YES — Allowed in Carry-on Bags on American Airlines
Drones themselves are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, their lithium-ion batteries are strictly restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Can you bring drone (quadcopter) on American Airlines?
Quick Answer
Yes — Drone (Quadcopter) is allowed in carry-on bags on American Airlines flights. Drones themselves are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, their lithium-ion batteries are strictly restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Also known as: quadcopter, uav, dji, united airlines drone policy, dji drone plane, drone carry on
What is drone (quadcopter)?
Yes — Drone (Quadcopter) is allowed in carry-on bags by TSA. Drones themselves are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, their lithium-ion batteries are strictly restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Allowed In Cabin
Drones themselves are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, their lithium-ion batteries are strictly restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Restricted In Hold
Drones themselves are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, their lithium-ion batteries are strictly restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to Drone (Quadcopter).
FAA & American Airlines Regulation for Battery Devices
49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18) — FAA & Airline Policy
Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) HazMat safety regulations (49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18)) and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, lithium-ion batteries powering drone (quadcopter) are capped at 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery for standard carry-on. Spare batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require explicit airline approval. Uninstalled lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked cargo holds because cargo fires involving lithium chemistries cannot be easily extinguished in flight.
Security Checkpoint Screening Procedure
During security screening for drone (quadcopter), any device larger than a standard smartphone (such as laptops, tablets, or large camera equipment) must be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed in a dedicated screening bin with nothing underneath or on top. Power banks, spare lithium-ion batteries, and rechargeable devices must remain in your carry-on luggage and are strictly forbidden in checked baggage due to FAA cargo fire safety protocols. Turn off high-capacity battery units to prevent accidental activation during flight.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for American Airlines Passengers
Verify battery specifications for drone (quadcopter). Spare lithium-ion batteries and external power banks must stay in carry-on luggage — they are prohibited in checked bags.
Ensure the drone (quadcopter) power switch or heating element is fully off and safety-locked before placing it in your bag.
Protect exposed terminals on spare batteries by covering contacts with tape or storing them in individual plastic pouches.
Be prepared to remove large electronics (larger than a mobile phone) from your bag to lay them flat in a TSA screening tray.
Store delicate screens and components inside a padded sleeve to protect them from impact during boarding and overhead-bin loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified travel information
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).