It is important that you test your blood glucose (BG) more frequently while you are traveling. The routine hassle of travel, including stress, changes in time zones, schedules and activity levels, meal times and types of food, can all affect your diabetes control. Be extra attentive to monitoring your BG frequently, and be prepared to respond if needed.

Preparing To Travel

Before you travel, review our general travel tips, see how to update the time on your device, and read through our travel checklist just to make sure you have everything.

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1. Travel Loaner Program

   The Travel Loaner Program allows you to take a “back-up” insulin pump for US-based customers for a US $50 fee. Take a “back-up” pump when you:

   • Go on a cruise

   • Travel to Hawaii or Alaska

   • Travel internationally

   
   

   Complete the Travel Loaner form and submit it at least 2 weeks prior to your trip to ensure on-time delivery. A signature is required upon delivery and you will need to return the travel loaner when you arrive back home.

   
   

   Note: The program only includes insulin pumps and does not include blood glucose meters or CGM devices.

2. Medtronic Support within the United States

   Medtronic Diabetes provides a 24-Hour HelpLine for technical assistance. When calling the 24-Hour HelpLine or your local Medtronic Diabetes office, please have your insulin pump and serial number available. The phone number is also on the back of your insulin pump.

   • For calls within the United States: 1.800.646.4633

3. Medtronic Support Outside the United States

   Be prepared when you travel internationally with the following information:

   
   

   • For calls from outside the United States: +1.818.576.5555 (also on the back of your pump)

   • A list of Medtronic Worldwide Sales Offices may be able to help you source extra insulin pump supplies or CGM supplies should something unexpected happen.

Preparing for Flying

It is important that you test your blood glucose (BG) more frequently while you are traveling. The routine hassle of travel, including stress, changes in time zones, schedules and activity levels, meal times and types of food, can all affect your diabetes control. Be extra attentive to monitoring your BG frequently, and be prepared to respond if needed.

Our tips on flying and airport security guidelines apply to travel within the United States. These tips are subject to change, so please also check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). International passengers should consult their individual air carriers for international regulations.

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1. Insulin Pumps and Blood Glucose Meters

   When on an airplane, you should go to Utilities > Connect Devices > Meters pump screen, select OFF, and press ACT to unlink your meter from your insulin pump. Manually test your glucose levels using a blood glucose meter.

2. Personal CGM

   If you wear a CGM device, it is safe for use on US commercial airlines. If questioned by airline personnel about the use of your device, please show them your airport information card. If they still request that you turn off your CGM device, you must comply.

   If you are asked to turn off your CGM device, you will have a “data gap” when uploading data into CareLink® Personal Software, where information is missing from the period of time when your CGM system was turned off.

3. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements

   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that devices with radio frequency capabilities should not be used on an aircraft. See Equipment Interference for guidelines for use of your devices during your flight.

Find out about equipment interference with your device.

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