E-cigarette (vape) on a plane

Allowed, with conditions

Short answer: Under TSA and FAA rules: yes, in carry-on bags only, with battery capacity up to 100 Wh (reviewed 2026-10-27).

These are the reviewed rules for a e-cigarette (vape) on flights departing the United States. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it. A rule from security screening, from the dangerous goods regulations and from your airline can all apply at once, and you need to meet every one of them.

Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27. Also called: electronic cigarette, e-cig, vape, vape pen, vaporizer, vaping device.

E-cigarette (vape): each airline's own limits

Rules each airline adds for a e-cigarette (vape). TSA and FAA rules, listed below, apply as well.
Airline	Carry-on bag	Checked bag
Alaska Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Allegiant Air	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
American Airlines All American Airlines rules for this item	Allowed	Not allowed
Breeze Airways	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Delta Air Lines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Frontier Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
JetBlue Airways	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Southwest Airlines All Southwest Airlines rules for this item	AllowedNumber of items: up to 2	Not allowed
United Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed

Check your e-cigarette (vape) with the item checker · Work out its watt-hours (Wh)

E-cigarette (vape) in a carry-on bag

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.

American Airlines policy

Allowed, with the conditions listed
E-cigarette on American: carry-on only; may not be used onboard.
Also note
- Not allowed to be used onboard any flight.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

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.

E-cigarette (vape) in a checked bag

Security screening (TSA)

Not allowed
E-cigarette or vaping device: not allowed in checked bags.
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.
Source: FAA: PackSafe - Electronic Cigarettes, Vaping Devices. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

American Airlines policy

Not allowed
E-cigarette on American: not allowed in checked bags.
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Southwest Airlines policy

Not allowed
E-cigarette on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Before you pack e-cigarette (vape)

Use this list with your actual item and itinerary. It summarizes the current source-reviewed entries below; it does not replace the complete conditions or the airline's instructions.

Check the reviewed Carry-on bag and Checked bag rules below. If a bag type is not listed, that does not mean it is allowed: verify it with the airline and relevant authority.
Check the item's specifications against the listed requirements:
- Carry-on bag · security screening: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · dangerous goods: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Number of items: up to 2. Official source.
Do not pack a configuration covered by these prohibitions without checking the full rule and its conditions:
- Checked bag: E-cigarette or vaping device: not allowed in checked bags. Read the source.
- Checked bag: E-cigarette or vaping device: not allowed in checked baggage. Read the source.
- Checked bag: E-cigarette on American: not allowed in checked bags. Read the source.
- Checked bag: E-cigarette on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage. Read the source.
Confirm the operating airline, connecting airports and destination rules. This site does not verify destination customs or quarantine restrictions.
Recheck the linked official sources shortly before departure; published guidance and your flight circumstances can change.

What you need to know about your e-cigarette (vape)

The rules above depend on:

Battery capacity
Number of items

Battery rules use the watt-hour (Wh) rating. Many batteries print it. If yours shows only mAh, the Wh rating is mAh × rated voltage ÷ 1,000, using the rated voltage printed on the battery. Do not assume a voltage: the Wh calculator gives no result without one.

Commonly confused

Allowed in a carry-on bag does not mean allowed in a checked bag. The rules for each are listed separately above.
Security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods rules (FAA) are different rules. An airline can also set stricter limits. Where a source has no rule for a case, we say so instead of guessing.
Airline rules come from the airline that operates the flight, which can differ from the one you booked with.
Being allowed on board does not mean the item is allowed into your destination. Customs rules are not covered.

Airlines with their own e-cigarette (vape) rules

Airline pages for e-cigarette (vape) show only the airlines whose own rules differ from the TSA and FAA rules.

Official sources

American Airlines: Restricted items in bags (source checked on 2026-10-01)
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.