How to Fly with Medical Devices: Rules and Requirements for 2025

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

12 minutes read

Last Updated:  February 13, 2026

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

Air travel is stressful at the best of times, but if you have to fly with a medical device, it can feel completely overwhelming. There are country-specific regulations and airline rules to consider, plus you have to prepare for the security screening. All of this can be intimidating and confusing. 

The up side is that the UK has very strong passenger protections in place, but to help you prepare, we’ve put together this guide to explain what you need to know to make your travel experience as stressless as possible.

Rules in the UK for passengers with medical devices

The overarching rules for flying with medical devices in the United Kingdom are established by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and protected under the Civil Aviation Regulations 2007 No. 1895 (as amended by SI 2023/456, effective March 2024)*.

These rules require airlines to allow passengers with essential medical equipment to travel with them without incurring extra fees, provided the passenger notifies the airline 48 hours before their trip. That said, each airline - and even individual airports - can have different policies on how medical devices are handled, but they still must abide by the UK’s passenger rights regulations.

How to Prepare for Your Flight

Because airline and airport policies can vary, the first thing you should do is check with the airline before you book your ticket to see if your equipment is allowed onboard. Some airlines like Ryanair, for example, will not allow you to use CPAPs during the flight.

Also check your departure AND arrival airports to see if there are any special requirements for travelling with medical equipment. 

#1 Notify the Airline

After you book your ticket, you will need to give the airline 48 hours advance notice if you need to use any medical devices during your flight. 

Also, inquire about the following:

• Ask if you need to complete a Medical Information Form (MEDIF). This is a private, confidential form that you and your physician will fill out to help the airline understand and prepare for your flight. 
• Find out if your medical device will affect your seating choices and your baggage allowance.

#2 Prepare Medical Documentation

1. Contact your physician, and ask them to give you a letter explaining why you need the specific medical device(s) you’ll be bringing with you. It’s a good idea to make copies of this or take photos in case you lose it. Without this letter, you could run into problems at check-in and at security checkpoints.
2. If you’re travelling with medications, especially controlled substances, needles and syringes, or liquids, you will need to have a physician's letter to prove that you need these items for a medical condition.
3. Pack your medication in their original bottle, preferably with the prescription label containing your name, the medication, and the prescribing physician. If you don’t have the proper documents or if there are inconsistencies in your medicine, they could be confiscated during the security screening process.
4. Download the CAA’s Medical Device Awareness Card. Give this to security agents, and tell them what kind of medical equipment you have with you. Some devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps should not go through X-ray scanners, but you can ask the agents to do a manual screening instead.

#3 Check Airline Packing and Stowing Requirements 

Again, most medical devices are allowed in the cabin unless they are too big or pose a safety risk, but double check with your airline to see what they will allow as cabin baggage. 

Be sure to label your device, and if it uses lithium batteries, check to see if they are under 100Wh and are protected against short-circuiting. If they are over 100Wh, you will probably have to pack them in your checked luggage¹.

#4 Check the Laws in Your Destination Country

If you’re flying internationally, you’ll want to learn the rules and regulations in the country you plan to visit. Laws pertaining to medical equipment aboard flights aren't the same everywhere, and devices like CPAP machines, for example, might be restricted in the cabin. Also, some countries have more stringent rules about documentation and safety requirements, especially for lithium batteries. 

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, contact your arrival country’s embassy or consulate a few weeks before your flight. 

Disrupted flight? You might have a right to compensation - up to £520 (€600).Check Your Flight

How to Handle Connections in Non-UK Airports

If you’re flying internationally and have a connection in a non-UK airport, you’ll also need to check the specific rules for the connecting airport’s country. So, for example, if you’re travelling from London to Athens with a stopover in Madrid, you will need to check the policies in Spain as well as those in Greece.

If you’re flying with more than one airline, check the policies for each, especially if your connecting flight is operated by a non-UK airline. You’ll also need to inform all the different airlines about your medical device for your outbound AND return flights.

It’s also a good idea to allow extra time during layovers, so you can get through security and/or customs without missing your connecting flight. If you do have to clear customs, remember that you will probably have to declare your medical equipment and batteries, so keep all your medical documents handy.

Do Medical Devices Count Towards Baggage Allowance?

Medical devices do not affect your checked or cabin baggage allowance, and you can bring essential medical devices into the cabin² as long as they are within the allowable size limits. In general, you will not be charged a fee for your device, but make sure you have your doctor’s letter and other documents to prove that it is yours and that you must travel with it. 

Some equipment might only be allowed in either the cabin or as checked luggage, as you can see in the following table³.

Which Devices Go in Checked & Cabin Baggage

Below, you’ll see information on some of the most common medical equipment. If you don’t see your device in the table, contact your airline for more information.

UK Airline-specific policies

Even though they must comply with the overarching UK passenger regulations, each airline might have slightly different policies about which medical devices can be used in the cabin and how these items affect your baggage allowance. 

British Airways Medical Device Policies

British Airways asks passengers to give them 48 hours notice before departure if you plan to use your medical device during the flight. Also, the MEDIF might be required, so be sure to check with BA when you book your ticket.

Medical equipment will not be counted towards your hand baggage allowance, but make sure your devices are safety compliant.

Which devices can be used during the flight?

