Vapes

Published 2023-03-14 Last update 2023-09-22

Can You Take Vapes on a Plane?

Jetting off on your holidays? Planning to take your vape? This guide is for you! While the rules are a little ambiguous, you can take most vapes on planes, but there are some things to consider before packing.

An Overview of Vapes on a Plane: Can You Put Vapes in Your Suitcase? Can You Take Disposable Vapes on a Plane? How Many Disposable Vapes Can I Take on an Airplane? Can You Put Disposable Vapes in Your Suitcase? Can You Take Vape Pods and Kits on a Plane? How Many Vape Pods Can I Take on an Airplane? Can You Put Vape Pods and Devices in Your Suitcase? UK Airline Vaping Regulations Vaping at UK Airports Vapes on a Plane: Final Pre-Travel Checklist

Key Points

Travelling with vapes is generally possible, but it’s essential to understand how different components like devices, pods, and eliquids should be packed.
Regulations vary between airlines and airports, especially when it comes to disposable vapes and battery-powered devices.
Vaping and charging devices are not permitted on board or inside terminals, except in designated areas.
Always check the rules of your airline, departure airport, and destination country before flying, as restrictions can differ widely.

An Overview of Vapes on a Plane: Can You Put Vapes in Your Suitcase?

Vape Product	Can You Bring it in Your Checked Luggage?	Can You Bring it in Carry On Luggage?
Disposable Vapes	No	Yes
Vape Pods	Yes	Yes
Vape Pod Kits	No	Yes
Vape Batteries	No	Yes
Vape Eliquids	Yes	Yes

Can You Take Disposable Vapes on a Plane?

Yes, in most cases you can take your disposable vape on a plane. However, you cannot use it in the airport (other than in designated smoking areas) and must take it in your hand luggage. It is also important to remember that disposable vapes contain eliquid - so you need to put them in the clear plastic bag at security and you must make sure they are in a leakproof bag! It is best to keep your disposable vapes in their original packaging when travelling so that security can find the ingredients list and identify the vape, so you don’t have it taken away.

It is important to remember - while you can bring a disposable vape on an airplane, you should never use your vape on a plane as it is illegal.

How Many Disposable Vapes Can I Take on an Airplane?

According to the UK Government, you are allowed to take your vape device when you travel, but you must keep it with you at all times - you are cannot put any vape devices in your checkin luggage. They also say you should check with the airline you are flying with before you travel as their policies may differ on what vapes and how many disposable vapes you can travel with. Typically though, you can fit around 15 to 20 disposable vapes in your carry on luggage (as they all need to be in a clear plastic bag for security, as they contain liquids!)

Can You Put Disposable Vapes in Your Suitcase?

In short: you can put disposable vapes in your carry on suitcase, but not in any checked in suitcase. Vapes, like most electronic devices, usually have lithium batteries that make them a potential fire hazard and is the reason they cannot be kept in your checked in luggage.

Can You Take Vape Pods and Kits on a Plane?

Yes, in most cases you can also take your vape pods and vape kit devices on a plane. However, you still cannot use your vape in the airport (other than in designated smoking areas) and must make sure to carry the device and refil pods your hand luggage.

It is also important to remember that the pods contain eliquid (if they are vape prefilled pods). This means you will need to put them in the clear plastic bag at security and ensure they are sealed/in a leakproof container for travelling (especially if you are using refillable pods and plan to bring a bottle of eliquid too). It is best to keep your spare pods in their original packaging when travelling so that security can find the ingredients list easily as this means the pods are less likely to be confiscated.

It is important to remember - while you can bring vapes on an airplane, you should never use any vapes on a plane as it is illegal.

How Many Vape Pods Can I Take on an Airplane?

In short, you can travel with as many pods as you need (provided they are sealed and fit in your liquids bag at security). According to the UK Government, you are allowed to take your vape device and pods when you travel, but you must keep it with you at all times (so you cannot store any pods or devices in your checked luggage. Gov.UK also suggest you check with the airline you are flying with before you travel as their policies may differ on what vapes and how many vape pods you can travel with.

Can You Put Vape Pods and Devices in Your Suitcase?

You can put your vape pods and rechargeable device in your carry on suitcase, but not in your checked suitcase. These devices have lithium batteries that make them a potential fire hazard and the pods have a risk of leaking.

How to Pack Your Vapes

Make Sure to Fully Switch off Your Vape Device

Sleep mode won’t cut it, make sure the device where possible is fully off.

