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A man packs a DJI Flip into a dark shoulder bag outdoors

Can you bring a drone on a plane? Lithium batteries, TSA and airlines

Yes, you can take a drone on a plane: the TSA lets drones through the checkpoint and leaves the rest to your airline.

TSA, FAA, airline and maker pages read November 14, 2026; checked November 14, 2026

No airline approval needed up to
100Wh
With airline approval, up to
160Wh
Spares of 101 to 160 Wh, per person
2
Largest drone battery in our table
95.3Wh

Can you bring a drone on a plane? Yes, you can fly with a drone; the batteries are the rule

The rules are about the batteries: spares ride in the cabin only, each protected against short circuits, and a lithium-ion battery may be 100 Wh or less without the airline's approval.

Yes. The TSA's entry for drones says: “Drones are allowed through the checkpoint.” Its status lines for carry-on bags and checked bags both read “Check with Airline”. What the rules are about is the drone batteries: the TSA says drones with lithium batteries, fuel cells and components of certain parachute systems “may be prohibited in baggage”, and points to the FAA's rules.

Three parties set the rules for drone pilots who bring a drone on a plane:

  • The TSA

    The TSA, at the checkpoint. Each of its entries ends: “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”

    Allowed
  • The federal rule

    The federal rule for lithium batteries. 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18), a U.S. Department of Transportation rule, says which lithium batteries a passenger may carry and where. The FAA explains it on its PackSafe pages.

    Batteries
  • Your airline

    Your airline. The FAA says many airlines “may have stricter quantity and Wh limits” and asks you to check with your airline.

    Check first

The regulation does not use the word drone: its list of portable electronic devices gives examples, cameras among them, and the FAA's page on drones sends drone owners to the lithium battery rules. This page applies those rules to drone batteries the way the FAA and the TSA present them, and says no more than they do.

The TSA's entries, the federal rule in 49 CFR 175.10, the FAA's PackSafe pages, each airline's page and each maker's battery figures were read on November 14, 2026 and checked for this page on November 14, 2026. Both the TSA and the FAA send you to your airline before you fly, and each airline below carries the date we read its page.

Avata 2 and its goggles in a shoulder bag: the drone goes through the checkpoint.

Every battery in our table

All 19 batteries of the 14 drones in our table are under 100 Wh.

TSA drone policy: bring your drone through the checkpoint

The TSA's “What Can I Bring?” list has one entry for drones and two for lithium batteries.

Their status lines and their text, in the TSA's words:

Drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

What the entry says: “Drones are allowed through the checkpoint.” It asks you to check your airline's policy before you travel.

Carry-on bags
Check with Airline
Checked bags
Check with Airline

Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device

What the entry says: Spare lithium batteries, power banks included, “must be carried in carry-on baggage only”; lithium ion batteries are limited to 100 Wh.

Carry-on bags
Yes
Checked bags
Yes (Special Instructions)

Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours

What the entry says: “With airline approval”, up to two spare lithium ion batteries of 101 to 160 Wh, two per person.

Carry-on bags
Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked bags
No

The TSA's three entries for traveling with drones and their batteries, each a TSA entry with its carry-on and checked status. All three say “Last Updated on March 29, 2023”.

The TSA's answer

The entry for 100 Wh or less is titled “in a device”, but its text is about spare batteries and sends you to the FAA for batteries installed in a device. So the TSA's answer is yes for the drone, and for its batteries: check with your airline and follow the FAA's rules, which the next section quotes.

The 100 Wh and 160 Wh lines

Flying with drone batteries: the 100 Wh and 160 Wh lines

The federal rule sorts lithium-ion batteries by their energy in watt-hours (Wh). The FAA's summary, beside what 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18) adds:

Allowed

100 Wh or less

The FAA's summary: “are allowed”.

What the regulation adds: No airline approval. In the drone: checked or carry-on bags, a checked drone completely off. Spares: carry-on only, each protected against short circuits.

Airline approval

More than 100 Wh, not more than 160 Wh

The FAA's summary: “require approval from the air carrier”.

What the regulation adds: With the airline's approval, in a device; spares at most two per person, each individually protected, in carry-on bags.

Forbidden

More than 160 Wh

The FAA's summary: “are forbidden”.

What the regulation adds: None of the drone batteries in our table comes near: the largest is 95.3 Wh.

