Phantoms on Southwest Airlines

[Bill S]

I want to restart this thread in light of recent FAA rule changes. Has anyone flown SW with a Phantom in a secure travel case that was checked baggage? I am flying cross country (USA) next month. Batteries will be in LiPo bags inside the Pelican case. Thx.

 

[msinger]

All batteries must be transported in your carry-on bag. If they are not inside of a case that includes individual battery compartments, you'll need to ensure the battery terminals are covered with something.

 

[Fplvert]

I want to restart this thread in light of recent FAA rule changes. Has anyone flown SW with a Phantom in a secure travel case that was checked baggage? I am flying cross country (USA) next month. Batteries will be in LiPo bags inside the Pelican case. Thx.

I've flown on South West, United, and Alaska with a carry-on Phantom in my backpack. I wouldn't trust the baggage handlers with my cameras.

No lipos are allowed in checked luggage unless they are installed in the device.

 

[Reginald Thomas]

This is great info. I'll be flying SW to Phoenix with my Phantom in a back
Pack as a carry on. Thanx


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[RocketBrew]

Passenger Removed from Southwest Airlines
According to his video posted to YouTube, Smith was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight on April 21st, 2016 because his carry-on bag contained a DJI Phantom and its lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries.

 

[maxis]

All rest assured, I fly SWA EVERY week twice. I always carry Maxis in a hardshell carry on. Never an issue.


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[tcope]

Passenger Removed from Southwest Airlines
According to his video posted to YouTube, Smith was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight on April 21st, 2016 because his carry-on bag contained a DJI Phantom and its lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries.

However.... and this is a BIG however, Southwest admitted that it was a mistake and made sure he made a follow up flight.

So this video does not state you cannot fly with drone batteries, it only explains that airlines sometimes make a mistake.

I'd also mention that I lot of devices that people carry on everyday (laptops, tablets, chainsaws, etc) have lipo batteries. Those people are let on all of the time. I think the pilot was confused about the size of these batteries (and perhaps ill-informed).

 

[captainmilehigh]

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[maxis]

Flying every week to and from various places I wanted to be sure I could bring my drone. I called TSA there explanation is as follows on Li bats: Li batteries should be "carry on" only so the flight crew has access, should something occur. A lone battery should be kept in the drone itself and extras should be charged, terminals covered and secured during flight. I have flown with my drone dozens of times and never had an issue.


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[Reginald Thomas]

Flying every week to and from various places I wanted to be sure I could bring my drone. I called TSA there explanation is as follows on Li bats: Li batteries should be "carry on" only so the flight crew has access, should something occur. A lone battery should be kept in the drone itself and extras should be charged, terminals covered and secured during flight. I have flown with my drone dozens of times and never had an issue.


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I've flown Southwest on many occasions with my Phantom as a carry on and never experienced any issues with TSA nor Southwest. Of course I prepared it as prescribed by TSA. I always download and printout the latest TSA carry on (Lipo Batttery) procedures to take with me in the event TSA officials raise any questions .


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