Taking a flight comes with lots of things to remember. And if you vape, there’s one key question you’ll want the answer to: can you bring a disposable vape on a plane?

The rules for what you can and can’t take on board vary by airline and change from time to time. And the rules where you start your journey might not always be the same as they are where you end up.

That means it’s always a good idea to check the situation with your carrier before you fly. But we have some guidelines to help you know what to expect.

What Are the Rules for Vapes on Planes?

The rules for what you can and can’t take on planes are set by the relevant transport authority. For flights in the USA, that’s the Transportation Security Administration or TSA.

They set out their rules for vapes and e-cigarettes on their website.

1. Vapes in checked bags

The TSA doesn’t permit vapes of any kind to be placed in checked bags. That’s because vapes contain lithium ion batteries, which would be a fire risk in the hold of the airplane.

But, in most cases, that doesn’t mean you can’t take your vape with you on your journey. You’ll just have to place it in your carry-on luggage instead. And there are a few more rules about that to be aware of too.

2. Vapes in carry-on bags

You can bring a vape on board an aircraft as long as it’s in your carry-on luggage. But there are some restrictions on the kind of vapes you can carry.

The key issue here is the size of the battery. Your vape shouldn’t have a lithium ion battery bigger than 100 Wh, or a lithium battery containing more than 2 grams of lithium.

Many airlines will also have restrictions on the number of vapes that can be carried by each passenger. So make sure you check with your carrier if you’re planning to bring more than one on your journey.

If your vape has an on-off switch, it must be switched off. And it’s also important to make sure that you’ve taken steps to prevent the heating element in your vape from being activated by accident.

Safety Tips to Bring a Disposable Vape on a Plane

The final decision on whether you can take your disposable vape on board rests with the TSA officer at the airport. That means you may need to demonstrate to them that you’ve taken steps to stop your vape from activating by accident. So how can you do that?

The Federal Aviation Administration sets out what it considers effective ways to stop your vape heating up by accident.

1. Taking out the battery

No power means there’s no risk of your vape activating by accident. But that’s usually not an option for disposable vapes, where the battery is built into the device.

If you have a mod or box vape, however, this is the easiest way to prevent accidental activation. And if you don’t want to take the battery out altogether, you can separate it from the heating coil.

2. Locking the button to activate the heating coil

The FAA also suggests using a protective cover, safety latch, or some kind of locking device to stop the coils from heating up.

That could work well for mods or box vapes. But finding something like this that will work for a disposable vape will be hard.

3. Integrated safety features

Some vapes have a built-in safety function that stops them from activating by accident. So if you can point to a manual or similar that explains this, that might help your conversation with the TSA officer.

Again, though, these kinds of features are more likely to be in place in more sophisticated vapes. Cheaper, disposable models may not have safety cut-offs.

4. Placing the vape in a protective case

This is likely to be the most practical option for most disposable vapes. But if you don’t already have a vape carry case, bear in mind that it will be an additional expense.

It may be more cost-effective to leave your disposable vape at home and buy a new one at the other end. Whether that will work, of course, depends on the availability of disposable vapes at your destination.

Different Airline Rules for taking disposable vapes on airplane

All airlines follow the TSA’s restrictions on vapes as a minimum. But different airlines put in place their own additional restrictions too. Here’s what some of the bigger airlines say about traveling with disposable vapes.

1. American Airlines

American Airlines allows two devices per person under the category of “portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries”.

The good news is that two of each kind of device are allowed. So you could take two vapes as well as your watch, cell phone, or laptop.

2. Delta

Delta doesn’t place a limit on numbers, but note that vapes must be for personal use only. They recommend the use of a protective carry case, and remind passengers that vapes may be banned in some countries they fly to. It’s up to you to check that before you travel.

3. United Airlines

United Airlines don’t limit the number of vapes you can bring in a carry-on bag. You won’t, though, be able to charge or use your vape at any United Club location.

4. Southwest Airlines

Southwest don’t explicitly limit the number of disposable vapes you can have, as long as they’re in your carry-on bag. But they do limit the number of spare batteries to 20. So it’s a fair bet that you’ll run into problems in the unlikely event you wanted to bring more than 20 disposable vapes.

5. Frontier Airlines

The Frontier Airlines website directs passengers to the TSA for information on what they can bring on board. So there shouldn’t be any additional restrictions. Just make sure your disposable vape is in your carry-on bag, and you can explain how you’ve prevented it from activating by accident.

6. JetBlue

JetBlue allows vapes to be carried on your person or in a carry-on bag. But they also require them to be switched off and disconnected from the battery at all times. That could be an issue for some kinds of disposable vapes.

If your bag is inspected at the gate or plane, you’ll need to remove your vape. And they also note that vaping isn’t permitted at departure or arrival gates, or while embarking or disembarking from the aircraft.

7. Virgin America

Vapes are not permitted at all on Virgin America flights to and from India. Otherwise, you can carry a vape for personal use, as long as it meets the TSA restrictions.

8. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines doesn’t allow e-cigarettes on board their flights at all. So if you’re getting one of their flights, you’ll need to leave your disposable vape at home.

Dos and Don’ts of Vaping on Airplane

While you can take your disposable vape on a flight subject to the conditions above, you can’t use it, or even charge it. And you won’t be able to vape in airports either, except in any designated smoking areas.

In some countries, smoking won’t be permitted in any part of the airport. That means you’ll probably have quite a wait at the other end before you can get somewhere you can use your device.

All this means it’s worth thinking hard about whether you want to take a disposable vape on your flight at all. If you’re flying somewhere they’ll be readily available, the easiest option will probably be to buy one when you arrive.

Vaping Abroad

There are a few things to bear in mind about vaping in different countries.

1. Different rules may apply

Different countries have different rules about vaping. In the United Kingdom, for example, e-liquid can’t contain more than 20mg per milliliter.  And in Thailand, e-cigarettes are banned altogether, with sentences of up to 10 years in prison if you’re found using them.

2. There may be different cultural expectations

Even if vaping is permitted, it’s important to remember that it might not be well understood. That might mean you’re questioned if you start puffing away in public.

And if it’s an uncommon practice, be mindful of where you choose to vape. It may be considered impolite or disrespectful in some locations.

3. Higher temperatures can affect the vaping experience

If you’re traveling from a cooler to a warmer climate, it can affect the way your e-liquid tastes. Hotter temperatures can cause chemical changes that impair the flavor. So if you’re going out for a day at the beach, it may be best to leave your vape behind.

Can You Bring a Disposable Vape on a Plane? The Bottom Line

In most cases, you can bring a disposable vape on a plane. But it will need to be in your carry-on bag and to have a small battery. And you’ll need to demonstrate it won’t activate by accident.

There are exceptions though, so always check with your airline before you travel. And remember to check the law around e-cigarettes at your destination too. They are illegal in some countries.

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