When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Air New Zealand allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air New Zealand? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air New Zealand? All your answers related to Air New Zealand pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? No
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes (Domestic flights only)
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Air New Zealand based?
Air New Zealand [IATA:NZ] is based out of Auckland Airport in New Zealand. Most layovers within Air New Zealand’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Air New Zealand fly to?
Air New Zealand offers service to pets to the following countries: American Samoa, Argentina, Australia, China, Figi, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Air New Zealand Pet Policy – In Cabin
Pets allowed flown by Air New Zealand in the cabin
Air New Zealand does not offer in-cabin service to any live animal with the exception of professionally trained service dogs.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by recognized organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew. Passengers must provide padding for their dog.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
Air New Zealand Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Air New Zealand if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about three hours in length.
Pets flown by Air New Zealand as checked baggage
Domestic pets (cats and dogs) and small birds.
Reservations
After booking your flight, you will need to complete a form to notify Air New Zealand that you are traveling with a pet.
Age requirements
Minimum age of transport is 8 weeks.
Pet crate requirements
Mother and a litter are acceptable in the same crate. Three pets from the same litter are acceptable in the same crate if they are not over 6 months of age and do not weigh over 14 kg. Two pets of the same species and known to each other can fly in the same crate if they are not over 14 kg each. All pets over 14 kg must fly in their own crate.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Multiple pets flying on regional routes will need to fly as air cargo. The maximum weight of your pet and its crate is 60 kg on many regional routes.
Forms Required
No forms are required when flying domestically.
Check in
Pet owners should deliver their pet to the ticket counter in a pet crate at least 60 minutes prior to departure. If flying regionally, pets can be delivered on leashes with their crates at check in. (Nelson Airport excluded).
Cost
The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage on Air New Zealand is NZD $120 for all pet sizes
Air New Zealand Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Air New Zealand as air cargo
Domestic pets (cats and dogs) and small birds.
Reservations
Air New Zealand will only accept reservations from licensed agents.
Age requirements
Pets should be at least 16 weeks old, weaned and vaccinated for international travel.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Air New Zealand cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
Fees start at NZD$200.00 without agent fees.
Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down.When inside the carrier, they shouldn’t have to duck to see out of the carrier door. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Air New Zealand requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate. Carriers longer than 60cm must have minimum of 2 fasteners each side.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however, it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand will not ship the following dog breeds either as checked baggage or air cargo:
American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and Brazilian Fila. Aggressive behavior, incessant barking or
visible signs of stress are also grounds for refusal.
Note: Air New Zealand will no longer accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds of dogs or cats on flights with legs more than 5 hours in duration. (Examples of this are North America to New Zealand including LAX, SFO, IAH, YVR and HNL.)
Snub-nosed dog breeds: Affenpinscher (all breeds), Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (all breeds), Pekingese and Shih Tzu.
Snub-nosed cat breeds: Burmese, Himalayan and Persian.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Air New Zealand airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with Air New Zealand? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Air New Zealand pet policy.
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