Traveling by air involves strict security regulations, especially concerning items that could pose a fire hazard. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) governs what passengers can bring onto commercial aircraft. Its rules regarding flammable objects like lighters are precisely defined to ensure safety and prevent in-flight incidents. Understanding these specific guidelines is necessary to avoid delays at the checkpoint, as the rules differentiate between the type of lighter and whether it is placed in carry-on or checked luggage.
Where Lighters Are Allowed
Common disposable lighters, such as Bic lighters, and lighters that use absorbed liquid fuel, like Zippo-style lighters, are permitted for air travel under certain conditions. These lighters must be carried on the passenger’s person or in carry-on baggage, as they are strictly prohibited in checked luggage due to the risk of ignition in the cargo hold. The only exception for a fueled lighter in checked baggage is if it is enclosed in a special, Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved airtight travel container.
For a Zippo-style lighter to be included in a checked bag without this specialized container, it must be completely emptied of all fuel, meaning no residue or vapors can remain, as an empty lighter is not classified as a hazardous material. If a passenger’s carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, any lighter inside must be removed and kept with the passenger in the cabin during the flight. This requirement prioritizes keeping potential fire sources in the controlled environment of the cabin rather than the cargo area.
Lighters That Are Never Allowed
Certain types of ignition devices are universally banned from both carry-on and checked baggage because of their inherent design and the intense heat they generate. Torch lighters, also known as jet flame, blue flame, or cigar lighters, are prohibited entirely. These devices create a thin, focused, needle-like flame that is significantly hotter and more intense than a soft flame, capable of reaching temperatures around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
This high-intensity output presents a substantial fire hazard that security regulations do not permit. Furthermore, containers of lighter fluid, such as butane or liquid fuel refills, are forbidden in both carry-on and checked baggage, as they are classified as highly flammable liquids. Any novelty lighters designed to resemble weapons, such as handguns or grenades, are also prohibited from being transported on an aircraft for security reasons.
Quantity Limits and Security Procedures
Passengers carrying a standard disposable or Zippo-style lighter are limited to one lighter per person. This lighter must be kept on one’s person or in the carry-on bag. This restriction is a specific regulatory limit imposed on the carriage of hazardous materials in the aircraft cabin.
Electric, plasma, or arc lighters, which use a rechargeable battery to create a high-voltage arc, are permitted only in carry-on bags. Since these devices contain lithium batteries, they are subject to strict battery regulations, including a limit on the battery’s Watt-hour rating.
For these electric lighters, measures must be taken to prevent the unintentional activation of the heating element while on board the aircraft, such as using a safety lock or placing the lighter in a protective case. During the security screening process, if a prohibited type of lighter or an excessive quantity is discovered, the item will be confiscated and disposed of.