Do you know how to keep insulin cold on a plane? How do you prefer to travel with insulin? Maybe you take gel ice packs or freezer packs. Perhaps you have a special container for keeping insulin cold. Either way, this is for you.
But let’s ask a better question. Does insulin need to be cold while you travel? The answer is both yes and no, believe it or not! So keep reading. This post will answer all your insulin travel questions.
And if you have other travel questions, check out my 23 best tips for traveling with diabetes safely and my ultimate packing list for travel with diabetes.
How to Keep Insulin Cold On a Plane
Gone are the days of cooling insulin with ice in a cooler. And thank goodness — insulin that gets too cold can actually go bad. These days, there are a lot of options for how to keep insulin cold on a plane. That is, if you need to keep it cold. So do you?
Do you Really need to Keep Insulin Cold on a Plane?
This is the main question at hand, really. And the answer is both yes and no. Let me explain.
Opened insulin or insulin that is in use does not have to be cold. In fact, injecting cold insulin can be pretty painful. Opened insulin vials or insulin pens you have started using can be stored at room temperature (between 59-86 degrees F) for about a month, according to the ADA. (Inhaled insulin has a much shorter lifespan once at room temperature.)
This is why the rapid-acting insulin in your insulin pump can be at room temperature. It’s all used in a couple days and replaced with new insulin.
Unopened insulin should be kept in the refrigerator (between 36-46 degrees F) until ready to use or until the expiration date listed on the package.
For any questions you have on the recommended storage of insulin, refer to the packaging from the manufacturer or ask your diabetes care team.
Insulin Storage Tips No-Nos
Because you should store insulin within a safe temperature range, there are a few places you should not leave it.
Insulin should never be stored in a vehicle because of the potential temperature fluctuations. In the summer, a car in the sun can ruin insulin in a matter of minutes. And to lose a new disposable pen or an entire vial of insulin that quickly is heart breaking.
Also, insulin shouldn’t be kept in direct sunlight. Avoid keeping insulin in extreme temperatures like super cold weather or high temperatures climates as well.
How to Identify Damaged Insulin
Let’s say you accidentally leave insulin somewhere. Because I know you would never do it on purpose! Do you know how to identify damaged insulin?
According to the ADA, depending on the type of insulin you’re using, you should check the appearance of your insulin:
- check for particles or discoloration of the insulin
- check for “frosting” or crystals in the insulin on the inside of the bottle
- check for small particles or clumps in the insulin
If you find any of these present in your insulin, do not use it. Instead, return the unopened bottle to the pharmacy for an exchange or refund.
You can always go back and check your insulin if your blood sugar levels are curiously out of range and you aren’t sure why. Perhaps the insulin went bad in case it’s not been at the right temperature.
BONUS: 23 Tips for Traveling with Diabetes
The Best Ways For How to Keep Insulin Cold on A Plane
Ok – let’s get to the topic at hand: how to keep insulin cold on a plane while you’re traveling. Like I said earlier, times have sure changed since I was diagnosed in the 1990s. There has been so much improvement in technology, and that makes it so much easier to travel. Here are a few of the most popular and best insulin coolers used for keeping insulin cold.
The Frio Cool Bag
Frio cooling cases are very popular in keeping insulin cold for a long trip. They come in a wide variety of different sizes and colors to hold insulin vials, insulin pens, and more. These are perfect for unopened insulin you need to take with you on the trip. Plus, they are TSA friendly.
The Frio bag technology has cooling crystals in an inner sleeve that activate when immersed in water. The insulin goes inside the cooled sleeve, and then into the outer sleeve of the product. This is ideal for traveling long distances, as the the insulin or spare pen will then be kept cold for 45+ hours.
4 All Family Insulin Cooler
Here’s another really popular option in insulin travel cases for how to keep insulin cold on a plane. 4 All Family has several styles of coolers, and all they are TSA-approved.
This option provides bio gel packs that will keep your insulin cool for at least 27 hours. Their Nomad portable cooling cases are a bit smaller. And they also have things like portable refrigerators, so check out what they have to offer that might be best for your needs.
Insulin Vial Protectors
With some of these options, you can store multiple vials of insulin to help keep them cold. However, they may not be able to be in the boxes that are their original containers or they won’t fit. So I would also recommend considering an insulin vial protector.
This will keep your insulin from breaking if it’s dropped. (And that only happens at the worst time and when it’s your last bottle, right?) Totally worth the investment for the peace of mind it provides. Here’s an option from Sugar Medical.
Keeping Insulin at Room Temperature
For those traveling and anticipating cold or hot climates, BreezyPacks might be your ideal storage solution. They design products to keep insulin in use at room temperature and protect it from becoming too hot or too cold. They are also TSA approved. And they also self-charge overnight or in just 30 minutes in the fridge.
