Air New Zealand runs two different pet services. Within New Zealand, domestic cats, dogs and small caged birds can fly in the hold as checked baggage on some flights, for a flat fee of NZD 120 per carrier, as long as the pet and carrier together weigh no more than 60 kg. On international flights, pets cannot travel as checked baggage. They fly as cargo, and Air New Zealand does not take those bookings from the public, so you have to go through an approved pet transporter. No pets travel in the passenger cabin except accredited service dogs.
This guide uses Air New Zealand's travelling with pets page and its cargo division's international cargo pets page, both read in November 2026. Most US readers asking about Air New Zealand are moving a pet between the US and New Zealand, which falls under the international cargo rules.
Air New Zealand pet rules at a glance
| Rule | Domestic New Zealand flights | International flights |
|---|---|---|
| Animals accepted | Cats, dogs, small caged birds | Domestic pets as defined by IATA |
| How they travel | Hold, as checked baggage | Hold, as cargo |
| Who books | You, via Air New Zealand's pet form | An approved pet transporter |
| Fee | NZD 120 flat per carrier, plus any extra bag charge | Quoted by the transporter |
| Weight limit | 60 kg pet and carrier combined | Set per shipment |
| Minimum age | Over 8 weeks | Pets that are too young may be refused |
| Brachycephalic breeds | Check before booking | May not be flown |
| In the cabin | Accredited service dogs only | Accredited service dogs only |
International flights: pets go as cargo
Air New Zealand's cargo division says pets cannot commonly travel as checked baggage on its international flights. Instead they fly in the cargo hold, which is pressurised and temperature controlled like the cabin. Because of the paperwork, the Ministry for Primary Industries checks and the vet requirements, Air New Zealand does not accept animal bookings directly from the public. You contact one of its approved pet transporters, which have to go through a formal registration process before the airline uses them, or an IATA agent.
Your pet may be able to fly on the same flight as you, depending on the destination airport and the day of the week. Live animals are not accepted on every day, so ask the transporter which days work for your route before you book your own ticket.
Which pets Air New Zealand may refuse internationally
The cargo team may not be able to fly your pet if it is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, too young, a breed embargoed at the destination, or not a domestic animal under IATA's definition. Greyhounds used for racing or breeding are prohibited on Air New Zealand services. A greyhound kept as a family pet can be considered, but you need evidence that it has been a domesticated family pet for at least 12 months, and the request goes to the cargo management team through a local Air New Zealand office. Our guide to the snub-nosed flying ban covers why flat-faced breeds are restricted.
Check-in for international cargo pets
Most Air New Zealand-handled flights need pets presented to Air New Zealand Cargo at least three hours before departure, and some with extra security steps need at least four hours. Crates must meet IATA standards and, in New Zealand, carry a Ministry for Primary Industries endorsed stamp where that applies. You collect your pet from the cargo location at the destination, with government-issued photo ID.
What can go in the crate
Air New Zealand recommends a blanket with a familiar scent if it does not take up too much room, and absorbent material in case of spills or toilet accidents. It prohibits sharp or metal objects, pet food, bean bags and toys in international crates, and warns that customs may remove some items on arrival under quarantine rules. Avoid anything small enough to be a choking hazard.
During the flight
There is no access to the hold during flight. The lights are off, the hold is pressurised the same as the cabin, and temperature and ventilation are controlled. On journeys with transit stops, water bowls should be topped up with clean water, which matters most at warm stopover airports. If a health problem shows up before the flight, the animal will not be flown; if a pet becomes unwell in the air, action is taken on arrival.
Domestic flights: pets as checked baggage
Within New Zealand, domesticated cats, dogs and small caged birds can travel as checked baggage on some domestic flights. You add the pet to an existing domestic booking by filling in Air New Zealand's request form with your six-character booking reference, the pet's name, age and type, the combined weight of pet and carrier rounded up to the nearest kilogram, and the carrier dimensions. For pet greyhounds or animals being rehomed, you also need a copy of the adoption contract.
Domestic fees and baggage allowance
A flat fee of NZD 120 applies and is paid at the airport. The pet's carrier also counts as part of your checked baggage allowance, so if it takes you over your allowance you either upgrade to a fare that includes a bag, pre-pay for an extra bag, or pay the excess baggage charge at the airport along with the pet fee. Koru Club members and higher Koru tiers may get an extra bag at no charge.
Domestic size and weight limits
Air New Zealand will not carry a pet and carrier that together weigh more than 60 kg. On its smaller ATR and Q300 turboprops it also will not carry a carrier larger than 85 cm high, 66 cm wide and 115 cm long. If either limit is exceeded, the pet can still travel on domestic routes flown by A320 or A321 jets, but it has to be pre-booked as cargo through an approved pet transporter. The same applies on regional routes if you have more than one pet carrier per person, because space on the turboprops is tight.
