Let’s be honest, you’ve probably left the house asking yourself, “Will they allow me to take my vape?”. Whether you’re travelling abroad or just down the street to the next big NBA game, knowing where and when you’re allowed to vape can be a minefield.
Although we can’t tell you how to get your vape through a metal detector at a stadium, we can tell you a little about going through the airport with your vape.
The popularity of vaping has really taken off (no pun intended!) in recent years, and with the holiday season approaching, we’ve received dozens of comments about vaping and air-travel, with most of you asking specifically: “Can you vape on a plane?”.
Now theoretically speaking, you can vape almost anywhere (apart from maybe underwater…)
The burning question is are you allowed to vape on a plane?
Unfortunately the short answer, at least at the time of writing, appears to be a resounding “NO”.
Vaping is strictly prohibited during all stages of air-travel, whether international or domestic. Most airlines around the world have strict no-smoking policies that include e-cigarettes, due to concerns about passenger health and safety. Failure to comply may result in a fine or even criminal charges.
So in response to those of you who asked “can you vape on a plane?” the clear answer seems to be a firm no. Vaping while flying is prohibited, in some instances by law. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation prohibits vaping on all flights operating within, to, or from the United States.
But what about carrying your vape on a plane? Or travelling through airports with a vape device and/or e-juice? Or even vape batteries?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Questions we’ll answer in this post:
- Can You Vape On A Plane? And Why Not?!
- Can You Carry Your Vape On A Plane?
- Can You Vape In The Airport?
- Can You Fly With E-Juice?
While you can generally bring vapes (disposable vapes, mods, pods etc) on a plane, there are some important rules and regulations that you should be aware of before you pack your vape. In case you’re wondering, these rules also apply to no nic vapes so having nicotine in your vape doesn’t matter.
However, travelling with your vape gear doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, most of the regulations and guidelines are thankfully just common sense. We’ll cover everything you could possibly need to know about vaping and air-travel in this post, so keep reading and let’s get stuck in!
Vaping & Air-Travel | Can You Vape On A Plane (And WHY Not?!)
So before we move on, we already know vaping is prohibited while flying, but why exactly?…
First and foremost, the most commonly cited reason is that vapor emitted from e-cigarettes could be a nuisance to other passengers, especially those with respiratory issues. It could also cause panic among passengers who may mistake the vapor for smoke from a fire.
In addition to this, e-cigarettes and other electronic vaping devices could pose a potential fire hazard due to the lithium-ion batteries used to power them.
Another reason often cited is the potential for passive vaping…
Passive vaping is believed to occur when non-smokers are exposed to the vapor emitted from e-cigarettes. While the vapor is not as harmful as cigarette smoke, it still contains substances that could cause irritation and discomfort.
In terms of specific examples; United Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the United States, explicitly prohibits the use of e-cigarettes on all of its flights. This includes the use of any type of device that emits vapor or smoke, such as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and electronic pipes. Passengers who violate this policy may be subject to fines or criminal charges.
Similarly, British Airways does not allow the use of e-cigarettes or any other smoking devices on its flights. The airline also prohibits passengers from charging e-cigarettes or other electronic smoking devices on its planes, due to concerns about the potential fire hazard posed by the lithium-ion batteries used in these devices.
Air Canada also has a strict no-smoking policy that includes e-cigarettes. Passengers who attempt to use e-cigarettes on Air Canada flights will be asked to stop, and repeated violations may result in fines or even a ban on future flights.
Although it’s clear that vaping is not allowed while flying, it’s worth checking the specific rules in place at the airline(s) you’re going to be flying with. For those of you in the UK, I found this fantastic GatWick Airport Guide that provides a breakdown of the regulations in place at every UK airport!
It’s also worth noting that while some airlines may not explicitly ban e-cigarettes, their policies regarding smoking may still apply. For example, Delta Air Lines prohibits smoking on all of its flights, and this policy includes e-cigarettes.
Vaping & Air-Travel | Are You Allowed To Take Your Vape On A Plane?
So although you can’t actually vape while flying, the good news is you can generally take your vape on a plane, as long as you don’t vape it! TSA for example allows passengers to bring mod kits and disposable vapes in their carry-on bags or on their person.
Remember however that not all airports are created equal and the rules for each airport can vary massively. For example, LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) allows individuals to possess cannabis up to a certain amount. This is something you won’t hear at any other airport.
It’s important to check the policy of the airport and airline you’re flying with, but most airlines will allow you to fly with your vape, mod or e-cigarette as long as you follow certain guidelines.
Typically, these guidelines will insist your vape device be stored on your person or in your carry-on luggage. Most authorities will insist that your vape gear isn’t placed in checked bags as this poses a fire risk.
It’s also worth remembering to make sure your vape device is switched off (if you can) and stored safely to avoid any accidental auto-firing during the flight.
You will also need to do the same with any spare vape batteries, as these cannot be kept in the hold of the plane due to the risk of fire. Pack spare batteries in padded carriers that isolate the metal terminals and prevent the batteries from touching other metal objects. Loose lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage could be a recipe for a disaster!
Quick note: If you’re looking for the best 18650 batteries, we give you our picks for the best here!
There are also likely to be restrictions in place regarding the quantity of batteries you’re permitted to fly with in your carry-on luggage. Each airline is different, so be sure to check with the airline you’re flying with before you pack your luggage.
It’s also important to keep in mind that some countries may have stricter regulations on vaping devices and e-cigarettes, and they may be prohibited altogether! The best advice I can offer is to check the regulations specific to your country of destination prior to planning your trip!
Taking Your Vape On A Plane | Quick Tips
- You can travel with a vape on your person or in your carry-on luggage, as long as you don’t vape it!
