KEY TAKEAWAY: CGMs can pass through airport security in Canada — but the rules aren't the same for every device. Most sensors handle walk-through metal detectors without any issue. Full-body scanners and X-ray machines are where things get more complicated, with different manufacturers giving different guidance.
The one rule that applies to everyone: always let the CATSA screening officer know you're wearing a medical device before you approach any scanner — and know that you're always entitled to request a physical search instead.
I've worn a CGM through airport security many times — mostly at US and European airports, but also during a trip to Canada where I got my first real look at how CATSA handles medical devices at the checkpoint.
The experience was reassuring overall, but it also confirmed something I'd already started to suspect from my own research: the device you're wearing matters enormously, and the rules are not the same across every CGM.
What struck me most wasn't the process itself — CATSA officers were professional and straightforward when I explained I was wearing a medical glucose sensor. It was realising how underprepared I might have been had I not looked into this beforehand. The guidance from CGM manufacturers isn't always easy to find, and it doesn't always agree.
So I went deeper. I went through the official documentation from Dexcom, Abbott, and Medtronic, cross-referenced it with CATSA's published guidance on medical devices, and put together what I wish had existed before my first trip through a Canadian checkpoint.
Here's what the research — and experience — actually shows.
👉 Travelling with an insulin pump too? The security picture gets more layered. Our detailed guide on Insulin Pumps at Airport Security breaks down every major pump brand and manufacturer recommendations — including key differences between the Omnipod DASH, Omnipod 5, Medtronic MiniMed, Tandem, and others.
Can CGMs Go Through Airport Security in Canada?
Yes — and for most modern CGMs, it's considerably less complicated than it used to be. That said, not every device has been tested to the same standard, and the guidance varies between models and sometimes even within the same brand.
In Canada, airport security screening is managed by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) — the equivalent of the TSA in the United States.
CATSA's approach to medical devices is broadly accommodating: you're entitled to disclose your device before screening and request an alternative method if needed. Knowing this before you reach the checkpoint makes the whole conversation much easier.
The general framework for all CGMs at Canadian airports:
- Walk-through metal detectors — safe for virtually all CGM sensors
- Hand-held wanding — safe for virtually all CGM sensors
- Full-body scanners (millimeter wave/AIT) — varies by device; some are cleared, others are not
- X-ray baggage machines — most manufacturers advise against putting sensors or receivers through these
And across all of the above: you always have the right to request a physical search in place of any scanner. When in doubt, this is your safest and most straightforward option.
Dexcom G7 — The Most Flexible CGM at Airport Security
Of the major CGMs currently on the market, the Dexcom G7 carries the most permissive airport security guidance — and it represents a meaningful improvement over its predecessor, the G6.
According to Dexcom's official documentation, G7 wearers can pass through both metal detectors and Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners without removing the sensor. Hand-wanding and a full-body physical search are always available as alternatives. Extra sensors in your carry-on can go through the X-ray baggage belt without affecting device performance.
In practical terms, G7 users have genuine flexibility at the checkpoint. You can walk through the full-body scanner without concern, or request a physical search if that's your preference — either is fine.
Summary for Dexcom G7:
- ✅ Metal detectors — safe
- ✅ Full-body AIT scanners — safe
- ✅ Carry-on X-ray — safe
- ✅ Hand-wanding and physical search — always available
⚠️ Important distinction from the Dexcom G6: The guidance above applies to the G7 only. Dexcom advises G6 users to avoid AIT body scanners entirely and opt for a physical search or metal detector instead. If you've recently upgraded from G6 to G7, your security approach changes — and in your favour.
FreeStyle Libre 2, Libre 2 Plus, and Libre 3 — Be Cautious Around Certain Scanners
This is the sensor I wore for a long time, and the one that first made me take CGM security guidance seriously.
According to Abbott's official documentation, FreeStyle Libre sensors can safely pass through standard metal detectors.
The concern arises with certain full-body scanners — specifically those using millimeter radio-wave technology. Abbott advises against exposing FreeStyle Libre sensors to this scanner type, as it hasn't been fully evaluated and could potentially damage the sensor or affect glucose reading accuracy.
The practical challenge, as I found during my Canadian trip, is that it's not always obvious which type of scanner you're facing until you're already in the queue.
My approach became consistent: as soon as I reached the officer directing passengers toward the scanner, I'd mention I was wearing a medical glucose sensor and ask what type of equipment was in use. If there was any uncertainty at all, I requested a physical search. It adds a couple of minutes, but it's a far better outcome than a compromised or inaccurate sensor mid-flight.
Summary for FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3:
- ✅ Metal detectors — safe
- ⚠️ Full-body scanners — safe through some types, not all; ask before proceeding
- ❌ Millimeter radio-wave full-body scanners — do not proceed through; request physical search
- ✅ Hand-wanding and physical search — always safe alternatives
Medtronic Guardian Sensor (with MiniMed 670G or 780G)
For those wearing the Guardian sensor as part of a Medtronic pump system, Medtronic's documentation is clear: the sensor and pump are treated as a unit, and the same rules apply to both.
