My First Time Flying with a CPAP: What I Learned at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

I was a small CPAP bag of nerves flying about with my CPAP for the first time.

I had several questions about this before a recent departure from Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina to Fort Myers, Florida, most specifically about checking in at the counter or kiosk to drop bags, clearing security (TSA), and boarding the airplane.

It was forever ago when I got diagnosed with sleep apnea after several sleep studies.

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, preventing the person from getting a restful night’s sleep and reducing blood oxygen levels.

I have mild to moderate sleep apnea, which means I snore a lot, a helluva lot, and am tired during the day from restless sleep. There’s other stuff going on with sleep apnea, but my condition was enough to get me put on a CPAP.

If you are one of the millions who use a CPAP machine and haven’t had the pleasure of flying with your CPAP, and have questions about flying with one, then I encourage you to continue reading.  

This blog will cover my experience flying with my CPAP machine at Charlotte Douglas and some CPAP travel tips that made it easier.    

Checking the CPAP bag at the American Airlines counter at Charlotte Douglas

I didn’t have to check my CPAP. It wasn’t necessary.

We flew American Airlines, and they consider CPAP machines medical devices, which do not count toward carry-on limits.

Doing this did open me up to the risk of having to check the CPAP machine bag if the overhead compartment space on the plane was limited. But this is also true of any carry-on luggage.

I saw that not checking your CPAP is recommended to prevent damage or loss.  

Getting through Charlotte Douglas Airport security with my CPAP

TSA asked me to put my CPAP and CPAP travel bag in a separate bin from my carry-on and personal items.

I only had to remove the actual machine from the bag for X-ray screening. The mask, tube, and power supply remained in the bag.

I left the bag unzipped, but I don’t believe that mattered.  

Rolling through Charlotte Douglas Airport with my CPAP

My girlfriend is way smarter than I am. She discovered that my CPAP carry bag has a luggage strap on the back.

I used this strap to slide it over the roller handle of my carry-on. The CPAP bag rested beautifully on top of my luggage and handle.

This simple action took one less item off my shoulders. I started with the CPAP and my backpack on that was awkward and not comfortable. I’m glad this happened.  

This lightened the load on my shoulders, and it didn’t make maneuvering through the airport harder.

Boarding the airplane at Charlotte Douglas Airport with my CPAP

There was no issue boarding the American Airlines plane since the CPAP machine doesn’t count toward your carry-on limit.

I would say be mindful of walking through the aisle on the airplane. People should already be seated so that you don’t whack them with your bag or luggage.

Water Stuff at Charlotte Douglas Airport with my CPAP

Make sure you empty the CPAP water chamber before passing through security, or it could leak into your stuff.

If you need to bring distilled water, you must adhere to TSA liquid rules if in carry-on luggage (3.4 oz or less) or packed in checked luggage.

I didn’t travel with any water, because I just picked it up in Florida. That wasn’t very helpful.

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Hopefully, some of these hacks answered any questions you might have about traveling with a CPAP at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The whole process was easier than I thought it would be. It was the unknown and the fact that I was doing it for the first time that made me anxious.

Next time, I’ll be a bag of Doritos instead of nerves.

Okay.

Moving on.

Share your experience and any tips in the comments—I’d love to hear about it.

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