Service Dogs (including guide dogs) are those that have been individually trained to perform functions and have an innate ability to assist you with your disability.

Service / Emotional Support Dogs

Domestic and International Flights Excluding Flights to / from / via the USA

Service dogs are permitted in the cabins of all Air New Zealand aircraft when they are travelling with their owner and the owner is entirely dependent on the guide dog for mobility. There is no charge for service dogs travelling with their owners 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.
If travelling internationally, it is the owner's responsibility to check and comply with the animal entry regulations of the destination and any transit countries.
For flights to/from/via the US specific regulations apply - please see below for further details.

Your travel agent or Air New Zealand Reservations Contact Centre can help with this information.

Please note - Air New Zealand will 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. 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 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 Pacific Economy. 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 travelling with their owners on Air New Zealand flights where the owner is dependant on the dog. Air New Zealand only accepts dogs in the cabin and no other animals are permitted.

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 and only relieves itself on command 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 health and sanitation proviso above, you will be required to provide the following documentation from a licensed mental health professional stating:

You have a mental or emotional disability which is recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM IV)
The service dog is required during and / or for activity at your destination
The assessment is from a licensed mental health professional and you are under their professional care
The date and type of mental health professional license and State or other jurisdiction in which it was issued
The documentation must be current - less than 12 months old and be on letterhead of the health professional

It is the owner's responsibility to check and comply with the animal entry regulations of the destination and any transit countries.

Where possible Air New Zealand will allocate an extra seat next to you to provide additional floor space for your dog when travelling in Pacific Economy, 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:

Only one service dog / emotional support dog is permitted per passenger with a disability.
Due to FAA requirements 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.
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.

For more information, call Air New Zealand reservations +44 (0)800 028 4149.

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