How To Travel with a CPAP Machine

By Lily – Registered Respiratory Therapist

A CPAP machine is an expensive piece of medical equipment, and many people choose to leave their machines at home when they travel because they are either wary of losing/damaging them or they think it is too much trouble. 

While traveling with a CPAP machine requires some extra preparation, waking up refreshed and energized to enjoy your vacation makes the extra effort worth it.

Most newer CPAP machines come with a fabric travel case with padded compartments to protect them and keep all the accessories organized. You should have no problem fitting your machine, power supply, and mask in your travel bag, although it may be a tight fit if you use a full face mask. 

If you have an older machine, your carry bag may not have compartments, so you would have to place your mask and tubing on top of your machine inside the bag. 

If you’re one of those people who prefer each item to have its own place, you’d want to look into upgrading your carry bag. No one wants to spend time untangling their power cord from their mask at the hotel!

You will want to bring extra mask cushions, connectors, and cleaning supplies for your mask and tubing. There is always the small chance of mask cushions tearing or getting lost during travel. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination only to find you can’t use your CPAP because of a torn mask. 

The same applies to CPAP mask elbow connectors that connect your mask to the CPAP hose. You should be able to fit these extra items in one of the compartments in your CPAP travel bag or a side pouch.

It’s a good idea to pack some CPAP mask wipes too, especially if the thought of washing your mask on vacation sounds punishing. Mask wipes are alcohol-free and designed to be used on silicone.

We recommend taking your mask apart before using the wipes to make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies with the wipes. Try to stick to your usual cleaning routine even though it will be harder on vacation.

You may also want to bring some distilled water if you use a humidifier. If you’re traveling by car within the US and Canada, you can purchase distilled water at pharmacies so you probably don’t need to bring more than one night’s worth of distilled water. Depending on your CPAP machine, that will be around 16 oz. If you are traveling by air or sea, see the sections below for more information.

Most CPAP machines are dual voltage and will work in other countries that do not use the US standard 120V. Checking your machine’s voltage is easy – just look at the label on the AC adapter, and it should tell you the voltage. 

For instance, if you see INPUT AC 100V – 240V, then your machine will work in countries that use 220V. If your machine is not dual voltage, then you will, unfortunately, need a transformer.

Now you’re probably wondering if you need a converter or a transformer. Both will step the voltage down or up. Their difference lies in the type of appliances each can be used with. 

Converters are recommended for electric products only and should not be used for more than a few hours continuously. Transformers can be used with electronics (eg. computers) and can be used continuously for days. 

It is safer to use a transformer with a CPAP machine, but transformers are bulky, and you have to make sure you get the right one. Transformers differ based on the wattage they can support. 

So, before buying a transformer, make sure you know how many watts your machine uses. You can find this information in the user manual or on the AC adapter label. A typical CPAP machine uses 30-60 watts. 

If you find yourself traveling often and have a single-voltage machine, it may be time for an upgrade. Practically all home units are dual voltage now, so you are not limited to only travel CPAP machines.

If your machine is dual voltage, you don’t need to worry about a converter. All you need to do is figure out the type of plug the destination country uses and purchase a plug adapter if needed. If you travel often, it’s a good idea to purchase an all-in-one travel adapter with multiple plug types.

You can bring your CPAP machine on the plane as a carry-on. It is a medical device and does not count toward your carry-on limit. If you check on the back or bottom of your CPAP machine, you will see it labeled as a medical device.

You can also label your carry bag with a medical device identification luggage tag for airport security. TSA will ask you to open up your CPAP bag and may search it for traces of explosives. 

If you think it is a hassle to lug your CPAP machine on board, think of how terrible your flight would be if you spent the entire time worrying about your machine getting damaged in checked baggage! Bringing your machine on the plane as a carry-on gives you peace of mind that is well worth the hassle.

In addition to packing your mask, tubing, extra mask cushions, and mask connectors, you should also bring a copy of your prescription and/or a note of medical necessity from your doctor. TSA and/or your airline may request to see a prescription and/or a note of medical necessity.

Different airlines have different regulations on in-flight CPAP use, and we recommend contacting your airline for the most up-to-date information. This is especially important if you are flying internationally.

Only FAA-approved CPAP machines can be used on the plane so make sure to check your machine specifications before you pack. If your machine is FAA-approved, it will be clearly stated in your machine’s user manual. If you can’t locate this information in the user manual, contact the company that sold you the machine. 

Questions to ask your airline:

• Can I use my CPAP machine in flight? If yes, can I plug it into the seat or will I need a battery?
• How much battery life do I need?
• Is there a specific medical necessity form I need to have my doctor fill out and sign in addition to my prescription?
• Do I need to give advance notice that I am bringing a CPAP machine?

Certain airlines, such as United Airlines for instance, require passengers who will be using CPAP machines in-flight to givenotify their Accessibility Desk at least 48 hours in advance. Other airlines do not require passengers to give advance notice for in-flight CPAP use. 

You’ll also want to check with the airline to see if you’re allowed to connect your CPAP machine to the plane’s in-seat power supply. Delta Airlines, for instance, does not allow passengers to plug in their CPAP machines on board. Instead, they require passengers to use a FAA-approved battery to power their CPAPs. The battery needs to have sufficient charge to last 150% of the total flight time regardless of how long you plan to use your CPAP on the plane.

Q: How long do CPAP batteries last?

A: Batteries last the longest when used with the heated humidifier and heated tubing turned OFF. It will also depend on the pressure setting – the higher the pressure setting the more battery life it is going to use. All CPAPs and Concentrators last different lengths of time-based on your pressures or Liters per minute. For battery life, generally, it’s 1-2 years if fully charged every 3 months.

It goes without saying that passengers need to make sure their CPAP machine and battery are FAA-compatible. If you are flying internationally, please contact your airline.

Anyone who’s ever flown within or to the US knows that TSA has strict rules on how much liquid you can bring on the plane. Distilled water is exempt from the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces of liquids in containers that fit in 1 clear quart-sized bag, 1 bag per passenger) since TSA allows for medically necessary liquids in excess of 3.4 ounces. 

We recommended clearly labeling your distilled water and informing a TSA agent you are carrying distilled water for your CPAP machine at the security checkpoints. Remember to remove the water so it can be screened separately.

Most ocean cruise lines operate on standard US current, but it is a good idea to contact your cruise line to confirm this. Cruise lines may ask passengers to fill out a “Guest Special Needs” form after booking, and this can usually be found on their website. 

Some cruise lines will provide distilled water and an extension cord in the stateroom upon request while others will just provide them if they know you are bringing a CPAP machine. You can also just ask your stateroom attendant for an extension cord and distilled water once on board. 

If you will be going on a more localized cruise (eg. European river cruise, Nile River cruise), please contact your cruise line to confirm the voltage and whether you will need to bring adapters.

Please carry your CPAP machine on board the ship because it can take a few hours before your checked luggage arrives at your stateroom. You will need to go through security with your machine just like if you are at the airport but you can keep your shoes on since TSA will not be screening you.