Smoking on planes isn’t allowed. It’s not the 1960s! But what about vape?
Vaping is a whole different story. After all, it’s not combustible and doesn’t produce the same type of secondhand smoke found with cigarettes and cigars.
The good news is that both the TSA and airlines are clear about their rules on vaping. So can you bring a vape on a plane? Read this guide before you head to the airport.
Can You Bring a Vape on a Plane in Your Carry On?
There’s no rule saying you can’t bring your vape onto the plane with you. Just as with cigarettes, the TSA and airlines don’t mind if you have them. A vape in itself isn’t a threat of any type.
However, there’s a difference between your vape pen or device and the vaping liquid.
You can also bring you vaping liquid on the plane, but you’re limited to TSA liquids rules. In other words, you can bring vaping juice that is in a 3.4-ounce container, and you can bring up to a one-quart bag of fluids. Anything over that either needs to go into your checked luggage, or you risk the TSA throwing it away.
The TSA calls it the 3-1-1 rule.
Keep in mind that you don’t get extra liquids allowance for non-toiletry liquids like vaping liquid. It needs to fit in the bag with your shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and whatever else you want to bring on the plane.
Should You Check Your Vape into the Hold?
No! Don’t check your vape pen into the hold.
Because vapes have lithium batteries, you must take the device on the plane with you. Lithium batteries are a fire hazard, and baggage handlers x-ray every piece of luggage in the airport to look for risks.
If your vape and batteries set off the scanner, the baggage handlers may open your bag and remove your devices and batteries. They could even pull your bag aside and prevent it from getting on the plane. All of a sudden, you’re hundreds of miles from home and without all your stuff, including your vaping devices.
What about the extra vaping liquid? You can put e-juice into your checked luggage, but only do so when you’re flying domestically. If your flight has an international destination, you should check with your destination country before putting anything in the hold. Not every country will allow you to import vaping liquid, and if your luggage gets searched, you could find yourself dealing with customs in a foreign country.
Can I Bring My CBD Cartridges on a Plane?
All of the advice so far applies to e-juice
It doesn’t apply to cannabis products, including THC oil and CBD. You aren’t allowed to bring THC across state lines. What’s more, once you get through security and are airside in the airport, you’re under the federal domain. And marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
But what about CBD? It’s not marijuana, and it enjoys special status under federal law. Even though you can technically travel with CBD, an overzealous airport official could relieve you of it as a “just in case” policy.
The TSA did officially change its CBD policy after CBD became fully legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Again, you’re at the mercy of the individual TSA agent who may not be aware of the nuances of CBD or who may simply not care.
What about a CBD or THC–specific vaping device, like one from TheFirefly.com? You can probably bring the device, but you won’t necessarily be able to bring anything to use with it. If you want to be safe, leave your valuable devices at home and bring a travel or disposable vape.
Bringing montecristo no 2 cigars can be a great option.
Can You Vape on the Plane?
Your vape (or e-cigarette, if that’s your thing) isn’t banned from the plane. It belongs in your carry-on. But can you use it on the plane?
Airlines typically restrict vaping and e-cigarettes the same way they deal with smoking. They ban it within their stringent non-smoking policies.
Yet, if you have flown in the past five years, you have probably seen at least one or two people with their Juul after takeoff. However, it isn’t necessarily the right thing to do.
While some people say they always vape on planes, the batteries can and have caught fire mid-air. Additionally, you still subject the passengers around you to vape “secondhand smoke,” which they might not appreciate.
If you are going to take the risk, do it on a domestic flight. Vaping and e-cigarettes are both banned on international flights. Plus, you absolutely shouldn’t charge your vape on your trip, so using your vape on board could mean your battery is dead upon arrival.
Follow the Rules to Vape Happily Upon Arrival
The TSA, FAA, and the airlines all have rules regarding what is and isn’t allowed into the airport and then onboard a plane. Can you bring a vape on a plane? The good news is that your vape, mods, and juice (up to 3.4 ounces) all belong in your carry on.
Nothing with a lithium battery should ever go in your checked bag because it is a fire hazard.
However, you do need to pack carefully, mainly if you use CBD or THC cartridges. Additionally, you also need to make sure you never bring anything to the airport that you would be devastated to see confiscated by either the TSA or the airline. Because while vapes and CBD are legal, your ability to pass through security depends on the agent in front of you.
Finally, remember that vaping is a privilege, not a right. A flight attendant could confiscate your vape if they catch you vaping during the flight. So, if you do use it after take-off, don’t wave it around.
When’s your next trip? Visit my Travel archive for more essential tips and destination guides for globe-trotters.
