In January 2015 this article reported an FAA ruling that e-cigarettes may be taken into the cabin but not packed in checked baggage. The rule has remained, and it is now set out in the FAA's guidance for passengers. This update gives the current position.
The rule
- E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers and similar electronic nicotine devices that run on lithium-ion batteries are carry-on only. They must not be placed in checked baggage.
- They must be protected from damage and from short circuit.
The FAA's page also lists the same carry-on-only rule for spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks.
What IATA adds
IATA's seven rules tell passengers to keep phones, laptops, cameras, vapes (where allowed) and other battery-powered items in hand baggage, to protect loose batteries from short circuits, and to tell the crew at once if a device is hot, smoking or damaged.
Practical points
- Keep spare batteries in their original packaging, or cover their contacts with tape.
- If your cabin bag is taken at the gate, remove the vape and any batteries first.
- Check your airline's policy and the rules of the countries you fly to or through, because some countries restrict or ban vapes.
For other battery rules see lithium batteries and devices in flights.
Questions and comments