Flying While Chronically Ill/Disabled

The question comes up from time to time on Twitter: How do you fly while chronically ill/disabled? I can’t speak to flying with a wheelchair, as I am not a wheelchair user, but this is how I fly while chronically ill/disabled:

First, I pack all of my medications in my carry-ons. You should never pack meds in your checked luggage in case the bags are lost, leaving you with no meds. Plus, the passenger compartment is temperature-regulated, whereas the baggage compartment is not; temperature-sensitive medications may be ruined by flying in the baggage compartment.

Most airlines allow a free carry-on for medical devices/medications, as long as it meets the carry-on size requirements. I have a small bag that sits on top of my wheeled carry-on, in which I place all of my medications (and ONLY my medications). You cannot place any non-medical/medicinal items in your free bag – don’t mix-and-match, or you may be charged for an additional bag or prohibited from having it.

I typically travel with my medications sorted into weekly pill caddies, which I place in clear zip-top bags so that if a compartment accidentally opens, the pills are still contained. Some states/countries do require prescription medications to be in labeled containers; in which case, I place my non-prescription medications & supplements in the caddy and leave my prescription medications in their original containers. You are not required to declare medications in pill form to the TSA.

I have some liquid medications which exceed the TSA 3 ounce maximum. I pack all of my medications in a separate carry-on, and I let the TSA agent know that I have liquid medications in that carry-on, as per TSA guidelines. You are not required to put liquid medications in a clear, zip-top bag. I leave mine in their protective packaging. I *do*, however, bring a copy of the prescription with me, in case there are any questions. I have never needed to show it. But I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Especially when traveling internationally.

I also have a medication which uses a syringe. I declare that to the TSA agent upfront, when I declare my liquid meds, as per the TSA guidelines. They are permitted to be in carry-ons.

After I have packed all of the medications I will need for the duration of my trip in their carry-on (plus one or two extra days, in case my return is delayed), I pack my “personal item.” Typically, my personal item is a backpack.

When I fly, I make sure I have foam ear plugs, because planes are noisy (I place them in my pocket after clearing TSA so that they’re easily available for flight). [Some people prefer specialized ear plugs that help you equalize your ear pressure during the pressure changes that happen in-flight.] I also pack lip balm (flights are very dry), safe snacks, an empty water bottle (I fill it once past TSA), an eye shade (for sleeping on the plane), sunglasses (for looking out the window), an inflatable back pillow, a light layer (jacket, sweater, etc.; flights are often chilly), facial tissue (Kleenex), and all of the medications that I will need for the entire travel day (if I get delayed and need more meds, they’re in the meds carry-on). If you intend to sleep during the flight, you might want to pack a neck pillow. I also wear a hat, to shield my eyes against artificial lights and reduce that migraine trigger.

I pack fragrance-free soap and alcohol wipes so that I can clean my hands often (I am allergic to hand sanitizer), and I also use the wipes to clean the surfaces at my seat on the plane (seatbelt buckle, arm rests, tray table, etc.). Perhaps this is no longer necessary in the age of COVID, since most airlines spray disinfectants throughout the plane.

Even before COVID, I wore a face mask when flying due to my fragrance/chemical allergies. People are increasingly inconsiderate of others in public spaces, spraying all kinds of fragrances. [I once flew with someone in the row behind me spraying a different essential oil into the air about once an hour.] And public spaces are increasingly fragranced – like the inaccessible bathrooms at the Denver airport (DEN) which have artificial pine fragrance pumps.

In addition to packing the daily medications I will need on my travel day, I also pack all of my rescue meds in my backpack (“personal item”). If I have a reaction to an environmental allergen or a food, I need to have my rescue meds readily available. I also pack over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that can treat various potential maladies during my trip: pain reliever; NSAID (anti-inflammatory); indigestion meds; etc. When traveling abroad, you might want to pack an anti-diarrheal medicine. Also consider packing/wearing medical braces to support injury-prone body parts.

Because my feet/ankles swell when I travel (edema), I wear compression socks and comfortable/adjustable shoes [such as Teva sandals with adjustable velcro straps]. They are also easy to slip on/off at the security checkpoint. In fact, I make sure my entire outfit is comfortable – why be uncomfortable while you travel? When I am waiting near the departure gate, I prop my feet up on my carry-on to try to reduce swelling. I don’t subscribe to slipping off my shoes during flight. Air travel is very safe, but I don’t want to be shoeless like Tom Hanks in Castaway if we *do* need to egress in a hurry.

As mentioned earlier, I use a wheeled carry-on so that it can carry its own weight, rather than me having to do so. If you cannot lift a carry-on up to the overhead compartment, make sure you get a carry-on that will fit under the seat in front of you.

When flying, I do as much as I can to streamline the process, like checking in online. When possible, I only take carry-ons – no checked bags. If you struggle with carry-ons, you might want to check as much as possible. I build lots of slack into my schedule, making sure I arrive with a generous cushion of time to get through bag check, security screening, gate changes etc., knowing that it will take slightly longer for me to process through security, and longer for me to walk through the airport.

I also try to eat as clean as possible on travel days to try to prevent flares. As I mentioned, I pack safe snacks and a water bottle so that I always have *something* I can eat and drink. It is important to stay hydrated – airplane air is very dry, and it can be easy to forget to drink as much water as necessary when traveling.

I also make sure I have notified my credit card company that I am traveling, and I carry some cash in case I run into any problems using my credit/debit cards. I also streamline my wallet, cleaning out and leaving at home anything I don’t need during my trip – that way, in case my wallet is lost or stollen, I don’t have to cancel/replace as many things.

If you require extra assistance (an airport wheelchair, an airport guide, a ride on the airport shuttle, or special procedures at TSA), be sure to contact the airport/airline/TSA ahead of time to coordinate. For example, TSA Cares helpline for chronically ill/disabled is 1-855-787-2227.

If this post hasn’t addressed your specific concern, there are answers to many other questions about flying with disabilities and medical conditions available on the TSA website. Go to their page and select the relevant situation from the pull down menu in the box.

Travelers with chronic illness/disability: What are your tips/tricks/hacks? Please share your knowledge in the comments.