There is no reason to leave your favorite pens behind when traveling on a plane, especially considering that pens can be carried on flights. But is it safe to carry a pen? Do pens explode on planes?
Fortunately, pens are not on the long and comprehensive list drafted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of all the items prohibited from being taken on a plane. You will rarely ever receive a frown from a TSA agent while they check your possessions until and unless you are carrying a lethal-looking tactical pen,
Though several individual airports do expand the list of TSA for forbidden products by adding additional items: a ballpoint pen, fountain pen, or a rollerball pen are still not included, and the only worry concerning pens you should have is- do pens explode on planes?
Do Pens Explode On Planes?
Easing all your concerns regarding do pens explode on planes, we have a short yet sweet answer for you- not all pens explode on planes. Do not be very delighted with the answer because where generally a pen will not explode, there are still some exceptions to the scenario that stand.
As scary as it may sound, some pens tend to explode mid-flight. Though the situation is not highly alarming, nor does it result in causing any serious harm to you or others on the flight, regardless, it can lead to an awkward situation for you. Hence, such experiences with a pen should be avoided at all costs. 
Pens that are most at risk of being subjected to an accidental explosion mid-flight are rollerballs and fountain pens.
Rollerball pens:
Undoubtedly, rollerball pens are a real joy to write with and deliver a smooth and seamless writing experience to all who utilize them. However, the construction of this pen is simply not built to withstand any changes in the pressure inside a cabin.
Fountain Pens:
The fountain pen is also prone to malfunction at a higher altitude. Even though a fountain pen in an airplane is not likely to be as dramatic as a rollerball pen, inducing a mid-flight ink explosion but still due to the varying pressure, ink in the fountain pen is going to leak.
Why Do Pens Explode On A Plane?
Often travelers wonder why an object as simple and mundane as a pen might explode on a plane.
The reason for this is technical yet understandable, and all of such explosions with a pen during the flight are triggered by the differing pressure of air and the increased altitude.
When you take a pen with you on an airplane, the gas, and the liquid within it enhances its volume through the reduced air pressure. This makes the ink in the pen expand, and when the air tries to see an easy path out of the pen, it does so through the tip, resulting in leaking.
Similarly, when the air pressure increases, it causes the ink to compress inside the pen, resulting in pen dysfunction whereby the cartridge becomes completely stubborn. No ink is delivered out of the pen and onto the paper.
The most convenient remedy to avoid an explosion of a pen is to choose to go ahead with an alternative for both rollerball and fountain pens, and the ideal pen for this purpose is a ballpoint pen.
Ballpoint pen is inexpensive and does not suffer from catastrophic failure as it contains more viscous ink, which is the least affected by the continuously transitioning air pressure.
Avoid Fountain Pen From Leaking:
Supposedly, you do not want to consider the alternative pen we have proposed and want to still travel with your fountain pen. Then, we are here to assist you with a few ways to prevent your fountain pen from leaking mid-flight.
Change The Amount Of Ink:
The amount of ink inside a fountain pen is a determinant in deciding whether the fountain pen will leak during your flight. To ensure that the pen does not leak, empty the ink inside the fountain pen and clean the pen because, obviously, if there is no ink, there is nothing to be leaked.
Additionally, with no ink in the pen, there will be no subject for gravity and pressure to act on and resultantly force ink out from the pen. Remember, either travel with a fountain pen whose cartridge is full of ink or contains none because choosing a half/ partially filled ink cartridge is inclined to suffer a leak.
Keep Nib Upright:
Another way to resist pressure and gravity from acting and leaking your fountain pen is to keep the pen’s nib upright, facing upwards. This way, no force will be acting on the ink, leading to leaking.
If the pen is in your carry-on bag, keep the bag straight, preventing it from laying sideways.
Pack In Ziplock:
For enhanced security of your fountain pen against leaking and to ensure that even if the pen leaks, none of your belongings are stained- keep the fountain pen packed in a ziplock plastic bag during the flight. Even if the ink leaks, it will be kept inside the bag and not drain onto your clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):
How do you keep pens from exploding on a plane?
You can keep pens from exploding on a plane by ensuring the nib faces upwards, and the cartridge is filled with ink or there is no ink in the pen.
Will a ballpoint pen leak on an airplane?
A ballpoint pen is the least likely kind of pen to ever leak on a plane.
Are pens OK on planes?
Yes, pens and other similar writing tools are all OK on planes.
Are all pens allowed on a plane?
Apart from tactical pens, all pens can be carried along on a plane.