According to Medtronic, the Guardian sensor and transmitter can pass through a standard walk-through metal detector safely.
However, if you're directed toward a full-body scanner, both the pump and the Guardian sensor and transmitter need to be removed before you go through — which, given that removing a Guardian sensor mid-trip ends your wear session, makes the physical search the only sensible option.
Medtronic provides an Airport Information Card specifically designed to help with this conversation at the checkpoint. Based on what I've read from other CGM and pump users, having this ready on your phone makes the screening exchange considerably quicker.
Summary for Medtronic Guardian:
- ✅ Metal detectors — safe
- ❌ Full-body scanners — do not proceed through; request physical search
- ❌ X-ray baggage machines — avoid
- ✅ Hand-wanding and physical search — recommended approach
👉 CGMs are just one part of flying with diabetes. From insulin and syringes to glucose metres and emergency supplies, there's quite a bit more to understand about what you can bring through a Canadian checkpoint. Our complete guide on CATSA Rules for Diabetic Travellers covers everything — so you're fully prepared before you even leave home.
Flying with insulin? Keep it at the right temperature from departure to arrival with 4AllFamily's CATSA-compliant insulin travel coolers.
A Note for Those Wearing Both a Pump and a CGM
If you're managing both an insulin pump and a CGM sensor simultaneously — which many people with type1 diabetes are — you're effectively working with two sets of manufacturer guidelines every time you go through security.
The practical approach, and the one most consistently recommended across manufacturer documentation: treat both devices as a single system, and apply whichever guideline is more conservative.
If your pump can't go through the full-body scanner, request a physical search regardless of what your CGM manufacturer says. You can't send the sensor through independently while the pump stays on your body.
Let the CATSA officer know about both devices before screening begins, and ask for a single physical search that covers everything at once.
What to Say at the Airport Security Checkpoint
Based on both my own experience at a Canadian and International airport checkpoints and everything I've read from other diabetic travellers, the conversation is almost always shorter and easier than you'd expect.
Here's a simple script that works:
"Hi — I'm wearing a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump. Both are medical devices that can't go through the body scanner. Can I request a physical search instead?"
Most CATSA officers respond quickly and without fuss. Occasionally you'll encounter someone less familiar with CGMs — that's when having your manufacturer's documentation or a diabetes travel letter on your phone earns its place.
A few additional tips, drawn from manufacturer guidance and the broader diabetic travel community:
- Flag it before you're at the scanner. Bring it up as soon as you reach the officer directing passengers to screening lanes — not when you're already standing in front of the machine.
- Keep spare sensors in your carry-on. Regardless of what the X-ray rules say for your model, spare sensors belong with you — not in checked luggage.
- Download your manufacturer's documentation before you travel. Dexcom offers a "Notice of Medical Device" letter; Medtronic provides an Airport Information Card. Having either on your phone takes seconds and can resolve any uncertainty at the checkpoint immediately.
- When in doubt, request a physical search. It's always available, it protects your device, and it's your right. No explanation required beyond "I'd prefer a physical search, please."
👉 Long layovers, warm destination cities, hotel mini-fridges you can't always rely on — there's a lot that can go wrong between your front door and your final destination. My guide on How I Keep My Insulin Cool When Travelling covers everything I've learned, so your insulin arrives in the same condition it left in.
FAQs — CGMs at Canadian Airport Security
Can I wear my CGM through airport security in Canada?
Yes. Most CGM sensors pass through walk-through metal detectors without issue. Full-body scanners are where the rules diverge — the Dexcom G7 is cleared for AIT body scanners, while the FreeStyle Libre 2/3 and Medtronic Guardian should avoid certain scanner types. When in doubt, request a physical search from the CATSA officer.
Can CGMs go through X-ray machines?
Most manufacturers advise against it for sensors, transmitters, and receivers. The Dexcom G7 is the exception — spare sensors and the receiver can safely go through carry-on X-ray. For FreeStyle Libre and Medtronic Guardian, ask for a visual inspection of your supplies instead.
Will I need to remove my CGM at security?
No — and you shouldn't be asked to. CGM sensors sit under the skin and can't be removed without ending the wear session. If a CATSA officer asks you to remove it, calmly explain this and request a physical search instead. If the conversation isn't going anywhere, ask for a CATSA Screening Supervisor.
Do I need a doctor's note to fly with a CGM in Canada?
CATSA does not require documentation for domestic flights within Canada. That said, carrying your manufacturer's medical device letter or a diabetes travel letter is good practice — particularly for international travel or connections through US airports.
Can extra sensors and receivers go through carry-on X-ray?
For the Dexcom G7, yes. For the Dexcom G6, FreeStyle Libre, and Medtronic Guardian, request a visual inspection of spare sensors and receivers rather than sending them through the X-ray machine.
💬 We'd Love to Hear From YOU!
Have you flown with a CGM through a Canadian airport?
Whether your experience was smooth or frustrating, share it in the comments — the more this community shares, the better prepared we all are for what's waiting at the checkpoint.
