As e-cigarettes and vapes continue to grow in popularity and are often viewed as a safer yet still not entirely harmless alternative to smoking, you may be wondering whether you can take them with you when traveling.
This may not be an issue if you plan to drive to visit your family for Christmas or take a train to see your friends that moved to another state. However, things can get a bit more complicated if your only option is to hop on a plane and fly to your destination.
There’s no need to worry, though. In this article, you’ll find everything you should know about the rules for taking your prized vape on the plane. Of course, there may be some exceptions depending on the particular airline you travel with. Still, the information provided below should be a good starting point, and you can always do some additional research if necessary. Let’s dive right into the subject.
Can You Bring a Vape on a Plane in 2022/2023?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can bring a vape on a plane in 2022/2023. However, there’s a catch that you should be aware of. That’s because electronic smoking devices are allowed on flights only if you have them in your carry-on baggage.
This may confuse some passengers and raise questions regarding the reason for such rules. So, why can’t you put your vaping device inside checked baggage and save some space in your carry-on for other items?
Once you check your baggage in at the airport, it goes into the custody of the airline you travel with and is stored in the cargo hold throughout the flight. Once the airplane leaves the ground, accessing the cargo hold may be difficult, if not impossible, depending on where your baggage is located. This means that if the vape device in your suitcase malfunctions, gets overheated, or catches on fire for any other reason, it can cause a serious safety issue.
There are no size restrictions when it comes to the size of the vape pen you can have in your carry-on. If you’re a dab rig user, you’ll be pleased to know that you can fly with electric dab rigs, too. While the exact rules can vary from one airline to another, and it may be a good idea to check with your airline before the travel, you should be able to tuck your dab rig in your carry-on and take it wherever you travel. Just make sure to clean it really well and remove batteries to avoid fire risk.
Can You Vape on a Plane?
First and foremost, you may wonder whether it’s even possible to vape on a plane. The short answer to this question is: no. Airlines do not allow vaping on board for safety reasons.
If the short answer doesn’t satisfy you, it’s essential to understand that vapor produced by a vape pen can be mistaken for smoke or, in a worst-case scenario, prevent the crew from recognizing real smoke caused by an actual fire. It’s also possible that your device may malfunction when used during the flight and pose a potential fire risk.
Furthermore, while you may be completely fine with being confined into a limited space and breathing in the vapor, other passengers probably won’t share your enthusiasm. Therefore, safety and common courtesy are two main reasons why vaping on planes is not allowed.
Can You Travel With Vaping E-Liquids on a Plane?
Yes, most airlines will have no issues if you bring your favorite e-liquids on a plane with you, but, similarly to your vape pen, they need to be on your carry-on. Furthermore, each bottle should hold no more than 3 ounces of liquid and must fit in a quart-sized liquids bag. Once you meet these requirements, you can bring your e-liquids through security.
To clear any confusion, it’s also essential to state that you can bring more than 3 ounces of vaping liquid. You just need to pack everything separately and remember that putting the e-liquids into your carry-on doesn’t exempt you from the obligation to pack your vape pen there, too. Don’t try to check in your vape just because the e-liquids are already taking up the space in your carry-on.
Can You Travel With Vape Pens Internationally?
Bear in mind that all the information provided above applies to domestic flights on U.S. territory. This means that if you plan to travel internationally, you’ll need to check the laws in the countries you want to fly to.
Different international airlines may not only have different rules in place, but it’s also likely that vapes and e-cigarettes may be completely banned or restricted in some destinations. To avoid getting in trouble, do your research and don’t hesitate to contact the customer service of the airline you want to travel with.
In Conclusion
As you can see, the rules regarding bringing your vape on a plane are quite clear. While having no other choice but to pack your vape pen into your carry-on may be an inconvenience, it’s simply inevitable regardless of where you want to travel. The safety rules apply to all passengers, and unless you have your private jet, there are no exceptions, so the best thing you can do is follow them closely.
Remember that you can also bring your favorite e-liquids and the batteries with you. The only case where you may be asked to remove the batteries is when the overhead lockers get filled up, and you have no other choice than to check in your carry-on. In such a case, you’ll have to keep the batteries on yourself. With this knowledge, you can book a ticket and hop on the next flight with your vape. Bon voyage!
