Travelling with diabetes means there are a few more things to think about before you set off. But living with diabetes shouldn't be a barrier to taking trips or holidays at home or abroad. Plan to take two to three times the amount of insulin or other diabetes medication and equipment you'd normally use.
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Request a travel letter about your diabetesYou should get a letter from your healthcare team stating you have diabetes and that you need to carry medical supplies. This letter is often requested by airlines and other operators and is helpful in the event of an emergency.
Most diabetic patients who are on insulin or oral antidiabetics can fly safely if they follow a few simple guidelines. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by insulin deficiency. Constant medical attention is required to reduce the risk of acute complications and to prevent chronic sequelae.
Luckily, since you have diabetes, you get priority boarding, at no extra cost! All you have to do is notify the gate agent that you have diabetes, and they'll let you board early.
In-flight mealsSome airlines may provide a 'diabetic' meal option. If the airline does not specify what the options are, you may need to call the airline in advance or take a best guess at which option will be better for you. When it comes to dessert, the diabetic option may provide fruit instead of a sweet dessert.
Consider the TSA Pre-check option for convenience (tsa.gov/precheck). If you wear a continuous glucose monitor or an insulin pump, inform TSA staff that you are wearing a medical device for diabetes that would be damaged in the body-scanning device. Ask for a different security check.
How do I prepare for airport security? For information about airport screening, visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website: tsa.gov or call TSA Cares: 855-787-2227. On the website, you can locate and print a TSA notification card to describe your condition and hand to TSA staff at security.
The most common reason for denied boarding is overbooking. This is when airlines sell more tickets than there are seats on the aircraft. The reason for this common practice is so-called 'no-shows'.
Getting the top levels of priority boarding is reserved for the most frequent flyers, active military members and higher fare class. You can also board early by being an AAdvantage card member. However, if you prefer other airlines, look for other travel cards that offer priority boarding and compare your options.
They're only supposed to ask if you need assistance during boarding, a specific seat, or extra time to board. They'll give you a new boarding pass that indicates you can preboard. Keep in mind not all disabilities are visible and to not worry what other people think.