You're all set to catch your flight with everything you need. However, what to do about your disposable vape?
What if the airline says no to bringing your vape on board?
So, let’s clear the air about TSA (Transportation Security Administration) regulation on vaping devices. See, it is not entirely off-limits. However, you need to follow some rules.
[Source: tsa]
Here's what you need to know:
- Your vape devices should go in carry-on bags, not in checked baggage.
- Spare batteries should be individually wrapped and placed in a carry-on bag.
- E-liquid or vape juices should be carried in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a clear, quart-sized bag.
- Lithium-ion batteries shouldn’t go over the 100-watt-hour rating.
- Lithium metal batteries shouldn’t go above 2 grams.
These are just a few points and might sound a bit unclear.
Why not check out the TSA rules about flying with vapes?
It’ll help you feel more ready for the flight and avoid any hassles!
Related Read: Can Vapes Explode? [Possible Reasons, Preventions, and Regulations]
Understanding TSA Guidelines for Traveling with Vape Devices
TSA Regulations for Vape Devices and Accessories
The TSA is there to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safest travel for anyone flying with US airlines.
They have established certain regulations restricting devices like vape pens, electronic cigarettes, and other accessories from being transported through planes.
These regulations mainly aim to lessen safety issues related to lithium-ion batteries, which are more prone to fire accidents.
Let’s see how the guidelines work for vaping devices and how you can follow them:
Where to Pack Your Vape Device
Vaping devices, including mods, batteries, and tanks, should be in your carry-on bag or kept with you. They can’t be in checked baggage. Such restrictions are in place to prevent potential fires in the cargo hold.
Lithium Battery Restrictions
When it comes to batteries in vape devices, make sure they’re not over 100 watt-hours. If you’re using lithium metal batteries, keep the lithium content around 2 grams or less. That way, you’ll stay within the safety rules for flying.
Spare lithium batteries should also be put in the carry-on bag to prevent any kind of short circuit. Be careful with loose lithium-ion batteries; they should also be placed separately in sealed plastic bags; not in checked baggage!
The Reason Behind TSA Rules
- Preventing fire accidents in the confined space of an aircraft.
- Using vapes in an airplane will contaminate the air supply and create an awful situation for fellow passengers.
- With smoking already being banned on airplanes, it wouldn’t be fair to the other flight attendants to see someone vaping since it looks a lot like a cigarette.
- Having rules in place is essential to ensure that the air quality on airplanes stays at its best and there's no confusion about it.
- The FAA has made it super clear that messing with restroom smoke detectors is a no-go since vaping can set them off.
TSA Regulations for Vape Accessories
- Vape chargers, especially USB ones, should be in your carry-on baggage or with you; do not put them in checked luggage.
- Empty vape tanks and cartridges are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage. However, to avoid potential issues, it is best to carry them in your carry-on bag.
- E-liquid or vape juices should be stored in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a clear quart-sized plastic bag for security screening.
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Important Note From US: Always check the specific regulations of your departure and destination airports, as local laws may have additional restrictions on vaping devices and e-liquid. It is better to stay on the safe side. |
Can You Bring Vape Juice on a Plane?
The TSA has selective guidelines for carrying liquids in airplanes, including vape juices. These strict guidelines enhance the security and safety of passengers.
Let's take a look at how we should follow these rules.
TSA Guidelines on Liquids
When packing liquids while traveling on an airplane, passengers are told to follow the 3-1-1 rule. This is the easiest way to follow the regulations without missing anything.
So, what are the 3-1-1 rules for vape juice?
- Each vape juice comes in a travel-sized container weighing only 3.4 (100 milliliters)
- The vape juices will be in a clear quart-sized bag
- One quart-sized bag will be assigned to one passenger
How to Pack Vape Juice to Prevent Leakage and Comply with TSA Requirements
When packing vape juice for air travel, it is essential to make the packing as perfect as possible.
Make sure:
- There is no leakage
- No accidents happen
- It complies with TSA regulations.
To do this, you can practice 3-1-1 rules to safeguard your vaping supplies during the flight.
- Step 1: Ensure the e-liquid bottles are leakage-proof. They should be made of silica, plastic, or glass and have secure caps.
- Step 2: The bottle or container does not exceed the TSA's limit of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). You can use travel-size bottles for that.
- Step 3: Put all your e-liquids in a transparent, resealable quart-sized plastic bag. This way, TSA agents will quickly see the contents during screening.
- Step 4: Seal the quart-sized bag properly to prevent leaks from escaping during transit.
- Step 5: Keep the bottles upright in your baggage whenever possible, or you can place protective padding or soft items around them.
- Step 6: Label the bag with your name and contact info if it separates from your luggage.
Is There a Limit to the Amount of Vape Juice You Can Carry?
There is no specific limit to the vape juice amount you can carry from TSA yet.
They are still very flexible about it.
The combined volume of all bottles has to fit into the quart-sized bag requirement.
If you have multiple 100ml e-liquid bottles, you have to keep an eye on how much the 20cm x 20cm clear quart-sized bag can take.
Generally, these clear quart-sized bags can hold about one liter of liquid across all items.
How to Pack Your Vape for Safe Air Travel?
Step-by-Step Guide to Packing Your Vape Device
Step 1: Battery Removal
If you can remove the battery from your vape, do so. It will reduce the risk of accidental activation during transit.
Store the battery separately in a protective case or pouch.
Step 2: Disassemble (if possible)
If applicable, remove the removable parts of your vape device. You can remove the tank or pod from the mod.
If your vape has any other detachable parts, remove them. This will make the device much easier to carry and prevent damage.