Lithium-ion batteries carried by passengers, by battery energy: the FAA's PackSafe summary and the regulation.

  • Spare batteries

    In the cabin only. Every spare drone battery rides in the cabin, each one “individually protected so as to prevent short circuits”: in its retail packaging, with its terminals taped, or in its own plastic bag or pouch. A power bank counts as a spare battery too (175.10(a)(18)(iv)).

    Not checked
    The exact rule
    Spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18), batteries carried by passengers (eCFR)
  • A drone in a checked bag

    Completely off. A drone with its battery installed “may be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage”; in a checked bag it must be completely off and protected from turning on by accident or being damaged. That is the one way drone batteries can be checked under the federal rule, and some airlines ask for more (below).

    Switched off
    The exact rule
    … completely switched off (i.e., not in sleep or hibernation mode) … 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18), batteries carried by passengers (eCFR)

Two more lines of the rule. Each battery, installed or spare, must be of a type tested to the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, 38.3. And the rule applies “Except as provided in § 173.21”, the section that forbids batteries “likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat” unless they are packaged to prevent it.

The FAA says damaged or recalled batteries “must not be carried aboard an aircraft”, in carry-on or checked bags; to learn whether a battery is recalled, it names the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the maker and the vendor. As for why spares ride in the cabin: lithium-ion batteries can go into thermal runaway, and flight crews “are trained to recognize and respond” to a battery fire in the cabin. If a battery overheats on board, the FAA asks you to tell the crew at once.

How to find a drone battery's watt-hours

The FAA: “Newer lithium ion batteries have the Wh rating marked on them.” If yours shows only volts and amp hours, multiply them; if it shows milliamp hours (mAh), divide by 1,000 first. The FAA's own example is 12 V × 8 Ah = 96 Wh. The table below does it for every battery in our data.

Air 3S kit: any battery not in the drone is a spare, and spares ride in the cabin.

Volts × amp hours

The FAA's own example: 12 V × 8 Ah = 96 Wh. Milliamp hours? Divide by 1,000 first.

Drone batteries of 14 drones, in watt-hours

All 19 batteries of the 14 drones in our data, the standard battery and the larger one where the maker sells it, are rated 100 Wh or less on the makers' pages: the band that needs no airline approval.

The largest is the DJI Mavic 4 Pro's Intelligent Flight Battery, 95.3 Wh; the smallest, the DJI Neo's, 10.5 Wh.

Every drone battery against the 100 Wh line

The makers' watt-hours, largest first. Up to 100 Wh needs no airline approval; 101 to 160 Wh needs it.

  1. DJI Mavic 4 Pro95.3 Wh6,654 mAh
  2. DJI Air 3S62.5 Wh4,276 mAh
  3. DJI Avata 231.7 Wh2,150 mAh
  4. DJI Flip22.3 Wh3,110 mAh
  5. DJI Mini 5 Pro33.51 Wh with the Battery Plus19.52 Wh2,788 mAh
  6. DJI Mini 4 Pro28.4 Wh with the Battery Plus18.96 Wh2,590 mAh
  7. DJI Mini 328.4 Wh with the Battery Plus18.1 Wh2,453 mAh
  8. DJI Mini 3 Pro28.4 Wh with the Battery Plus18.1 Wh2,453 mAh
  9. DJI Mini 4K17.32 Wh2,250 mAh
  10. Potensic ATOM 217.18 Wh2,230 mAh
  11. Antigravity A131.1 Wh with the High-Capacity Flight Battery16.9 Wh2,360 mAh
  12. HOVERAir X1 PRO14.17 Wh1,920 mAh
  13. DJI Neo 211.5 Wh1,606 mAh
  14. DJI Neo10.5 Wh1,435 mAh

The standard batteryThe larger battery, where the maker sells one100 Wh: above it, the airline must approve