- You cannot store your vape or vape batteries in your checked luggage due to risk of fire. You can however store a vaping device in your checked luggage if the device has the battery removed.
- Cabin pressure can cause your tank/pod to leak, so we recommend detaching your mod from your tank and emptying it of e-juice before you board the plane.
- Check with your specific airline for their rules around carrying your vape on the plane, and what restrictions they have in place regarding the number of batteries you can fly with.
- Be sure to check that vaping isn’t prohibited in your country of destination!
Vaping & Air-Travel | Can You Vape In The Airport?
As a general rule of thumb, vaping is treated in much the same way smoking is. Which means you won’t be able to vape freely while walking through the airport.
However, some airports have designated vaping sections, typically segregated from the non-vaping public. Therefore, whether you can vape in the airport will depend entirely on the airport in question…
We’re based in the UK and at the time of writing, most UK airports have a designated vaping section. We’ve listed a handful of those below:
Gatwick – Vaping is permitted in the designated area outside the terminal next to Gate 2.
Heathrow – Vaping is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building.
Stansted – Vaping is permitted in any of the several designated areas outside of the terminal building.
Southend – No designated vaping area once you have passed through the departure lounge.
Luton – Vaping is permitted in the designated area outside the terminal building.
Manchester – Vaping is permitted in the designated area located near the food court.
Birmingham – Vaping is permitted in the designated area outside the terminal building.
Glasgow – Vaping is permitted in the designated area before heading into the terminal building.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record; it’s worth checking with the airline you’re flying with!
If the airline you’re flying with doesn’t have a designated vaping section, you might want to carry some nicotine gum or patches with you, especially for longer flights!
Vaping In The Airport | Quick Tips
- You won’t be able to vape in the airport freely.
- However, vaping is likely to be permitted in designated vaping/smoking zones.
- Check with your specific airline for their rules regarding vaping in the airport.
- Remember to pack nicotine gum or patches if you’re taking a long flight, especially if the airline you’re using doesn’t have a designated vaping zone!
Vaping & Air-Travel | Can You Fly With E-Juice?
The rules surrounding e-liquid on planes are slightly different. Any liquid or juice you plan to take with you is heavily regulated at airports. Even liquid gels or shampoos are closely watched.
With that being said, if you’re travelling with 100ml of e-juice or less, this can be stored on your person or in your carry-on luggage. The bottle must also fit into a single quart-sized zip-top bag. With this in mind, you may want to separate your e-juice into smaller bottles for ease of storage.
However, if you’re travelling with more than 100ml of e-juice, you’ll need to pack it securely in your checked-in luggage.
There are also upper limits on how much e-juice you can fly with according to the TSA website, which is listed as no more than five litres per passenger.
Keep in mind, the above rules also apply to vape cartridges and/or pods containing e-liquid.
If you’re taking more than 100ml of e-juice on a plane and storing it in your checked-in luggage, we’d recommend storing it securely in a zip-lock bag to prevent any leaking during the flight!
Flying With E-Juice | Quick Tips
- Up to 100ml of e-juice can be stored in your carry-on luggage provided the bottle fits into a 1 quart, zip-top plastic bag.
- When you go through the security checkpoint at the airport, you’ll need to remove the zip-top bag from your carry-on bag and present it for a separate inspection.
- Anything over 100ml must be stored securely in your checked-in luggage.
- No more than five litres of e-juice (or liquids in general) can be taken in your checked luggage.
- Be sure to store your e-juice securely to prevent leaking!
- Bottles filled to capacity might expand due to the pressure, so it’s advisable to leave a small amount of space in each bottle.
- Check the seals and caps of the bottles you’re using for damage – you don’t want a suitcase full of e-juice when you touch down!
- Always check with your specific airline for their rules around travelling with e-juice.
Vaping & Air-Travel | Understanding The Laws Of Where You’re Travelling
In countries like the US and UK, things are generally pretty easy. In the US, as long as you’re over 21 you can buy vapes at a store. Most other countries do have different age-restriction laws however so it’s worth remembering to check this. In the UK for example, the age-restriction set on vaping is 18.
First and foremost, make sure wherever you’re going, they allow you to bring your vapes. Some places that don’t allow it will throw away your vape gear at the airport.
Even if you’re visiting a country that does allow vaping, it can sometimes be difficult to source vapes, batteries, juice or replacement coils. With this is mind, make sure you have packed all your necessary tools with you. That means if you need to take extra batteries and a charger, do it. Don’t expect to buy any coils abroad.
Each country you visit will also have slightly different rules for disposing of your disposable vape properly. When you’re done with your vape and want to throw it away, do it with caution. Disposable vapes can auto-fire and the battery starts to vent. This can cause your vape to heat up enough to start a fire.
This is especially important to remember if you’re disposing of your vape in an airport. The airport is the last place you want to start a fire!
Conclusion
To sum it up, you can’t vape on a plane, regardless of the airline you’re flying with. So if you’re planning a long flight, it’s worth finding an alternative nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine gum, or patches.
However, you can vape in the airport if they’ve provided designated vaping zones, which most airlines appear to be providing at the time of writing.
You can also travel with your vape gear, with little or no stress, by following the regulations and guidelines laid out by the airline you’re travelling with.
In short, flying as a vaper doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Follow the rules and you’re far more likely to have a safe and smooth flight!
And that’s it folks! Hopefully by now, if someone asks “can I vape on a plane” you can wax lyrical on the topic! All joking aside, we hope you found our ‘vaping and air-travel’ post helpful – please share it however you can and feel free to leave a comment below!