Air New Zealand Pet Policy

Air New Zealand allows pets to travel as cargo baggage on international flights and checked baggage only on domestic flights. Pet transport may be restricted or limited on some aircraft and to certain destinations. 

However, certified service animals (dogs only) are allowed to travel for free in the passenger cabin with disabled passengers.

Air New Zealand Pet Cargo Policy

Pets travelling internationally on Air New Zealand can only fly as air cargo baggage. You must book your pet through approved pet transporters/IATA agents because Air New Zealand does not accept direct bookings for animals from the public.

Note. Depending on your destination airport and day of the week, your pet may be able to travel on the same flight as yours.

• Pets Allowed. Domestic dogs, cats, and small birds.
• Pet Age. Your pet must be at least 16 weeks old, fully weaned, and vaccinated appropriately for international travel. 
• Check-in. You must check in your pet at least 1 hour before departure (earlier is better).
• Pet Restrictions 
• Breed Restrictions
  Pets will not be accepted if:
• They belong to a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breed, such as:
• Pug (all breeds)
• Presa Canario
• Pit Bull
• Pekingese
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Lhasa Apso
• Japanese Chin
• English Toy Spaniel
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Chow Chow
• Cane Corso
• Bulldog (all breeds)
• Brussels Griffon
• Boxer (all breeds)
• Boston Terrier
• Affenpinscher (all breeds)
• They belong to a brachycephalic cat breed (incl. cross breeds), such as:
  • Persian 
  • Himalayan
  • Burmese
  • British Shorthair
  • Exotic Shorthair
• They are embargoed at the destination. 
• They are racing greyhounds (on flights to/from Asia or Europe) unless it is a domesticated pet (in which case you must request the Cargo Team through your local Air New Zealand office).
• Temperature Restrictions. If the temperature forecast at any point of the journey (origin, transit, or destination) is less than 45°F (7°C) or more than 85°F (30°C), your pet may not be accepted on the flight (for health reasons).
• Pet Forms. Air New Zealand Cargo will require the following documents: 
  • A health certificate issued within 10 days of departure. 
  • Proof of vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
  • Pet passport for the destination country (for international travel).
• Pet Crate Requirements. Must be IATA compliant. 
• Pet Fees. The pet fee for cargo pets will depend on your pet’s size, weight, destination, and the time required to prepare pet documentation. For more information, contact Customer Service at (800) 262-1234.

Air New Zealand Pet Policy for In-Cabin Pets

Air New Zealand does not allow pets to travel in the aircraft cabin. However, professionally trained service dogs assisting disabled passengers can travel free of charge in the passenger cabin. 

• The service dog must be properly harnessed. 
• The passenger must remain seated at the passenger’s feet at all times. 
• The service dog must be certified by a professional institute to assist people with disabilities. 
• You must notify Air New Zealand at least 48 hours in advance.
• You must check in with your service dog at least 1 hour before the standard check-in time.

Air New Zealand Pet Policy for Checked Pets

Air New Zealand allows pets to travel as checked baggage (in the aircraft’s cargo section) only on domestic flights within New Zealand. The temperature and pressure of the cargo section is the same as that in the passenger cabin.

• Pets All owed. Domesticated dogs, cats, and small birds.
• Pet Reservations
  • If you’re booking through a travel agent, tell them you’ll be travelling with your pet. 
  • If you’ve booked your flight directly through Air New Zealand, call Air New Zealand and provide the following information: 
• Booking reference number
  (appears on your confirmation email and itinerary)
• Pet name
• Pet age
• Pet type
• Pet weight 
• Pet cage weight
• Pet Restrictions
  • Route restrictions. Only 1 pet carrier per passenger will be accepted for travel on Air New Zealand Link services (5000 and 8000) series due to space restrictions. If you’re travelling with more than 1 pet carrier, you must book your pet as air cargo.
  • Breed Restrictions 

Snub-nosed (Brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds (see above), very young pets, and embargoed breeds will not be accepted. 

