Traveling with a Drone: Don't Let a Security Check Delay Your Flight!

[@AnthonyRose]

i almost always fly Southwest. The nice thing about that is their entire fleet is 737s so you pretty much never have to worry about the green tag issue.

[@RJBCars]

The DJI mavic air is fine as it has 27.43 Wh

[@MrRaso444]

Thanks for this comment, i was looking for something like this :)

[@LegalDrone]

Awesome video. Was a great source for when I traveled with my Drone. As of today, TSA will let you go through the check point with multiple spare batteries as long as they’re 100 Watt hours or less and are intended to be used by the passenger. Airlines are the ones that have limits on the number of batteries you bring. Last time I traveled, I did it with American Airlines and they allow up to 4 spare batteries if they’re less than 100 Watt hours.

[@hyperpsych6483]

Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT allowed to fly drones on an airline mid-flight

[@BIGDRONEFLYER77RC]

Very well done on the info, I'm headed to the CES in Las Vegas 2019, Southwest flight. So when I'm not flying in the booth I'm working. My free time I want to find a spot to fly in Vegas. So if you kniw of any need rules I will appreciate it. I'm just going to take the Spark, instead of the Mavic

[@mark_girardeau]

Awesome video, very helpful for me as I was trying to find info about bringing my drone onboard but I am also bringing a camera bag too, thank you!

[@seklistangdronista1742]

thanks for this info Sir. in my experience last 2 days I fly 3 pcs of p4 battery with the drone from TAIWAN to the Philippines and 2 pcs of 5200 mAh 4s lipo battery. all batteries are sealed and insulate . no problem they put a tag approved .....

[@ucheucheuche]

Thank goodness for compact drones these days.

[@gaylordmcgillicuddy8745]

DJI Spark wattage is 16.87 watt hours if anyone was wondering...

[@OneSandMan]

gaylord mcgillicuddy thank you

[@fultoncreed2973]

That's cute

[@ninojanac7140]

Thanks :)

[@musicsavage4456]

Mavic Mini is 17.28 Wh

[@seanc.5310]

Awesome video! I'm flying with my drone for the first time this week and this answers a lot of questions. I just will double check that since posting the video last year that rules have not changed on batteries.

[@Bipolar_Weasel]

Flew with two tiny whoops and all the spare parts/frames/chargers, FPV goggles and Radio in my checked luggage and put my dozen or so batteries in my carry on backpack. No issues with Delta or AA. TSA went through the gear but since I wasn't packing my batteries in the checked luggage, they didn't care.

[@JustinKrausePhotos]

I like the sitting at another gate trick! Awesome idea!!

[@ainik20]

This is super helpful! Will be traveling in a domestic flight than an international flight in 3 months! Thank you again!!

[@Stefan_Johansson]

I have a DJI Phantom 4 Advance , that I travel the world with , newer had a problem , Im in Toronto now , coming from Florida and before that I came from Sweden, I have 2 batteries with me. But thanks for a good video

[@wmichaels1]

Betting you haven't tried Belize.

[@Stefan_Johansson]

Newer Belize ! .Whats up

[@daniellingen3062]

Wait correct me if i Am wrong but The tsa website says None for most batteries - but batteries must be for use by the passenger. Batteries carried for further sale or distribution (vendor samples, etc.) are prohibited. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101-160 watt hours per battery). In my experience you can take as many on as you want I brought 5 phantom 3 batteries and 2 ronnin m batteries with no problem

[@angel00demon]

I don't see why all fuzz about check in your drone. I've checked my Mavic and tons of racers... OK ! he carbon fiber racers are made to take all types of beatings imaginable 🤗 but my Mavic and Spark had always arrived ready to fly and film in perfect condition .I've also checked luggages with other sensitive gears like my drum machines, synths, mixers for my gigs, and it's usually a long distance flight (13+ hours). I just ask them to add a red "FRAGILE" tag or stickler. I think as long as they are packed inside their bag within your luggage, with your usual clothing as cushion, you are good to go 👍🏼

[@liamb8379]

Hi there. Great detail for the us drone flyers out there. I'm based in the UK. But I'm intrigued by you talking of this green tag. What does it mean if you do get handed a green tag?

