Domestic and International Flights Excluding Flights to / from / via the USA
Certified service dogs are permitted in the cabins of all Air New Zealand domestic and international aircraft when they are accompanying and assisting a person with a disability. Additionally dogs undertaking recognised service dog training are permitted on domestic New Zealand services. There is no charge for service dogs approved for travel by Air New Zealand travelling with their owner on Air New Zealand flights.
In order to accommodate you and your dog Air New Zealand requires 48 hours notice prior to your intended flight and that you check in 1 hour prior to our standard check in time.
To help prepare for your travel, please note the following:
- The dog must wear an identification tag with the owner's name, address and telephone number and be controlled by a choker chain at all times.
- During flight your dog must be restrained by threading their lead through the seat belt or around the seat bar located under the seat. Crew will assist with this when required.
- We will provide an absorbent mat for the guide dog to sit on. But please prepare the guide dog for the journey by exercising and limiting its fluid intake for several hours before boarding the aircraft.
- For flights to/from/via the US specific regulations apply - please see below for further details.
Please note - Air New Zealand will only accept a service dog in the cabin of the aircraft when the dog has been specifically trained to alleviate the effects of a physical disability such as visual, hearing or mobility impairments. It must have been trained to a recognised standard (including training to cope with air travel) and be registered with a recognised organisation capable of assessing the standard to which the dog has been trained. All other animals including emotional or psychiatric support and seizure alert dogs must travel in the hold of the aircraft at the applicable cargo rate.
Where possible Air New Zealand will allocate an extra seat next to you to provide additional floor space for your dog when travelling in Economy class. Where this is not possible we will give you the option of changing travel dates or having your dog sit within the space in front of your seat.
For Flights to / from / via the USA
On flights to / from the US Air New Zealand permits you to travel with your Service Dog or Emotional Support / Psychiatric Service Dog in the cabin*. There is no charge for dogs approved for travel by Air New Zealand travelling with their assisted owner on Air New Zealand flights where the owner is dependant on the dog.
In order to accommodate you and your dog Air New Zealand requires 48 hours notice prior to your intended flight and that you check in 1 hour prior to our standard check in time.
As a condition of travel you must complete a written declaration that states your service dog will not relieve itself for the duration of the flight or that your dog can relieve itself in flight on command in a manner that does not cause a health or sanitation issue.
Emotional Support / Psychiatric Service Dogs do not need to have had specific training however in addition to the written declaration you are required to provide the following documentation on the letterhead of the licensed mental health professional or Medical Doctor specifically treating your mental or emotional disability stating:
- You have a mental or emotional disability which is recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM IV);
- You need the emotional support or psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at your destination;
- The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional and you are under his or her professional care; and
- The date and type of the mental health professional's license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued.
The documentation must be less than 12 months old.
Where possible Air New Zealand will allocate an extra seat next to you to provide additional floor space for your dog when travelling in Economy, class where this is not possible we will give you the option of changing travel dates or having your dog sit within the space in front of your seat.
Important information regarding service dogs:
- Due to FAA and CAA requirements to have an obstruction free aisle, travel in Business Premier on a 777 aircraft may not be possible. Please contact us to discuss options if required.
- Due to the size of the aircraft and our requirement under Civil Aviation Authority regulations to have the aircraft aisle clear at all times it is only possible to accommodate 1 service dog per flight on the BEH 1900 (Beech 1900D) aircraft which flies within New Zealand. We apologise in advance if we are unable to accommodate you and your dog on the flight you prefer. We will do all possible to accommodate you on the next available service or where acceptable to you carry your dog in the hold without charge, please note that you will be required to provide an acceptable cage in this instance.
- Most countries that Air New Zealand flies to have strict animal import regulations which must be adhered to including pre-approval for travel. Failure to provide details of the required documentation during the booking and check-in process may result in your dog not being permitted to travel, this includes returning to New Zealand.