Individually Wrap Spare Batteries Before Putting them in Your Hand Luggage

Most vape batteries contain lithium, and can short circuit if you are not careful. This is why it is important to individually wrap any batteries if you plan to carry any.

Put Any Eliquids in a Clear Plastic Bag if You Carry Them in Your Hand Luggage

Any eliquids you plan to put in your carry on bags will need to be 100ml or under and put in a clear plastic bag and remove them when you get to security.

Empty any Refillable Pods and Tanks and Place them in a Leak-Proof Bag or Case

The pressure can cause your tanks to crack or leak, so we suggest you empty your tank before you travel and store them in your hand baggage to avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive.

UK Airline Vaping Regulations

It is always important to check the vape regulations of the airline you are travelling with as well as your final destination before you jet off on your holidays or business trip.

Travelling within the UK? Read our guide to UK vaping laws.

So, what are the vaping regulations for some of the major UK airlines? (updated 2023)

Airline	Vape Regulations
Aegean	“You can carry electronic cigarettes including e-cigars and other personal vaporizers containing batteries, for personal use, in your carry-on baggage only. It is prohibited to include electronic cigarettes in checked baggage.”
Air Baltic	“E-cigarettes, including e-cigars, e-pipes, and other personal vaporizers may be carried in the cabin bag only. The batteries must not exceed 2 g of lithium for lithium-metal batteries and 100 Wh for lithium-ion batteries."
Air France/KLM	“Electronic cigarettes of all types (e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookah, personal vapers, electronic systems for administering nicotine) are only on your person and completely switched off. It is recommended that it is in a special case to protect the electronic cigarette (no matter the type). Using and charging electronic cigarettes are prohibited during your flight.”
Air Malta	“Electronic cigarettes cannot be carried in your checked baggage, and must not be used on board our aircraft.”
British Airways	“Place these items in your hand baggage (not in checked baggage) and protect each of them to prevent accidental activation. If there are any liquid components, you also need to follow the safety requirements for liquids. You cannot use e-cigarettes, vapes or similar items on board.”
Croatia Airlines	“Electronic cigarettes including e-cigars, e-pipes and other personal vaporizers containing batteries must be in carry-on baggage only. Electronic cigarettes including e-cigars and other personal vaporizers containing batteries are prohibited from use on board by passengers at all times.”
EasyJet	“You can carry cigarettes in your cabin bag. (It’s worth checking how many cigarettes you’re allowed to bring into your destination country). You can carry e-cigarettes and a maximum of two spare batteries in your cabin bag – but not in the hold.”
Emirates	“E-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burner or other personal vaporizers) containing batteries are allowed only in hand luggage and must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation.”
Finnair	“E-cigarettes may be transported in carry-on baggage, but may not be transported in checked baggage. Electronic cigarettes may not be used or recharged during the flight.”
Icelandair	“Battery-powered e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems may only be carried in the aircraft cabin (in carry-on baggage or on your person).”
Jet2	“E-cigarettes may be carried in cabin baggage providing they are individually protected, however these are prohibited to be used onboard our aircraft and within airports (unless in designated smoking areas)”
Lufthansa	“E-cigarettes and similar vaporising devices (e-cigars, e-pipes, etc.) powered by lithium batteries are allowed in carry-on baggage only. However, e-cigarettes must be individually protected in such a way that accidental activation is not possible and they must be stowed away during the entire flight.”
Norwegian	“E-cigarettes are permitted in carry-on baggage, but not in checked-in luggage. E-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, other personal vaporizers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. E-cigarettes are not allowed to be used or charged onboard.”
Pegasus Airlines	“You can only take vapes in your carry on luggage. E-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, other personal vaporizers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. Note: On condition to this, no e-cigarettes can be used on board Pegasus flights”
Qantas	“Vapes can only be brought in your carry-on baggage. However, it must be protected to prevent accidental activation. The use and charging of all e-cigarettes and other personal vaporisers are not permitted onboard an aircraft.”
Ryanair	“You can take e-cigs on the plane but you cannot use them.”
SAS	“You can take e-cigarettes in carry-on luggage. Electronic cigars, pipes and cigarettes may not be used onboard SAS flights. These items must remain in your carry-on during the entire trip.”
TAP	“E-cigarettes, including e-cigars, e-pipes and other similar vaporisers are allowed in carry-on luggage only. Requirements: Each item must be transported safely and must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. Goods transported must remain stored for the duration of the flight. Smoking is not allowed on the aircraft.”
TUI	“E-cigarettes or electronic smoking devices and their batteries may only be carried in your hand baggage (recharging or use on board is prohibited).”
Turkish Airlines	“E-cigarettes have to be part of your carry on luggage.”
Virgin Atlantic	“E-cigarettes can only be carried on your person or in your cabin baggage. For flights to and from India, e-cigarettes are not permitted.”
Wizz Air	“You can carry electronic cigarettes including e-cigars and other personal vaporizers containing batteries, for personal use, in your carry-on baggage only.”