The full table: all 19 batteries, capacity, voltage and the maker's page
The 19 batteries of the 14 drones in our data, as their makers rate them, read on the makers' pages November 14, 2026. The last figure is the FAA's method, volts × amp hours, worked on the maker's own figures.
Drone and batteryCapacityVoltageEnergy, as the maker prints itVolts × amp hoursMaker's page
Antigravity A1, Flight Battery2,360 mAh7.16 V16.9 Wh7.16 × 2.36 = 16.90 WhAntigravity A1 specs page (U.S.)
Antigravity A1, High-Capacity Flight Battery4,345 mAh7.16 V31.1 Wh7.16 × 4.345 = 31.11 WhAntigravity A1 specs page (U.S.)
DJI Air 3S, Intelligent Flight Battery4,276 mAh14.6 V62.5 Wh14.6 × 4.276 = 62.43 WhDJI Air 3S specs page (U.S.)
DJI Avata 2, Intelligent Flight Battery2,150 mAh14.76 V (standard voltage)31.7 Wh14.76 × 2.15 = 31.73 WhDJI Avata 2 specs page (U.S.)
DJI Flip, Intelligent Flight Battery3,110 mAh7.16 V22.3 Wh7.16 × 3.11 = 22.27 WhDJI Flip specs page (U.S.)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery6,654 mAh14.32 V95.3 Wh14.32 × 6.654 = 95.29 WhDJI Mavic 4 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
DJI Mini 3, Intelligent Flight Battery2,453 mAh7.38 V18.1 Wh7.38 × 2.453 = 18.10 WhDJI Mini 3 specs page (U.S.)
DJI Mini 3, Intelligent Flight Battery Plus3,850 mAh7.38 V28.4 Wh7.38 × 3.85 = 28.41 WhDJI Mini 3 specs page (U.S.)
DJI Mini 3 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery2,453 mAh7.38 V18.1 Wh7.38 × 2.453 = 18.10 WhDJI Mini 3 Pro support page with specs (U.S.)
DJI Mini 3 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery Plus3,850 mAh7.38 V28.4 Wh7.38 × 3.85 = 28.41 WhDJI Mini 3 Pro support page with specs (U.S.)
DJI Mini 4 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery2,590 mAh7.32 V18.96 Wh7.32 × 2.59 = 18.96 WhDJI Mini 4 Pro specs page (U.S.)
DJI Mini 4 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (DJI Mini 3 Series)3,850 mAh7.38 V28.4 Wh7.38 × 3.85 = 28.41 WhDJI Mini 4 Pro specs page (U.S.)
DJI Mini 4K, Intelligent Flight Battery2,250 mAh7.7 V17.32 Wh7.7 × 2.25 = 17.32 WhDJI Mini 4K user manual v1.0 (English), specifications
DJI Mini 5 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery2,788 mAh7 V19.52 Wh7 × 2.788 = 19.52 WhDJI Mini 5 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
DJI Mini 5 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery Plus4,680 mAh7.16 V33.51 Wh7.16 × 4.68 = 33.51 WhDJI Mini 5 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
DJI Neo, Intelligent Flight Battery1,435 mAh7.3 V10.5 Wh7.3 × 1.435 = 10.48 WhDJI Neo specs page (U.S.)
DJI Neo 2, Intelligent Flight Battery1,606 mAh7.16 V11.5 Wh7.16 × 1.606 = 11.50 WhDJI Neo 2 specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
HOVERAir X1 PRO, Battery1,920 mAh7.38 V14.17 Wh7.38 × 1.92 = 14.17 WhHOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX product page with specs
Potensic ATOM 2, Smart Flight Battery (model DSBT02B)2,230 mAh7.7 V17.18 Wh7.7 × 2.23 = 17.17 WhPotensic ATOM 2 specs page
  • Volts × amp hours, the FAA's method, gives each maker's printed figure within 0.1 Wh.
  • American Airlines' page gives a formula for power banks, “Wh = mAh x 3.7 / 1,000”. The 3.7 is the voltage of a single cell; the drone batteries in our table are rated 7 to 14.76 volts, so for them that formula gives 25% to 53% of the maker's figure: for the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, 24.6 Wh against 95.3 Wh. The FAA's method is volts × amp hours.
  • The remote controller has a lithium battery of its own: DJI lists the RC-N2 on its Mini 4 Pro page at 18.72 Wh (3.6 V, 2600 mAh × 2). The FAA's drone brochure adds that some accessories, such as cameras and speakers, contain lithium batteries.

In our drone records, 3 models broadcast Remote ID only with a named battery: Antigravity A1 (High-Capacity Flight Battery), DJI Mini 3 (Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) and DJI Mini 4 Pro (Intelligent Flight Battery Plus). DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual puts that drone over 0.55 lb (249 g) at takeoff with its larger battery. What that changes is answered in our Remote ID guide and the registration helper.

Mini 5 Pro kit: the drone, its controller and its batteries, each with its own lithium cells.

