Can you bring a vape (e-cigarette) on Southwest Airlines?
Allowed, with conditions
Short answer: Yes, in carry-on bags only, with battery capacity up to 100 Wh and number of items up to 2 (reviewed 2026-10-27).
Short answer: not available right now. Some of the rules below are being rechecked against their official sources, so we do not sum them up. The rules that are still current are listed below; check the official sources before you travel.
This page puts Southwest Airlines' own rules for a vape (e-cigarette) next to the security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods (FAA) rules for flights departing the United States. All of them apply at once when Southwest Airlines operates the flight, and you need to meet every one. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it.
Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27.
What Southwest Airlines adds to the TSA and FAA rules
Southwest Airlines policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
E-cigarette on Southwest: allowed in carryon only, no more than two devices per Passenger.
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
Also note
- Use or charging (device or batteries) onboard is not allowed.
- E-cigarette regulations vary by country; check the official government website for each country you are traveling to or from.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Other rules for e-cigarette (vape) in a carry-on bag on Southwest Airlines
Security screening (TSA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
E-cigarette or vaping device: carry-on only at the TSA checkpoint; each lithium ion battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Also note
- Lithium metal batteries: a lithium content of 2 grams (not checked by this rule, which reads the Wh rating).
- Take effective measures to prevent accidental activation of the heating element.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
E-cigarette or vaping device: on one's person or in carry-on baggage; each lithium ion battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Also note
- Take effective measures to prevent accidental activation of the heating element.
- Recharging the device or its batteries on board the aircraft is not permitted.
- Lithium metal batteries: 2 grams of lithium content per battery (not checked by this rule, which reads the Wh rating).
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: PackSafe - Electronic Cigarettes, Vaping Devices. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Other rules for e-cigarette (vape) in a checked bag on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines policy
Not allowed
E-cigarette on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Security screening (TSA)
Not allowed
E-cigarette or vaping device: not allowed in checked bags.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Not allowed
E-cigarette or vaping device: not allowed in checked baggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: PackSafe - Electronic Cigarettes, Vaping Devices. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Check your own e-cigarette (vape)
The item checker combines these rules for the values of your own item and gives a result for a Southwest Airlines flight. Battery rules use watt-hours (Wh): the Wh calculator works it out from the Wh, or the mAh and rated voltage, printed on the battery.
Related pages
Official sources
- FAA: PackSafe - Electronic Cigarettes, Vaping Devices (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices
This page lists rules as the official sources state them, for travel departing the United States. It is not a decision about your item: security officers and your airline make the final call, and rules can change after the review dates shown. Destination customs and quarantine rules are not checked. See the terms and disclaimer.