[@sethbyas2452]

I flew on Southwest to Indiana last year with my 250 race drone and I got past TSA with no issue

[@onyx8231]

I have a (faa registered) dji spark. I can't believe I'm having to watch these videos. I should have just bought an all-out Phantom.

[@allenwhshieh]

What a concise and informational video. Thanks!

[@NicholasEJones]

Is it worth printing the rules off incase airlines don’t understand the battery rules

[@Improvephotographycom]

Good idea.

[@carlpeters9792]

They really don't care

[@mrmustache8735]

Last year I travelled with my drone and once it went to the X-ray machine the whole belt stopped haha. They figured out pretty quick that it was a drone and the belt started rolling again without checking the bag at all.

[@RafaelSwit]

Hey Jim, what is your experience with drone insurance and specifically liability insurance? Recently I've found out that your regular liability insurance that a professional photographer or videographer might already have, doesn't cover drone incidents. On top of it many insurance companies don't offer liability for drone operators, and those that do are very expensive and may actually limit how many flight hours per year your insurance will cover... So technically anytime you're flying your drones to make KZbin (monetized) videos, real estate aerial video/photo, and even aerial landscape photography that you plan to sell, all those uses are considered commercial work and would count against that limited number of hours. And on top of that, each time you would have to inform local authorities and businesses. What's worse, many countries have drone regulation even stricter than U.S. or Canada... For example Nicaragua made them illegal all together. I'd love to learn what are your thoughts on this issue in one of your future videos or in the podcast. Thanks!

[@jennydanielagutierrezgutie9802]

Can I bring the drone and its batteries in my personal item? I just want to avoid taking the carry-on, I only have one backpack. I am going to use Frontier Airlines.

[@dan_abrusci]

awesome video man! Thanks!!!!!

[@joegowac4578]

Great info. Im flying Thursday with a drone for the first time.

[@carlpeters9792]

Joe Gowac read my comment above

[@joegowac4578]

Carl Peters which one?

[@carlpeters9792]

Joe Gowac long one near top

[@joegowac4578]

Carl Peters maybe its my phone ..mine is on the top

[@waldosilva7282]

Nice Video, Quick question: What about the level of charge on the batteries?

[@utopiac679]

Big help!! Thanks for the tips!!

[@alisahin2577]

A question, what is the best way to travel your battery's if you don't have a lipo bag to put the battery's in?

[@OysterSalad]

It's 2021. Have the rules on travel with these batteries changed since you posted this? I have the DJI FPV and can't afford to be running into issues with $140-ish batteries. But also, I have a Mavic MIni with several batteries. Am I better off just shipping everything to my destination?

[@Chaotic_Monk43]

I'm planning on flying on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow to Newark with a Mavic Air and a DSLR with two extra batteries each, I'm guessing just put it all in carry on?

[@justrandomman2415]

Phew I was kinda worried cause I’m getting a phantom three but I’m on winter break up north and I gonna bring it back home

[@onthemovewithfiifi5811]

Thank you 👍🏾

[@mkmk644]

Great information thank you.

[@jcarl211]

If there are more than one person flying with you (as a family), can you just have the other person carry 2 in their check in bag as well as having 2 in your bag?

[@blakeorr7604]

I’m getting the dji spark and I’m making sure to have printouts of the regulations and everything cause if I get green tagged I swear imma flip

[@theobserverism]

Was watching another video talking about drone registration paper? Which I assume is the FAA registration is that still required ?

[@bigboat8329]

Is there a possibility of getting green tagged with just your drone bag even if it fits underneath the airplane seat at the gate?

[@dandelacruz180]

some airlines tag hand carry items now. so hiding them from their vierw at check-in can cause problems.

[@captraykelly]

Great video. Only flew once & carried in the case P4 came in with no problem. Thanks foe the tips. Fly safe. Subscribed to you please recipricate.

