Quick answer: Usually yes: you can take one lighter, including a Zippo, but carry it on you, for example in a pocket. Don't pack it in carry-on or checked bags. It can't contain unabsorbed liquid fuel. Spare lighter fuel, blue-flame or cigar lighters, and lithium lighters that can switch on by accident are forbidden.
We sell a lot of Zippos, and one question comes up again and again: can I take a lighter on a plane? The answer is usually yes, with some important conditions.
Here's what the airlines say. Last checked: 15 October 2026.
In this guide
The rule: one lighter, on your person
Jetstar's dangerous goods page is clear: you may carry only one lighter (cigarette, Zippo, arc or plasma) per person, and you must keep it on your person, for example in a pocket. You can't pack it in carry-on or checked baggage, and it can't contain any unabsorbed liquid fuel other than liquefied gas. Source: Jetstar dangerous goods.
Virgin Australia's rule is similar. Lighters are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage, only on yourself: either one small compressed gas lighter, a lithium-battery cigarette lighter or a box of safety matches, or a liquid fuel lighter "that has the flammable liquid fully absorbed". Virgin lists blue flame, cigar, cooktop, pipe and torch lighters as forbidden. Source: Virgin Australia dangerous goods.
Fluid Zippo vs butane insert
A classic Zippo holds fluid soaked into cotton inside the insert. Don't overfill it before a flight, and wipe off any excess.
Butane inserts: Jetstar forbids blue-flame and cigar lighters, and Virgin also lists torch lighters. The Zippo Blue Flame Butane Insert produces a torch-style blue flame, so treat it as forbidden: swap back to the fluid insert before you fly.
What's banned outright
- Spare lighter fuel or refills.
- Strike-anywhere and book matches (Jetstar).
- Blue-flame, cigar and torch lighters.
- Lithium-battery lighters that could be switched on accidentally.
Key takeaway: one lighter, in your pocket, no spare fuel. Everything else stays home.
Fire kits and outdoor gear
Fire starters and survival kits, like the Zippo Outdoor Emergency Fire Kit, aren't lighters, and Virgin lists fire starters among the flammable solids that can't be carried at all. Leave fire kits at home and buy at your destination. Source: Virgin Australia dangerous goods.
Flying with a pocket knife too?
Knives can't go in the cabin. See can you fly with a Swiss Army knife.
"One lighter, on you, not in your bag."
Our picks
For travel: a classic fluid Zippo like the Zippo 200 Brushed Chrome or 207 Street Chrome. Tougher case: Zippo Armor 162. Browse genuine Zippo lighters.
Zippos that travel well
A classic fluid Zippo is the one to fly with (one per person, carried on you). All three are genuine Zippo windproof lighters.
- Zippo 200 Brushed Chrome $54.95
- Zippo 207 Street Chrome $49.95
- Zippo Armor 162 Brushed Chrome $64.95
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Shop Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack my Zippo in checked luggage?
Not on Jetstar. Its rules say a lighter must be kept on your person, not packed in carry-on or checked bags.
Can I take Zippo lighter fluid on a plane?
No. Lighter fuel is forbidden in passenger baggage.
Is a Zippo butane insert allowed on a plane?
Not the Blue Flame insert. Jetstar forbids blue-flame lighters and Virgin forbids torch lighters, and the Blue Flame insert makes a torch-style flame. Fly with a fluid insert instead.
How many lighters can I take?
One per person.
New to Zippo? Read our Zippo lighters Australia guide.