A Texas mother recently faced a distressing situation while traveling with over two weeks’ worth of pumped breastmilk, all due to a lack of knowledge among Delta Airlines employees regarding TSA regulations. Sarah Thompson had taken the initiative to consult with Delta ahead of time to ensure she was well-prepared for her journey, specifically asking about the proper way to transport her frozen breastmilk using dry ice. Unfortunately, despite her careful planning, her experience at the airport turned into a significant ordeal.
In an open letter she shared on social media, Thompson detailed how a week prior to her flight, she reached out to Delta to confirm the best practices for traveling with frozen breastmilk. She was advised to use a cooler packed with dry ice and to check it at baggage claim. Delta informed her that the dry ice should not exceed 5.5 lbs and that the container needed to be labeled. Following their instructions, she purchased a cooler, labeling supplies, and even visited a dry ice vendor on the day of her flight to ensure her milk would remain frozen.
Upon arriving at Newark International Airport, however, Thompson encountered unexpected complications. She was informed at the ticket counter that she would need to pay an additional $150 to check her cooler because she already had two checked bags. The fees for checked bags listed on Delta’s website are $25 for the first bag and $35 for each additional bag, making this additional charge seem arbitrary. The airline employee she spoke with was unhelpful, expressing irritation and involving two other agents who also lacked empathy.
The agents ultimately informed Thompson that she could not take her cooler due to their inability to weigh the dry ice and because she did not possess the correct sticker indicating it contained dry ice—despite being told previously to simply label it with tape and markers, which she had done. When she inquired about where to find the required sticker, they simply shrugged, showing no willingness to assist.
After being told to dispose of the contents of her cooler, but unable to do so at the airport due to the dry ice, she sought help from sympathetic airport police, who advised her to dispose of the dry ice in a restroom. Consequently, she boarded her flight with her cooler full of breastmilk but without the necessary cooling agent, essentially gambling on whether her 18 days of expressed milk would survive the eight-hour journey.
It’s worth noting that TSA guidelines state that formula and breastmilk are exceptions to the 3.4-ounce liquid limit for carry-on items. According to the TSA: “Formula, breast milk, and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.” Ice packs and other cooling accessories are also permitted.
Despite the turmoil, most of Thompson’s breastmilk survived the trip. Delta later issued an apology and provided her with a $150 voucher. A representative acknowledged that their employees should have been informed about the dry ice policy and promised to investigate the matter further. While the voucher was a small consolation, Thompson emphasized the need for airlines to improve the travel experience for breastfeeding mothers and families.
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In summary, this incident highlights the challenges breastfeeding mothers face while traveling and underscores the importance of proper training for airline staff in handling such situations.
Keyphrase: airline travel with breastmilk
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