• Temperature Restrictions. Your pet may be refused transport if the temperature forecast for the day is less than 45° F (7°C) or more than 85°F (30°C).
• Check-in
  • You must check in your pet at the passenger ticket counter at least 1 hour before departure.
  • Your pet must be inside the carrier before arriving at the terminals in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or Queenstown.
  • Your pet can be on a leash when arriving at regional airports in New Zealand and then placed in the carrier at the check-in counter. 
  • You must pay the pet fee at the Air New Zealand check-in counter. 
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Must comply with IATA standards. 
  • Must allow the pet to stand up, sit down, lie down, and turn around naturally. 
  • The pet carrier size must be within the cargo door dimensions:
    

• Number of pets per carrier
  • Up to 2 adult animals of comparable size weighing up to 30lb/14kg each that are used to cohabit together are allowed in the same container. 
  • Up to 3 animals of the same litter aged less than 6 months are allowed to travel in the same pet carrier if their combined weight does not exceed 19.8lb/9kg.
  • Animals exceeding 30lb/14kg must travel individually. 
  • Dogs exceeding 88lb/40kg and aggressive breeds will not be accepted in rigid plastic carriers.
• Pet carrier construction
  • Can be made of metal, rigid plastic, fiberglass, welded metal mesh, solid wood, or plywood. 
  • Must be adequately ventilated. 
  • Can only have openings on the upper half of three sides (excl. door).
  • The door should be open but covered with bars, welded mesh, etc. so that the pet’s nose and paws cannot protrude. 
  • The entire end of the carrier must form the door (hinged or siding) and it must not capable of being accidentally opened. 
  • The floor must be leakproof and solid.
  • The carrier’s interior must be smooth and without any protrusions.
  • The spacer bar must be in the middle and not on the door.
  • The carrier’s handles must allow the carrier to be easily carried.
  • The carrier can have wheels but they must either be removed or rendered inoperable when carried. 
  • The carrier must be fitted with separate food and water troughs. 
  • No food or water is allowed on flights shorter than 4 hours. 

Note The following types of pet carriers are not permitted: Popup/hatch style carriers, open-wire carriers, and carriers with fully welded meshes. Carriers with ventilation on the upper and lower sides. Door locking and latching. A plastic carrier’s top and bottom must be bolted/screwed together. At least 1 fastener must be placed: At each corner, and Down each side Carriers exceeding 60cm in length must have at least 2 fasteners on each side. If using a rigid plastic carrier, the locking pins and door hinges must be fixed above and below the door opening and at least 1.6cm beyond the horizontal extrusion. All four corners of the pet carrier’s door must be attached with cable ties so that it cannot be praised open by your pet. Pet carriers with: Latches to fix a plastic carrier’s top and bottom. Restraint straps to secure the carrier. Doors with twist clips around locking pins.

• Examples of approved pet carriers
  
  • Must be adequately ventilated on the upper 3 sides (excluding the door).
  • The top and bottom must be fixed together with a bolt and screw at the corners (at least 1 on the sides for carriers less than 60cm, and at least 2 for carriers exceeding 60cm.
  • Must have a space bar on 3 sides.
  • The floor must be leakproof.
  • The locking pins must extend at least 1.6cm into the top and bottom lips.
  • Must have separate food and water containers.
• Pet Carriage Fees
  The pet fee (incl. the weight of the pet plus carrier) is:
• NZD 75 for pets weighing up to 55lb/25kg.
• NZD 100 for pets weighing 57.2lb/26kg and above.

Note

• Each checked pet (incl. carrier) counts as 1 piece of baggage. If the weight of your pet plus carrier exceeds your baggage allowance of Air New Zealand, you can pre-pay online/by phone (Extra Bags) before reaching the airport and save money.
• If you do not pre-pay the pet fee in advance, you will be charged for excess baggage at a higher rate at the airport.
• After Arrival
• Your pet will be brought to the baggage arrival area by a staff member.