Last updated: March 2026
Smoking on Planes: History, Bans and What Travellers Face
Today it goes without saying that smoking is banned on aircraft. Yet as recently as the 1990s, lighting up at 35,000 feet was perfectly normal. When exactly was smoking on planes banned, why do aircraft still have ashtrays, and what happens if a passenger lights up anyway?
When Was Smoking on Planes Banned?
The history of the in-flight smoking ban began in the United States. In 1988 the US government prohibited smoking on all domestic flights under two hours. By 1990 the ban was extended to every US domestic flight, regardless of duration.
Internationally the shift took a little longer. In 1996 the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) recommended a worldwide ban on smoking on all international flights. Many European and Asian carriers followed voluntarily in the late 1990s.
In 2000 the European Union enforced a binding smoking ban on all flights to and from EU airports. With that, smoking on board was effectively over in the Western world.
Until When Were Passengers Allowed to Smoke?
From the 1950s through the 1980s, smoking on board was considered perfectly normal. Airlines even offered cigarettes as part of the service, complete with branded matchbooks and built-in ashtrays at every seat.
Starting in the 1970s, some airlines introduced designated smoking sections: separate areas for smokers and non-smokers. In practice the separation was ineffective — smoke still drifted through the entire cabin.
A handful of airlines held on to smoking surprisingly long. Cubana de Aviacion permitted smoking on certain routes into the early 2000s. Iran's Mahan Air did not fully ban smoking until around 2002. Today no scheduled airline in the world allows smoking on board.
Why Do Planes Still Have Ashtrays?
If you look closely you will find ashtrays in almost every aircraft -- usually in the lavatory doors. It seems contradictory but there is a good reason.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires ashtrays on board as mandatory equipment. The logic: if a passenger smokes despite the ban, there must be a safe place to dispose of the cigarette. A burning butt in a lavatory waste bin is a serious fire hazard.
An aircraft without functioning ashtrays in its lavatories is not permitted to depart under FAA rules. The ashtrays are not a relic of the past but an active safety measure.
What Happens If You Smoke on a Plane?
Smoking on board is not a minor offence. The consequences are severe and can have lasting effects:
- 1Heavy fines: in the US penalties can reach up to $25,000. In Germany fines of several thousand euros may be imposed.
- 2Criminal prosecution: smoking on board can be classified as endangering flight safety — a criminal offence in many countries.
- 3Flight diversion: if a passenger smokes repeatedly or threatens the crew, the captain may order an emergency landing. The costs — often six figures — are charged to the offender.
- 4Lavatory smoke detectors: modern aircraft have highly sensitive smoke detectors in every lavatory. They trigger an immediate alarm -- smoking in secret is virtually impossible.
On top of that, offenders face a lifetime ban from the airline. Some carriers even share the names of violators with other airlines.
Alternatives for Smokers on Long-Haul Flights
A long-haul flight of ten hours or more without nicotine is a real challenge for many smokers. Fortunately there are proven strategies to make the flight more bearable:
- ✓Nicotine patches: apply before boarding for a steady nicotine supply over many hours. Available over the counter at any pharmacy.
- ✓Nicotine gum: fast relief for acute cravings. Allowed in carry-on luggage and usable on board.
- ✓Nicotine lozenges: discreet and silent — perfect for your seat. They work almost as quickly as gum.
- ✓Breathing exercises and distraction: deep-breathing techniques can noticeably reduce cravings within 60 seconds. Apps like QuitBeaver offer guided exercises for exactly these moments.
- ✓Airport smoking areas: many international airports provide designated smoking rooms before and after security. Make use of them before boarding.
Tip
Tip: think of a long-haul flight as a mini withdrawal. If you can go 12 hours without a cigarette, you can handle the first day of quitting for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were passengers once allowed to smoke on planes?
Yes. Until the late 1990s smoking on board was common worldwide. Airlines even provided ashtrays and cigarettes. It was only through national laws and the 1996 ICAO recommendation that smoking was gradually banned.
What penalty do you face for smoking on a plane?
Depending on the country, penalties range from several thousand to up to $25,000, criminal prosecution for endangering flight safety, a lifetime ban from the airline, and in extreme cases the cost of a flight diversion.
Are there any airlines that still allow smoking?
No. As of 2026 no scheduled airline anywhere in the world permits smoking on board. The ban applies to all commercial passenger flights, including private jets carrying passengers commercially.
Turn Your Flight Into the First Step to Quitting
You survived a long-haul flight without a cigarette? Use that momentum and take the next step. QuitBeaver guides you through withdrawal with a 21-day course, breathing exercises and playful distraction.
Download QuitBeaver AppSources: FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-87A: Smoking on Aircraft. ICAO Assembly Resolution A33-18 (1996): Ban on Smoking on International Flights. EU Regulation (EC) No 2012/2000 on smoke-free flights. Repace, J. (2004): "Flying the Smoky Skies: Secondhand Smoke Exposure of Flight Attendants", Tobacco Control, 13(Suppl 1), i8-i19.