- Jan 2, 2019
- 21 min read

100 airline drone policies in review, can I bring my drone on a plane?

Updated: Aug 11

Travelling with a drone is not always as easy as we would think, especially if going through several countries at once. We've covered in our drone rules world map which countries will welcome your drone or not but what about getting there?

"Are drones allowed on planes? International travel with my drone? Can I take my drone on a plane? Can I take my drone on-board? Will I need to check in my drone? Will my drone batteries be accepted on the plane?"

Your airline carrier might be a crucial choice to make before undertaking your epic drone travel journey around the world. In this post, we will look into airline carriers' drone policies & rules to see together if your drone is fit to be carried on-board or via checked luggage only. Our study looked at 80+ airlines' drone/batteries policies. ✅ The good news is that most airlines will welcome your drone but we also found that some major carriers will ask you to check in your drone so you better be prepared.

Before anything, what are battery standards for airlines?

Generally speaking, most airlines will follow the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidance & rules. When it comes to drones, your main component to worry about is the battery(ies) it uses to fly as these will be under the eye of your airline carrier.

TSA identifies & recommends 3 main categories based on your drone battery's power:

Up to 100-watt-hour = usually allowed (up to 20 items).
From 100 to 160-watt-hour = usually airline approval is required (up to 2 items).
From 160-watt-hour = usually forbidden.

This is exactly what most airlines will apply, such as the example below from KLM.

💡 If your drone battery power is written in milliamp hour (mAh) & voltage (V); then the formula to convert is (mAh)*(V)/1000 = Watt-hour (Wh). For example, if you have a 500mAh battery rated at 5V, the power is 500mAh * 5V / 1000 = 2.5Wh.

✅ In every case, all airlines & the TSA would recommend to place spare batteries in a fireproof bag while travelling and to always keep them with your carry on bag. If you need some fireproof bags, check some out now & get them before taking off!

How does my airline interpret these recommendations?

We've been fortunate enough to travel all around the world with different airline carriers.. So we decide to share our knowledge with you by making an extended list about airline by airline drone batteries' policy.

You can either find them by entering your airline name on this page or continue to scroll down until your airline carrier appears. If it is not listed, we're very sorry for not having had the time to do it yet but your feedback will be immediately put into action. You can do such via the Forum anytime.

Safe flights! 🛫

Aegan Airline Drone Policy ✅ Aegan Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Aegan Airline bag policy

Aeroflot Airline Drone Policy ✅ Aeroflot should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Aeroflot bag policy

Aeromexico Airline Drone Policy ✅ Aeromexico should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Aeromexico bag policy

Air Astana Drone Policy ✅ Air Astana should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Ai r Astana bag p olicy

Air Canada Drone Policy ✅ Air Canada should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Air Canada bag policy

Air China Drone Policy ✅ Air China should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Air China bag policy

Air France Drone Policy ✅ Air France should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Air France bag policy

Air India Drone Policy ✅ Air India should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 100-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Air India bag policy

Air Macau Drone Policy ✅ Air Macau should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your batteries are over 100Wh.

Source: Air Macau bag policy

Air New Zealand Drone Policy ✅ Air New Zealand should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Air New Zealand drone policy

All Nippon Airways Drone Policy ✅ All Nippon Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes. There might be a limit in the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: All Nippon Airways bag policy & Notice for non removable lithium batteries

Amaszonas Linéa Aérea Drone Policy ✅ Amaszonas Linéa Aérea doesn't forbid you to carry your drone on their planes. Your drone's batteries should ideally be placed in a fireproof bag during transport. You can only carry it within you cabin bag, not in the checked luggage. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Amaszonas Linéa Aérea bag policy

American Airline Drone Policy ✅ American Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: American Airline bag policy

Asiana Airline Drone Policy ✅ Asiana Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Asiana Airline bag policy

Avianca Airline Drone Policy ✅ Avianca should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Avianca Airline bag policy

British Airways Drone Policy ✅ British Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: British Airways bag policy

Brussels Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Brussels Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your batteries are over 100Wh.

Source: Brussels Airline bag policy

Bulgaria Air Drone Policy 🚨 We did not find any information linked to drones &/or batteries on their website. We've contacted them in January 2019 & are pending for some answers. We recommend you contact the airline prior boarding time.

Source: Bulgaria Air bag policy

Cathay Pacific Drone Policy ✅ Cathay Pacific should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Cathay Pacific bag policy

China Airline Drone Policy ✅ China Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: China Airline bag policy

China Eastern Airlines Drone Policy 🚨 China Eastern Airlines link to drone & lithium batteries policy was broken at the time of our research. We've contacted them & will update this part as soon as we receive an answer.

Source: China Eastern Airlines bag policy

China Southern Airlines Drone Policy ✅ China Southern Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: China Southern Airlines bag policy

COPA Airlines Drone Policy ✅ COPA Airlines allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: COPA Airlines bag policy

Croatia Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Croatia Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your batteries are over 100Wh.

Source: Croatia Airlines bag policy

Danish Air Transport Drone Policy ✅ Danish Air Transport allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your batteries are over 100Wh.

Source: Danish Air Transport bag policy

Delta Air Lines Drone Policy ✅ Delta Air Lines allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Delta Air Lines bag policy

EasyJet Airline Drone Policy ✅ EasyJet allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: EasyJet bag policy

Etihad Airways Drone Policy ✅ Etihad Airways allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Etihad Airways bag policy

Emirates Airline Drone Policy 🚨 Emirates Airline has communicated that they will not accept any drones within carry on bag for safety reasons. To travel on Emirates Airline with your drone, you will need the drone's batteries to be removable & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro in the checked luggage.

