Can You Take Vape on a Plane? Flying with Vape – the Rules!

Vaping has become very popular in recent years as more people try to give up smoking tobacco and are turning to vaping instead. So it is not surprising that so many people ask whether you can take vapes on a plane.

Vaping laws exist making it illegal to vape on a plane in the US, the UK, European Union countries and many other countries that can carry stiff penalties (up to USD4000 currently).

If you do vape on a plane then you could be prosecuted and banned from flying on that airline again.

The Quick Answer: Can you bring a vape on a plane? You can take vapes on a plane with you but you need to know where you can carry them otherwise they may be confiscated. You can take them in carry on bags but not checked baggage. Naturally you cannot use vapes onboard.

Can you take vape on a plane?

You are allowed to bring vapes and Juul on a plane to use at your destination but it is not quite as straightforward as you may think when taking a vape pen through airport security. Neither is it as logical as you may think, and this is largely due to the lithium-ion batteries, not the vape device itself.

• You can take vape ONLY in your carry on baggage or on your person in your pocket.
• You CANNOT put vape in your checked baggage to go in the cargo hold.

This actually catches people out quite frequently so please do not put your e-cigarettes and vaping devices in your suitcase as checked baggage. This can cause delays as your checked luggage will be opened by TSA officers, your vape confiscated and you may be prosecuted.

In fact, although you may arrive at your destination, your checked luggage may not as they won’t hold up the flight if your bag needs to be inspected.

Can I take vape in carry on luggage?

Battery-powered electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), vape pens, vape mods, vaporizers, atomizers, vape cartridges, disposable vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems and all other types of vape may only be carried in your carry on bag as they cannot go in your checked luggage in the aircraft baggage hold.

You may also be interested in my post – Can you bring cigarettes on a plane?

See the Transportation Security Administration guide on flying with vape gear in your hand luggage “electronic-cigarettes-and-vaping-devices“.

Do’s and dont’s when carrying vape gear on a plane

• Do disconnect the power supply from the vape before boarding
• Do put your vape in a plastic bag as it has been known for vape tanks to leak due to the change in air pressure
• Do not attempt to use the vape while onboard
• Do not take more e-liquid in your carry on bag than will fit into your quart sized liquids bag
• Do not charge your vape while onboard

TSA rules on e cigarettes

The important TSA vape rules state that when going through airport security you must remove all e-cigarettes, vaping products, disposable vape and other vape devices from your carry on bags and your pockets and put them separately in a tray to go through the x-ray machines.

If you don’t then you will be stopped by a TSA officer at the TSA checkpoints and have to go through the hassle to remove them for them to be put through security again.

To make this process even easier, and avoid unnecessary problems, follow these steps:

• Disconnect all of the e-cigarettes from their batteries
• Put them in a separate see-through plastic bag
• Put e-liquid separately (see the section below) in your resealable plastic quart-sized liquids bag

The FAA on Twitter regarding taking vapes on a plane:

Why can’t you put vaping devices in checked luggage?

E-cigarettes and vaping devices generally contain lithium batteries. It is possible for a lithium-ion battery to overheat and catch fire so if this happens in the cabin in your carry on luggage it can be dealt with by the cabin crew whereas if it happens in the cargo hold it cannot.

See my other article on lithium batteries – Can you take lithium batteries on a plane?

Will TSA take my vape out of my carry-on?

The TSA has specific rules regarding vape products on planes. According to the TSA, passengers are allowed to bring vape pens and e-cigarettes in their carry-on bags, but they are not allowed to pack them in their checked bags.

It is possible that a TSA agent may ask to inspect your vape during the security screening process. However, they will not take it out of your carry-on bag without your permission. If you are asked to remove your vape from your bag, you will be asked to do so yourself.

The TSA may inspect any item that they deem suspicious or potentially dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended that you pack your vape in a clear plastic bag and remove it from your bag during the security screening process to avoid any potential delays or issues.

Will a disposable vape go off in a metal detector?

It is possible for a disposable vape to set off a metal detector, but it is not guaranteed. The amount of metal in the vape and the sensitivity level of the metal detector are factors that can affect whether or not it will be detected.

Disposable vapes typically contain metal in the heating element and battery, which can trigger a metal detector. However, the outer casing and other internal components may be made of plastic or other non-metallic materials.

So don’t take any chances, just put it in your carry on.

Can you bring a vape on a plane under 21?

It is important to note that the legal age to purchase and use vape products varies by state and country. In the United States, the legal age to purchase and use vape products is 21 years old. Therefore, if you are under 21, it is illegal to purchase or use vape products, including bringing them on a plane.

