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Don’t Vape on Planes, or This Could Happen to You

June 11, 2019
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2 min read
Midsection Of Man Holding Electronic Cigarette
Don’t Vape on Planes, or This Could Happen to You
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While e-cigs are not currently banned from carry-on luggage in the United States, their use in flight is. A Spirit Airlines passenger found this out the hard way.

The 30-year-old passenger was on flight NK 985 from Detroit (DTW) to New Orleans (MSY) last week when he was caught vaping in-flight. Moments after being reprimanded for using the e-cigarette, the passenger went to the lavatory to continue vaping there, where he triggered the smoke detector. NOLA.com reports that the passenger was also caught hiding and drinking several bottles of alcohol that he brought on board, which is not allowed either.

Spirit Airlines Flight NK 985 on June 4th (Image via Flightradar24)

Although the plane didn't divert, pilots had to descend the plane to 35,000 feet to shut off the alarm. A deputy sheriff met the plane when it landed and reported that the passenger was highly intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. The passenger reportedly denied smoking in the bathroom and claimed that he was unaware that it wasn't allowed on planes. The passenger was not arrested, but Spirit banned him from the airline for life. If you remember Danielle Bregoli, better known as the ‘Cash Me Ousside Girl,’ you'll know that this isn't the first time a passenger was banned from riding Spirit for life.

Related: How to Travel With E-Cigs

While you can bring e-cigs on board, you're not allowed to charge them in flight or pack them in checked luggage due to their lithium batteries. This is because they can pose a fire hazard like in the case of an American Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Chicago and a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Kahului. So, even if being banned from Spirit doesn’t seem like that a horrible of punishment, let this serve as a reminder to resist the urge to vape on your next flight.

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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