Yes, you can place a CPAP machine in checked luggage, but carrying it on keeps it safer and ensures you have it when you land.
Many travelers quietly ask, “can i put cpap machine in checked luggage?” when they start planning a long flight. The rules are not always obvious, airline staff give different answers, and nobody wants to arrive at a hotel without working sleep gear. This guide walks through what the rules say, what happens to bags in the hold, and how to protect your device if you decide to check it.
Quick Answer And Core CPAP Travel Rules
Airlines treat a CPAP machine as medical equipment. In many regions you have the right to bring it into the cabin as an extra item that does not count against your usual hand baggage allowance. Safety agencies also allow CPAP devices in checked bags, yet they and most sleep specialists still advise keeping the machine with you whenever possible.
The Transport Security Administration lists CPAP devices as permitted in both cabin and hold, but asks that the unit be screened at security with the case open. You can see the latest wording on the official TSA medical device page, which many airlines around the world mirror in their own policies.
| Factor | Carry-On Cabin | Checked Luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Access If Flight Is Delayed | You still have the device with you. | No access until bags reach the carousel. |
| Risk Of Impact Or Crush Damage | Lower, since you place the bag yourself. | Higher, due to loading belts and stacking. |
| Risk Of Theft Or Misplacement | Small, bag stays near you. | Higher, especially on tight or complex routes. |
| Chance Bag Misses A Connection | Unlikely, cabin bags move with you. | Happens on busy travel days and short layovers. |
| Using CPAP During Flight | Often possible with advance notice and batteries. | Not possible, machine stays in the hold. |
| Lithium Battery Rules | Spare batteries allowed with protected terminals. | Spare batteries usually banned from the hold. |
| Insurance And Replacement Hassle | Lower risk of claims and paperwork. | More forms, delays, and phone calls. |
Can I Put CPAP Machine In Checked Luggage?
The short legal answer is yes. Aviation regulators and airport screeners accept CPAP machines in both cabin bags and checked suitcases, as long as standard screening rules and battery limits are respected. Airlines see the device as an assistive aid, so many even allow it on top of your usual carry-on and personal item allowance.
That still leaves the practical question most travelers care about: can i put cpap machine in checked luggage? The honest view from medical device makers and experienced flyers is that the hold should be a last resort. If you choose to check the machine, treat it like fragile camera gear instead of a spare T-shirt.
When Checking A CPAP Machine Might Make Sense
Some trips make cabin space hard to manage. Parents may juggle strollers, car seats, and snacks. Long haul flights with tight connections can leave you hoping for fewer loose bags through the airport. In these moments, placing the CPAP case inside a suitcase can keep your hands free and your cabin bag lighter.
Risks Of Putting CPAP Equipment In The Hold
These benefits come with real trade offs. Baggage trucks, conveyor belts, and stacking in the cargo hold expose any device to knocks that it never sees in the cabin. Hard cases reduce that risk, yet they cannot remove it. A cracked housing or loose circuit can turn a reliable machine into an expensive paperweight.
Loss and delay also matter. If your suitcase ends up on a later flight, your first night at the hotel turns into an experiment in sleep without treatment. Airlines may reimburse damaged items, yet proof, claims, and repair timelines stretch across weeks. That is why manufacturers such as ResMed remind travelers that the safest place for a CPAP is under the seat in front of you, even if the rules allow checking it as well.
CPAP Machine In Checked Luggage Rules By Airline
Policies across airlines follow the same broad pattern but still differ in details. Many carriers state that passengers may bring a CPAP machine on board in addition to standard hand baggage, while also allowing passengers to pack it in a suitcase if they prefer. Some low cost airlines ask for advance notice if you plan to use the device during the flight or bring separate batteries.
A number of carriers, such as large European and Asian airlines, list CPAP machines and portable oxygen concentrators together on “medical devices” pages. These pages spell out when a physician letter is needed, how much battery capacity must travel in the cabin, and whether any special seat assignment is required. One example is the United States Department of Transportation’s brochure on air travel with assistive devices, which explains how airlines must handle medical gear.