In addition to age restrictions, it is also important to note that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules regarding vape products on planes. According to the TSA, passengers are allowed to bring vape pens and e-cigarettes in their carry-on bags, but they are not allowed to pack them in their checked bags. However, it is important to check with your airline for any additional rules or restrictions they may have regarding vape products on planes.

Overall, if you are under 21, it is illegal to purchase or use vape products, and it is not recommended to bring them on a plane. If you are of legal age, it is important to follow the TSA’s rules and regulations regarding vape products on planes to ensure a safe and hassle-free travel experience.

Can vaping set off smoke alarms?

The smoke detectors in the aircraft toilets can also detect vape in certain circumstances, even though it is not technically smoke. So if this happens the alarm will sound and you will be found out.

Is it worth taking the risk of having a sneaky vape? If you get caught then at best it could be embarrassing and at worst could put you in deep trouble with hefty fines. You can read about what happened to one passenger who got caught vaping in the toilet.

I have heard that they are working on a sensor to detect vape as well as smoke and if that happens you will definitely be caught out.

Can you bring spare batteries for a vape pen on a plane?

You can bring extra batteries for your vape pen or electronic cigarette but the same rules apply to the batteries as the vape devices themselves.

Spare batteries can only be carried in your hand luggage and not in your checked bag due to the potential fire risk with lithium-ion batteries.

Can you take vape juice on a plane?

How much vape liquid can you take on a plane depends on whether it is in carry on or checked bags.

You can take bring e-liquids/vape juice on a plane but you must remember the rules regarding the carrying of liquids on a plane. Bottles no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) can be carried in your cabin baggage and bottles of e-liquid over this size must go in your checked bags in the hold.

You must remember though that you are only allowed to bring one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag through the airport security in total per person per bag so your vape juice/e-liquids will use up some of this allowance. You can buy quart-sized approved liquids bags here.

Since many vape juice bottles are often 120ml (ie over the 100ml TSA liquids rule size) then it may be worth purchasing some empty 100ml bottles to put your vape juice into.

In all states, and in most other countries, you will be able to buy vape juice at your destination.

Can you use your vape at the airport?

Rules vary from airport to airport and country to country. But generally, you cannot vape in the main area of the terminal or departure lounge. If there are designated smoking areas at the airport, or an outside area, you are allowed to vape there.

There are some airports in the US where using a vape, and also other electronic devices for smoking, are permitted inside airport buildings. Some other airports have designated smoking lounges or areas where you can use a Juul, vape, e-cigarettes or smoke tobacco products.

Many overseas airports do not permit any form of smoking inside airport buildings. For example, you cannot smoke inside UK airports except in a few designated smoking areas.

You should also be aware if flying internationally that in some countries local vaping laws make vaping illegal – notably in parts of the far east (Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore), parts of the middle east (Qatar and Oman) as well as in Argentina.

So if you are traveling internationally you would be well advised to check if it is allowed in the country or countries you are visiting.

Why can’t you vape on a plane?

There are two issues that have led to the ban on vaping on a plane:

1. Firstly, it is believed that there is a potential fire risk when using a vape
2. The air quality in a plane is an issue so if there were people using vape the air quality would be compromised. Flying in an enclosed tube is unhealthy enough with peoples’ cold and flu germs circulating so adding vape to this could only make matters worse.
   
   I am old enough to remember when smoking cigarettes was allowed on a plane and I can tell you, as a non-smoker, it was pretty unpleasant. That was particularly true if you were sitting near the back of the plane, near, or even within, the smoking areas. Being surrounded by others vaping would be equally unpleasant.

Try taking some nicotine gum in your carry on bag to chew during the flight. Many smokers find nicotine gum helps to stop nicotine cravings.

Should you be able to vape on a plane?

From a personal point of view, I fully endorse the ban on vaping on a plane. Vaping and smoking e-cigs in a confined space around people who neither vape nor smoke is totally antisocial.

I don’t care if it is totally harmless (although that is actually questionable) as I don’t want to spend hours sitting next to someone breathing in their vapor cloud.

I remember how awful flying was before the smoking ban was introduced, particularly if you were unlucky enough to end up in the smoking section at the back of the plane.

FAQs

---

I hope this has answered your questions regarding whether you can bring vape on a plane.

You may also want to look at my other air travel and airport security articles:

Can you take Juul on a plane?

What is not allowed in checked baggage?

Can you take lithium batteries on a plane?

The complete guide to passing through airport security quickly

Will aerosol cans explode in checked luggage?

Sharing is caring!