New the Department of Transportation rules now ban passengers and flight crew from placing battery-powered electronic smoking devices in checked bags.
Banned devices include e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers and any electronic nicotine system.
"We know from recent incidents that e-cigarettes in checked bags can catch fire during transit," said transportation secretary Anthony Foxx.
"Fire hazards in flight are particularly dangerous. Banning e-cigarettes from checked bags is a prudent safety measure."
The DOT said there have been at least 26 e-cigarette-related explosions or fires since 2009 including those that were placed in checked bags.
Under the new rules passengers can still take vaping equipment onboard planes in carry-on bags but cannot be used or charged up during the flight.
Last week a passenger suffered minor burns after a carry-on bag caught fire mid-flight due to an overheating e-cigarette device.
Malaysian based Malindo Air said it is reviewing its current policy in light of the incident.
The bag was quickly extinguished by flight crew and the plane landed on schedule without incident.
