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Flying with Vaporizers & Carts on a Plane – Dos & Don’ts
Jul
Planning a quick getaway across the country or a month-long holiday trip to Europe? Not sure if you can fly with your favorite vaporizer? We checked what the airlines – and common sense – say, and have good news for you. Yes, e-cigarettes are allowed on board of airplanes but there are certain regulations that you need to follow for things to go smoothly. Read on for more information on how to safely fly with your vape batteries, devices and e-juices.
For all of you looking for a quick emergency tip while waiting in line at airport security, here are the basics:
- Yes, you can carry your e-cigarettes and vape juice on a plane.
- No, you CAN’T vape on an airplane [no, not even in the bathroom – you WILL set off the alarm!].
- Your e-cigarette and batteries should be in your hand luggage, not in your checked bags [hey, blame TSA rules].
- Don’t travel with CBD carts and vape juice – while technically federally legal, it could get you in trouble with the TSA.
- DEFINITELY don’t travel with THC carts, weed flower, or dab concentrate – these are a Schedule I drug still, and not legal.
- Always have safety cases for 18650 batteries [lithium batteries, or others].
- E-liquids in carry-ons need to be in containers less than 3.4 ounces /100ml [best packed in a clear zip bag].
- You should not charge your device in the aircraft cabin [this is a Federal Aviation Association rule].
- It’s a good idea to empty the tank [vape cartridge] before boarding because the change in pressure might cause leakage
Another great idea is to double-check local vaping laws in the different countries – and even in the other state in the United States, if you’re traveling locally. Some can have bans on all e-cigs that extend beyond air travel. This also applies to marijuana and weed vapes.
A Practical Device Ready to Go as Soon as You Step Out of a Plane
A great e-juice pen that is easy to use & doesn’t burn through your vape juice.
No, You Can’t Whip It Out on an Airplane (Duh!)
For close to 20 odd years now, plane cabins have been blissfully free of cigarette smoke. And, although flight attendants still warn about the non-smoking policy on all aircrafts – and that little sign with a crossed out cigarette turns red – I’m pretty sure that even hardcore smokers don’t consider lighting one up mid-air.
They keep their cigarettes on them and wait patiently for the plane to land, the landing chaos to start and finish, and the luggage pick-up agony to be over and done with before they reach into their pockets and fish out that one nasty cigarette that they’ve been craving the whole flight.
If you’re a vaper, you do the same thing.
Airlines don’t distinguish between vaporizers, e-cigarettes and cigarettes, which is a good thing. Even though we all know that vapor from a vape pen is a lot safer than smoke, can you imagine being stuck on a plane with a cloud-chaser? Or worse yet, with someone whose idea of a delicious vape juice is something cinnamon-flavored? Thanks, but no thanks. So don’t be tempted to sneak a puff, even if you’re sporting a super discreet key fob vape like our HighKey.
Also, if you’re flying with THC/CBD carts, be very, very careful. Check regulations in state/country where you’re going. If in USA, keep in mind that airports are federal land – cannabis products are 100% prohibited.
How to Pack Your Devices, Batteries & Juice the Right Way
As per the mandate by the International Civilian Aviation Organization (ICAO), vapers need to follow a simple set of rules when flying with their electronic cigarettes. The TSA and the USA air travel companies follow these guidelines, and guidelines are explicitly stated on TSA website:
If you don’t want to read that whole thing, here are the mile high club vaping rules abridged:
Vaporizers & e-cigarettes:
- Carry-on baggage – YES
- Checked baggage – NO
Vape juices & prefilled cartomizers:
- Carry-on baggage – YES (up to 3.4oz/100ml)
- Checked baggage – YES
It’s also worth a mention that you’re not allowed to charge your electronic smoking devices during the flight, and that all 18560 batteries should be either in their original packaging, or in individual carry cases that prevent contact (thus preventing accidental contact and battery explosions). If they’re not, you might have a problem with the Transportation Security Administration (a TSA Agent) at the security checkpoint… and you don’t want that.
Keep Devices & Batteries In Carry-On Baggage ONLY
The reason why air carriers don’t allow electronic devices and batteries in checked baggage is two-fold:
- Checking each piece of electronics in checked baggage is time-consuming and would cause flight delays, and;
- Battery-powered devices, such as e-cigarettes, are button-activated. In the cargo hold, a button could be triggered, causing a fire.
Imagine a lithium-ion battery going berserk and blowing in the cargo hold of an airplane. First of all, it can explode with such strength that it could easily bust out of the bag and damage the airplane. Secondly, thermal runaway (or battery explosion) is always accompanied by fire. A fire in the cargo hold is not easy to put out – it’s much easier to contain a small battery-induced fire in the passengers cabin, where it will be noticed, and where the crew has access to fire extinguishers.
Here’s a good reminder that this does indeed happen, just (thankfully) not that often. This is just one report of small fire that I was able to dug up when researching this post.
Fire just broke out on a Delta flight. I was sitting a few rows back but another person was sitting closer and caught video of the flames! Apparently a vape pen exploded and caught a bag on fire.
— Rex Sakamoto (@Rexamoto) February 13, 2019
Of course, even in carry-on luggage, a vape battery can be dangerous so you should pay extra attention when you pack it. I’ll add a small checklist to the bottom of this post that you can use to make sure you’ve done everything in your power to prevent a vape accident on your flight.
