Can You Take Vapes on a Plane? The Ultimate Guide

Can you take vapes on a plane? Yes—just follow a few simple rules!

I remember the early days of vaping, when it was either a free-for-all or security treated your vape like a slightly-damaged Claymore mine. These days, airlines have some of the clearest rules regarding the carrying and use of electronic cigarettes and vape juice.

Travel already has enough hassles—let’s quickly sort your vaping plans for stress-free flying.

Can You Take Vapes On a Plane?

Yes, you can take vapes on a plane. Having a vape kit in your carry-on is widely accepted by many airlines, but using it on board is strictly forbidden by all airlines.

Something to keep in mind, though. Vapes aren’t permitted in hold luggage. This is due to the fact that electronic cigarettes exclusively utilise lithium batteries, the same as laptops and most mobile phones.

So, when packing for your upcoming trip, the e cigarette, vape or vape pen itself will need to be placed in your hand luggage. Any extra refills and e liquids can be packed in your hold luggage.

If you do decide to take refills with you, it’s a good idea to place them in a plastic bag or container, as changes in cabin air pressure can cause vape tanks to leak.

Expert tip: The best way to take your vape on a plane is with a vape carry case. There is plenty of space for various liquids, batteries and vape accessories. A vape case also makes it easy to keep track of your vape kit when you’re on the move, without wasting time rummaging around in the bottom of your bag.

What Vapes Can You Take On a Plane?

The good news is that almost all types of vapes are permitted on most planes, provided they’re kept in your carry-on luggage.

ALLOWED IN CARRY-ON LUGGAGE:

Pod vape kits
Tank & battery vape kits
Disposable vape kits (if still available where you live)
Prefilled vape kits
Sub-ohm vape kits
Up to 1ltr (in up to 10x 100ml containers) of e-liquid (as part of your 1ltr liquid total)

NOT ALLOWED IN YOUR HOLD LUGGAGE:

ANY vape
Spare external lithium batteries (18650, 20700, 21700, etc)

How Many Vapes Can You Take On a Plane?

There are technically no strict rules about how many vapes you can bring onto a plane. Taking two or three devices with you on your trip generally should not be a problem, as long as you keep them in your carry-on and do not use them in the airport or on the plane.

Again, vapes are not allowed in hold luggage, taking extra kits is not possible, and should not be attempted.

Which UK Airlines Allow Vapes In Hand Luggage?

Most UK airlines permit vapes in hand luggage. Some may have additional restrictions on spare batteries, but usually, one or two devices in your carry-on are fine.

Airline	Website	Allows Vapes	Restrictions
British Airways	https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions	Yes	Carry-on only
EasyJet	https://www.easyjet.com/en/help-centre/baggage/dangerous-goods	Yes	Carry-on only. Charging strictly prohibited, typically two spare batteries max
Ryanair	https://www.ryanair.com/us/en/useful-info/help-centre/terms-and-conditions	Yes	Carry-on only
Jet2	https://kb.jet2holidays.com/articles/when-you-travel/taking-electronic-devices-onboard/67a5da2a87a07373d08b6880/	Yes	Some routes may limit the number of devices
TUI Airways	https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/baggage-allowance	Yes	No charging
Virgin Atlantic	https://www.virginatlantic.com/en-US/policies/dangerous-or-restricted-items	Yes	No charging

Can You Take Vape Liquid on a Plane in the UK?

Yes, you can absolutely take vape liquid on a plane, but restrictions still apply.

Vape juice is categorised as a liquid for air travel purposes. Therefore, each container must be no larger than 100ml, and the combined total of all liquids, including vape juice, toiletries, and other items, must not exceed 1 litre in your carry-on bag.

Consider that every bottle of vape juice counts toward your 1 litre liquids allowance, so you may need to balance it with other essentials, such as toiletries and liquid makeup, when packing.

Where Should I Put My Vape Juice When Flying?

You have a bit more freedom regarding where vape juice is stored during the flight, as vape juice doesn’t have a battery attached that could cause an issue mid-flight.

You are free to store your e-liquid in your hold luggage or carry-on (provided it is stored in a clear plastic container).

Tip: It may be practical to keep vape juice in the hold, as it cannot be used until leaving the destination airport.

How Do I Pack My Vape for Flying?

Packing your vape for flying is relatively simple; it’s just important to follow certain steps to avoid issues at the airport when your luggage is checked and x-rayed.

