Why Vapes and Power Banks Are Prohibited in Checked Luggage

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued an urgent safety warning to 60 million summer travelers, declaring incorrectly packed vapes and power banks as the primary threat to commercial aviation safety. The warning comes as lithium battery emergencies in cargo holds escalate to an average of two incidents per week.

According to official CAA data, lithium battery incidents detected in hold bags have skyrocketed. In 2025, authorities recorded 643 cases where batteries were flagged in checked luggage—more than double the number of cases reported in 2024. Reports of devices overheating or malfunctioning during travel also nearly doubled, highlighting a growing threat to passenger safety.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power everyday electronics like smartphones, laptops, and vapes, store massive amounts of energy in highly compressed spaces. When packed in the cargo hold, these devices can undergo thermal runaway—an uncontrollable, rapidly spreading chemical fire. Because cargo holds are inaccessible during flight, these fires are incredibly difficult to suppress and can quickly become catastrophic.

UK Aviation Battery Incidents	2024	2025	Year-on-Year Increase
Batteries Detected in Hold Bags	316 cases	643 cases	+103.5%
Devices Overheating/Malfunctioning	123 cases	206 cases	+67.5%

The threat is not theoretical. Airlines have already been forced to divert flights—including a recent EasyJet service to Rome—after power banks spontaneously combusted. To prevent dangerous mid-air emergencies, the CAA is urging travelers to strictly follow the “pack right for a safe flight” protocol.

Read more: Taking Cigarettes & Vapes on a Plane: 2025 Travel Rules

The Essential Packing Guide for Summer Travelers

Isolate All Spare Batteries and Power Banks: Every power bank, spare lithium-ion battery, and external charger must go into your carry-on cabin baggage. If a thermal event occurs in the cabin, flight crew can quickly extinguish the fire using specialized containment bags.
Keep Vapes and E-Cigarettes in the Cabin: Electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-cigars are strictly prohibited in checked suitcases. The heating elements in these devices can accidentally activate when compressed under heavy luggage, leading to immediate ignition.
Power Down Checked Laptops Completely: If you must pack a device with an integrated battery (like a laptop or camera) in your checked bag, turn it completely off. Do not leave it in “sleep” or “hibernation” mode, and wrap it securely to prevent physical damage.
Never Charge Devices Mid-Flight Unattended: While power banks are allowed in the cabin, using them to charge devices during a flight is strictly forbidden by international aviation regulations, as recharging generates excess heat.

A Unified Global Crackdown

The surge in incidents has prompted global action. In March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) updated its Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, enforcing these lithium battery restrictions uniformly worldwide. Despite these efforts, surveys show that 36 percent of travelers remain entirely unaware of the dangers of packing lithium batteries in checked luggage.

Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK CAA, emphasized the simplicity of the solution: “Flying is by far the safest way to travel and we want to keep it that way. Pack right for a safe flight, and that means don’t put your batteries in your checked bag. Take them into the cabin with you.”

Passengers who fail to comply with these regulations will trigger advanced airport X-ray security flags. Security personnel are authorized to forcibly open bags and confiscate prohibited items without compensation, potentially leaving travelers stranded without their devices or luggage.

Read more: TSA/FAA Rules for Carrying Vapes & E-Cigarettes on AirPlanes

Author
Recent Posts

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.