[@carlpeters9792]

Anyone watching this video and reading the comments- I have passed the tsa inspection 6 times in San Francisco, Buffalo, Las Vegas, and Boston. I followed all the rules I checked several KZbin videos (which were scams) that said you have to "drain your batteries to under 15 percent or they'll explode!" But it's false I've had 2 batteries with about 83 percent each (Phantom 3) and they are perfectly fine as long as there is circulation in your storage (polar pro backpack is what I use and it's great for storage). What he says in this video about the other batteries and watt hours is probably true but to be honest I don't think a flight attendant would know the regulations worst case scenario the flight attendant would think it's cool you have a drone

[@ultimategaming2142]

thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@albertovilla9220]

Carl Peters What happens if the batteries are in the suitcase you check can cause fire or must go in the cabin????

[@carlpeters9792]

Alberto Villa I put them in the top compartment in the cabin and no problems. Just make sure your backpack or suitcase is ventilated.

[@carlpeters9792]

Prince Tambir no problem hope the flight went good with your drone.

[@albertovilla9220]

Carl Peters ok thanks

[@kiwiforever3604]

I carry my phantom 4 as carry on but would not be carrying a bag as big as yours on in economy class. If all passsgers did that I dont think there be enouh space in the lockers on a 737 or 320 size plane.

[@Rcoronel12]

I'm a little confused your battery is less than 100 kWh and you stated you are limited to 2 spare batteries and a battery in the device. On the TSA website, you are limited to 2 spare batteries that are over 100 kWh. It doesn't say anything about how many batteries you can bring less than 100 kWh. Can you please help. Thanks.

[@tarzoun69]

The rules are international and made by the IATA under the dangerous goods regulations Table 2.3.A. named 'Provisions for Dangerous goods carried by passengers or crew'. Indeed there is no reference about any limits on batteries not exceeding 100 Wh. Now the problem is that most agents only apply the most restrictive rules to save time during security checks. I suggest you carry your own copy of the IATA regulations when you travel in order to show the agent you know the rules and are not infringing any of them. Then again, the provisions of the table may be limited by state or operator variations. It's always better to check with the airline before you travel www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/passenger-provisions-table-23A-en.pdf

[@boricuany79]

Murdoc 808 If they are below the 100 you can take more than 3 batteries

[@jeffellis6544]

I fly Southwest all over the country - and for the past 4 years carrying a Phantom 3 and usually 8 batteries. In a good pack with 6 of them in separate foam cutouts and two with terminal cap protectors. No problems....

[@JSKCKNIT]

I flew to Hawaii and the Big Island last Summer with 4 Phantom 3 batteries. No issues at all. Rules may be different for international as Eric Balter states.

[@jasonlindquistmedia]

Great info , thumbs up i subd too, jus got p4a. Love it ty!

[@epicairport7696]

If you are flying with jet2 you have to check your drone and the all batteries must be in hand luggage

[@JourneyWithDavaoJack]

I am just now starting my info gathering for my next trip to the Philippines next summer. I see I have a lot of work to do to learn about how to take my KARMA. After seeing a video last year of how thieves can enter a suitcase such as yours (just like mine) and helping themselves to the contents and then moving the zippers back the way they found them with no trace of theft makes me a little uneasy; but since DELTA BAGGAGE HANDLERS literally destroyed mine on the way to Manila in '16, I really don't know WHAT to do. If I can maybe I will invest in one of those hard-shelled suitcases. Fortunately none of my belongings were missing but all the zipper seams were ripped apart like it dropped off a conveyor belt from several feet off the ground. It was all wrapped up in shrink wrap. It was in such bad shape that I didn't even recognize it when it by. NO, NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STUFF A DRONE IN YOUR CHECKED BAGGAGE. This was great info. Thanks, I'll be back for more.

[@albertovilla9220]

When you put the dron bag in the other bag you put the batteries too or took them up with you??