Questions To Ask Your Airline Before You Fly
Before you decide where to pack the machine, call or message the airline and ask a short list of questions. Ask whether the CPAP can travel as an extra cabin item, how they handle medical devices at boarding, and what they expect you to do with batteries and humidifier water. If you plan to sleep on an overnight sector, ask about in seat power and whether you need advance approval to plug the unit in.
How To Pack A CPAP Machine Safely In Checked Luggage
Sometimes checking the machine is unavoidable. Maybe the cabin locker is already full, or a tight regional jet leaves little space under the seat. In that case, smart packing choices can cut the risk of damage and help your machine arrive in the same condition it left home.
Start with the hard travel case supplied by the manufacturer where possible. Place the machine, mask, and tubing inside, and make sure there is no standing water in the humidifier chamber. Remove any detachable battery pack and move that part to your cabin bag. Then place the closed CPAP case in the center of your suitcase, wrapped in soft items such as clothing to add a cushion on every side.
Protective Packing Steps
The goal is simple: create a padded shell inside the suitcase so that nothing heavy sits directly on top of the machine. Pack shoes and hard objects near the wheels of the case so they take most of the impact when baggage handlers drag the bag off belts. Keep the CPAP as flat as you can so it does not slide inside the case.
Add a card with your name, phone number, and email address inside the CPAP case. Label the outside of the suitcase as well. If the bag misses a connection or the tag detaches, airline staff still have a way to trace the device back to you.
| Packing Item | Purpose | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hard CPAP Travel Case | Shields the device from bumps and drops. | Use the manufacturer case whenever possible. |
| Soft Clothing Layers | Act as extra padding around the case. | Wrap the case so no hard edge rests on it. |
| Clear Plastic Bag | Keeps dust and moisture off the machine. | Seal the device before placing it in the case. |
| Copy Of Prescription | Helps with replacement or questions at security. | Keep a photo on your phone as backup. |
| Luggage Tag And ID Card | Makes it easier to reunite lost bags. | Place contact details inside and outside. |
Batteries, Humidifiers, And Spare Parts
Lithium batteries raise separate safety questions from the machine itself. Aviation safety agencies normally insist that loose lithium batteries ride in the cabin where crew can react if anything goes wrong. That means spare CPAP batteries belong in your carry-on, with tape or covers over exposed terminals so nothing metal can touch them.
Many CPAP models have integrated power bricks or small battery options that clip onto the unit. If your device uses a removable pack, leave the pack in the cabin and send only the empty machine into the hold. Never pack loose batteries inside a checked suitcase with no terminal protection.
Water tanks also need attention. Empty the humidifier chamber and dry it with a cloth so no liquid remains that could leak during transit. Pack the tank in a small plastic bag in case a few drops remain. For trips where distilled water is hard to find, some travelers pack sealed bottles in checked bags, while others buy water on arrival to save weight.
Spare Masks, Filters, And Tubing
Spare parts often cost less than the machine yet matter just as much to a good night’s sleep. Pack at least one extra mask cushion, a spare length of tubing, and extra filters. Split them between cabin and hold so that a lost suitcase does not leave you short of every accessory.
Why Carry-On Is Usually The Better Plan
Regulations allow CPAP machines in checked luggage, but cabin travel wins on most measures that matter to travelers. You keep the device close, protect it from rough handling, and avoid sleepless nights if the airline misplaces a suitcase. You also stay near your batteries, prescription, and cords, which keeps airport screening and hotel check in far simpler.
If life on the day forces a choice and you must check the machine, follow the packing steps in this guide and treat the device like delicate electronics. If cabin space exists, though, treat the CPAP case as a trusted travel companion that stays by your side from home door to final hotel pillow each night. That simple choice protects comfort, health, and your travel budget as well.