Flying with a pet
on Air New Zealand.

1. Domestic checked pets are a distinct service

Dogs and cats can travel as checked baggage on some New Zealand domestic flights. Request the pet addition to your passenger booking; acceptance depends on the animal, carrier and available space.

The combined pet-and-carrier limit is 60 kg. On ATR and Q300 aircraft, the published carrier maximum is 85 cm high × 66 cm wide × 115 cm long. Larger or heavier pets may use cargo on domestic A320/A321 routes through an approved transporter. Regional bookings with more than one carrier per person also need cargo arrangements.

Sources: Air New Zealand: travelling with pets.

2. International pets use the cargo booking process

Air New Zealand does not accept direct international animal bookings from the public. Its cargo guidance says pets do not ordinarily travel as international checked baggage. Use an approved pet transporter to establish the shipment and quote.

For a pet travelling into New Zealand, contact a transporter in the country of origin. A domestic pet reservation does not confirm the international sector, and a passenger codeshare does not establish animal acceptance by the operating carrier.

Sources: Air New Zealand Cargo: international pets · Air New Zealand Cargo: approved transporters.

3. Confirm the entire route before buying tickets

International acceptance varies by destination airport and day of the week. Your pet may be able to share your flight, but this requires confirmation. The cargo team also assesses age, domestic-animal status, destination breed restrictions and fitness.

Air New Zealand prohibits greyhounds for racing or breeding. A family-pet greyhound needs a separate cargo-management assessment and evidence that it has been a domesticated pet for at least 12 months.

Keep airline acceptance alongside the New Zealand import plan or Australian entry plan. Neither replaces the other.

Sources: Air New Zealand Cargo: international pets.

4. Do not treat cargo as a solution for every breed

Air New Zealand Cargo restricts listed brachycephalic breeds, including crosses, to single-sector flights of five hours or less. The list is not exhaustive, and other conditions still apply. Several shorter flights are not equivalent to approval for a connecting itinerary.

This is airline cargo-policy context. Pets Delivery Expert plans brachycephalic journeys in the cabin only; it is not offering the cargo option described here.

Sources: Air New Zealand Cargo: brachycephalic breeds.

5. Have the carrier checked before travel

The domestic crate must allow natural standing and sitting without the head or ears touching the roof, turning and lying with paws extended. Check construction and aircraft fit before purchase. An animal that fits a weight band can still be refused if its crate is unsuitable.

For an international shipment, obtain the approved transporter’s complete crate checklist and written acceptance for the specific aircraft. Send clear photographs and both empty and loaded weights.

Sources: Air New Zealand: travelling with pets · Air New Zealand Cargo: approved transporters.

6. Separate domestic fees from cargo quotations

The domestic checked-pet page lists a NZD 120 carriage fee per carrier per one-direction journey, payable at the airport. The carrier also counts toward baggage allowance; an additional-bag or excess-baggage charge can apply.

International cargo pricing comes through the transporter. Ask whether the quote includes veterinary preparation, permits, freight, crate, origin and arrival handling, transit care, quarantine and delivery. Do not apply the domestic fee to an international shipment.

Sources: Air New Zealand: travelling with pets · Air New Zealand Cargo: international pets.

7. Service dogs have route-specific cabin rules

Air New Zealand’s service-dog process is separate from ordinary-pet cargo. Its general forms deadline is 48 hours, but some Australia-pathway applications require 14 days. Check the training or accreditation pathway before making arrangements.

Different rules apply to direct U.S. services and Australia–New Zealand journeys. A dog accepted on a U.S. international sector may not qualify for a connecting New Zealand domestic cabin sector. Partner-operated flights require the operator’s approval. Service dogs in training are not accepted in the cabin on international flights.

Destination and transit authorities must also approve the import pathway. A purchased certificate, vest or emotional-support description does not make an ordinary pet eligible.

Sources: Air New Zealand: service dogs.

8. Plan cargo handover and recovery

International cargo lodgement is normally several hours before departure and depends on the station’s requirements. The transporter should confirm who delivers and collects the animal, the approved documents, and the response to cancellation or a missed connection.

Send the exact route, dates, breed, age, weight and crate measurements for an assessment. Include any acceptance already received. Request a route review.

Sources: Air New Zealand Cargo: international pets.

Questions before you book

Related reading: Airline pet travel guides · Australia entry planning · New Zealand entry planning · Carrier fit and preparation.

Official sources and scope

• Air New Zealand: travelling with pets
• Air New Zealand Cargo: international pets
• Air New Zealand Cargo: approved transporters
• Air New Zealand Cargo: brachycephalic breeds
• Air New Zealand: service dogs
• Air New Zealand: domestic pet carriage fee and charging unit

Official airline pages checked October 12, 2026. This is not a booking confirmation, veterinary checklist or live freight quote. Source ambiguities are identified below. No live booking or government approval was obtained. These airline guides do not claim a fresh full MPI import-standard verification; the MPI source attempt returned an access denial.