TSA and the FAA allow one disposable or Zippo lighter, or one book of safety matches, in your carry-on or in your pocket. Torch lighters, lighter fluid and strike-anywhere matches can’t go in either bag.
By its everyday name, such as disposable and Zippo lighters or torch lighters.
TSA’s answer
Type an item, or pick one: disposable and Zippo lighters, torch lighters, arc and electronic lighters, safety matches.
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Each lighter and match on TSA’s list
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable and Zippo lighters | Yes | No, by FAA rule (TSA: without fuel, or in a DOT case) |
| Arc and electronic lighters | Yes, with conditions | No |
| Lithium battery powered lighters | Yes | No |
| Torch lighters | No | No |
| Gun-shaped lighters | No | No |
| Lighter fluid | No | No |
| Safety matches | Yes | No |
| Strike-anywhere matches | No | No |
One, on you or in your carry-on
The FAA rule allows one packet of safety matches or a lighter, for your own use, on your person or in a carry-on. If your carry-on gets checked at the gate or at the plane, the FAA says to take the lighter or matches out and keep them with you in the cabin.
Lighters in a checked bag
The FAA’s PackSafe chart lists lighters as not allowed in checked bags, and the FAA rule says “carry-on baggage only”. TSA’s list is looser: it allows a disposable or Zippo lighter in a checked bag with no fuel in it, or up to two fueled lighters inside a case approved by the Department of Transportation. Keep your lighter with you, which meets both. Matches of any kind can’t go in a checked bag.
Electric and arc lighters
Lighters with a lithium battery, such as arc, plasma and flux lighters, go in carry-on bags only. Protect the button from being pressed, for example with a cover, a case or the battery taken out, and don’t recharge them on board. The battery is limited to 100 watt hours, or 2 grams of lithium for a lithium metal battery.
Torch lighters
Torch lighters, also sold as jet flame or blue flame lighters, make a thin flame TSA says can reach 2,500 F. The FAA and TSA rules keep them out of the cabin and the hold.
Flying from the UK
The UK allows one lighter on board (gov.uk, October 2026), inside a resealable plastic bag like the one for liquids, kept on you for the whole flight and never in hold luggage. Safety matches go in hand luggage only.