[@erinculusoy4680]

You are so nice man! Have a great life with your family =)

[@BluegirlXhin]

Do we need to register our drone or get a lisence ?

[@palomaferreira3590]

OMG YOURE A GENIOUS! and you helped me a lot hahaha thanks

[@liam4210]

You're a smart and sneaky guy

[@Sky1]

I got some LiPo bags anyway. I don't trust these things

[@flighttime5534]

Ehh that camera is a little shaky, maybe use a gimbal?

[@victorbeaulieu9171]

What about outside the USA? I'm flying from denmark, to london to singapore to australia................... and can I bring the drone-box and a bag both as carry on onto the plane?

[@thomas5816]

Is this up to date as of june 2018?

[@mediumcoolvideoproductions6245]

Great video

[@JaffreyH]

So it says with Spirit they want spares in carry on. do you think I could get away with putting them in my checked bag with the drone? Or do you think it's better to put them in my personal item (backpack).

[@danielabaigorri]

Is your DJI bag (the black backpack) allowed as a personal item? I have to catch a flight, but I no longer have the foam case my phantom 4 came in.

[@Improvephotographycom]

Nope. It's too big. It would have to be a carry-on.

[@dronesouth9098]

Still too big.

[@MyloMusica]

What if buy a drone before the flight, can i carry the original box of the drone as well? And and extra baterry in my girlfriend's purse?

[@ptt1404]

can I bring 1 phantom 3 back bag, 1 carry on luggage and 1 phantom 4 box ?

[@caloferrero78]

YOU SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE GOPRO WHY? YOU DID NOT GET PAY FROM THEN OR YOUR TITTLE CAN JUST SAID TRAVEL WITH A DJ DRONE INFO ONLY ?

[@vnansen]

Thanks for the info. How about carrying a DJI Spark in the domestic flight ?

[@JustinKrausePhotos]

Just throw that in your carry-on backpack. I'm tempted to get a spark but heard theyre still noisy. Are they?

[@-Burb]

Justin Krause Photography & Media They’re not too loud. Yes it’s loud, but once you get it about 100 feet away from you you cant really hear it. I highly recommend it if you can’t afford a mavic ;) I don’t think I’ll ever get a large drone like a phantom just because once you get a portable drone, you never want anything bigger that you can’t just easily take with you anywhere :) Edit - All drones are loud no matter what you get, unless you get the Mavic Pro platinum.

[@fosterchild1793]

what if I have a Sony a6000 as well??? does that mean I can't bring any batteries for the camera?????? or is it the same "2 spares and one inside the camera only" rule?? PLEASE REPLY

[@samwoodhead5308]

are portable chargers aloud? I have one for the dpi spark?

[@tomgretzky]

Thanks

[@canadainboy24-graeme91]

What about west jet air lines??? How doss that work?

[@hotgrapescomics]

What are the watt hours for my Vivitar 360 Skyview video drone?

[@himanshuyadav164]

Hey dear i'm in bangkok and i'm from india .. i boughy a dji panthom 3 pro.in bangkok i want to go india with drone.can you give me some trick how to pack drone and how to be carefull at airport and costoms ... please sir

[@ShakeiraSmith]

I'm trying to figure out why I wouldn't want to get a green tag? I've never flown before so I don't understand.

[@deanpasciuto7687]

Shakeira Smith if your bag is too big they will check it under the plane. Most people with expensive items like their bag in their overhead instead of under the plane bc of the chance it gets taken at baggage claim.

[@CreatedByBTR]

How are the regulations for the spark? It is much smaller, so do you think with that as a personal item and a small laptop bag, for example, you will be okay from not getting green tagged?

[@Southern_K_One]

it shouldn't get green tag since it can fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin...I work for an airline so you should be good to go...i also have a spark and you will be fine!

[@GoProGoalieUzi]

thakone23 cool. I have a spark, going to Mexico from Vancouver Canada next week. Do you think I should deplete my batteries or can they be around 79%charged? I also bought a safe lipo bag for them just in case. I’m packing them in my spark carry case...fly more combo

[@dkr8cing]

thakone23 do I need a registration card? What if I just bought the drone?

