Summer Ryanair, EasyJet, TUI and Jet2 rules on taking medication on board

Daily Record

4 days ago

Airlines have regulations for passengers who are travelling with their meds and each carrier is slightly different.
With school holidays in full swing, thousands are looking forward to their annual summer holiday but before that comes the dreaded packing. The final stress before you reach your destination is working out what to pack where and whether to put it into hand luggage or check-in suitcases.
For those on prescription medication that stress is exacerbated. Whether your essential meds should go with you in person or into your hold case is important. You don't want to be stopped at security for putting them in the wrong place, neither do you want to have no access to them if your luggage goes missing en route.
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The general rule is that passengers should always pack enough of their prescribed medication into their carry-on bag for the duration of the flight and extra in case of any delays. They can also bring what they need for the duration of their holiday on board if they are worried about damage or loss.
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And all airlines will allow fliers to travel with essential prescriptions but there are rules surrounding amounts and types of medications that they should be aware of before setting off.
With differing rules around medication for countries, passengers should always check guidelines with the embassy in the country you are travelling to by visiting their website. They will give you the most up-to-date rules on their regulations.
While going through airport security, staff might be required to open and screen any liquid medications. But medical equipment is screened separately.
Sarah Findlay, a travel expert at Total Travel Protection, said: "The UK, like many other countries, has strict regulations about what you can put in your hand luggage; however, some essential medical items have been cleared for placement in both hand and hold luggage:
Tablets
Capsules
Medications in liquid form
Medical devices and equipment such as CPAP machines or TENS machines
Hypodermic syringes
Inhalers
Special foods and liquids required for medical conditions
She added: "If you need to travel with oxygen tanks, you should always consult your airline to ensure you can travel as there are some nuances with this. It's also a great idea to chat to your GP if you have any concerns as they can often help."
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Here are the rules from our most popular airlines regarding travelling with medication.
easyJet
easyJet say that if medication is packed in your hold luggage their is no need to provide a letter from your doctor or healthcare practitioner.
But they do advise customers to pack medication in your hand luggage where possible, especially if it is medication that you may need to take during the flight.
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They also ask passengers to check with your doctor or pharmacist if your prescription contains a controlled drug, as some countries have strict laws regarding these. Controlled drugs are medication that are subject to high levels of regulation as a result of government decisions, such as Diazepam, Lorazepam, Codeine or Tramadol.
If you need to travel with medicine that contains a controlled drug, check the embassy rules for the country you're travelling to, as well as the entry requirements before you fly.
You will also need to prove your medication is yours, either with a prescription or a letter from your doctor.
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A letter from your healthcare practitioner, confirming the medication is prescribed to you and is necessary to bring on board, is only required If you are bringing any of the following items on board:
Liquids that exceed 100ml
Sharp objects such as needles
Oxygen cylinders and concentrators
Any medical equipment that may be considered as dangerous goods in the aircraft cabin. Check with easyJet for a full list.
Ryanair
Ryanair say you can bring your medical equipment on board, free of charge, in addition to your small personal bag but you do need ti have pre-clearance by their Special Assistance Team. You can speak to them by calling 0808 168 5777 and calls are charged at local rate from landlines.
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This includes as much liquid medicine as you need for the duration of your flight and it does not need to fit in the transparent bag needed for all other liquids. It will also need to be inspected at airport security.
The low cost airline says if you wish to carry or use a special medical item on board, you'll need to contact them. They will determine if your request can be approved and provide authorisation to carry the item.
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TUI
TUI state that if you are carrying medication or medical equipment with you on board, you are required to bring a doctor's letter or prescription with you.
The letter should state it is your medication and that the equipment is needed during the duration of the flight.
They also allow Liquid medication larger than 100ml can be taken through security if you have a doctor's letter.
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If you're putting medicines in your hold luggage, TUI advise to pack them in a separate bag and say it will not be counted within your standard cabin baggage allowance. The bag may not, however, exceed the maximum measures of allowed cabin baggage.
The airline also allows fliers to carry insulin, or a pen injection device in your hand baggage during your flight without a medical certificate, but passengers must declare this at check in.
Insulin should always be packed in your cabin baggage rather than your hold luggage as it can be inactivated if carried in the hold due to low temperatures.
Jet2
You can bring essential medications in your hand luggage on to Jet2 flights but liquid medications over 100ml require do require you to have a doctor's letter and must be in the original container. You also need to declare needles, syringes, and insulin pens to security and cabin crew.
Jet2 recommends carrying essential medications for the duration of your trip in your hand luggage.
They must be clearly labelled with your full name, health care provider's name, generic and brand name, and exact dosage.