How should I pack a vape and its batteries when flying American Airlines?

Keep the vaping device in the cabin. If a carry-on is taken at the gate or otherwise checked, remove the device and spare lithium batteries first and keep them with you as required by the airline.

What this answer depends on

  • FAA guidance requires the device itself to be protected from damage and short circuit, and requires an effective measure to prevent accidental heater activation. Removing the battery, separating the battery and heating component, using a protective case, or another effective safeguard may help; a case is one option.
  • Protect each spare battery's terminals individually against short circuit as a separate step.
  • FAA's per-battery limits are 100 Wh for lithium-ion or 2 g lithium content for lithium-metal batteries; confirm with American whether it limits the number of personal-use devices.

Important exceptions

  • Do not carry a damaged or recalled battery/device that is likely to spark or generate dangerous heat unless it has been made safe as the FAA describes.
  • Rules may also differ on other airlines and at international destinations.

Important unknowns

  • American's limit, if any, on the number of personal-use devices should be confirmed with the airline; other carriers and destination rules may differ.

What to do next

  1. If you are unsure whether the device or battery is safe, ask American before travel. Remove the device and spare batteries before a carry-on is gate-checked.

Sources and last checked