So I have an upcoming trip and I’ve never took my drone with when flying but I know many do. My question is what do I need to know about packing it? Is just in a carry on good?
Packing a drone for Flying
- Thread starter mini2flyer
- Start date
All they seem to care about is that the batteries are less than 100Wh but the mini 2 batteries are well below that
Yep just carry the drone with you in your hand luggage with the battery still in the drone and be prepared to take out the drone when going through the screening process. If you bring extra batteries, you should have those with you as well but ultimately you want to check with the airlines. Unlike with prohibited items, if you don't get it right you won't be arrested or fined.
MikeeS
Member
This is for British Air but you should be able to find a similar section for other airlines.
https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions
For this link see the section on "Smaller personal electronic devices ... "
I took a Mavic 3 and Mavic Mini Pro with me to Scotland last year and had no problems.I had two spare batteris for each one. All in Carry On. There is a limit on the number of spare batteries you can have on carry on and zero spare batteries in checked luggage.
Note loose batteries must be part of your carry on. Batteries in checked luggage must be within the drone, camera, etc.
I would let all drone batteries discharge before the flight.
https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions
For this link see the section on "Smaller personal electronic devices ... "
I took a Mavic 3 and Mavic Mini Pro with me to Scotland last year and had no problems.I had two spare batteris for each one. All in Carry On. There is a limit on the number of spare batteries you can have on carry on and zero spare batteries in checked luggage.
Note loose batteries must be part of your carry on. Batteries in checked luggage must be within the drone, camera, etc.
I would let all drone batteries discharge before the flight.
EssenYVR
Well-Known Member
Li-Ion batteries don't like being fully discharged. Best thing to do is to drain them to around 50-60%.
BobaFut
Well-Known Member
If you are in the US and flying somewhere in the US, TSA and the airlines simply don't care (except the batteries in checked luggage thing).
I've traveled with my drone (Mini2 and Air2S) several times internationally and also didn't get a second look or a question from anyone. Beyond making sure I could actually fly my drone in the location I was traveling, my main concern would be to ensure I wasn't taking it to a place that was openly hostile to even having a drone in your possession. The Gulf countries seem to be this way and maybe Mexico is pretty shady about this, based on what I've read here. I'm sure there are others, but I don't think this is particularly common?
I have flown with my drones. I even flew with two of them. Both domestic (within Canada), and internationally (Canada to Switzerland, then Switzerland to the UK, then UK back to canada). Only once, in UK, and once in Canada, did they even want to take it out of the case to see what it was.
Crossing the UK and Swiss border was easy. Both from a customs standpoint, and an airline security standpoint, no issues.
However, do your homework. As some others have said, the country you are going to may have severe restrictions or even a ban on drones.
Crossing the UK and Swiss border was easy. Both from a customs standpoint, and an airline security standpoint, no issues.
However, do your homework. As some others have said, the country you are going to may have severe restrictions or even a ban on drones.
as other's have stated as long as the batteries are not in checked bags it shouldn't matter. I carried mine in my carry on bag with no issues. TSA didn't even ask to unload anything for inspection.
But remember if you need to check your bag at plane-side you need to remove the batteries from that bag and carry them on-board with you.
But remember if you need to check your bag at plane-side you need to remove the batteries from that bag and carry them on-board with you.
I should have said in the original post but I’m flying down to Tennessee (so staying in the US) with Delta and coming back on American Airlines
All batteries, including those that make up the Contoller need to be taken into the Cabin as hand luggage. They ARE NOT ALLOWED in checked in luggage.
Also for your safety and that of other passengers, recommend a specialised Li-On battery bag.
The safest carriage condition is at about 50% charge. Don't carry any batteries that are damaged, swollen etc. These are dangerous.
If they do catch fire onboard make sure the cabin crew are aware that they are Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries. They are trained in the correct procedures. Not that this is very likely.
What about the little screwdriver for replacing blades? Because it looks like a dart which are prohibited in the cabin.
Technically you should leave the battery inside the electronic device IF you leave your drone in checked baggage. If you carry on the drone, I agree you probably either want to completely remove the battery or at least pull it partially so that it doesn't power up the drone inadvertently (although there is little risk and nothing would happen if it did). My DJI FPV battery has battery connector covers that allow you to keep the battery installed but prevent the connection.
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WilliamDaugherty
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I'm just about to return home from a lengthy trip. I have my Air2S, Mini2, and Mini3Pro in my carry-on suitcase. I have my Laptop, iPad, chargers, cables, etc. in my carry on "personal item", AKA laptop backpack. I also have several firearms and ammo in my checked suitcase. My local TSA folks know me, but going home can be interesting.
Bottom Line: it's not a big deal, even if they insist on swabbing every drone and battery. I do give myself a couple of hours to check in, wait for TSA approval of the checked case(s), go through the carry-on TSA process, and repack everything. One hour would not be sufficient. 90 minutes would probably work. Two hours keeps me relaxed. Relaxed is good.
I flew on Southwest to Colorado this summer. SW simply directed me to the FFA bulletin when I asked what I should do.
I carried my drone bag as a carry on, put the batteries in appropriate bags, and didn't have any problems. Well the only problem was that I forgot my Tripltek tablet was in the rear pocket of the bag, but I made it both ways without issue.
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