Vaping Passenger Triggers Pilot Warning on Los Angeles to Cancun Flight

Vaping Mid-Flight Nearly Derails L.A. to Cancun Trip

Drama at 30,000 feet: a passenger on a Los Angeles to Cancun flight decided the best way to deal with stress was to sneak a vape session in the airplane lavatory. According to a post making the rounds in the Alaska Airlines Reddit forum, the incident happened on Flight 1340, and word spread quickly among the crew—and, of course, the passengers who love a good in-flight scandal.

While one passenger was in the restroom, the pilot's voice suddenly echoed through the cabin, announcing that a smoke alarm had gone off and sternly reminding everyone: no smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco allowed onboard. He didn't stop there—he made it crystal clear that this wasn't just a gentle warning, but a federal offense. The pilot even threatened that if it happened again, he’d turn the plane around and take everyone right back to L.A. You can imagine the collective groan from sun-seekers bound for Cancun.

The Reddit poster, eager to distance themselves from the drama, recounted stepping out of the lav and shaking their head in disgust—making sure everyone knew, it wasn’t them. You have to respect the classic "not it" move.

The incident sparked a flurry of online commentary. Some users pointed out that smoking or vaping on a plane is risky business since it's illegal, while others clarified that it’s not always a criminal offense—usually it's a civil violation with FAA penalties, unless things get really out of hand. Suggestions ranged from nicotine patches to discreet alternatives, as one user joked, "time for Zyns at 30,000 feet."

Another commenter, speculating about consequences, predicted the passenger might find her flight home canceled—or even end up blacklisted by the airline. One person who claimed to have friends among flight attendants noted that these incidents require crew to file a real-time report, but arrests are rare because of the hassle and paperwork, especially when international jurisdictions get involved.

Alaska Airlines’ official policy bans all electronic smoking devices—no surprise there, with the FAA extending its smoking prohibition to include vaping. Travel expert Gary Leff explained that while vaping and smoking aren’t the same, the rules don’t care: if it looks like a puff, it’s banned. He also pointed out a quirky leftover from the old days—planes still have ashtrays in or near the lavatories, just in case someone can’t resist breaking the rules. Talk about relics of a smokier era.

As much as we all like to believe we're sneaky, it turns out airplane smoke alarms have zero chill—and neither do pilots when it comes to federal law. Next time you're feeling stressed at 35,000 feet, maybe just grab a crossword puzzle instead of your vape.