You can bring your EpiPen onto a plane – they are a common medical device and they should not cause any fuss when you are going through airport security. You can carry them in your handbag, laptop bag, or other carry-on luggage. It is a very good idea to take your EpiPen with you on the plane because the small confines of an aircraft increase your odds of being exposed to a trigger allergen while you are flying and having an anaphylactic reaction.
Different airlines have different rules regarding how to present them for travel. Under TSA rules, they do not have to be in a plastic bag because they do not come under the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule (which means liquids cannot be more than 3.4 ounces [100mL] and they have to fit into one, 1-quart bag).
Are there any additional steps that need to be taken when traveling with an EpiPen outside of the United States?
Even though you are not required to put your EpiPen into a plastic bag under the TSA rule, other airlines or airport security, such as in the United Kingdom, do require you to put it in a plastic bag, so if you are traveling outside of the U.S., place your EpiPen in a separate small plastic bag, tell the security officer that you are carrying an EpiPen, and present it for checking at security, alongside your other carry-on luggage.
Keep the EpiPen in its original box with the pharmacy label attached. For international travel carry a copy of the prescription for EpiPen or a note from your doctor stating that you have allergies. Although this is not a requirement for U.S. travel, it may be a helpful piece of information to have and to show people if you do suffer an anaphylactic reaction on the plane.
Most security officers have seen an EpiPen before and are familiar with them, but some may not be, especially in more remote countries, so make sure they don’t accidentally prick their thumb while they are inspecting it. Although the needle is hidden, pressing on the needle cover can set off the device and expose the needle. Generally, an EpiPen needle is not considered a dangerous object because it is very thin and quite short, and would not be able to be used as a weapon against airline staff or other passengers. The quantity of liquid contained in an EpiPen is also very small (about 2mL – of which only 0.3mL gets injected, the rest remains in the pen), and would not be outside the limits of any airline's restrictions on liquid volume.
Are there any restrictions on the number of EpiPens that can be brought on a plane?
There are no restrictions on the number of EpiPens that can be brought onto a plane, but make sure they all have a prescription label, or a copy of the prescription, as well as a note from your doctor. It is common for people to carry one in their handbag or laptop bag, and one in their carry-on luggage. If you have more than 2, consider putting the rest in your checked in luggage.
Should EpiPens be kept in a specific location while on the plane for easy access in case of an emergency?
Keep your EpiPen with you on the plane, in an easy to reach location, either in your handbag, laptop bag, or other carry-on luggage. You need to be able to get to it quickly in an emergency.
Can EpiPens go through X-ray?
Yes, EpiPens can be screened through the x-ray machines because there is no evidence that this harms the medication in anyway.