Be Careful With E-Liquids On A Flight
When it comes to your vape juice, there’s probably (looking at you, cinnamon flavors!) nothing so horrible about it that would merit an all-out ban from airplanes. You can’t really hurt anyone with PG or VG, can you?
That’s why there are very little limitations about what type of juice you can carry on a plane with you, and how you can carry it. While electronic devices and batteries have to go in the overhead bins, vape juices can safely be packed in your checked bag.
As with all liquids, though, you need to follow two rules when taking vape juice in the cabin with you:
- All liquids in carry-ons have to be in clear containers smaller than 3.4oz/100ml
- They should be in original packaging and clearly labeled [but you can stuff them in a clear plastic bag].
PRO VAPING TIP – Some countries have rigid rules when it comes to nicotine vape juices. For example, you won’t find any in Australia. And in Israel (and a couple of other countries) the maximum allowable nicotine in vape juice is 20mg/ml. It pays off to do a quick vape laws Google search when traveling abroad, especially if you’re a more than 20mg/ml nicotine vaper so you can stock up on your favorite juice before heading out. Also make sure that
What About CBD Carts & Vape Liquid?
Flying with CBD carts – even the legal ones that are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% THC is still risky.
The TSA can and will turn in suspicious items to security (local police, generally), and you could end up waiting for hours for your CBD to be tested and cleared. You could even be arrested – it’s happened before.
Although 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD, it protects manufacturers, not users. And because the law is so vague, I just wouldn’t risk it with CBD carts or juice.
For more on guidelines if you do decide to travel with CBD, check out this post.
How About THC, Flower & Paraphernalia?
I would recommend leaving your THC carts, weed, and cannabis paraphernalia tucked away at home, wherever you’re flying.
In the US, all of these things are contraband and federally illegal.
The moment you pass airport security, you’re subject to federal laws and lose state law protection. This means that – even if you’re flying from a state where cannabis is legal AND to a state where cannabis is legal – you can still be arrested and charged with possession (minimum) while you’re in transit.
The same applies to dabs, weed concentrates, and edibles that contain THC. Oh, and your dab rigs as well.
How About Using Your Device in Airports?
Generally, most airports are strictly no smoking and no vaping areas. Outside of cafes with terraces or the fronts of the buildings, you won’t see people using their vape devices.
That said, some airports still have designated smoking areas, even after you pass the security check. These areas are usually glass boxes where smokers congregate to smoke their last cigarette before boarding (it looks awful and is awful – I get a feeling of looking inside a fish tank when passing by one of these) but you can also use your vape device inside. Some will also have electrical outlets/USB ports where you can charge your e-cig.
Whatever you do, though, don’t try to vape in areas where smoking is prohibited.
Quick & Dirty ‘Before Flight’ Checklist
As promised, here’s a pretty thorough checklist that you might want to refer to when packing your vape stuff for an airplane ride. It’s got a bit more details concerning flying with e-liquids so you might want to read that section carefully.
- Empty all your tanks (but one) before heading for the airport.
- Make sure you have a carry case for your 18650 batteries.
- Pack enough zip-lock baggies so you can separate your vape devices, batteries, and e-liquids if needed.
- Avoid carrying CBD/THC carts and cannabis flower – they can turn into a massive headache (and an arrest) at airports.
- When packing your carry-on, make sure to place all devices, batteries, and tanks in protective packaging, and in separate zip-lock bags. Pack all these items in your carry-on bag.
- If you’re packing e-liquids into your carry-on, make sure they are in original, labeled packaging, and in bottles smaller than 3.4oz/100ml.
- E-juice packed in checked baggage (in larger bottles) should be opened. Empty a bit out of each bottle to prevent leakage (which can occur due to the air expansion in high altitudes).
- Avoid carrying coil-building equipment with you – if you rebuild, try making some coils before the trip. Pincers, spools of wire, and pliers are a difficult sell during a security check.
- Charge your devices before traveling – you might be asked to turn them on to prove that they are not explosive devices.
- Check the airline’s website to see if there are any other general rules that you need to adhere to [this way, you can avoid getting into trouble when at the gate].
- Do not attempt to charge your vape device mid-flight – it’s against the rules. If you spook a passenger or a crew member, this can result in an emergency landing and a whole lot of trouble for you.
- NEVER VAPE WHEN ONBOARD A PLANE! Seriously, don’t be that person. If no one ever died of not smoking on a plane, you will be fine if you don’t vape for a couple of hours.
The Verdict? Follow the Rules
No one working in airline companies or in airport security has any beef with your vape devices and vape supplies. As long as you follow the (pretty simple and straightforward) rules, you will be fine. Also, don’t carry a number of devices – they should be all for personal use.
Stick to the checklist that I’ve provided above, be polite, explain things when asked, and you’ll be boarding a plane with your vape in no time. Be cocky, disrespectful, or a smartass, and your vape gear will end up in the trash.
The choice here is pretty simple.
A Practical Device Ready to Go as Soon as You Step Out of a Plane
A great e-juice pen that is easy to use & doesn’t burn through your vape juice.