[@jytykims1077]

How about Holystone HS700D?

[@abdulrafay2845]

I need to take a X52 through Thailand airport can I

[@connerstone124]

mavic air has 27.43Wh incase anyone was wondering

[@furiousone2k]

so theres a new law that entering the US from a couple international countries, electronics bigger than an iphone have to be checked. So i'm looking for a big enough case....man i hate that law.

[@crawfish91]

Wow, so flying in, you can't bring a Laptop? how about a Tablet?

[@nor4277]

Do you see drones of the future,with more features,the price going up ,or down ,anyone

[@photacular7500]

Ron Thompson probably going down

[@carlpeters9792]

Well depends on the features but most likely down because dji is typically owning the consumer drone market right now but as other companies start making competing drones the price will decrease which is good for us 😁

[@johnpinckley5139]

question for you have you ever flown internationally ??? if so tell me about that I am going to the philippines ..

[@-Burb]

John Pinckley Make sure you know the flight laws in the Philippines. In some countries drones aren’t legal, so I would just make 100% certain you can bring it.

[@justinmckinlay]

best video on the topic

[@thomas5816]

So if i put my phantom and the props and my two batteries in there, (the grey foam case), i can take it as a person item? So i take it into the plane with me like a carry-on, like putting it in overhead luggage compartment?

[@tcain4734]

ThomasKZbinr in tryin to work this out now as well. My hardshell case is 1 inch too wide so I'm lookin for a smaller one

[@thomas5816]

T Cain I ended up not taking mine, sadly. It depends who you get. Some don't care, some will take you off to the side and hassle you. In the end, they can't do a THING about your drone. You just have to find a way to keep it with you by taking it as a personal item. I took a small plane, and the overhead compartment was TINY. They told us to leave our carry on items outside the plane, on the walkway thingy to the plane, and we would get them when we leave. (which we did) If I explained nicely, that it was fragile and expensive, they might have let me put it under my seat. But if it was a personal item, they couldn't say squat. (however, this flight was very short, 2 hours) longer flight will have carry on overhead compartment, just get on the plane ASAP, so you can get an overhead compartment space. Or, a personal item can go under your seat, or if it doesn't fit, under your feet. (once the pilot takes off the seatbelt light) Just make sure the country your going allows drones, and if so what are the laws. Please don't make the mistake of not taking your drone, you will beat yourself afterwards. I hope my experience will help yours. P. S. What drone do you have?

[@tcain4734]

ThomasKZbinr I have a phantom 3 standard. I actually found a backpack that meets the airline requirements... I'm flying to the Philippines. Goin from Texas to LA first so both planes won't be small but I do have all paperwork with me I learned from another KZbinr because not all of them know the rules about taking them so I'll have that paperwork in hand just in case cuz I don't have time to be talked to to death missing my flight.

[@thomas5816]

T Cain smart move printing off the rules. So glad your taking your drone. I hope you enjoy your trip and I hope everything goes OK with the drone. I have a phantom 4 pro, I love mine.

[@tcain4734]

ThomasKZbinr thanks... To help everyone out in actually goin to make a video about my trip so we can have an updated one rather than look at videos 2 years old tryin to find current answers.. Phantom 4.... Hurts me to look at it after I got the 3 lol great drone phenomenonal range 👍🏽

[@ArjinUppal]

Inspire 1, 99wh

[@dkr8cing]

Do I have to have a registration card to travel with my drone?

[@AckermanandSon]

Did you need one?

[@HiHai]

Beautiful colours! You should check out my landscape aerial videos when you get chance.

[@LEWISNBA1]

Someone please help! I have a DJI MAVIC and one battery! I'm about to fly to Bali, do I leave the battery in the air craft through security and on the plane or do I keep it removed ? No one seems to have an answer... thank you!!!!

[@Improvephotographycom]

Either way is fine if you're carrying it on.

