Airline pet policy

Air New Zealand pet policy

Air New Zealand takes dogs and cats as cargo, but not in the cabin or as checked baggage on the routes we cover.

Policy checked Oct 26, 2026Source: Air New Zealand Cargo By the CollarPass team
In cabinNot acceptedNot carried on the routes we cover.Read the route rules Checked baggageNot acceptedNot carried on the routes we cover.Read the route rules CargoAcceptedDogs and catsSee the route rules below.Read the route rules

In the cabin

Pets in the cabin travel in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The rows below are per route, so check yours.

Dogs and cats

As checked baggage

Pets in the hold as checked baggage check in with you at the desk and fly on the same flight.

Dogs and cats

Not acceptedAny route except from New Zealand

On international flights Air New Zealand carries pets only as cargo, booked through an approved pet transporter or IATA agent.

Sources: International cargo pet services · Checked Oct 26, 2026

As cargo

Pets flying alone go as cargo, usually through the airline’s freight arm, with different drop-off and collection rules.

Dogs and cats

Accepted

Air New Zealand carries cats and dogs as manifested cargo on international flights, via an approved pet transporter or IATA agent. The pet is collected at the destination cargo terminal with government photo ID.

Not for snub-nosed breeds

Before you fly: Book through an approved pet transporter or IATA agent; not every day accepts live animals.

  • Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds only travel on single-sector flights of 5 hours or less.
  • Racing greyhounds and breeding greyhounds aren't carried; domestic pet greyhounds need proof of 12 months' ownership.
  • Rabbits and ferrets aren't covered on the international cargo page (New Zealand itself only accepts rabbits from Australia and bans ferrets).

Sources: International cargo pet services · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Rabbits and ferrets

Not accepted

Air New Zealand's international cargo page doesn't list rabbits or ferrets; treat them as not accepted unless the airline confirms otherwise.

Sources: International cargo pet services · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Official sources

Every row above cites one of these pages. Dates show our last check, not the page’s own update.

Put this policy on a dated plan

A Trip Pack turns your route into steps counted back from the flight, with the airline rules to check.