Are vapes allowed on planes? What you need to know

If you're wondering if you can bring a vape on a plane, the short answer is yes. However, there are important TSA vape rules you need to follow to ensure you can safely carry your vape or vape pen on board.

While you can carry nicotine vapes on a plane in most places in the world, they must be kept in carry-on luggage or in your pockets—but are never allowed in checked luggage. That's for any kind of vape that contains lithium batteries.

While nicotine e-liquid or extra pods can be packed in either carry-on or checked luggage, federally controlled substances like cannabis products—even small amounts, such as residue in devices—are prohibited on all United States and most international flights.

The advice in this article applies in most places around the world, although we often reference U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. Before you travel, it’s best to check the regulations for each country you plan to visit and any rules specific airlines may impose.

How to pack your vape for a flight: what happens if you put a vape in carry-on luggage?

Air travel in countries that allow vaping is generally straightforward for vapers. You can take a vape on a plane—and extra batteries and your favorite e-liquid. You won’t usually have problems as long as you follow some basic rules and know the procedures.

Can you carry a vape on a plane safely?

Because of safety concerns over fires in the cargo hold, all electronic devices and lithium batteries must be carried onto the plane—either in carry-on luggage or in your pockets. You can’t pack them in checked baggage. This is a worldwide rule, with no exceptions.

What happens if you put a vape in checked luggage?

If you forget the rules and your checked luggage is x-rayed by the baggage handlers, you’re liable to lose your devices and batteries, and find your suitcase and its contents roughed up. Or they might leave your luggage at the departure airport.

Know TSA vape rules before flying

TSA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules require passengers to take “effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element of the device,” which in most cases means turning off the power. If there is no power switch, remove the battery from the device during the flight, or use some kind of protective case that will prevent the switch from being activated accidentally.

The FAA also limits the power rating on lithium-ion batteries carried on planes to 100 watt hours (Wh) each—which is far in excess of any normal vape battery, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

How many vapes can you bring on a plane?

There is no federal limit to how many vapes you can bring on a plane, but some airlines have their own limits. Some have battery limits too. Check with the airline in advance. Outside the U.S., restrictions may vary. Check with the airline and the destination country’s civil aviation authority.

Can you take disposable vapes on an airplane?

The rules for flying with disposable vapes are the same as for any other vape with a lithium battery. You can bring it on a plane, but only in your carry-on bag or in your pockets.

Tips for flying with vape devices

• If you take extra batteries, you must keep them in plastic battery safety cases to avoid accidents. If you forget a case, you can cover the metal battery terminals with tape.
• If your mod uses external batteries, don’t forget a battery charger!
• If your trip is short, consider taking simple devices like disposable vapes. They’re easy to carry, don't require a charger, and you won't have to pack separate e-liquid.
• Cabin pressure can make full tanks leak. Only fill them partially, or leave them empty until you arrive at your destination, or put them in a sealed bag.

Airline-specific rules for flying with vapes

Most airlines don’t have rules beyond the FAA and TSA regulations, but there are some specific exceptions.

• EasyJet: British budget airline EasyJet limits extra batteries to two.
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest limits vape devices in carry-on luggage or on your person to a total of two. However, the airline allows up to 20 spare batteries!
• Spirit Airlines: Spirit allows vapes to be packed in carry-on luggage or carried in pockets, but notes that “some countries (e.g., Dominican Republic) prohibit the carriage of these devices in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, and/or on one’s person, in which case Spirit will abide by such regulation.” So research the rules in your destination country before packing vapes.

Since airlines frequently change their rules or add new ones, travelers should check their with their airline before beginning a trip.

Know the rules in your destination country

When you depart from your plane in another country, you’re subject to the laws and rules there. Just because your airline allowed you to travel with vapes doesn’t mean your destination country will allow you to bring them in—or, in some cases, even use them. Some countries have outright vape bans—in which case flying with a vape pen might be the least of your worries.

