Medical suitcase size allowed on plane?

I would like to carry my daughter's medical supplies on board with us, rather than have them potentially lost. LARGE bags of fluids (labeled) for IV infusions for our 18 day cruise to Norway, plus all the needles, tubings, and additional meds necessary. Since this is what keeps her alive, I don't want the stress of lost luggage - what is the general policy on weight and size of suitcases allowed on board? I'm sure other people have figured this out - I need to hear how you did it! I have the cruise figured out (Allison Muff

Access Compliance Specialist for Princess is arranging extra fridge space for us!) As for the plane, I haven't arranged a flight yet! Any particular airline that you have found to be more accomodating for medical traveling?

Thank you!

Char

I would like to carry my daughter's medical supplies on board with us, rather than have them potentially lost. LARGE bags of fluids (labeled) for IV infusions for our 18 day cruise to Norway, plus all the needles, tubings, and additional meds necessary. Since this is what keeps her alive, I don't want the stress of lost luggage - what is the general policy on weight and size of suitcases allowed on board? I'm sure other people have figured this out - I need to hear how you did it! I have the cruise figured out (Allison Muff

Access Compliance Specialist for Princess is arranging extra fridge space for us!) As for the plane, I haven't arranged a flight yet! Any particular airline that you have found to be more accomodating for medical traveling?

 

Thank you!

Char

I know that medical supplies packed separately from anything else don't "count" as a carry-on...but I think you'd best figure out just how large a bag you'll need, then call the airlines. There is limited space in the passenger compartment, and if it won't fit in the overhead bins there isn't much other space to stow it.

I agree with uppitycats about contacting the airline. There is a slim possibility you will be assigned a plane with a closet and if you are the first hanbdicapped person to check in MIGHT be able to place your case there. Otherwise I do think gate checking your supplies leads to less chance of loss. Rather than handing it over when you check in you take it to the gate and the bag handlers pick it up at the plane entrance. However if you have to change planes you have to wait until the bag of supplies is delivered to the plane door and you carry it to your next plane. If you need some of these supplies then you could have access which would be a plus. The same thing happens at your destination. Have you considered having your supplies sent to the ship. Princess offers such a service which is pricey but might be just what you need.

Nothing larger than your usual carry on will be allowed. They will not allow a full size bag as there is no place to store it. The "closet" on board is always stuffed full with the flight attendants bags. You will really need to gate check the bag. The other place you might have problems is with the TSA. They can be really stinky in allowing larger bags.

The other issue is that you are flying to Europe. May not be so bad on the way out (as long as you don't have to change planes), but odds are you will need to check it in Europe. They don't necessarily see medical supplies as something different than a regular carry-on.

I think that you would have to follow the regulations for each airline -- for example, United's policy is that length + height + depth can't exceed 45". If the suitcases can't fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you, my guess is that you'd have to check them (gate check if possible). Another consideration is how many suitcases can you handle going through security, to the gate, changing planes, going from your arrival gate to baggage claim, etc.?

Thank you, this all helps. I wasn't aware of the diminsions for the carry-ons. My daughter's Hello Kitty suitcase is just under 43 inches; but, that size would only carry 1/2 of her medical supplies. So, can I then have 2 "medical" suitcases and 1 carry-on for the 3 of us? I would honestly rather worry about losing our clothing than her supplies if our suitcases got lost in transit! This suitcase is hardsided - is that OK for a carry-on, or should I look for soft-sided and more malable?

Oh! Forgot to mention that her IV supplies have an expiration date of only 4 weeks, and need to be kept cold. So, the Princess pick up and delivery from my home in California to the ship in Dover will not work in this particular case (but, thank you for pointing out that option!)

Oh! Forgot to mention that her IV supplies have an expiration date of only 4 weeks, and need to be kept cold. So, the Princess pick up and delivery from my home in California to the ship in Dover will not work in this particular case (but, thank you for pointing out that option!)

Is there a special shipping service that can handle shipping the medical supplies, in a cooler container? Have you contacted DHL, who now only does international shipping? Companies ship items all the time that require special handling, and I would suspect that individuals have done the same.

