While vaping on airplanes is forbidden, you are welcome to take your vape with you when you travel. Vapes are permitted in your carry-on luggage or your pocket, so you can visit the designated smoking lounge after check-in before you set off on your flight. We're talking, of course, about nicotine or e-cigarette vapes. Vapes containing cannabis are not allowed on any flights, so be sure to use them all up before you get on board. 

This article utilizes information provided by the TSA. Most airlines worldwide follow similar rules, but it's important to double-check your selected airline's regulations before your departure date. 

Remember, nicotine pouches are a great alternative when flying if you'd rather avoid the hassle of traveling with a vape. Read on to learn about the laws and regulations surrounding air travel with a vape. 

Related: Can You Bring A Vape On A Plane?: The TSA Rules and Guidelines

What happens when you put a vape in a carry-on?

Your carry-on luggage is the safest place for a vape on an airplane. It's also the only legal place to bring your vape. Vapes appear on the X-ray machine but should find a safe entry as they are recognizable nowadays. Any electronic device, including e-cigarettes, is under scrutiny during the process. So, don't be alarmed if they take it out of your bag and ask you what it is. Check out these tips for traveling with a vape in a carry-in:

• Passengers must store vape batteries inside the device or securely in plastic battery cases, and cannot exceed 160 watts.
• Empty your vape liquid before setting off to avoid leakage caused by pressure changes.

How to pack a vape and e-juice when flying

When packing your vape, it's best to keep it in the original packaging if you can. This way, it will come under less scrutiny by TSA officers and is less likely to activate in the air accidentally. Alternatively, separate the tank from the mod to prevent further accidents. 

Passengers are limited to 100 ml containers in carry-on luggage, but there are fewer restrictions on checked baggage. If you are traveling for a longer period, feel free to pack as much e-juice as you want in your checked bag instead.

Additionally, full bottles can split or leak, so it's advised to bring partial bottles with you instead. Passengers traveling to Europe from the U.S. may want to consider bringing the higher nicotine-strength vapes that they are used to because EU countries limit nicotine to 20mg/mL. 

In addition to packing vapes and e-juice, passengers can bring spare batteries on board. For safe travel with spare batteries, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggests the following:

• Passengers can carry spare lithium batteries in their carry-on baggage. However, they need to be individually protected to prevent short circuits. 
• Battery terminals (usually the ends) must be protected from short circuits by leaving the batteries in their retail packaging, covering them with tape, using a battery case, putting a battery sleeve in a camera bag, or snugly putting them in a plastic bag or protective pouch.

TSA rules for flying with vape pens

While it's not common, there is a chance your vape could explode. Lithium-ion vape batteries can get too hot, and the flammable liquid reacts with oxygen. Before you jump to conclusions and throw it out of your pocket like a grenade, there are a few things you can do to lower the chance of an exploding vape:

• Avoid cheap vapes
• Unplug them after charging
• Avoid high voltage

Any vape exploding can be dangerous, but a vape exploding on an airplane could be catastrophic. Fortunately, nobody was injured when a vape pen caused a fire on a Spirit Airlines flight to Orlando, and a vape battery exploded at McCarran International Airport. However, these events do highlight the dangers of vapes, especially in the checked baggage area on aircraft, where fires and explosions can't be dealt with or spotted as quickly. 

According to the TSA, "Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage."

Additionally, "passengers are required to take effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element of the device when transporting the devices."

Examples of effective measures provided by The FAA are: 

• Removing the battery from the electronic smoking device.
• Separating the battery from the heating coil.
• Placing the electronic smoking device into a protective case.
• Using a protective cover, safety latch, or locking device on the electronic smoking device's heating coil activation button.

The TSA also requires that "Each lithium-ion battery must not exceed a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100 Wh; or for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 grams."

However, they point out that each airline may have different rules regarding the number of vapes in each passenger carry-on. For specific regulations on your flight, contact the airline directly. 

Frequently asked questions

Will the TSA pull my vape out of my bag?

You could be out of luck if you're trying to sneak your vape through security. The TSA Officer may need to pull it out of your bag to check what it is during the security check. 

What is the penalty for vaping on a plane?

Vaping on a plane is not only dangerous but a federal offense. Passengers who decide to vape on an aircraft can receive a fine ranging from $50 to $4,000. 

Will a vape be detected in a metal detector?

Yes, vapes can be detected by metal detectors at the airport due to metal components inside. 

Can you put a vape in checked luggage?

While e-juice is allowed in checked baggage, vapes are not permitted because a fire or explosion would be too hard to detect in the hold of an aircraft, and it could be dangerous.