Rechargeable Vapes (With Built-In Battery)

Carry it in your cabin bag only; never check it into hold luggage.
Power it off entirely and engage a lock function if available.
Empty the tank/pod to reduce leak risks
If the device is draw-activated and can’t be fully turned off, keep the mouthpiece covered to prevent accidental activation.
Do not attempt to charge your vape during the flight.

Rechargeable Pod Vapes (With Removable Battery)

Remove the battery and carry both the device and the battery in your carry-on.
Place each spare lithium battery in an individual plastic case to protect the terminals.
Store the pod separately and as empty as practical to prevent pressure leaks.
Do not place ANY batteries in checked luggage.

Prefilled Vapes

Carry it in your cabin bag only and keep the device powered off.
Store upright in a sealed mini bag to catch any condensation or leaks.
If the device has an airflow slider, close it to reduce seepage.
Expect minor leaks after takeoff/landing and wipe before use.

Empty Pod

Rinse and dry if possible to prevent residual seepage during pressure changes.
Cap both the mouthpiece and fill ports with the original plugs.
Pack in a small zip-top bag or pod case to keep lint and debris out.
Keep it separate from batteries and metal objects to avoid damage.

Used/Half-Full Pod

Reduce the fill level to below halfway to minimise pressure-induced leaking.
Seal fill ports firmly and cap the mouthpiece; carry upright in a small zip bag.
Wrap in a tissue or place in a pod sleeve to catch any droplets.
Keep it accessible so you can wipe it after the flight if needed.

Vape Juice

Carry-on: bottles must be 100 ml or less and placed inside your clear liquids bag.
Checked bag: permitted in larger bottles, but double-bag in zip pouches to prevent spills.
Loosened caps can leak with pressure changes; tighten caps and use tape or shrink bands.
Choose plastic bottles over glass to reduce breakage risk in transit.

Final Thoughts

While air travel has numerous rules to observe and obey, it’s generally not too hard to safely travel with your vape kit, provided you follow the rules. Airlines will be happy to give you further specific info on restrictions, so if you’re going abroad soon, be sure to give them a call.

And lastly, it’s important that you check the legal status of vaping in your destination country first. Places like India and Thailand have EXTREMELY STRICT anti-vaping laws, and you may be unwittingly taking contraband through their customs.

FAQ

Can I Vape On a Plane?

No, you can’t vape on a plane. Under no circumstances should you EVER attempt to use a vape on a plane. Being caught using a vape on a plane can carry severe legal penalties and we discourage this behaviour to the utmost degree – the selfishness of one vaper can have devastating consequences for the movement as a whole. In 2019, a passenger was arrested and received a lifetime ban from Spirit Airlines after being detected vaping in the airplane toilet.

Can I Use My Vape at the Airport?

Some UK airports do have designated smoking areas where vaping is allowed, but these are usually located outside or away from the terminal. Other UK airports do not have their vaping and smoking policies freely available, therefore we highly advise that you check with your departure airport before you travel to check whether or not you will be able to use your e cigarette before boarding.

How do I Buy Vape Juice and Refills Abroad?

It’s important to be aware that not all countries allow the sale of e-liquid. Whilst some have banned the sale of cartridges, others only allow nicotine-free products to be sold or limit the amount of nicotine that’s allowed in the refills.

If you’ve already checked and confirmed that you’re travelling to a vape-friendly territory, finding e-liquid is as simple as at home, though you may have to adopt some local customs. In some European countries, for instance, you may only be able to purchase nicotine products from licensed ‘tabacs,’ aka tobacconist stores.

In Which Countries Is Vaping Banned?

In our 2023 examination of vaping laws across various nations, we found that the countries below did not permit vaping. While this information was accurate at the time of our research, vaping laws are subject to change, sometimes with little notice.

To ensure you are fully compliant with local regulations and to avoid any unforeseen complications during your travels, it is imperative that you consult the latest official guidance on vaping laws for your specific destination before you travel.

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Brazil
Brunei
Cambodia
North Korea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Hong Kong
India
Iraq
Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
Lebanon
Macau, SAR
Mauritius
Mexico
Nepal
Nicaragua
Oman
Palau
Panama
Qatar
Seychelles
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Syria (Syrian Arab Republic)
Taiwan
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Turkmenistan
Uganda