Can you bring a drone on a plane? You can typically fly with drones within the U.S., and you are definitely allowed to bring drones through TSA checkpoints. However, rules around where batteries most be stored, and what happens upon arrival, can sometimes vary. Here’s everything you need to know about flying with a drone:
Can you bring a drone through TSA?
When departing within the U.S., you are allowed to bring your drone through airport security. The Transportation Security Administration specifically states that drones are allowed through TSA checkpoints, meaning you can bring a drone in your carry-on bag.
As far as whether you need to remove the drone from its bag when going through airport security, that’s a bit more vague. The TSA says that — unless you have TSA PreCheck — you are required to remove large electronic items, such as laptops and printers from their bags. However, TSA does not specific define what constitutes a “large” electronic item.
When in doubt, I either just preemptively remove the drone. Or, I give the agent a heads up that there is a drone inside my bag, and I ask them what they prefer in terms of removing versus not removing it.
Packing your drone: carry-on versus checked luggage
Does it matter if your drone goes in carry-on versus checked luggage? With larger drones, you might have no choice but to check your drone. Luckily, most drones these days are fairly compact, making them easy to stay with you in carry-on. That’s my preferred method of travel, as it reduces the risk that my drone gets lost or stolen while we’re separated.
Individual airlines can set their own rules (more on that later), but typically, whether your drone goes in carry-on versus checked luggage is simply a matter of personal preference.
That said, there are strict rules about where you need to pack drone batteries. Here’s what you need to know:
What about traveling with drone batteries?
The TSA doesn’t restrict drones, but the TSA does have some rules around packing lithium ion drone batteries — which in a sense restricts how you can travel with a drone.
All spare, or otherwise uninstalled lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, such as drone batteries are only allowed in carry-on baggage, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Lithium ion drone batteries are not okay in checked baggage.
Additionally, there are sometimes limits on how powerful your drone battery can be. Lithium ion, rechargeable batteries, which are common for drones, are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. If they exceed that, you must receive specific airline approval. For drone batteries with 101–160 Wh, you’re only allowed to bring up to two such batteries, according to the TSA.
Drone packing tips
Just a few brief drone packing tips:
- Remove your drone battery from the drone: In case the power button gets bumped mid-flight, you don’t have to worry about the drone actually turning on and draining your battery.
- Pack it securely: It can be easy to get lazy and not put on all the cases and covers. Always make sure the gimbal is secured in place, especially as luggage gets thrown around.
Airline rules versus TSA rules for bringing a drone on a plane
While the TSA regulates what can go into airports, the airlines themselves are allowed to set their own rules around what can and can’t be brought on a plane. Just as an airplane is allowed to decide whether or not it wants to allow something a bit more pedantic, like pets, it can also decide whether to allow drones.
Most U.S. airlines allow drones, but they’ll often spell out rules around how to pack them and what the battery rules are. Typically, airline rules align with the TSA, meaning that batteries must stay with you in the main cabin, but they don’t mind where the drone body goes.
For example, here are Delta’s rules: If you intend to surrender your drone at the boarding gate or at check-in to be loaded in the cargo compartment, you must remove lithium-ion batteries from the bag before it can be loaded into the cargo compartment, and you must carry the batteries with you in the cabin.
Over at Southwest, the airline spells out that spare batteries must be packed in your carry-on bag or be with you onboard, just as the TSA states.
Always check with your airline if you’re unsure. Additionally, make sure you understand both your airline’s and the TSA’s luggage size restrictions, so your carry-on bag transporting your drone isn’t too large.
Traveling with a drone: rules upon arrival
Within the U.S., you are largely free to fly drones. There are certainly restrictions around flying drones at National Parks or near airports, but by and large, drone flying is legal in the U.S. You can use the FAA’s B4UFLY website or mobile application to find out where you can legally fly a drone in the U.S.
However, flying drones internationally can be a completely different story. Some countries ban drones entirely, meaning you can board a U.S. flight with a drone, but the Customs and Border Patrol department of that country might confiscate your drone. Don’t assume that just because you successfully boarded a flight with a drone, that you’ll be able to walk on another country’s soil with it.
UAV Coach has an excellent master list of drone laws by country. However, rules can frequently change, in which case you should always check with the customs rules of the country you’re traveling to just to be sure.
Some countries including Iran, Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia and others fat out ban drones unless you have a special exemption from the government. Antarctica also bans drones.
Other countries don’t necessarily ban drones, but can have their own rules for registering your drone, being certified or license to fly, what drone insurance you may need and where you can fly. Check your country’s drone laws before flying.
And no matter where you fly, respect other vacationers, private property, wildlife and locals.
Bringing a drone on a plane: visual edition
The folks at Skydio, which is an American drone company famous for its Skydio 2 drone which is a crash-proof, follow-me drone, put together a handy infographic about how to bring a drone on a plane to share with you all. Consider this a preflight checklist — a pre airplane flight checklist, that is. Reference this ahead of your next journey on an airplane with a drone. (Click on the image for the full size version.)
The post Can you bring a drone on a plane? What to know about TSA, packing and more appeared first on The Drone Girl.