Can You Take E-cigs On Aeroplanes

Travelling with your vape gear can be confusing for many UK vapers. You might be asking: Can you take e-cigarettes on a plane? The good news is, yes, you can take e-cigs on aeroplanes, but there are strict rules to follow. In this guide, we’ll explain that vapes are allowed on planes, how to pack them in your hand luggage, and how many you can bring. 

We’ll also cover what happens at airport security and on the flight. Short answer: Vapes are permitted on planes for UK travellers, but only in carry-on baggage and never for in-flight use. Keep reading for all the details to ensure a smooth journey with your e-cig and get answers on whether electronic cigarettes can be taken on aeroplanes. 

Yes. Airlines and UK aviation authorities do allow you to take vapes on a plane, as long as you follow safety guidelines. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are treated like any other small electronic device. Wondering, can you take vapes in hand luggage? This means you can carry e-cigarettes on planes, but only in your hand luggage (cabin baggage). The UK Civil Aviation Authority explicitly prohibits packing e-cigarettes in checked hold luggage due to fire risk from lithium batteries. In other words, can vapes go in hand luggage? Absolutely – in fact, they must go in hand luggage for safety.

When bringing your device, make sure it’s completely turned off to prevent accidental activation during the flight. Airlines like British Airways instruct that if you end up needing to check a bag at the gate, you must remove any vapes or e-cig devices and carry them into the cabin with you. This rule applies to all types of electronic cigarettes on aeroplanes, from advanced vape mods to simple big puff kits. Airlines don’t want these devices in the cargo hold.

It’s also important to note that while you can bring e-cigs, you absolutely cannot use them during the flight. Vaping on a plane is strictly forbidden, just like smoking is. You are not allowed to vape on board any aircraft; doing so could result in serious penalties. Major airlines enforce a zero-tolerance policy: “Smoking, including the use of personal vaporisers such as vapes, e-cigarettes… is completely prohibited on board our aircraft”. The ban includes trying to stealth vape or use e-cigs in the toilet (lavatory smoke detectors will detect vapour). So, e-cigarette on planes = carry them, don’t use them.

What about at the airport? Inside airport terminals, the same rules apply as in smoking. In the UK, you generally cannot vape inside airports beyond security. Most airports have designated smoking/vaping areas outside the terminal or no indoor areas at all. For example, Heathrow and Gatwick do not permit vaping inside; you have to step outside to a smoking zone. So, plan your nicotine breaks accordingly. Once you go through security, you likely won’t be able to use your e-cig until you land or reach a designated area.

After, can you take ecigs on a plane? One of the most common questions is “Can I take my vape in hand luggage?” The answer is yes – and that’s where it should go. You can take vapes in hand luggage with no issues. In fact, **all e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other vaping devices belong in your carry-on bag, not in checked baggage. This applies whether you have a big mod, a small pen-style vape, or a large puff disposable e-cig. The reason is safety: vape devices contain lithium batteries, which pose a fire hazard if accidentally activated or damaged in the cargo hold.

Never pack your vapes or spare e-cig batteries in a checked suitcase. If you do, they could be removed by security, or you might be asked to relocate them to the cabin. UK airport regulations are clear that “E-cigarettes” are allowed in hand luggage but not in hold luggage. Airlines follow this rule closely. To put it simply, can vapes go in hand luggage? Yes, and they cannot go in the hold.

• Turn off or disconnect your device. Make sure your vape is completely powered down (not just asleep). Consider removing the batteries if it’s a removable-battery mod, and carry those batteries safely (taped or in a battery case).
• Prevent accidental activation. Many devices have a lock feature – use it. You don’t want your e-cig firing in your bag. Storing your e-cig in a protective case or sleeve can help. For example, if you have a Vaporesso Xros 4 Mini Kit or an Aura Bar Twist 40K, power it off and keep it in a carry case.
• Empty or secure your tank. Changes in air pressure can cause tanks to leak. If you use a refillable vape (not a sealed pod), consider emptying the tank before the flight or keep it upright in a zip-lock bag. This way, you won’t open your bag to a sticky e-liquid mess at 30,000 feet.
• Follow liquid rules for e-juice. Any bottles of e-liquid must follow the 100ml rule (more on this below). Put your juice bottles (under 100ml each) in the clear quart-sized liquids bag at security, along with other toiletries. For detailed information, do give a read to the blog - Vape Juice and Airport Security Rules.

By keeping your vape gear in your hand luggage and following these precautions, you’ll breeze through security and avoid any issues on the plane. UK security officers see vapes all the time, it’s fine to bring them through, as long as you pack correctly.

You can take a vape through airport security in the UK with no problem. Just take your electronics out if asked (similar to how you would for a phone or laptop) and present your liquids bag. Security is primarily concerned with the liquids and battery safety, not the fact that it’s a vape.

After knowing can you take electronic cigarettes on a plane, let's move forward with how many vape devices are allowed. If one e-cig is allowed, you might wonder about bringing more. Perhaps you travel with a primary device and a backup, or you want to pack a handful of disposable vapes on planes for a long trip. So how many vapes can you bring on a plane? The rules here are a bit less defined by law and more by airline policy and common sense.

There is no universal legal limit on the number of vape devices (or e-cig batteries) you can carry for personal use. In practice, you can carry multiple vapes in your hand luggage. vapes on planes are considered personal electronic devices, so you’re generally allowed more than one, just like someone might carry a phone, tablet, and laptop. That said, airlines often set guidelines for the maximum number of lithium batteries or devices per passenger, mostly to prevent people carrying excessive quantities (which might look like commercial transport or pose a greater fire risk).

