With vaping’s exponential growth, a critical question emerges – can you bring disposable e-cigarettes onboard airplanes? And if so, what crucial safety steps must travelers take?
Recent years have seen an uptick in concerning battery-related fires on flights. At the same time, vaping and especially disposables gained tremendous popularity. CDC data shows e-cigarette sales climbed 46% from 2020 to 2022, increasingly driven by convenient disposable options.
So properly understanding flight rules, battery risks, and prudent precautions becomes essential to safe travels. By following airline guidance and applying common sense, vapers can avoid inflight hazards. Let’s explore key regulations, recommendations, and best practices for flying with disposable vapes.
Vape Batteries – An Increasing Hazard Inflight
Most vapes and disposables use lithium-ion batteries to operate. But these batteries can pose fire risks if defective, damaged, or improperly stored on aircraft.
The FAA tracked a stark multi-year rise in lithium battery related incidents on flights. From just 9 occurrences in 2014, the annual number leapt to 75 in 2022. Through October 2023 alone, 63 battery incidents have occurred, often involving extreme heat or smoke.
Several incidents specifically involved vapes overheating in-flight and requiring containment. On an October 2022 Delta flight, a vape began dangerously overheating mid-flight. The same situation occurred on an American Airlines flight in October 2023.
Overall, airlines have reported 19 vape battery events year-to-date for 2023. As vaping ridership increases exponentially, understanding these hazards becomes critical to prevent future inflight dangers.
Rules for Flying with Vapes
The TSA permits bringing vapes onboard but solely in carry-on luggage. Due to fire risks, vapes cannot be stored in checked baggage. Make sure to keep vapes, batteries, and mods in your carry-on bag.
Additionally, vape batteries face wattage limits. Lithium-ion batteries cannot exceed 100 watt-hours. For lithium metal batteries, the limit is 2 grams of lithium content. Carefully check your device specs beforehand to avoid issues.
The FAA also mandates steps to prevent accidental vape activation inflight. Recommended safeguards include:
- Removing batteries when possible
- Separating batteries from vape heating elements
- Using protective cases for storage
- Locking/disabling the device
While permitted onboard, using vapes inflight remains prohibited across all major US carriers. Carefully stow vapes after removing loose batteries. Never assume it’s okay to sneak a puff.
Smart Tips for Safe Inflight Vaping
Follow these tips for safely transporting vapes by air:
- Remove all loose batteries and keep stored separately
- Place vapes/batteries in a dedicated pouch or case
- Keep vapes securely stowed in your carry-on rather than a pocket
- Never charge devices inflight
- Immediately notify crew of any overheating
- Never conceal issues with vape batteries
Taking proper precautions prevents battery related dangers. But carelessness risks incidents airlines aim to avoid. Your cooperation helps ensure comfortable, safe travels for all.
Promptly report any issues to flight attendants and comply with crew instructions regarding vape storage or usage. With prudence and respect for regulations, vaping devices can be reasonably accommodated inflight.
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