Travellers that need to fly with liquid medications should check their airline’s guidelines to confirm how much they can carry and what additional documents they may be asked to present
If liquid medicine is an essential item on your packing list, then it’s important to know your carrier’s specific guidelines regarding medication. While the UK’s most popular airlines have somewhat similar regulations, they may have a few nuanced differences that can impact your travel.
Some air carriers are stricter than others about what you can bring into the cabin, how it should be carried and how much of it you can bring. Here are the most recent rules for taking liquid medicine onto flights for Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet and TUI.
Ryanair
While Ryanair maintains a 100mL limit for carrying liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) on-board its aircrafts, this rule does not apply for liquid medication. According to the Ryanair website, passengers can carry as much liquid medicine as they need for their flight.
Liquid medicine (such as syrups or drops) is also exempt from other policies typically attached to liquids, like needing to be transported in a transparent bag. Ryanair confirms that liquid medicine “does not need to fit in the transparent bag that is needed for all other liquids” but it does advise passengers to have it ready for inspection by airport security.
READ MORE: Ryanair reveals 3 reasons why your luggage may not make it onto the plane
Medications like EpiPens, capsules, tablets, pills, inhalers, topical medications (like creams or gels), and diabetic supplies are all also permitted in cabin baggage. These items do not require additional considerations for dimensions, assuming they are small in size.
Jet2
Jet2 passengers are permitted to bring any essential medications in their hand luggage, including liquid medicine. However, there is an additional requirement for liquid medications exceeding 100mL.
Jet2 passengers needing to carry liquid medications over 100ml will need to have an accompanying doctor’s letter. The liquid medication also needs to be in its original container for travel. Needles, syringes and insulin pens must also be declared to security and cabin crews.
easyJet
easyJet passengers needing to carry liquid medications over 100mL need to present a letter from their healthcare practitioner. This policy also applies to passengers who need to bring needles, oxygen cylinders and concentrators and any medical equipment that may be considered as dangerous goods in the aircraft cabin, as outlined here.
The letter should confirm that this medication is prescribed to you and that it is necessary for you to bring the items on board. Letters are not required to carry all other medications and equipment including; gel packs and cooler bags to maintain the temperature of your medication, food and specialist devices such as dialysis machines (subject to size regulations), CPAP machines and nebulisers.
easyJet also advises passengers they are unable to refrigerate medication in the cabin, so passengers should plan accordingly. Health practitioner letters are not required if you pack your medicines in your check-in luggage.
easyJet provides additional guidance for passengers travelling with medication containing a controlled substance. The airline asks passengers to check with their doctor or pharmacist if a prescription contains a controlled drug, as some countries have strict laws with these medications. Controlled drugs are medications that are subject to high levels of regulation as a result of government decisions, such as Diazepam, Lorazepam, Codeine or Tramadol.
TUI
TUI passengers are permitted to carry medical and dietary liquids into the cabin. However, to carry any substances over 100ml passengers will need to provide a doctor’s letter to show at security.
As with other airlines, the letter should state clearly which passenger the medications is for and make clear that it is necessary for carry into the cabin.