[@Merakai01]

Lewis Jones I'm looking to buy a spark soon to take to Bali. Could you please let me know how you got on with taking your drone. Many thanks

[@jag1870]

@Lewis Jones, I recently flew from MIA to DFW to GJR , and then back from GJR to PHX, to MIA. I had all three of my batteries packed in my carry on with these: www.amazon.com/Sikye-Battery-Fireproof-Explosionproof-Storage/dp/B06XKW2D82/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502412043&sr=8-4&keywords=lipo+polymer+battery+cover and www.amazon.com/Sikye-Battery-Fireproof-Explosionproof-Storage/dp/B06XKW5HTF/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1502412043&sr=8-3&keywords=lipo+polymer+battery+cover No problems and they worked like a charm.

[@JeffPaisano]

what about flying INTERNATIONAL? going from LAX through Dubai to Entebee and back. some have gone as far as to say i can get it there but cant bring it back home...??? any input? Anyone? thx! Typhoon H.

[@carlpeters9792]

There might be strict regulations one way than the other...different airlines have different rules

[@carlpeters9792]

You could get through tsa but not the airline

[@JustinKrausePhotos]

Try and fly direct. The laws for electrical carry-on depends on the airport and a lot of middle eastern countries have been hit by this. Lots of info online about it. Good luck!

[@arielfuturspeed]

What is a greentag? Can someone pls say it to me?

[@blakeorr7604]

arielfuturspeed when you get a green tag (from my experience from flying) it gets put along with the rest of your baggage and can not be a personal or carry on item, often times the employees throw the bags around when loading them and since drones are fragile, they break so the guy who made he video is just telling how to prevent yourself from getting one and if you do get one, he’s showing how to prevent damage to your drone

[@LordPenny95]

what about spark WH

[@thomas5816]

sebastian penny it's way under. Around 18 wh

[@andresosorio6330]

Dji spark is 16.87 Wh so u know

[@HazanTheMan]

Hey can im flying international and i have a cheap 40 dollar drone with 2 batteries that only give me like 6 minutes of flight time each. Can i take that with me inside my backpack???? PLZ ANSWER!

[@anthonymorato7281]

but face yes, you Can take the batteries and the drone

[@onyx8231]

If your drone weighs less than 0.55 lbs, they'll consider it to be a toy therefore it's not a threat, "but face" the consequences if they (airline staff) don't like you for some reason. They'll harass the shit out of you.

[@ericsen7452]

travel with a mavic, less headaches

[@robertcalloway6685]

Eric Sen : I am going to travel with my Mavic from Taiwan to NYC soon. I decided not to take my Inspire 1, thinking it will be a headache and a half to carry it. Have you taken a flight with your Mavic before, and how hassle free was it? Thanks

[@ericsen7452]

Mavic travels well in carry on. Tip, wrap your extra batteries in plastic wrap, use extra long piece, reuse and reuse wrapper. If you still have your original battery box it came in, better yet. I only took 1 battery with me, for 1 or 2 flights in a day was enough for my time needed but I wish I took more. I took 3 batteries my first trip with P3, and never would need that many batteries...for I don't want to be droning all the time

[@deanpasciuto7687]

Do you need to drain the drone battery before flying?

[@tcain4734]

Dean Pasciuto yes drain it and to be on the safe said take it to 15%

[@Fastgt2003]

Easy drive and have freedom you also won’t be molested

[@Fastgt2003]

SquiDragon TSA handles that before you get to the plane ✈️ check KZbin

[@pearl4304]

I wont lie this is scary to hear lmao

[@coachkent796]

Quite possibly the worst advice I've ever found for flying. How to be sneaky... Millennial. Just flew from Philadelphia to Portland Oregon with four batteries and a drone not a problem in the world.

[@AidanMcLeodProductions]

Coach Kent Portland has the most chill security in the world love it

[@StupidityExodusHub]

UAV/Quadcoptor

[@justinwilson3655]

so you smuggel drugs

[@mimoreque1805]

Great information. Thanks!