Medication whilst in flight
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CHC
Programs: ANZ Gold
Posts: 55
Medication whilst in flight
My daughter has some medication that needs to be kept refrigerated and she will need to take some in flight between CHC & OOL.
In my mind we have 2 options RE the refrigeration side of things.
A. Ask a Flight Attendant nicely if they can keep it in the Galley fridge or
B. Pack in in a small cooler bag with ice packs.
I would prefer option A.
I would think that Security would have an issue not knowing what the frozen liquid was if we went down the option B route.
Any thoughts / advice, would be much appreciated.
In my mind we have 2 options RE the refrigeration side of things.
A. Ask a Flight Attendant nicely if they can keep it in the Galley fridge or
B. Pack in in a small cooler bag with ice packs.
I would prefer option A.
I would think that Security would have an issue not knowing what the frozen liquid was if we went down the option B route.
Any thoughts / advice, would be much appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Programs: Krisflyer, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Air NZ Airpoints, Koru, NZ*S and former *G
Posts: 317
I would certainly ask the crew if they could assist and would be surprised if they had any issues with it. Some years ago we took some Bluff oysters to London without problem and both crews were more than happy to keep them chilled for us.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
My daughter has some medication that needs to be kept refrigerated and she will need to take some in flight between CHC & OOL.
In my mind we have 2 options RE the refrigeration side of things.
A. Ask a Flight Attendant nicely if they can keep it in the Galley fridge or
B. Pack in in a small cooler bag with ice packs.
I would prefer option A.
I would think that Security would have an issue not knowing what the frozen liquid was if we went down the option B route.
Any thoughts / advice, would be much appreciated.
In my mind we have 2 options RE the refrigeration side of things.
A. Ask a Flight Attendant nicely if they can keep it in the Galley fridge or
B. Pack in in a small cooler bag with ice packs.
I would prefer option A.
I would think that Security would have an issue not knowing what the frozen liquid was if we went down the option B route.
Any thoughts / advice, would be much appreciated.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CHC
Programs: ANZ Gold
Posts: 55
I'd say security wouldn't allow the ice pack. If it is something like amoxicillin (common anti-biotic) it would be fine for that short period out of the fridge. Best bet would be to check with your pharmacist though, they will be the best person to advise you as I'm sure they get these questions a lot.
Thanks.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 186
As someone who has traveled for many years with refrigerated medication, I've never had any luck with Option A (indeed I don't even bother asking these days) and have always stuck with Option B.
On Option B, with regard to Liquids & Gels restrictions, security is generally understanding (there's plenty of medications that have this requirement!). Make sure you have:
- Appropriate documentation for the medication (eg. a copy of the prescription)
- A doctors letter stating the medication and its need to remain chilled.
- I'd also leave it in it's original packaging if possible too, especially if it states that it must remain chilled.
I've had no issues with this approach whether in NZ or the US, so I'm sure it will be okay between NZ & AU.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,827
I requested NZ to use the fridge in the galley to store some medication and I was told it was not possible because of food contamination issues (decide for yourself whether to believe that). What I was offered (which is actually a reasonable solution) was to have some ice. So I would recommend you bring a few ziploc bags and get some ice from the galley, it will keep your medication chilled until destination.
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Gold, LH FTL, KL/AF Ivory
Posts: 1,878
I'm diabetic and travel with insulin. When I first started I was a little paranoid about keeping it cool and KiwiJC has hit it on the nail. No flight attendant wants to take responsibility for keeping it in a controlled environment and they will respond that they can't do this. If you are concerned you can use cooling packs, but not freezer packs as they're far too cold.
I recently looked at the warnings on my insulin and it essentially said "store cool, once started maintain at room temperature". These days I just keep in my carryon and store in a fridge as soon as I get to my destination. I've never had it go bad on me. My 2 cents is that the insulin today is a lot more resilient than it used to be.
I recently looked at the warnings on my insulin and it essentially said "store cool, once started maintain at room temperature". These days I just keep in my carryon and store in a fridge as soon as I get to my destination. I've never had it go bad on me. My 2 cents is that the insulin today is a lot more resilient than it used to be.
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Are you certain that your aircraft will have an operating refrigerator? Those are not being installed or are being removed from many aircraft in favor of storage carts which are chilled and retain the cold (or do not heat the interior) for some period of time. Beyond that, many carriers have forbade the storage of anything, whether medication or food carried by passengers in proximity to carrier-supplied food, e.g. catering. What happened some time back, may not happen today.
I would suggest checking the package insert for specific instructions. Often medications which require chilling cannot be placed on ice, but can be stored in a small insulated container which will stay cool enough for 8-10 hours. If ice really is necessary, I would dump the landside ice before security and find some airside.
I would suggest checking the package insert for specific instructions. Often medications which require chilling cannot be placed on ice, but can be stored in a small insulated container which will stay cool enough for 8-10 hours. If ice really is necessary, I would dump the landside ice before security and find some airside.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
I requested NZ to use the fridge in the galley to store some medication and I was told it was not possible because of food contamination issues (decide for yourself whether to believe that). What I was offered (which is actually a reasonable solution) was to have some ice. So I would recommend you bring a few ziploc bags and get some ice from the galley, it will keep your medication chilled until destination.
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Location: USA
Programs: AA Plt Pro, UA Silver, DL, QF; HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 128
We were on an Emirates leg between MEL and AKL and the cabin crew kindly obliged with option A for an antibiotic that had been prescribed for my (at the time 4 year old) child in the middle of our trip. Unfortunately, in the mad rush to unload an A380 and get our kids and their blankets and teddy bears off intact, we completely forgot about it. A crew member went back to find it, but could not locate it (the cleaning crew was already at work, so likely disposed of it), thus we were able to experience your Kiwi healthcare as well.
All that to say, I would recommend some form of option B (or freezer bags and borrowing ice as a previous poster suggested). If you do use option A, do something to remind you to get your medicine before you disembark. The cabin crew are busy and not thinking about your medicine, and usually you are preoccupied as well. And those cleaning crews are efficient...
All that to say, I would recommend some form of option B (or freezer bags and borrowing ice as a previous poster suggested). If you do use option A, do something to remind you to get your medicine before you disembark. The cabin crew are busy and not thinking about your medicine, and usually you are preoccupied as well. And those cleaning crews are efficient...
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Air NZ won't chill medicine for you.
Their website details things - https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/spec...cal-conditions
Their website details things - https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/spec...cal-conditions
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
I use a Frio pouch. It keeps the insulin from getting too warm. Keep in mind that even if they would store it for you, there is no guarantee it won't freeze, which, in my case, ruins the medication.
I learned that the hard way with a $300 box of insulin pens and a hotel fridge.
The Frio pouch does a good job of keeping my insulin cool, but NOT refrigerated, which is fine for insulin I use within 30 days.
I learned that the hard way with a $300 box of insulin pens and a hotel fridge.
The Frio pouch does a good job of keeping my insulin cool, but NOT refrigerated, which is fine for insulin I use within 30 days.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CHC
Programs: ANZ Gold
Posts: 55
Air NZ won't chill medicine for you.
Their website details things - https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/spec...cal-conditions
Their website details things - https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/spec...cal-conditions
I should have been able to find that myself.lol.
I will go down the cooler bag route.