Vaping at UK Airports

Most UK airports have banned vaping in the terminals, and group smoking and vaping under the same regulations: you will need to find designated smoking or vaping areas in order to use your disposable vape. Learn more below about vape regulations and vape amenities are available at UK airports before setting off on your travels.

Airport	Vape Regulations
London Heathrow (LHR)	You won’t be able to use an e-cigarette once you’ve passed security, so you’ll have to use the designated areas outside the terminal buildings – vaping is prohibited inside the terminals.
London Gatwick (LGW)	You cannot use an e-cigarette when you go past security, so ensure to use the designated vaping areas outside the terminal building before you enter the terminal.
London Stansted (STN)	The use of e-cigarettes has been prohibited in the terminal building – there are no designated areas after security.
London Luton (LTN)	You won’t be able to vape inside the terminal building and there is no dedicated area after security.
London City (LCY)	The use of e-cigarettes in the terminal building is not permitted and there is no designated area after security.
London Southend (SEN)	You cannot use an e-cigarette when you go past security, so ensure to use the designated vaping areas outside the terminal building before you enter the terminal.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)	You won’t be able to use your e-cigarette inside the terminal building and there are no dedicated areas after security.
Birmingham Airport (BHX)	Although prohibited inside the terminal, there is a designated smoking area after security where you can go vape.
Glasgow Airport (GLA)	You cannot use an e-cigarette when you go past security, so ensure to use the designated vaping areas outside the terminal building before you enter the terminal.
Belfast International (BFS)	If you want to vape before your flight, you’re only allowed to in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building.
Newcastle Airport (NCL)	There is a dedicated smoking area after security which can be found in Bar 11. You cannot use your vape in other areas of the terminal.
Liverpool Airport (LPL)	You can’t vape inside the terminal building, however there is a dedicated area after security, just past the Kissing Gate Bar.
East Midlands Airport (EMA)	There is a designated smoking area after security, just follow the signs in the terminal to find it.
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)	You won’t be able to vape inside the terminal building, however there is a dedicated area after security on the ground. However, there is a £1 access charge.
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)	After security, near gate 5 you can find a designated smoking area.
Belfast City Airport (BHD)	You can’t vape inside the terminal building, but you can use the designated areas outside.
Southampton Airport (SOU)	E-cigarettes cannot be used inside the terminal building and for those after a last minute vape before flying, head to the smoking area on the central forecourt, outside the terminal building.
Cardiff Airport (CWL)	The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited within the terminal building at Cardiff Airport, however there is a dedicated area outside the terminal next to Gate 2.
Exeter Airport (EXT)	The use of e-cigarettes is not permitted either before or after security at Exeter Airport. For one last vape before your flight, you can use the designated shelter in front of the terminal building.
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK)	Unfortunately for vapers, the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted in the terminal building and there are no dedicated areas after security.
Bristol Airport (BRS)	You can not use your e-cigarette inside the terminal building, however there is a designated smoking area after security next to gate 4.
Manchester Airport (MAN)	The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in the terminal buildings at Manchester Airport. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 both offer airside smoking areas. The T1 area is located outside near the food court and the T2 area is near Gate 300.

Vapes on a Plane: Final Pre-Travel Checklist

There is more to do pre-travel than just pack your vapes properly.

You should also make sure to check:

The vaping rules for the airline you are travelling with
The vaping rules on vaping at your departure airport
The vaping laws on vaping in your final destination (as it is even illegal to vape in some countries) - you can find this information online, by contacting the local authorities at the destination or by contacting the hotel you are staying at.

Even though there are only small number of restrictions on travelling with vapes in the UK, you should always check international vape laws as they can vary dramatically between countries. There are even countries that have put a complete ban on vapes, such as Thailand and Qatar - so make sure to check the rules with the local embassy before you travel.

It is also good to note that some cities and states even have their own vape regulations: to avoid being detained or fined, it is important you know what vapes you can and cannot take with you abroad before you travel.

Some of the countries that have bans or heavy restrictions on vapes include (last updated September 2023):

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Cambodia
Canada
Colombia
Egypt
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Jordan
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mexico
Norway
Oman
Panama
Philippines
Singapore
United States (USA)

Written by Jan Yildiz