A larger battery, a heavier drone

The larger battery can take a drone over 0.55 lb (249 g). Three questions tell you whether yours must be registered.

Open the registration helper

Taking your drone in checked luggage or carry-on luggage

Under the federal rule the drone may go in either bag; spare batteries go in the cabin only. Some airlines want every battery in the cabin.

The federal baseline. A drone with its battery installed may travel in checked baggage or a carry-on; in checked baggage it must be completely switched off and protected. Spare batteries go in the cabin only. The FAA's drone brochure puts it in capitals: “DO NOT PACK your SPARE BATTERIES in your CHECKED BAG”.

Airlines that ask for more. American, Alaska and Hawaiian want a checked drone's batteries out and carried on; Southwest takes no lithium batteries in checked luggage; JetBlue prefers the cabin; Delta and United take a device in either bag. Each airline's tile below quotes its page.

At the gate. When a carry-on is checked at the gate or planeside, the FAA says all spare lithium batteries and power banks “must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger”. JetBlue's and United's pages say the same.

Mini 4 Pro going into its bag: spare batteries stay with you in the cabin.

Never in a checked bag

The FAA's drone brochure: “DO NOT PACK your SPARE BATTERIES in your CHECKED BAG”.

Airline drone policy: what the airlines' own pages say

Each airline may set limits beyond the federal rule.

The tiles quote the pages of six U.S. airlines, one of them shared with Hawaiian Airlines, as we read them; each tile carries its date, and its rule sits in the tag. No airline page we read says how a drone's own batteries count against its limit on spares, so this page adds no count of its own.

Either bag

The federal rule

The baseline in 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18): a drone with its battery installed may go in either bag, completely off in a checked one; spare batteries ride in the cabin only.

Batteries out

American Airlines

Every drone battery comes out before travel and goes in a carry-on bag; the drone without its batteries may be checked. No drone battery over 160 Wh.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
Drones: “Yes, with restrictions”. “Your drone’s battery must not exceed 160 Wh. All drone batteries must be removed before travel and must be packed in a carry-on bag.” “Drones without installed batteries can travel in checked bags.”
Spare batteries
Carry-on only, each spare individually protected. Its lithium batteries row, for lithium ion: less than 100 Wh, “Up to 4 spare batteries in carry-on”; 100 to 160 Wh, up to 2; 160 to 300 Wh, contact Special Assistance. Its personal electronics row: “up to 2 spare batteries for personal use”. The two rows give different numbers.
Other limits on its page
A drone in a carry-on bag “must be less than 22 x 14 x 9 inches”. For power banks it gives the formula “Wh = mAh x 3.7 / 1,000”. The page shows no date.
Page read: American Airlines, Restricted items, November 14, 2026
Either bag

Delta Air Lines

Devices with installed batteries may go in checked or carry-on bags; spares in carry-on only, up to 160 Wh each.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
No drone entry on its battery, electronic items or sporting goods pages.
Spare batteries
“Spare lithium batteries are allowed in carry-on baggage only”, each individually protected. Up to 160 Wh per battery; no more than two spares between 100 and 160 Wh; “a maximum of 20 spare batteries” per person.
Other limits on its page
“Lithium batteries or power banks (i.e. portable chargers) may not be stored in an overhead bin.” Devices with installed batteries may go in checked or carry-on bags. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries are not carried.
Page read: Delta Air Lines, Battery or fuel-powered items, November 14, 2026
Either bag

United Airlines

Devices with lithium batteries may go in checked or carry-on bags, under 100 Wh; no loose batteries or power banks in checked bags.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
Its dangerous items page does not name drones; its “Batteries” category covers their batteries.
Spare batteries
Carry-on: “up to two lithium batteries with a max of 160 watt-hours each”; loose lithium batteries kept apart, each in its own cover, not touching metal objects. Checked bags: no loose lithium batteries and no power banks.
Other limits on its page
Personal devices with lithium batteries are allowed in checked and carry-on bags and “must be less than 100-watt hours”. A carry-on checked at the gate must have its lithium batteries and power banks removed. Recalled, damaged or defective batteries are not allowed.
Page read: United Airlines, Dangerous items, November 14, 2026
Not checked