BTW, how are you planning on keeping her supplies cold while on your long flights?

Check with your pharmaceutical supply company for insulated or chilled bags.....my SIL had medication that had to be kept at a certain temp, and the drug company provided the proper transportation bag for her.

Thank you, this all helps. I wasn't aware of the diminsions for the carry-ons. My daughter's Hello Kitty suitcase is just under 43 inches; but, that size would only carry 1/2 of her medical supplies. So, can I then have 2 "medical" suitcases and 1 carry-on for the 3 of us? I would honestly rather worry about losing our clothing than her supplies if our suitcases got lost in transit! This suitcase is hardsided - is that OK for a carry-on, or should I look for soft-sided and more malable?

Each person in your party can have one carry-on. And each person can have one "medical supplies" bag in addition to the carry-on. So if you can manage all that, theoretically at least you could have 6 carry-on's with you!

Check with your airline as to dimensions of the carry-ons you're allowed. They're all a bit different.I'd try for soft-sided bags that can be depressed some, assuming the contents can stand that. You'll be among the first on, so will have room to stow them in either the overhead or under the seat in front of you..but either way, if the luggage "gives" a little you'll have an easier time of it.

I just thought of another problem. What airline(s) are you flying? That makes a HUGE difference. And if you're flying inter-Europe, that's another huge can of beans. European airlines are really nasty with regards to carry ons. Many won't allow anything but a handbag or briefcase. I had major problems with BA, Virgin and Luftansa and their carry on restrictions.

when my son needed his medications to stay cold we were able to bring a soft sided cooler that was under the 45 inches - they make some that are on wheels so they are easier to handle. You also want to find out what is allowed to keep it cold since some might not allow gel packs or ice bags. you can get ice on the plane to put in the bag. we just filled ziplocks with ice at home- dumped them out before we went into the airport and got cold drinks to put in with the cooler once past the security check. then on the plane ask for ice.

I have absolutely no experience in this area, but is there a way you can order the medical supplies delivered directly to the ship? I believe there are some companies that do deliver to cruise ships, at least in the US, for supplies needed for dialysis, etc. on-board. Perhaps contacting the special needs department of your cruise line would be able to help.

Exactly how much stuff are you taking? My husband is on home hemo and we will have to ship about 1,000 lbs (yes, ONE THOUSAND!!) of fluids and equipment to England so that we can board our Princess Cruise in Southampton. I just spoke with UAL about an upcoming business trip and they told me I could CHECK medical bags up to 100 lbs each for free.

Please let us know w3hat you plan on doing and how it works out.

YL

Don't count on the airline being willing to provide you with ice once on board. British Air turned me down with such a request. The FA gave me 3 little cubes in a plastic cup and said that was all I could have.

Any particular airline that you have found to be more accomodating for medical traveling?

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There are to are two airlines whitch know how to help people with special needs, and the are AIR BERLIN and LUFTHANSA :)

I have been flying with them all around Europe and several times Europe - Florida, and Florida - Europe.

We are usually three peolple travelling togehter, and now in desecember we were allowed to send away one free suitcase on 30kg.

With us onboard we had four cabin-suitcases, two backpacks, two handbags almost cabin-size, extra clothes and a lot of extra drinking and some tax-free.

These two airlines has one unritten policy.

Demand and you get notthing.

If you don't have any papers from your doctor, you get notthing.

Be polite, show them all necessary medical papers, and explain and they do everything for you! Ask them polite to inform the staff onboard the plain that you take extra suitcases because of spesial needs.

Then you get to gate very early, og still polite get in line for incheck and ask is everything is been teld about your special needs. 9 of 10 times they will look at you, and say, ok it is you, get over to that line and stay there.

Each time when I get to gate I ask if they have got the information about special needs, and every time they have helped me with me child and the extra suitcases.

Several european air-lines wan't give an ekstra kilo if you don't have enough medical papers with you. I got my personal doctor to write a letter in both norwegian and english witch explain why.