You should research the laws and rules for the places you’re planning to visit. Flying with vapes in Europe isn’t much different than in the U.S. But in countries that ban possession and use—like Qatar and Singapore—your vaping devices and e-liquids are likely to be confiscated upon arrival. Countries that ban imports—like Turkey and Bangladesh—may also seize vapes from tourists, even if they’re obviously small “personal-use” quantities.

When visiting countries that ban sales but not use—like many Asian and South American countries—it may be safe to bring your vapes through security, but be aware that authorities can be unpredictable. In Thailand, for example, tourists have been arrested for possession of vapes, even though possession is not technically prohibited.

In some countries, police may harass visitors with vapes, expecting to be paid bribes. In many countries, public vaping is not allowed in places where smoking is not allowed—but in some places, it may not be allowed anywhere. Outside North America and Europe, vaping may attract unwelcome attention. In many Asian or Middle Eastern countries, vaping in public could lead to unpleasant interactions with authorities.

It’s wise to do some country-specific research on local laws, customs, and attitudes regarding vaping before leaving on your trip.

Can I fly with weed vapes or CBD?

For the most part, the same rules apply to CBD and weed vape devices as nicotine vaping gear. The big difference is that, generally speaking, you can’t take cannabis products that contain active cannabinoids on a plane.

Can you take CBD oil or vape juice on a plane?

Although the TSA changed its CBD policy recently—following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp production in the United States—it’s still risky to travel with CBD, even if your CBD product is under the 0.3% delta 9 THC limit.

State CBD laws vary. The TSA says it doesn’t search for illegal drugs, but the agency’s policy is to hand anything suspicious over to airport security, which is usually local police. Despite CBD’s widespread legality, CBD airport arrests unfortunately do occur. But even if you ultimately walk away, you could spend hours being questioned and waiting for your CBD products to be tested. You might miss a connecting flight or sit in a holding cell.

We recommend not traveling with CBD.

Flying with weed, THC, and delta 8 vape cartridges

Flying with any kind of cannabis product, including vape cartridges, is risky.

In the U.S., marijuana and delta 9 THC oils and concentrates are federally illegal. After you pass security at the airport, while you're in the air, and until you exit the airport at your destination, you’re subject to federal laws and can be charged with drug possession and transportation. While the TSA says it doesn’t actively search for drugs, agents will turn you and any products they notice over to airport security (usually local police). In some states and cities, local authorities may not care. In many others, they will.

The same goes for flying with delta 8 and other hemp-derived cannabinoids. While delta 8 and HHC are federally legal, confusing state laws and potential misunderstandings by TSA screeners and drug-sniffing dogs could cause problems you don’t want. Any kind of cannabis, legal or not, could lead to a long police interview, a missed flight, or worse.

We recommend not traveling with cannabis, THC, or delta 8 vape cartridges or other products.

Can you bring a weed vape pen or dry herb vape on a plane?

Flying with empty vape pens or dry herb vaporizers is fine in most places—as long as they’re completely clean of any cannabis residue. That means before you leave, get out Q-Tips and isopropyl alcohol and thoroughly scrub every millimeter of the vape, inside and out. If you’re not certain that a drug-sniffing dog won’t be able to detect cannabis in your vape, don’t take it with you.

Marijuana is illegal in many countries, and so are its concentrate, oil, and edible forms. Even a clean dry herb vape or weed vape pen may be considered illegal contraband. In fact, even some countries where pot use is legal or tolerated have laws prohibiting possession of paraphernalia. If you’re traveling to a legal cannabis country, just buy and consume the weed when you get there.

Can you vape on a plane?

You can’t vape on a plane without risking serious consequences. Passengers caught vaping during a flight can be subject to huge fines, and could even prompt an emergency landing, leading to arrest and prosecution.

You can bring your vape with you on a plane, but if you actually vape it onboard, you’ll face the same penalties you would for smoking on a plane. Airplane restrooms are outfitted with sensitive particle detectors that will trigger an alarm. It just isn’t worth the risk to vape on a plane.

A better idea is to find a suitable nicotine alternative to use while flying. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches, gum, and lozenges are all popular with nicotine vapers trapped in no-vape zones. They may not be as enjoyable as vaping, but they’re not going to get you in trouble with airport security either.