Southwest Airlines

No lithium batteries in checked luggage; up to 20 spares in a carry-on or on your person. Its page does not say whether a battery installed in a device counts.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
Named in its spares heading: “Spare batteries (for cameras, drones, games, toys)”.
Spare batteries
Spares are “defined as up to 2 removable batteries form-fitted to each personal electronic device”. “You may carry up to 20 spare batteries”, in a carry-on or on your person, terminals protected.
Other limits on its page
“Not allowed in checked luggage: Lithium batteries, portable chargers/power banks”. One power bank per customer from April 20, 2026, not over 100 Wh and not in the overhead bin.
Page read: Southwest Airlines help article, Traveling with lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters, November 14, 2026
Batteries out

Alaska Airlines

A drone without batteries can be checked; its batteries are carried on, each under 100 Wh.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
“A drone without batteries can be checked as baggage. However, the batteries must be carried on.” “All batteries must be under 100 Watt hours”, terminals covered or insulated.
Spare batteries
Carry-on only. “Spare batteries between 101-160 wh. and Power Banks are limited to 2 per guest.” Checked bags may hold lithium batteries only installed in devices and 100 Wh or less.
Other limits on its page
It suggests a case that fits under the seat for the drone and its batteries. “We recommend not traveling with fully charged batteries and power banks.” Power banks not in the overhead bin.
Page read: Alaska Airlines, Prohibited and restricted items: spare batteries and electronic devices (also for Hawaiian Airlines), November 14, 2026
Batteries out

Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines' page sets its rules: a drone without batteries can be checked; its batteries are carried on.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
Its rules are on the Alaska Airlines page, titled “Flying with batteries and electronics restrictions - Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines”.
Spare batteries
As Alaska Airlines.
Other limits on its page
The restricted items and contract of carriage addresses we tried on Hawaiian’s own site were not found (404).
Page read: Alaska Airlines, Prohibited and restricted items: spare batteries and electronic devices (also for Hawaiian Airlines), November 14, 2026
Cabin

JetBlue

It prefers lithium-powered devices, or at least their batteries, in the cabin; spares in carry-on bags only.

In the airline's own words
Drones on its page
Its prohibited items list bars drones on flights to two destinations outside the U.S.; other countries are outside this page.
Spare batteries
“Spare lithium cells and batteries … will only be accepted in carry-on bags and are prohibited in checked bags.” A bag checked at the gate or planeside: all spares come out and stay in the cabin.
Other limits on its page
“JetBlue prefers that all Lithium powered devices or at least their batteries, are transported in the cabin.” Devices in checked bags turned off and protected. Its assistive device section gives other portable electronic devices a 100 Wh limit for lithium ion.
Page read: JetBlue help, Batteries; JetBlue help, Prohibited items, November 14, 2026

Any other airline

For an airline not listed here, the TSA's and the FAA's advice is the same: check with your airline. Know your battery's watt-hours first.

Your battery in Wh

What 7 U.S. airlines' pages say about drones and their batteries, in the airlines' own words where quoted, with the date we read each page.

Pack your drone for travel: what the FAA, the airlines and DJI say

Each line below is the source's own advice, named; none is ours.

  • Battery terminals

    The FAA, on battery terminals: protect each spare with its retail packaging, tape over the terminals, a battery case, a battery sleeve in a camera bag, or a plastic bag or protective pouch.

  • The drone

    The FAA, on the drone itself: its drones page warns “your drone might be a dangerous good!”, since lithium batteries, fuel cells and components of certain parachute systems can be dangerous goods, and asks you to read the manual or ask the maker, and your airline, before you travel.

  • On board

    Delta Air Lines: “Lithium batteries or power banks (i.e. portable chargers) may not be stored in an overhead bin.” It asks you to keep spares under the seat in front of you or in the seatback pocket.

  • The case

    Alaska Airlines: it suggests a case that fits under the seat for the drone and its batteries, and says: “We recommend not traveling with fully charged batteries and power banks.”

  • Charge level

    DJI, in the Mini 4 Pro user manual: “keep the batteries at a low power level in transit”, and before transport, discharge them “to 30% or lower”. Transport the drone powered off with its arms folded, and the remote controller with its antennas folded.

Folded and powered off: how DJI says to carry its drones.

When you travel with a drone: where can you fly it after you land?

Check the spot at your destination before you fly, and register the drone if it needs it.

Inside the U.S., Can I fly here? answers where you may fly drones at your destination: pick the spot and it checks the rules that apply there. National parks are a common trip question, and our national parks guide covers them.