Source: Emirates drone policy

EgyptAir Drone Policy 🚨 We did not find any information linked to drones &/or batteries on their website. We've contacted them in January 2019 & are pending for some answers. We recommend you contact the airline prior boarding time.

Source: EgyptAir bag policy

Eva Air Drone Policy ✅ Eva Air allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Eva Air bag policy

Hainan Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Hainan Airlines allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Hainan Airlines bag policy

Hong Kong Airline Drone Policy ✅ Hong Kong Airline allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Hong Kong bag policy

Iberia Airline Drone Policy ✅ Iberia should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Iberia bag policy

Indigo Airline Drone Policy ✅ Indigo Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. Drone controllers should be in carry on too.

Source: Indigo Airline battery policy

Iraqi Airways Drone Policy ✅ Iraqi Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Iraqi Airways bag policy

Japan Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Japan Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 100-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireroof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Japan Airlines bag policy

Jet Airways Drone Policy ✅ Jet Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your battery is over 100-watt-hour.

Source: Jet Airways bag policy

JetBlue Airways Drone Policy ✅ JetBlue Airways allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireroof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: JetBlue Airways drone policy

Jetstar Airline Drone Policy ✅ Jetstar should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. (Note that for batteries over 100Wh, you will need to ask permission to dg@qantas.com.au)

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Jetstar bag policy

Korean Air Drone Policy ✅ Korean Air allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Korean Air bag policy

KLM Airline Drone Policy ✅ KLM should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: KLM bag policy

Kuwait Aiways Drone Policy ✅ Kuwait Airways allows you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Kuwait Airways bag policy

LAM Mozambique Airline Drone Policy ✅ LAM Mozambique Airline seems to allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should not be licking or wet & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: LAM Mozambique Airline bag policy

LATAM Airline Drone Policy ✅ LATAM should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 300-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: LATAM bag policy

Lao Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Lao Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Lao Airlines bag policy

Lufthansa Airline Drone Policy ✅ Lufthansa should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 300-watt-hour. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Lufthansa bag policy

Luxair Airline Drone Policy ✅ Luxair Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your batteries are over 100Wh.

Source: Luxair Airline bag policy

Maldivian Aero Drone Policy 🚨 We did not find any information linked to drones &/or batteries on their website. We've contacted them in January 2019 & are pending for some answers. We recommend you contact the airline prior boarding time.

Source: Maldivian Aero bag policy

Mongolia Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Mongolia Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Mongolia Airlines bag policy

Norwegian Airline Drone Policy ✅ Norwegian Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Norwegian Airline bag policy

Oman Air Drone Policy 🚨 We did not find any information linked to drones &/or batteries on their website. We've contacted them in January 2019 & are pending for some answers. We recommend you contact the airline prior boarding time.

Source: Oman Air bag policy

Philippines Airline Drone Policy ✅ Philippines Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Philippines Airline bag policy

Qantas Airline Drone Policy ✅ Qantas Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Qantas Airways bag policy

Qatar Airways Drone Policy ✅ Qatar Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Qatar Airways bag policy

Royal Jordanian Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Royal Jordanian Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Royal Jordanian Airlines drone policy

Ryanair Airline Drone Policy ✅ Ryanair should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one of our Members reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Ryanair bag policy

Saudia Airline Drone Policy 🚨 Saudia link to drone & lithium batteries policy was broken at the time of our research. We've contacted them & will update this part as soon as we receive an answer.

Source: Saudia bag policy

Singapore Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Singapore Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Singapore Airlines bag policy

SriLankan Airlines Drone Policy ✅ SriLankan Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 100-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireroof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: SriLankan Airlines bag policy

South African Airways Drone Policy ✅ South African Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: South African Airways bag policy

Southwest Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Southwest Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Southwest Airlines bag policy

Surinam Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Surinam Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Surinam Airlines bag policy

Swiss Airline Drone Policy ✅ Swiss Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 100-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. You will need to ask for authorisation for batteries between 100 & 160-watt -hour & there might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Swiss Airline drone policy

TAP Air Portugal Drone Policy ✅ TAP Air Portugal should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. You can only carry it within you cabin bag, not in the checked luggage. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. 💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Tap Air Portugal drone policy

TAROM Airline Drone Policy ✅ TAROM Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireroof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: TAROM Airline drone policy & TAROM Airline battery's policy

Thai Airways Drone Policy ✅ Thai Airways should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Thai Airways bag policy & Notice for removable lithium batteries

TunisAir Airline Drone Policy 🚨 We did not find any information linked to drones &/or batteries on their website. We've contacted them in January 2019 & are pending for some answers. We recommend you contact the airline prior boarding time.

Source: TunisAir Airline bag policy

Turkish Airline Drone Policy ✅ Turkish Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: Turkish Airline bag policy

United Airlines Drone Policy ✅ United Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: United Airlines bag policy

Vietnam Airlines Drone Policy ✅ Vietnam Airlines should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. 💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Vietnam Airlines bag policy & battery policy

Vueling Airline Drone Policy ✅ Vueling Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 300-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Vueling Airline bag policy

WestJet Airline Drone Policy ✅ WestJet should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 300-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size.

Source: WestJet bag policy

Wizz Airline Drone Policy ✅ Wizz Airline should allow you to carry your drone on their planes but your drone's batteries should be less than 160-watt-hour & ideally placed in a fireproof bag during transport. There might be a limit on the number of drone's batteries you can carry based on their power size. You will need to ask for permission ahead if your battery is over 100-watt-hour.

💡 At least one Dronemade Member reported being able to carry a Mavic Pro onboard

Source: Wizz Airline bag policy

Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about airline drone policies.

✅Please leave a comment or update when you receive news and/or gain experience taking your drone on any airline! Have fun & safe flights!

Travelling further? Check out our Drone Rules World Map; country by country!