This guide sets out the rules from TSA, the Department of Transportation, and major carriers. You’ll find security tips, stowage spots, battery limits, and packing tricks that keep hoses spotless.
Airline And Government Rules At A Glance
| Source | Counts Toward Bag Limit? | Policy Page |
|---|---|---|
| TSA | No | TSA CPAP FAQ |
| DOT Disability Bill of Rights | No | DOT Assistive Device |
| American Airlines | No | AA Medical Devices |
| Delta | No | Delta Assistive |
| United | No | United Medical |
Every source above repeats the same rule: a CPAP unit never counts against your normal cabin allowance when carried for personal medical use.
Why A CPAP Is Treated Differently
The Air Carrier Access Act lets passengers bring assistive gear such as wheelchairs, ventilators, or positive airway pressure devices without extra fees. Because the machine keeps breathing steady during sleep, it fits that definition, not the “extra purse” category.
TSA echoes this view at the checkpoint. Agents ask you to remove the blower for X‑ray, yet tubing and mask may stay inside the bag. Place the device in its own bin and request new gloves if you prefer staff avoid direct contact.
Packing Strategy For Stress‑Free Screening
Carry‑On Placement
Most travelers slide the CPAP under the seat and park a roller in the bin. If foot room is tight, the crew can store the unit in a closet reserved for medical gear.
Protective Case And Accessories
Use the hard‑sided case that shipped with the unit or a padded laptop sleeve. Keep the power brick, mask, and hose inside so nothing dangles during screening. A clear quart bag shields the blower from dust on the belt.
Broad Packing Checklist
- Device base
- External power brick
- Mask and hose
- Backup filter
- Distilled water sachets if your model has a humidifier
Battery Rules You Need To Know
If your machine uses the seat outlet, you’re set. Flyers who expect long naps must travel with a lithium‑ion pack. The FAA allows two spare batteries up to 160 Wh each in the cabin as long as terminals are covered.
Delta asks users who plan to run the blower during flight to bring capacity equal to 150 % of the itinerary length. Other airlines post similar notes. Print the watt‑hour rating from the pack label and keep it handy in case a gate agent asks.
Components And Cabin Placement
| Item | Where It Goes | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Main unit | Separate security bin | Attach a “Medical Device” tag for quick ID |
| Mask & hose | Inside case | Seal in a zip bag after drying |
| Spare battery <160 Wh | Carry‑on pocket | Cover terminals with tape |
Cleaning And Drying On The Go
Hotel sinks rarely stock distilled water, so slip single‑use bottles into the case. Empty and dry the chamber each morning to stop mold. Wipe the mask cushion with fragrance‑free baby wipes. Deep washing can wait until you return home.
A small luggage scale doubles as a hose hanger: clip one end to a shower rod and let the tube drip‑dry. This trick removes leftover moisture that can trigger explosive trace alarms during swabs.
Using The Device During The Flight
Most domestic cabins supply 110‑volt outlets that match modern transformers. Crews sometimes cut outlet power during taxi and climb to save load on the auxiliary unit. If you plan to nap early, lean on your battery until the seat lamp glows. Always plug into your own seat; cords that snake across the aisle break safety rules.
Federal rules require portable electronics to meet interference limits. Makers such as ResMed and Philips stamp “FAA compliant” on the label. Snap a photo of that plate and store it on your phone; a quick show‑and‑tell calms a cautious attendant faster than a shaky cabin‑Wi‑Fi search.
If you use a humidifier, drop the setting so cool mist stays inside the mask. Tilting the tank during turbulence can spill water into the blower. On brief hops remove the chamber and run the device dry.
Preparing For Customs And Security Abroad
Outside the United States, policy language may shift yet the goal remains: medical devices board without fees. Pack a brief doctor’s letter that states your diagnosis and need for night‑time airway therapy. Some border officers ask for proof that the unit is not for resale.
Voltage varies by region. Check that your transformer accepts 100–240 V input. Most units built in the past decade auto‑switch, so you only need a plug adapter. Keep one in the CPAP bag; you can power the blower even if your checked suitcase roams elsewhere.
Many airports swab electronics for explosive traces at the gate. A newly wiped shell passes quicker than one coated in bedroom dust.
Insurance And Manufacturer Paperwork
Home‑care suppliers often loan the device for the first year while insurance tracks usage data. If the blower cracks in transit, you will need a claim form. Snap photos before leaving home and again when you unpack at the hotel. The time stamps prove condition for replacement.
Some manufacturers run travel‑loaner programs. Call the help line on the serial sticker two weeks before departure; many brands will ship a backup or list a distributor near your destination. Having those phone numbers on a luggage tag beats hunting them down while jet‑lagged.
You can also register the device with the airline’s special‑assistance desk ahead of time. The agent adds a “medically necessary” note to your record so every employee who scans your boarding pass sees it. That single database entry removes most gate questions before they start.
Extra Power Tips
Seat outlets supply about 75 W. A heated hose or humidifier can draw more, so your battery may still prove useful on board. Choose a pack with an Aviation Safety Certificate and keep the datasheet in the case. Crew can ask for it if the pack looks oversized.
Top Points For Your Next Flight
- Bring the machine on board; the rule rests in federal law and carriers must honor it.
- Pull the blower out at TSA, yet leave soft parts packed for a cleaner belt.
- Stow the bag under the seat or in a closet—it never counts toward your roller limit.
- Carry no more than two spare lithium‑ion batteries under 160 Wh.
- Slide printed airline rules inside the lid so any skeptical agent sees them on first glance.
Pack with these notes and you’ll breathe easy from take‑off to landing.