How many pets per carrier
Only kittens and puppies over 8 weeks are accepted. A mother and her litter can travel together if the young are over 8 weeks. Up to three weaned kittens or puppies from the same litter can share a carrier if they are under 6 months old and each weighs no more than 14 kg. Two adult pets of similar size can share a carrier if each weighs up to 14 kg and they are used to living together. Any animal over 14 kg needs its own carrier.
Carrier requirements
Air New Zealand follows the IATA Live Animals Regulations. The carrier must let the pet stand and sit without its head or ears touching the top, turn around, and lie down with its paws stretched out. It needs a water container that can be filled from outside, top and bottom halves bolted together, spacer bars on three sides, ventilation on the upper part of three sides, a leak-proof floor lined with absorbent material, and cable ties on all four corners of the door. Fibreglass, metal, rigid plastic, welded mesh and solid wood are all acceptable materials. Only one soft familiar item, such as a blanket, is allowed inside, with no collars, harnesses or clothing. The IATA pets page has more on approved crates.
Getting a pet used to the carrier
Air New Zealand suggests getting your pet familiar with its travel carrier at least two weeks before the flight. Leave it open at home with a blanket inside, feed meals near it and then in it, and close the door for short spells once the pet settles. A pet that walks into its carrier calmly on the day is far less stressed in the hold than one meeting the box for the first time at check-in. Our guide to crate training a dog for travel walks through the steps.
Domestic day of travel
Arrive at the airport 60 minutes before departure. Check in online if you can, then take the pet to the Special Assistance or Oversized Baggage counter, depending on the airport, where staff check the carrier. Give the pet a light meal and a little water no less than two hours before departure, and let it go to the toilet and stretch first. At Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson and Queenstown the pet must be in its carrier before entering the terminal and stay in it. At other regional airports it can arrive on a leash and go into the carrier at check-in.
Before loading, pets wait in a separate area from other bags and are usually loaded last. The pilot is told about any animals on board. On arrival, staff carry the pet into the baggage area, and you should keep it in the carrier until you have left the terminal. The door will have cable ties, so ask staff for scissors if you need them.
Small caged birds on domestic flights
Small caged birds are the one non-mammal Air New Zealand accepts as domestic checked baggage. The same booking form, NZD 120 fee and carrier checks apply, so the cage has to be secure, ventilated and fit for the hold. Larger birds, or any animal that is not a cat, dog or small caged bird, go through the national cargo pet service instead. Our guide to transporting a bird covers cage set-up and stress.
Choosing an approved pet transporter
For international moves and for domestic pets that have to go as cargo, the transporter does most of the work: booking space, checking the crate, arranging vet and Ministry for Primary Industries paperwork, and delivering the pet to Air New Zealand Cargo on time. Ask any transporter whether it is on Air New Zealand's approved list, what its quote includes at both ends, how it handles quarantine bookings, and what happens if the flight changes. Get the full price in writing before you pay a deposit.
Domestic pets that must go as cargo
Pets travelling alone, animals that are not domestic pets, and animals travelling for profit, such as racing greyhounds, go through Air New Zealand's national cargo pet service rather than as checked baggage.
Service dogs
Accredited service dogs can travel with their handler in the cabin on domestic and international flights, through Air New Zealand's special assistance team. Dogs that do not meet its eligibility criteria travel in the hold as pets and pay standard pet fees. Our guide to flying with a service dog covers the general process.
Moving a pet from the US to New Zealand
New Zealand has some of the strictest pet import rules in the world. Cats and dogs need an import permit for most origin countries, a long run of vet tests and treatments timed against the travel date, and a period in an approved quarantine facility after arrival. The rules are set by the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the process often takes months. This is why Air New Zealand only takes international pets through approved transporters. Our guide to pet transport to New Zealand sets out the steps.
Moving a pet from New Zealand to the US
Pets leaving New Zealand need export certification from the Ministry for Primary Industries, which the transporter arranges. Dogs entering the US must meet the CDC rules, including the CDC Dog Import Form, a microchip and a minimum age of 6 months. New Zealand is not on the CDC high-risk list, but check every country your dog has lived in during the last six months. See the CDC dog import page and our guide to importing a dog into the US.
Air New Zealand compared with Australian airlines
Air New Zealand's domestic checked-baggage service is more flexible than some across the Tasman. Jetstar carries no pets at all, while Qantas sends pets through its freight arm. For trans-Tasman moves, both countries' biosecurity rules mean pets go as cargo through a transporter, whichever airline you choose. See our guide to cargo versus in-cabin travel for how cargo bookings work.