From Rich Perelman at CigarCyclopedia:

One of the truly irksome aspects of the U.S. Government’s post-September 11 airport security changes is the inconsistent treatment of lighters.

Until last summer, when the Zippo Cargo Case was introduced by Otterbox, it was essentially impossible to transport a fueled lighter on an airline in checked baggage.

That was great for Zippos, but didn’t do much for cigar smokers who prefer butane to oil for lighting up. You could replace the Zippo mechanism with the clever Z-Plus torch insert, but that means leaving your favorite Dupont, Dunhill, Prometheus, Colibri, Blazer or other lighter at home.

Colibri has now eliminated the problem.

The new TranzPack is a hard-shell yellow capsule with interior padding and a tight, threaded seal which allows you to take your favorite oil or butane lighter – filled with fuel – with you in checked luggage on U.S. domestic flights. It says so on the TranzPack label!

Colibri applied for a special license for the TranzPack from the U.S. Department of Transportation on March 14 and after two amendments, it was granted on April 5! The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s license document no. 143-27 specifies that:

• The “permit authorizes the transportation in commerce of certain compressed gas fueled and liquid-fueled metal cigarette lighters in checked baggage of passenger aircraft when packaged in a rigid, vapor-tight, non-DOT specification solid plastic packaging that prevents any movement of the lighter during transport.”

• “Each design of the non-DOT specification solid plastic packaging must be tested to and withstand a partial vacuum of 28 inches of mercury for not less than 30 minutes at 100 degrees F with no leakage.”

• “No passenger may carry more than two (2) [packaged lighters] in their checked baggage.”

The TranzPack is clearly marked for the benefit of Transportation Safety Administration personnel at U.S. airports: “Lighter in this packaging conforms to DOT-SP 14327 and may be transported in checked baggage by domestic passenger aircraft.”

Soon to be free (at participating retailers) with the purchase of a Colibri or Dupont lighter of $65.00 or more, the TranzPack retails for just $14.95. That’s not much for the convenience of being able to bring your fully-fueled Colibri or Dupont (or other butane lighter) with you and not have to worry about “donating it” to your friendly TSA baggage inspector at the airport.

The TranzPack will make its formal debut at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America Convention and International Trade Show in Las Vegas in July, but it may show up sooner at your local smokeshop if you ask for it. It’s worth getting fired up for if you (and your cigars) are going to be on an airplane soon.