As a rule of thumb, carrying 1-3 vape devices for personal use is completely fine and won’t raise any eyebrows. If you bring a large collection (dozens of vapes or batteries), expect security or the airline to question it. Most UK airlines permit multiple vapes, with some specifying an upper limit. For example:

• British Airways (BA): Allows up to 15 lithium batteries (including those in e-cigarettes) in your hand luggage. This roughly means you could bring up to 15 e-cig devices or batteries in total. BA doesn’t specifically say “15 vapes,” but they cap batteries at 15 per person in carry-on.
• Ryanair: Specifically states you can carry up to 20 disposable vapes in your cabin bag. They prohibit e-cigs in checked bags and any in-flight use or charging.
• easyJet: Does not list a specific number limit for e-cigs, but they do limit spare lithium batteries (usually two spares) and require all vapes in hand luggage. If you wanted to carry a very large quantity, it’s wise to call and check, though a typical traveller wouldn’t need more than a few devices.
• Virgin Atlantic: Allows e-cigarettes in cabin baggage with no fixed number stated, as long as they are for personal use. All must remain off and not be used or charged during flight.

As you can see, airlines’ rules on vapes on a plane can vary slightly. Most carriers fall in the range of ~15–20 devices or batteries allowed per passenger, which is more than enough for any normal vaper. If you somehow need to carry more (for example, moving overseas with your vape collection), definitely check directly with the airline.

There’s no limit to how many bottles of e-juice you can pack, apart from the standard airport liquid rules (each bottle ≤100ml in the carry-on liquids bag, larger bottles go in checked luggage). However, carrying huge volumes of nicotine liquid might attract scrutiny or be inconvenient. For a short trip, a few 10ml or 50ml bottles in hand luggage should suffice.

To directly answer “how many disposable vapes can you take on a plane” – as mentioned with Ryanair, around 15-20 disposables is usually acceptable. Disposable vapes are treated like other e-cigs. Each one has a small battery inside, so they count toward the battery limit.

If you are flying with disposable e-cigarettes (like Elf Bar or Lost Mary devices), you can pack them in your carry-on bag. Ensure they’re also turned off (many rechargeable and refillable disposables activate on draw, so just be careful they aren’t squeezed or inhaled during transit). It’s wise to keep disposables in their original packaging if possible, to prevent any button presses or activation.

In summary, answering Can you take vapes on a plane?, you can take multiple vapes on the plane with you, as long as they’re in cabin luggage and for personal use. Airlines generally allow several devices (roughly up to 15-20), but always check if you plan to carry an unusually large number. For most travellers, bringing a couple of your favourite vape kits or a handful of disposables poses no issue.

Disposable e-cigarettes have become popular for travel because of their convenience. If you prefer disposables, you might ask if there are any special rules for them. Can you take disposable vapes on planes? Yes, disposable vapes are allowed in hand luggage just like refillable vapes. There is no differentiation in security or airline rules between a disposable and a rechargeable device; the key concern is the battery. Since disposables have built-in lithium batteries, you must carry them on, not check them.

Thinking, can you take a vape through airport security in the UK? Going through UK airport security, you can take a vape (or multiple vapes) through security without trouble. Airport security in the UK will allow e-cigarettes through the checkpoint as long as they’re in your carry-on bag and comply with the regulations. Be ready to take your e-cigarette out of your bag if asked during the X-ray screening (some security agents treat a vape like any electronic device that might need separate screening).

Usually, small vapes can stay in your bag, but larger devices might need to go in a tray. Follow any instructions from the officers; they might swab your vape for explosive residue (a routine check for electronics). Don’t worry, vapes are not on the list of prohibited items at UK security.

Also, remember to handle your e-liquids at security properly. As noted, any e-liquid counts as a liquid for the 100ml rule. If you’re carrying bottles of vape juice, put them in the 1-litre clear plastic bag with your other liquids for screening. For instance, if you have a 50ml bottle of nicotine e-liquid or a couple of 10ml nic salt bottles, these should go in the liquids bag. If you happen to have a larger bottle (say 120ml), that cannot go in your carry-on – put it in checked luggage or leave it at home to avoid confiscation.

One more tip: do not carry a vape in your pocket through security. In the UK, you’re actually allowed to have e-cigs “on your person” (like in a coat or pocket), stated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. But during the security scan, you should empty your pockets. It’s simpler to keep all your vaping items in your carry-on and send it through the X-ray. This reduces the chance of losing anything or raising an alarm when walking through metal detectors (vape devices often contain metal).

To wrap up, can you take e-cigs on aeroplanes? Yes, you can travel with your vape, whether it’s a high-end kit or a simple disposable. Just remember these key points for a hassle-free trip:

• Pack all vapes in your cabin bag. Never put them in checked luggage.
• Carry a reasonable quantity. One or two devices and a few disposables is normal. Airlines allow multiple, but keep it for personal use.
• Turn off and secure your e-cigs. Prevent accidental activation or leaks by switching off devices and storing them properly.
• Handle e-liquids like any liquid. Bottles ≤100ml go in the clear bag at security.
• No vaping on the plane! You can bring vapes on planes, but you absolutely cannot use them during the flight (nor charge them). Wait until you’re outside the airport at your destination to vape.

By following these guidelines, UK vapers can fly with e-cigarettes smoothly and legally. Thousands of people successfully travel with vapes on planes every day, and airlines and security staff are accustomed to it. Just stick to the rules, and you’ll be fine. Safe travels and happy vaping once you land!