Study Finds Insulin Control Dips During Flights
A preliminary study of adults with type 1 diabetes using automated insulin delivery found lower glucose control while flying than on the ground.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Diabetes
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A preliminary real-world study of 42 adults with type 1 diabetes found that time in glucose range averaged 62.5% during flights compared with 75.4% on the ground. The findings were presented at the 2026 Diabetes Technology Meeting.
Why it matters
Airplane cabin pressure changes may affect insulin delivery, and earlier in vitro research suggested pumps can over- and under-deliver insulin during takeoff and landing. The results point to a practical concern for travelers who rely on automated insulin delivery systems.
The study tracked 42 adults across 91 inbound and outbound flights in eight European countries, with in-flight time in range at 62.5% versus 75.4% on the ground. Hypoglycemia episodes below 70 mg/dL were less frequent in flight (0.6) than on the ground (1.3), and no diabetic ketoacidosis or CGM failures were recorded.
The players
Diabetes Technology Meeting
An annual international conference focused on advances in diabetes technology, where the study results were presented.
The details
Researchers compared participants' glucose data from the 14 days before each flight with data collected during the flight and 24 hours after. Participants were not restricted in food or beverage intake, and time in range was 63% in flight versus 77.9% on the ground while fasting and 60.8% versus 73.6% while eating.
Timeline
March 2025 to April 2026: Glucose data was collected for the study.
2026: Findings were presented at the Diabetes Technology Meeting.
Health Landscape
The findings build on earlier in vitro research showing insulin pumps can over-deliver about half a unit at takeoff and under-deliver a similar amount on landing. They extend those laboratory observations into real-world use of automated insulin delivery systems among adults with type 1 diabetes.
Travelers using automated insulin delivery systems may see glucose levels dip during flights, so checking readings more often while flying may help. Because the study found hypoglycemia was less frequent in flight, the risk pattern differs from what many patients expect on the ground.
The takeaway
Plan to monitor blood sugar more closely during flights and discuss travel plans with your diabetes care team before departure. Keep supplies accessible in carry-on luggage and follow your clinician's guidance on pump settings for long flights.
Further reading
Explore more on Diabetes for ongoing research into managing blood sugar on the move.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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