceptance criteria: legally marketed in the US under FDA rules, no radio frequency interference with aircraft systems, no compressed gas and no hazardous materials beyond permitted batteries.
- A POC not previously listed by the FAA must carry a red label saying it conforms to FAA acceptance criteria.
- At the checkpoint, tell the officer. If you can disconnect, the unit is X-rayed. If not, it is tested for traces of explosives.
- CPAP, BiPAP and nebulizer liquids are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule.
Before you go
Rules change, check the official page before you travel.
Sources: TSA: Disabilities and Medical Conditions, FAA: Acceptance Criteria for Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do medically necessary liquids have to fit in 100 ml bottles?
No. TSA allows larger amounts in reasonable quantities for your flight, but you must declare them to officers.
Can a TSA officer put something into my liquid medicine?
No. TSA says screening never includes placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.
Must I take off my insulin pump?
No. TSA says you will not be required to remove medical devices attached to your body.
Do all airlines allow oxygen concentrators?
No. TSA says not all airlines allow them. Check with your airline and the manufacturer.