One of the most common questions asked in drone forums goes something like this: “Next week I am travelling to [insert exotic place name and country] on [insert airline name]. Can I take my [insert drone brand and model] on the plane?”
So, in the interests of saving a lot of time and trouble for others to answer, I did some research today to see what the go is. And across the board, it is remarkable similar. Here is a list of the requirements to carry (drone) batteries on Australian airlines, plus Brirish Airways as a starter, and I’ll add more internationals over the next 24 hours.
QANTAS – All batteries must be carried as hand luggage and will not be accepted in checked in bags. Up to 20 batteries less than 100watt-hours can be carried, and there is a maximum of 2 for batteries >100Wh and < 160Wh. It is recommended batteries be kept in separate containers away from each other (eg plastic bags) wit terminals covered by insulation to prevent shorting.
VIRGIN – Up to 15 100Wh or less batteries can be carried as hand luggage in a device. Up to 20 batteries < 100watt-hours can be carried as spares and must be in hand luggage. Batteries >100Wh and <160 Wh in a device can be either hand luggage or in checked baggage. There is a maximum of 2 for extras batteries >100Wh and < 160Wh and these must be in hand luggage. . It is recommended batteries be kept in separate containers away from each other (eg plastic bags) wit terminals covered by insulation to prevent shorting.
REX – Batteries with a maximum 100Wh must be kept in cabin luggage and up to 20 / passenger. A maximum of 2 Batteries > 100Wh < 160Wh is allowed, are to be carried as hand luggage only and MUST be declared. Batteries >160Wh will only be carried as freight.
Skywest – Batteries are carried as per the rules of its partner airlines Delta, United, American Airlines and Alaska Air.
British Airways – Batteries <100Wh can be carried as hand luggage in the device only with up to 4 spares in original packaging or insulated from metal contact. Batteries kept in the device and switched off (ie not sleep mode) can be checked in. Spare batteries in checked luggage is forbidden. Batteries >100Wh and < 160Wh can be carried in devices (max 2. Up to 2 spares can be carried kept in original packaging or insulated. Spare batteries in checked luggage is forbidden.
*To calculate Watt Hours, it is equal to battery voltage multiplied by its Amp Hours and divided by 1000.
Ie: Wh = ( V*Ah)/1000.
