Are zippo lighters allowed on airplanes?

Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home.

http://crime.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=crime&cdn=newsissues&tm=12&f=00&tt=13&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_07202007.shtm

OOO… interesting. Zippo do a “air-safe” case

Beware… when I went to Florida recently security confiscated a brand-new Zippo, still in its original packaging, GIFT WRAPPED, and with no fuel in it, because they can’t be sold with fuel. But security still took it. They say that it’s permissible in checked baggage, but I don’t believe much of what they say, especially since after I got to Florida, I looked up the baggage rules for the airline and it stated clearly that they allowed Zippos with no fuel in checked baggage only.

Also, there are different regulations for travel from the UK. Last year, when leaving the UK, only one carry on bag was allowed and that included purses, laptops, etc. That has been lifted for most airports, there is a list on their website. You might want to check the website for UK airports before you go

“One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening – it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.”

Remember, however that return flights may not have the same rules, as the TSA has their own set of regulations. Also, each airline can add to those rules as well, so be sure to check the airline’s website as well for current information.

Here is the Security page for UK airports.