Our pets service
If you have a pet travelling from New Zealand, you have come to the right place for how to do that. If your pet is travelling from other countries, you will need to check with the region concerned on how to best prepare for their travel.
Pets cannot commonly travel as checked in baggage on international Air New Zealand flights. Instead we maximise your pets’ comfort by offering some of the same comforts our passengers enjoy by providing fully pressurised and temperature controlled conditions in our ‘cargo’ hold.
Approved pet transporters
Air New Zealand does not accept animals directly from the public because of the complexity involved in completing the pre-flight documentation, the Ministry for Primary Industries compliance and veterinary checks. Approved pet transporters or an IATA agent will have to assist you with moving your pet.
Our pet transporters must go through a formal registration and approval process before we entrust them to care for your pet’s travel arrangements to our standards. We recognise that we are dealing after all with family members – no matter which exterior they are bundled into!
Can my pet travel?
Not all pets are equal. We may not be able to fly your pet if it is:
- A brachycephalic breed,
- It is too young
- An embargoed breed at the destination,
- If it is not ‘domestic’ as defined by the IATA regulations
Note also, that live animals may not be accepted for every day of the week.
Air New Zealand cargo does not accept racing greyhounds for travel on services to or from Europe and Asia.
If a greyhound is a domesticated family pet (not for racing or breeding purposes), a request can be made to the Cargo Management team for consideration through your local Air New Zealand office. Evidence must be supplied confirming the animal has been a domesticated family pet for 12 months minimum. The request will be assessed and approvals given once the Cargo Management team are satisfied the animal is not for commercial gain.
Your pet may be able to travel on the same flight as you depending on the destination airport and day of week. IATA offer some tips about pets travelling by air transport.
How much is it going to cost to send my pet?
The cost to send your pet will dependent on the destination, size/weight, cage requirements, and administration time to prepare required travel documents such as vet certificates. Check out how much it will cost to send your pet directly with your chosen pet transporter or IATA agent.
Book pet travel
Contact one of our approved pet transporters or IATA agent now to get your pet travel underway. Although these specialists will provide you with the most current requirements and resources to prepare your pet for travel, you can get a head start by completing the acknowledgement and indemnity form in advance.
Collecting your pet
You can collect your pet from our cargo location at the destination point of your pets journey. Find your cargo collection point.
Frequently asked questions
The carriage of live animals by air is regulated by various Government authorities as well as by Air New Zealand and IATA. Air New Zealand sets as a minimum standard the provisions of IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR). This is a yearly publication covering acceptance, packaging, labelling, stowage and handling of animals for carriage by air.