A drone flown only for fun needs FAA registration unless it weighs 0.55 lb (249 g) or less at takeoff, “including everything that is on board”; a larger battery can change that, and the registration helper works it out for your drone. The rules for flying in other countries are outside this page.

Flip at the destination: check the spot before it leaves your hand.

Can I fly here?

Pick the spot at your destination; it checks the airspace and the rules that apply there.

Check your spot

Questions about traveling with drones

Does TSA care about drones?

The TSA lets drones through: “Drones are allowed through the checkpoint.” It asks you to check your airline's policy before you travel, and on any item, “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”

Can I put a drone in checked baggage?

Under the federal rule, yes, with its battery installed and the drone completely switched off and protected; spare batteries never. Some airlines ask for more: American Airlines and Alaska Airlines want the batteries out of the drone and in the cabin, and Southwest Airlines lists lithium batteries as not allowed in checked luggage.

Can I carry a drone in my carry-on?

Yes: the TSA lets drones through the checkpoint, and the federal rule allows a drone in carry-on bags. American Airlines says a drone in a carry-on bag “must be less than 22 x 14 x 9 inches”. The batteries follow the lines above.

Can I get my drone confiscated at the airport?

The TSA's own words are the answer we can give: drones are allowed through the checkpoint, and “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” The strict rules are for the batteries: spares travel in the cabin only.

How many drone batteries can I bring?

The federal rule sets no number for batteries of 100 Wh or less carried for personal use; the FAA: “There are no limits for rechargeable batteries under 100 Wh, provided they are for personal use.” Of more than 100 and not more than 160 Wh, two spares per person, with the airline's approval. Airlines set their own numbers: Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines allow up to 20 spares, and American Airlines' page gives 4 in one row and 2 in another. None of these pages says how a drone's own batteries are counted.

Can you take a drone on an international flight?

The battery rules on this page are U.S. rules, and the FAA notes that TSA, airline and international rules “may, at times, be more restrictive”. Some airlines also restrict drones on some international routes. Flying the drone in another country is outside this page.

How do I find my drone battery's watt-hours?

Look on the battery: the FAA says newer lithium-ion batteries have the Wh rating marked on them. If not, multiply volts by amp hours (milliamp hours divided by 1,000). The battery table above gives the figure for the 19 batteries in our data.

Sources Named, not linked. Read November 14, 2026.

Documents are named, not linked. Each was read on November 14, 2026 for the research and checked for this page on November 14, 2026.

The TSA

  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), last updated March 29, 2023
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device, last updated March 29, 2023
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours, last updated March 29, 2023

U.S. law

  • 49 CFR 175.10(a)(18), portable electronic devices and spare lithium batteries carried by passengers (eCFR, current to November 12, 2026)
  • 49 CFR 173.21(c), forbidden materials (eCFR)
  • 14 CFR 48.15(b), registration of small unmanned aircraft (eCFR)

The FAA

  • FAA PackSafe, Airline Passengers and Batteries, guidance and FAQs, last updated October 2, 2026
  • FAA PackSafe, Lithium Batteries, last updated August 11, 2026
  • FAA PackSafe, Drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), last updated January 24, 2024
  • FAA brochure, Your Drone Might Be a Dangerous Good

The airlines

  • American Airlines, Restricted items, read November 14, 2026
  • Delta Air Lines, Battery or fuel-powered items, read November 14, 2026
  • United Airlines, Dangerous items, read November 14, 2026
  • Southwest Airlines help article, Traveling with lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters, read November 14, 2026
  • Alaska Airlines, Prohibited and restricted items: spare batteries and electronic devices (also for Hawaiian Airlines), read November 14, 2026
  • JetBlue help, Batteries, read November 14, 2026
  • JetBlue help, Prohibited items, read November 14, 2026

The makers

  • Antigravity A1 specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Air 3S specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Avata 2 specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Flip specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Mavic 4 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
  • DJI Mini 3 specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Mini 3 Pro support page with specs (U.S.)
  • DJI Mini 4 Pro specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Mini 4K user manual v1.0 (English), specifications
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
  • DJI Neo specs page (U.S.)
  • DJI Neo 2 specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
  • HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX product page with specs
  • Potensic ATOM 2 specs page
  • DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4 (2024.06), pages 10, 67, 118 and 126

Photos: DJI press images.