PackSafe - Lighters

Unabsorbed liquid (desk/table lighters, antique wick lighters), absorbed liquids, butane (Zippo-type lighters, disposable lighters)

Lighters that use liquid fuel, but do not have an absorbent lining, are forbidden.

Absorbed liquid and butane lighters are limited to one lighter per passenger in carry-on or on one's person. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, any lighter in the carry-on must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.

Regulatory information: See the regulation: 49 CFR 175.10(a)(2).

Lithium Battery Powered Lighters

Tesla coil lighters, flux lighters, arc lighters, double arc lighters

Lithium battery powered lighters are allowed in carry on only.  In addition, measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation of the heating element while on board the aircraft. Recharging of the devices and/or the batteries on board the aircraft is not permitted. Examples of effective measures to prevent unintentional activation include but are not limited to: Removing the battery from the lighter; placing the lighter into a protective case; and/or using a protective cover, safety latch, or locking device on the lighter's activation button. Each lithium ion battery must not exceed a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100 Wh; or for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 grams.

Regulatory information: See the regulation: 49 CFR 175.10(a)(2)

Torch Lighters

Torch lighters (a.k.a. Butane lighters, Plasma lighters, blue flame lighters, jet flame lighters) are not allowed in the cabin or in checked baggage by both the Hazardous Materials Regulations and TSA security rules. 

Last updated: Wednesday, January 24, 2024