A Tiger Airways passenger is being investigated by the Australian Federal Police after allegedly being caught smoking an electronic cigarette during a flight.

It is understood that AFP officers gathered at Melbourne Airport about 6pm on Friday, awaiting the TT 565 flight from Gold Coast which was carrying the offending male passenger.

A spokeswoman for the airline said Tiger Airways "has zero tolerance for smoking of any kind on board an aircraft".

"The use of an e-cigarette on board the aircraft, including recharging, is strictly prohibited," she said.

The spokeswoman said e-cigarettes emit a vapour which could offend other passengers, as well as set off smoke alarms, which happened in this case.