Can You Take Medicines on a TUI Flight? A Complete Guide (2026)

TUI's medical policy stands out in one area most travellers don't expect: its oxygen rules are notably more generous than most other carriers, and it offers a separate medical luggage allowance that doesn't eat into your cabin bag space. Here's how the full picture works.

Quick Answer: Yes. TUI allows prescription medicines, insulin, tablets and essential medical equipment including CPAP machines. Liquid medication over 100ml is allowed with a doctor's letter. Oxygen cylinders and portable oxygen concentrators are permitted with prior approval, and approved POCs can be used for the entire flight, including take-off and landing.

TUI Medicine Rules at a Glance

• Carry a doctor's letter or prescription confirming any medication or equipment is yours and needed for the flight.

• Liquid medication over 100ml is allowed through security with a doctor's letter.

• Insulin and pen injection devices need no medical certificate, but must be declared at check-in.

• CPAP machines, dialysis machines and AEDs are carried free of charge with a medical certificate and prior approval.

• Medical oxygen cylinders: up to 5 per passenger, 5kg max each, with a doctor's letter and advance notice at booking.

• Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators can be used throughout the entire flight, including take-off and landing.

Liquid Medication Over 100ml

TUI allows liquid medication over the standard 100ml limit through security, provided you carry a doctor's letter or prescription confirming it's yours and needed for your journey. Having this ready at check-in and security makes the process considerably smoother. Source: TUI - Can I carry my medication or medical equipment on the flight?

Insulin and Injection Devices

Insulin and pen injection devices can travel in your hand luggage without a medical certificate - but you do need to declare them at check-in. Keep insulin in your cabin bag rather than the hold, since hold temperatures can damage it.

CPAP Machines and Other Medical Equipment

TUI carries CPAP machines free of charge, and recommends bringing a doctor's letter when you travel. There are some restrictions around battery size, and not every device model can be accommodated, so it's worth contacting the Assisted Travel team in advance to confirm your specific device is covered. The same applies to other portable electronic medical equipment such as dialysis machines and AEDs - a medical certificate and prior approval from TUI are required. Source: TUI - Can I take a CPAP machine on my flight?

Oxygen Cylinders

TUI permits up to five medical oxygen cylinders per passenger, each no heavier than 5kg, provided you have a doctor's letter confirming medical necessity and you notify TUI at the time of booking. Valves must be protected from damage. This is a notably higher allowance than several other UK airlines offer.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC)

This is where TUI's policy is genuinely more flexible than most: an approved POC, with a doctor's letter and sufficient battery for the journey plus delays, can be used throughout the entire flight - including take-off and landing, when some airlines restrict oxygen use. Non-approved POCs can still be transported, but only switched off, empty of pressure, with the battery removed and packaged separately (or with recessed terminals). Liquid oxygen and recreational oxygen equipment aren't permitted at all.

Medicines in Checked Luggage

If you'd rather pack medication in hold luggage, TUI allows you to use a separate bag that doesn't count towards your standard cabin baggage allowance - as long as it doesn't exceed maximum cabin bag dimensions. If your medical luggage needs are larger than that, contact the Assisted Travel team to pre-book additional medical luggage allowance.

Travelling with Controlled Drugs

If you're taking medicine out of the UK, check with your doctor or pharmacist whether it contains a controlled drug. If it does, check the rules for your destination country with the relevant embassy before you travel, and carry a prescription or doctor's letter proving the medication is yours.

Should Medicines Go in Your Cabin Bag or Hold Luggage?

Keep essential medication in your cabin baggage wherever possible, particularly anything you might need in the event of a delay. TUI has no onboard cooling facilities for medication, so plan accordingly if yours needs to stay cold.

Packing Toiletries Alongside Medication

Ordinary toiletries - toothpaste, deodorant, sun cream, shampoo - still fall under the standard 100ml liquids rule and need to go in your clear bag, separate from any certified medical liquids. Rather than sourcing each item separately and checking every bottle against the limit, a pre-packed kit is already sized and compliant - pick the version that matches you:

TUI Medicines Checklist

• Carry a doctor's letter or prescription for any medication or equipment you're bringing.

• Get a doctor's letter for liquid medication over 100ml.

• Declare insulin and pen injection devices at check-in.

• Contact the Assisted Travel team in advance for CPAP, dialysis machines, AEDs or oxygen equipment.

• Notify TUI at time of booking if travelling with oxygen cylinders or a POC.

• Use a separate medical bag for hold luggage if it doesn't fit your cabin allowance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TUI require a doctor's letter for all medicines? 

Only for liquid medication over 100ml and most medical equipment. Insulin and pen injection devices don't need a certificate, just a declaration at check-in.

Can I use my portable oxygen concentrator throughout the flight? 

Yes, if it's an approved model with a doctor's letter and sufficient battery - including during take-off and landing.

How many oxygen cylinders can I bring on TUI? 

Up to five, each no more than 5kg, with a doctor's letter and advance notice at booking.

Does my CPAP machine need approval before I fly? 

TUI recommends a doctor's letter and advises contacting the Assisted Travel team in advance, since not every device model is accepted.

Can I pack medication separately in my hold luggage? 

Yes, in a separate bag that doesn't count towards your cabin allowance, provided it's within standard cabin bag dimensions.

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Medicine sorted - now sort everything else. CabinCleared's cabin-approved kits are already sized to clear TUI's liquids rules without a second thought.

Final Thoughts

TUI's process rewards early contact with the Assisted Travel team, particularly for CPAP machines, oxygen equipment and larger medical baggage needs. Once that's arranged, TUI's oxygen and medical equipment allowances are among the more generous of the UK's holiday airlines.

Information checked against TUI's official Assisted Travel FAQ pages, July 2026.