Step 3: Take out the vape juices from the tank
It's a good idea to empty your vape juice before you hop on a flight. When the pressure drops in the airplane, the juice can expand or leak.
So, it’s smarter to drain your refillable tank before you board.
Step 4: Pay attention to batteries
Batteries should be handled with care, as they are the prime cause of fire breakouts.
To avoid short circuits and fire hazards, inspect the loose batteries, separate them from the vape, and store them in a solid plastic bag or case.
Step 5: Pack your vape and e-liquids into the bag
Once you are done with separating and all the necessary steps, put your vape device and its accessories in a clear quartz-sized plastic bag.
Seal the packaging tightly enough to prevent unwanted situations and worse accidents. Lastly, keep all the bags in your carry-on.
Step 6: Wrap and pad
This is an extra layer to ensure your vape devices and accessories are unharmed and damaged during traveling. You can bubble wrap or cover the packages. You can also use padding to fill any empty spaces in your bag to prevent shifting and potentially breaking.
Best Practices for Carrying Vape Accessories
- Carry only the essentials: When traveling, you should always take only the important stuff with you—nothing more, nothing less. Limit the number of vapes you carry to avoid unnecessary complications.
- Prioritize compactness: Go for travel-sized vape devices that easily fit into smaller spaces. Bulku vape devices and their gravy batteries might cause more problems when boarding.
- Organize your bag: Keep a dedicated organizer or pouch to carry your vape and its accessories so you can easily access them while preparing for the check.
Relatable Read: What Happens If You Put A Vape In Carry-On?
A Simple Checklist of Essential Vape Items for Travel
What Not to Do When Traveling with a Vape?
Avoiding Battery-Related Incidents
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is concerned about the potential risks associated with lithium batteries.
These batteries are in vape devices as well, which is why taking them on the flight is a big No for them.
Even though they are flexible with bringing the vape devices on board, only if they are packed according to their regulations.
If you want to cooperate with their regulations, then follow these:
- Do not put your vape batteries or devices in checked baggage
- Do not take excessively large e-liquid containers with you; stick to 3-1-1 rules.
- All the e-liquid containers will go in one single quart-sized clear, resealable plastic bag.
- Protect batteries by using paddings or cases to avoid short circuits.
- Do not overcharge your batteries before flying, as it can increase the risk of fire.
- Don’t pack damaged or swollen batteries before traveling.
- Make sure your spare batteries are not touching any metal objects that can light up short circuits.
- Before traveling, make sure you have all the details about the local legalities regarding carrying vape devices or e-liquids.
- Do not ignore specific airport policies, as they can put you in law enforcement or security issues.
Why You Should Never Use Your Vape on a Plane?
If you are thinking of vaping on the planet, then it would lead you to legal problems. Why? Vaping on planes is highly restricted and seen as a federal offense.
If you cause any problems by vaping on the plane, then these kinds of behaviors will cause you to deal with serious legal repercussions. There might be a chance you have to count fines or, worse, potential imprisonment.
You will find the sign in many airports that says no smoking allowed, so it means you can not vape in that area. These types of rules are in place to maintain the safety of all passengers and crew members.
Vaping on a plane can do:
- It can set off any fire hazards if not maintained properly.
- Lithium batteries in vape tend to overheat when left in a pressurized cabin conditioned.
- The vapor from vape can irritate other passengers, especially those who have respiratory sensitivities.
- Vaping on planes has legal consequences, so it is better not to be involved in such acts.
Check out Can You Vape While Driving?
Airline-Specific Regulations for Vape Devices
TSA rules are almost the same for every airline, but a few airlines have their own set of regulations along with general TSA guidelines. So, it is safe to learn about those additional rules to promote a secure travel environment.
American Airlines and Major U.S. Carriers
Let’s see some of the other major U.S. airlines and their policies:
|
Airlines |
Policy |
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American Airlines |
You can take your vape devices in the cabin but can not use them onboard. Batteries must be protected separately to prevent fire hazards. |
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Delta Air Lines |
Vaping devices should be in carry-on luggage. You can’t recharge your vape while you are in an airplane. |
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Southwest Airlines |
Spare lithium batteries and electronic cigarettes should be removed from checked baggage before onboarding the airplane. |
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Alaska Airlines |
Put all your vape devices in carry-on baggage. |
International Airline Restrictions
Outside of the USA, other airlines also have their own additional restrictions on vaping devices. Here is a list of examples from major international carriers.
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Airlines |
Policy |
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Emirates |
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British Airways |
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Singapore Airlines |
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Lufthansa |
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Air France |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bring a vape on a plane?
You can take your vape devices with you, but they can’t go in checked baggage. You will need to put all your vape devices and accessories in your carry-on baggage.
Are there TSA restrictions on vape liquids?
Yes, there are. The TSA says that any liquid or vape juice you bring on the plane can’t be over 100ml. So make sure your container is no bigger than that.
What is the safest way to pack a vape for travel?
- Packing vaping devices and e-liquids in a carry-on baggage
- Follow 3-1-1 rules for vape juices
- Sperate the spare batteries
- Check on the caps of the vape juice bottles
- Use padding and warping when placing the devices in the bag
Can you vape in an airport?
No, you can not. Smoking any kind of vaping devices and even traditional cigarettes are highly restricted on the plane.
What happens if you vape on a plane?
Vaping and smoking are both covered by no-smoking laws. If you vape on a plane, you'll be in big trouble and could get punished with some serious fines.
Closing Thoughts
You can take a vape with you on a flight as long as you stick to the TSA rules. Just follow their guidelines about carrying and using it, and you’ll be all set. Plus, if you're on the lookout for some tasty and unique vape flavors for your next trip, definitely check out Vapedeal for some awesome choices!