Tips for Air Travel with E-Cigs

Did you know that last summer the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stated that e-cigarettes are now allowed in your carry-on luggage?  You can pack your kits, bring extra tanks, and have a handful of disposables at the ready, ensuring a vape-friendly trip.

If you do a bit of research, you’ll find out there are very few people that have been hassled by the TSA concerning their e-juice or e-cigarettes. If you’d like to be a little bit more precautionary, don’t declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. If you know you’re not carrying anything suspicious or illegal, let the TSA do their job and go on your way. If they should raise an eyebrow, let them know its e-juice for your e-cig – but don’t bring attention to yourself if it’s not necessary.

As for your batteries, cartridges, tanks, and whatever else – unless you’re taking an unreasonable amount, don’t sweat it.

In the event you’re still wondering if this info is accurate, the TSA’s blog post about e-cigs and traveling aboard planes will certainly calm your fears.

UPDATED: July 9th, 2014

#TSATravelTip: #Ecig’s and #vaping devices ARE permitted in your carry-on and checked bags. Unless… https://t.co/qE8djFu67B

— TSA Blog Team (@TSABlogTeam)

Tips for Air Travel with your eCig

• According to the TSA, you can bring your electronic cigarette supplies with you – both in your carry-on and checked luggage. Some say it is advisable to carry your e cigs as part of the checked baggage as it is more practical to do so. However, this may pose a risk of your e cig getting confiscated with further security checks and you are not around to answer specific questions about it.
• So if you are not willing to risk losing your supplies, your batteries and charger can go in with your laptop or other electronics. We also recommend disconnecting the batteries from their atomizers and properly storing them. Just another reminder, make sure not to bring questionably shaped vaporizers in your bags that you know will certainly ring an alarm!
• According to the TSA guidelines, you may be able to travel with your e cig but you may not be able to use it aboard any commercial airline.  The rules for a chartered airline may differ from that of a commercial airline. Vaping is considered “smoking” by most airlines. They include e-cigs in their rules to prevent concerns from arising during a flight. Besides, on tight economy airlines, the people next to you may not appreciate the vapor, as harmless and odor-free as it may be. To the uninitiated, vapor is smoke, no matter how much you claim otherwise. Keep your cool, and more importantly, keep the peace. Also keep in mind that airplanes have smoke alarms. E-cigs may set the alarms off, and then not only are you embarrassed, but you’ve created an environment of chaos and panic. You’ve survived without smoking on flights for years and its good practice for vaping too.
• The TSA has guidelines for traveling with liquid and they apply to e-juice as well. Since you’ll likely be traveling with your mod or another type of e-cig that requires a tank – you’re most likely going to be traveling with e-juice. We suggest you bring all e-juice bottles with you in your carry-on to avoid any heavy luggage crushing your supplies or unpressurized baggage storage areas causing them to leak all over your belongings. You cannot bring large quantities of e-juice with you and the TSA does outline safety guidelines and security rules to follow when carrying ALL types of liquids in a bottle.
  • All bottles must be of 3.4 ounces or less. That equates to 100ml or less, which is perfectly fine with our Vape Escapes e-liquid bottles that come in 12ml or 30ml bottles.
  • You must bring all your bottles of 3.4 ounces or less in a single quart-sized zip top type clear bag, and the bag size limits how many bottles you should bring.
  • Only 1 bag can be brought per traveler and it must be placed in the security bin when checking in your bags at the airport.  This rule is to avoid long delays when checking in bags and speed up queue lines.
• US. airports are divided on whether or not people can use e cigarettes inside the terminal. State and local laws dictate how airports govern their use indoors, according to the Airports Council International.
  • Which ones allow you to “vape” inside? Our very own Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is vape friendly. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Miami are also among airports that permit the use of e-cigarettes inside.
  • San Francisco International Airport, Chicago’s airports, Philadelphia International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport treat e-cigarettes the same as tobacco cigarettes and have banned their use inside, except for in smoking-designated areas.
• If for some reason, your e-cig gets confiscated, do NOT argue or make jokes. A new iStick costs a lot less than bail or extradition fees. If for some reason they want it, let them take it and start a new game plan for the rest of your trip. If you are on your way out of town and you’ll be gone for an extended stay, keep in mind that Vape Escapes can ship to you.
• And regardless of where you pack your electronic cigarettes, ALWAYS keep the battery and tank separate, and if possible, keep your tank empty as it will expand and leak under pressure). This will make going through the checkpoints much easier, especially if you separate them and send them through the X-ray scanner with your keys, change, watch, wallet, etc.
• We HIGHLY recommend bringing disposable e-cigs for your air travel, especially if it’s not a long trip. We have them in a variety of flavors and nic levels for only $8.95. Even though you’re 100% dedicated to your favorite vaping setup, if you’re concerned about catching a TSA agent on a bad day, don’t take the risk.
• We also suggest that you don’t overpack. It is no fun to get caught without a backup coil or a fresh battery.  But being prepared doesn’t mean you need 20 boxes of coils for a two-day trip. If the TSA is going to be much more suspicious if they see a pile of vaping supplies large enough to satisfy the Arizona Cardinals.
• Again, keep in mind that Vape Escapes ships, so think ahead. Shipping extra supplies to your destination will surely ease your travel concerns.

As always, use common sense and follow these tips. We wish you safe travels and may they be memorable and smoke-free trips to cherish forever. We’ll see you when you get back!

Let us know about your air travel experiences with e-cigs in the comments below.