• CPAP Machines: Bring a dry cell battery as British Airways cannot guarantee power onboard
• Nebulisers: You can use your nebuliser during the flight but not during taxi, take-off, descent, and landing. Also, mains power isn’t available in the cabin so be sure it is battery powered.
• Insulin pumps and CGMs: Permitted for use during the flight but bring a doctor’s note and supporting documents.
• Portable O2 concentrators (POCs) can be used during the flight.

Medical Equipment on easyJet Flights

Contact easyJet’s Special Assistance at least 48 hours before departure, and be sure your equipment is battery powered.

Essential medical devices are allowed onboard without charge and will not count as cabin baggage. Any non-essential devices that go above your hand-baggage allowance or are larger than (56 x 45 x 25 cm) will likely result in additional charges and might need to be checked to the hold.

You can use the following devices during your easyJet flight:

• CPAP machines
• CGMs
• Insulin pumps
• Nebulisers
• Portable O2 concentrators
• TENS machines

Wizz Air UK: Equipment You Can Use In-Flight

You must alert Wizz Air a minimum of 48 hours before your flight to let them know you’ll be travelling with a medical device. Ask them if your equipment counts towards allowable cabin baggage and about maximum dimensions. Also, be sure to bring a physician’s note and related documents. 

You can use the following devices during your Wizz Air flight:

• CPAP machines
• CGMs
• Insulin pumps
• Nebulisers
• Portable O2 concentrators
• TENS machines

Ryanair’s policy on the in-flight use of medical devices 

If you’re flying Ryanair, you must bring a doctor’s note that verifies that your device is essential. You must also obtain a medical equipment baggage waiver letter in order to avoid extra baggage fees. You can do this by contacting Ryanair’s Special Assistance team.

Additionally, Ryanair states that you must also complete a Fit to Fly form and submit it to them between 14 and 2 days before your flight.

You can use the following equipment during your Ryanair flight:

• Portable O2 Concentrators (POCs)
• Nebulisers (with prior approval)
• Ventilators & Respirators (with prior approval)

The following devices are allowed in the cabin, but you cannot use them during the flight:

• CPAP Machines
• Portable Dialysis Machines
• Defibrillators

Jet2: Medical devices allowed in the cabin

Jet2 asks passengers to give them 48 hours prior notice if you plan to bring essential medical equipment into the cabin. Also, remember to get a physician’s letter confirming the need for your medical device. Non-essential medical items that go beyond your baggage allowance will be charged a fee in line with Jet2's excess baggage policy.

The following items can be used in-flight as long as they are battery powered. 

• CPAP machines
• CGMs
• Insulin pumps
• Nebulisers
• Portable O2 concentrators (POCs)
• TENS machines

If the Airline Damages or Loses Your Medical Equipment

First, make sure you report the loss or damage IMMEDIATELY before you leave the airport. Also, take photos of the damage and collect all the details about your flight. You will need these to submit a compensation claim, whether that’s through the airline or your insurance.

Domestic UK Flights

If your medical equipment or baggage was damaged on a UK domestic flight, your rights are protected by the UK Consumer Rights Act of 2015 (CRA 2015). This requires airlines to replace or repair your medical device or repay you for the entire amount of the repair. 

If repairing the item isn’t possible then the airline must compensate you for the full value of it. Some airlines might have liability limits in their contract of carriage - meaning they will not repay you above a certain amount, but CRA 2015 will protect you for unfair limitations or exclusions.

International Flights

If the airline lost or damaged your medical equipment during an international flight, they must compensate you up to £1,600 according to the rules of the Montreal Convention. But most medical devices cost much more than the maximum compensation limits.

However, you can file a claim under CRA 2015 if the repair or replacement of your device exceeds £1,600 or if you were flying to a country that hasn’t signed the Montreal Convention.

When Airport Security Damages Your Device

When your equipment is damaged by security screeners, you will need to make a report with a security manager immediately. Also, begin documenting everything. Take photos of the damages, and make a note of any communication you have with staff.

You should be given a damage report to complete. As you’re filling out this form, take photos of it, and request a copy so you can have this as supporting evidence for your claim. Also, you will need to lodge your complaint and claim with the airport, not the airline. 

The security screeners will probably give you instructions for how to have your items replaced or repaired, but if you need additional information, check with airport staff or check the airport’s website for further guidance.

The CAA requires airports to establish protocols for handling damaged baggage as well as medical devices, and if you need to submit a compensation claim, you will need to do so via the airport’s complaints process. If you need to escalate your claim, you can do this through the CAA or through consumer protections groups like Citizens Advice.

Contact Info for Urgent Situations

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 

Phone: 0345 850 9900

Email:consumer.enquiries@caa.co.uk

Airport Special Assistance at Major UK Airports

To Sum Up

If you have to fly with a medical device, it is easier now than ever before. Just remember to inform the airline at least 48 hours before your flight, and check your carrier’s specific policies before or during the booking process. If you do this, you’ll know whether or not you need a doctor’s letter and any other documents. 

It’s also worth printing a copy of the Medical Device Awareness Card as it can make the security screening process a little easier. Bottom line, you have rights as a passenger that protect you when you fly in the UK.

Disclaimer:

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before traveling with medical devices. Aviation regulations change frequently. While we strive for accuracy, always verify current requirements with your airline and relevant authorities before travel. Finally, this guide provides general information only. Individual circumstances may require specific accommodations not covered here.

*Information verified with CAA on 11 June 2025

Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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