Personal Care & Medical Items

Though many items are permitted under our special items policies, be sure to review items that are forbidden.

Personal Care Items

For more details about permitted personal care items, review the guidelines for medical oxygen or traveling with medical devices.

  • Personal oxygen canisters and cylinders, tanks, or other receptacles containing compressed or liquid oxygen, including, but not limited to, “canned oxygen,” “recreational oxygen” and “flavored oxygen,” are forbidden in aircraft cabin, carry-on baggage, and checked baggage. Explore permitted FAA-approved Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) devices and restrictions.
  • One butane curling iron per passenger is permitted in carry-on baggage only. Refills are not allowed, and the safety cover must be on the curling iron. It is not permissible to be used on the aircraft at any time. Butane curling irons are not permitted when traveling to Switzerland.
  • Other personal items like cologne or hairspray are allowed in checked baggage, as long as there is less than 16 ounces of each item and less than 70 ounces total. All items must comply with TSA rules.

Medical Devices and Wheelchairs

We’re here to help you bring the items you need. Personal medical devices and wheelchairs must meet the guidelines outlined in Accessible Travel Services and be approved by Delta prior to travel. Liquid oxygen is not permitted.

Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids with Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries that power mobility devices and are within the federal restrictions listed below are allowed on passenger aircraft. 

For lithium ion-powered mobility devices that contain an easily removed battery, customers will be allowed two (2) spare batteries if less than 160 WH or one (1) spare battery if less than 300 WH.

For mobility aids where the lithium battery is installed as an integral part of the device, there is no battery size limit.

Other Lithium-ion Battery Requirements:

  • The battery terminals must be protected from short circuiting.
  • The battery must have been tested per UN Part III, Section 38.3.
Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids with Spillable and Non-Spillable Batteries

Wheelchairs and mobility devices that require batteries are allowed as checked baggage if the guidelines for both spillable (wet-cell) and non-spillable (gel) batteries are met:

  • Battery must be able to be visually inspected and disconnected
  • Terminals must be protected from short circuit
  • Battery must be able to be securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid

Note: If the wheelchair cannot be loaded on the aircraft in an upright position, spillable (wet-cell) batteries must be removed and packaged in special packaging, provided by Delta.