so I'm thinking of traveling and I want to take my drone with me for photography. assuming I am already in full compliance with the rules the FAA has for taking a drone on a plane, what airline makes it easiest to take a drone on the plane and what airlines should I avoid when I want to take my drone
best airline to take a drone on?
- Thread starter Patrick Andreasen
- Start date
All US airlines are pretty much all the same when it comes to taking drones in both the checked and carry on baggage so one is not much more easier than another. If anything, it is the individual person that you may have an issue with and since TSA is the same across America, there's no airport advantage either. We are lucky that drones are not scrutinized in this way at the port.
I have carried on a hard case with everything in it on united and southwest. No questions and TsA had no trouble after running threw the Xray
that's good you had no trouble with southwest because I usually fly with them. did TSA do any extra checks with it or did they just let it run through. also do you have to prove in some way that you are compliant with the FAA's rules on taking a drone onto the plane.
Nope. Only things I have gotten were questions about it because it’s cool for for FAa reasons. I have also flown to Toronto from the USA and both ways no one ever acknowledged
The individual TSA agent makes the determination and they are not required to follow any official guidelines. Be prepared to remove everything from a carry case and place it in the plastic bins. I would arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than usual to allow for TSA delays. It is checked baggage where lithium batteries are prohibited.
Standalone lithium batteries are prohibited but if the lithium battery is part of the equipment such as built-in like a mobile phone or a drone then it could be allowed as long as it is properly installed in the device and turned off. Also there is a size limitation as well since really tiny batteries are not a problem. Please check up on the latest regulations since it changes over the years.
SPIRIT Airlines!
Just remember to put your personal stuff in one Trashbag and the Drone and Batteries in a separate one.
Just remember to put your personal stuff in one Trashbag and the Drone and Batteries in a separate one.
As a visitor to your beautiful country I have never had a problem. We fly in and out with Virgin Atlantic and internals with Jet Blue. Most airlines have clear instructions on what and where to pack your drone kit. Happy travels.
PREP for your trip by inspecting your gear and identifying any suspect batteries (bulging, discolored, visual damage of any kind) and REPLACE them. Make sure you label/mark all your gear in case it gets mishandled. PHOTOGRAPH your packed items in the case for your records and evidence in the event of loss or damage. Ensure your contact info is on the inside and outside of your case. Consider a tracking tag in the event it gets gate checked.
TELL the TSA peeps what your screening ahead of their looking, saves a great deal of trouble after they see it on the screen and try to understand what they are seeing. Expect it to get flagged for a visual screen and ticket wipe (explosives detection) as almost all photo gear gets this scrutiny. Asking the TSA screener to please be careful as its photo gear helps them understand.
NO BATTERIES in checked luggage EVER. If your flight gets full, or your last/late to board (no more overhead space), have a plan for removing batteries and hand carrying them. Gate agents get very aggressive about gate checking hand carried luggage on full flights. A good hard case with foam will protect your drone and remote if that happens but the batteries need to go with you in the cabin. Painters tape over the contacts in case you need to hand carry is always a good idea.
If your flight has multiple segments and your connections are on regional aircraft, make sure your case is sized to fit these smaller aircraft. Otherwise be prepared to carry batteries separately as nearly ALL carry ons get gate checked on regional jets. Be patient and explain why you need to hand carry your gear, it may work.
Note that some asian carriers are getting much more restrictive with battery devices (targeting power packs used onboard for extended power or device recharge - most are now prohibited) and that you may run into difficulties as your equipment looks similar
Airlines don't care about why your taking the drone, your certification status, or FAA operational requirements for flying them, they are concerned about enforcing their dangerous goods/hazmat regs, which are intended to try and prevent and minimize risk of inflight fire and save lives.
Expect more regulatory requirements re: battery operated devices like these and flying due to the continued increase of in flight events involving thermal runaway. There is no good way to handle an in flight thermal runaway event, so lets do our part as a community of practice in helping to prevent them.
Lastly, in the event of a cabin evacuation, leave your **** and get out! People who insist on grabbing their stuff delay evacuation and risk countless lives out of complete selfishness. People who instagram evacs instead of helping others deserve a special place in hell (after they get out of jail for risking a catastrophe).
Have fun, fly safe, wear your seat belt (all the time).
TELL the TSA peeps what your screening ahead of their looking, saves a great deal of trouble after they see it on the screen and try to understand what they are seeing. Expect it to get flagged for a visual screen and ticket wipe (explosives detection) as almost all photo gear gets this scrutiny. Asking the TSA screener to please be careful as its photo gear helps them understand.
NO BATTERIES in checked luggage EVER. If your flight gets full, or your last/late to board (no more overhead space), have a plan for removing batteries and hand carrying them. Gate agents get very aggressive about gate checking hand carried luggage on full flights. A good hard case with foam will protect your drone and remote if that happens but the batteries need to go with you in the cabin. Painters tape over the contacts in case you need to hand carry is always a good idea.
If your flight has multiple segments and your connections are on regional aircraft, make sure your case is sized to fit these smaller aircraft. Otherwise be prepared to carry batteries separately as nearly ALL carry ons get gate checked on regional jets. Be patient and explain why you need to hand carry your gear, it may work.
Note that some asian carriers are getting much more restrictive with battery devices (targeting power packs used onboard for extended power or device recharge - most are now prohibited) and that you may run into difficulties as your equipment looks similar
Airlines don't care about why your taking the drone, your certification status, or FAA operational requirements for flying them, they are concerned about enforcing their dangerous goods/hazmat regs, which are intended to try and prevent and minimize risk of inflight fire and save lives.
Expect more regulatory requirements re: battery operated devices like these and flying due to the continued increase of in flight events involving thermal runaway. There is no good way to handle an in flight thermal runaway event, so lets do our part as a community of practice in helping to prevent them.
Lastly, in the event of a cabin evacuation, leave your **** and get out! People who insist on grabbing their stuff delay evacuation and risk countless lives out of complete selfishness. People who instagram evacs instead of helping others deserve a special place in hell (after they get out of jail for risking a catastrophe).
Have fun, fly safe, wear your seat belt (all the time).
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not sure of your source, but NO LI Batteries are permitted in checked luggage in the US, or internationally as per IATA, DOT, and FAA regs. Note the graphic table posted is also nearly 8 years old and may not accurately reflect current regs.
This thread seems to be over complicating things. Flying with your drone is no different than flying with a slr camera or a tablet. Batteries in your cabin luggage - that's all there is to it.
No problems with British Airways. TSA was more concerned with my iPad Mini that I use with the RC. They wanted to see that it really worked.
As said, there's nothing unsafe about a drone on an airplane that isn't shared with dozens of other items.
The only issue is the batteries which, have to be carried on.
So, whether you put the drone in checked luggage or carry-on, keep the batteries with you.
The only issue is the batteries which, have to be carried on.
So, whether you put the drone in checked luggage or carry-on, keep the batteries with you.
Very long-winded response to simply tell the OP that there is absolutely no problem with any airline and them taking a drone onboard.
It's been done for years and is no different than carrying on a cell phone. There is no real need to way overly complicate, a simple answer.
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