We will be flying to our hiking trip in New Hampshire this fall and I have learned that our airline (Southwest) will allow our stove to be transported either as carry-on or in our checked bags (we've got an MSR pocket rocket):
"Camping Equipment
Has this been most peoples experience? I've searched through some threads on the subject and there is a variety of results. Also, any experience you may have had with trekking poles would be helpful. I'm just wondering if we should ship our backpacks ahead, but don't know if a hotel/motel would accept packages days in advance. Or are there other places we would ship our packs to? I'd just hate to be surprised at the airport.
- Lighters, lighter fluid, strike anywhere matches and fire starter (liquid, solid or gel) are prohibited in checked or carryon baggage.
- Safety matches (up to four books) are allowed in your carryon baggage or on your person.
- Camping equipment, typically camp stoves and lanterns, are fueled by either a flammable liquid or a flammable gas. Southwest’s policy is not to carry these items, with the following exceptions:
- Flammable Liquid Fueled Equipment (white fuel, gasoline, diesel, etc.) : Camp stoves, heaters, lanterns or other flammable liquid fuel camp equipment will not be accepted as checked or carryon baggage unless the equipment is brand new, unused and still in the manufacturer’s package. We will not accept the flammable liquid fuel equipment if there is any evidence that the equipment has been used.
- Flammable Gas Fueled Equipment (propane/butane) : Camp Stoves, heaters, lanterns, or other camping equipment that uses compressed gas cylinders will be conditionally accepted as checked or carryon baggage. The stove burner and/or lantern filament may be carried, as long as there is no fuel cylinder. The fuel cylinders themselves must be removed and are prohibited in checked and carryon baggage, whether they are empty or full.
- Knives, axes, and other cutting instruments must have the blades protected and must be stowed in checked baggage only."