For those with insulin pens, check out their BreezyPack Basic that holds several insulin pens at room temperature. You can keep both short-acting insulin and long-acting insulin pens in this bag. Larger insulated bag options are also available.
For those with insulin pumps, they have a belt designed specifically for you. A hike in the cool mountains or a day at the beach just got easier. Heck, I’d throw in my chapstick and phone to keep them cool at the beach too!
How to Pack Medical Supplies and How to Keep Insulin Cold on a Plane
Are you wondering how to pack your medical supplies for a trip and how to keep insulin cold on a plane while you travel?
First of all, the right place for 100% of your medical supplies and diabetes medication is in carry-on luggage. That includes your glucose meter (even if you wear a CGM for back up), test strips, alcohol swabs, continuous glucose monitor, disposable insulin pens, glucagon kits, spare syringes, and any other diabetes supplies you will need. (Pack extra supplies and don’t forget low snacks!)
Most airlines will allow you an extra bag for medical supplies. But more importantly, you need to keep your medication and medical supplies with you at all times. We can’t know what temperature range checked bags experience. And a checked bag can easily become a lost bag. And we don’t want to be stranded without meds!
Here are some other packing tips that I discuss in greater detail in 23 best tips for traveling with diabetes safely:
- pack an extra supply of insulin and extra medical supplies
- wear a medical ID
- carry a medical info card or medical device awareness card
- consider carrying a travel letter or doctor’s note with you (not required, but may make it easier)
- pack prescriptions with you just in case
- grab an empty water bottle to fill it with cold water once you’re through security stay hydrated
CaN We Take Needles Onto Planes?
Quite a lot has changed in the last 20 years in what is and isn’t allowed on a plane. Needles in general are a no. However, with diabetes management, we are required to carry needles for insulin injections and to check our blood glucose levels. This is totally acceptable.
You may have used or unused insulin needles or syringes with you as you travel. And that’s ok, too. TSA regulations state that “Used syringes are allowed when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.” And that “Unused syringes are allowed when accompanied by injectable medication. You must declare these items to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to facilitate the security process.”
There is no limit to how much insulin you can pack. And again, keep it all in your hand luggage. For more on what you can carry on, check the TSA website for travel in the United States.
Navigating Through Security
When approaching airport security, alert the security officer that you have diabetes and a separate bag of medications with you. That will alert them to scan it appropriately.
In terms of the x-ray machine, I’ve never done it with a pump and CGM. Some manufacturers say it’s ok, but I just don’t take the chance of it messing with anything. Then I’d be in the airport, or worse at 30,000 feet, and need to worry about a medical issue. So I just let them know I’m wearing a medical device and screen me separately with body scanners. I feel like it’s my best bet.
They may wipe your pump to ensure it’s safe, but you should never have to disconnect any of your medical devices to get through airport security.
Preparing Ahead
Some other things you can do to prepare for air travel ahead is to apply for TSA PreCheck. That can save you quite a bit of time because it qualifies you for expedited screening at airport security. There is a fee ($75 for five years at the time of writing this post), and an online application process through TSA to do so.
Another idea is to simply prepare for additional time getting through to your gate and ready for your flight. But that’s also just a good idea in general. With the airport, you just never know what kind of delay may happen.
Insulin in Hotel Fridges
There was a day in which you had to seek out a fridge at a hotel if you wanted one. Today, they’re basically standard. You know the kind — the mini fridge they put by the dresser or TV stand in the hotel room. Well, it’s great to offer that. Keep your diet soda in it for sure. But you have to be careful with temperature-sensitive medication.
If insulin reaches too cold or hot temperatures, it simply spoils. And you never know if the temperature gauge is reading correctly in that fridge. You also don’t know if it fluctuates in temperature either. So I recommend using your cooling packs when you need your insulin to be cold.
More About Traveling with Diabetes
If you are curious to learn more about traveling with diabetes, I suggest you check out my 23 best tips for traveling with diabetes safely and my ultimate packing list for travel with diabetes. In those posts, I cover:
- dealing with time zone changes
- preparing for travel by car or by plane
- foods to bring for a long-haul flight or car trip
- altitude and pressure changes
- lots of other tips to consider before traveling
I also offer a free downloadable and printable packing list!
Get Your Free PACKING LIST PRINTABLE:
This download is intended as a guide only. For more packing tips, please consult your healthcare team.
If You Have Unopened, Unexpired Extra Insulin You Don’t Need
In the case that you find yourself with insulin doses you won’t need, it can be donated. Insulin for Life is a group located in Florida that accepts donations of insulin (and a host of other diabetic supplies and medical devices) to provide to those in need.
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