Can I bring a drone on a plane?
The short answer
Yes — the drone body may go in either bag, but its lithium batteries must travel in your carry-on. In practice, carry the whole thing on.
Carry-on: Yes
Checked: Restricted
Remove every battery from the drone and carry them in the cabin with the terminals taped or each battery in its own pouch to prevent short circuits.
Destination rules matter more than airline rules. Several countries require registration or prohibit drone imports outright, and customs can seize an undeclared drone on arrival.
The rules
- Drone body
- Carry-on or checked
- Batteries
- Carry-on only
- Destination rules
- Check before travelling — some countries ban imports
Compiled August 20, 2026 — not yet confirmed against the official pageSource: IATA