Travel alerts

Airports are heating up this Christmas period!

 As we head into everyone's favourite time of year, and one of the busiest times for our airports, we want to give you some tips to ensure you and your family stay cool this Christmas:

 Get the Air NZ app

The Air NZ app puts the control in your hands. Manage your booking, change your flights, and stay up to date with real-time information such as gate numbers and delays. Download the Air NZ app and you will never miss a gate change.

 Beat the queues

1 million New Zealanders are set to fly our domestic routes this festive season. Allow for extra time to get to the airport, complete check in formalities and clear security. Check in closes 30 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights. During the silly season you can check in 3 hours beforehand, allowing you to start your holiday early.

 Tamariki flying solo?

Our Airband™ service keeps you connected and updated with your tamariki's travel. We ask that you arrive at the airport at least 20 minutes before check-in closes. Please ensure both the nominated drop off and pick-up person carries a valid photo ID . This is a required step in our verification process and reflects our commitment to the safety and welfare of all tamariki travelling with us.

 Travelling with pets?

The safety and comfort of your furry whanau are important to us. Staff will check that your pet carrier meets our cage requirements. The cage must be spacious enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down and a small water container must be attached so we can serve liquid refreshments for the safety of your pet. We cannot accept any pet and carrier with a combined weight of more than 60kg, and on our ATR, Q300 turbo-prop aircrafts, we cannot accept any carrier larger than 85cm H x 66cm W x 115cm L. You’ll be pleased to know that larger pets can still travel as cargo through an approved pet transporter.

 Carry-on baggage

Economy passengers get one carry-on bag (up to 7 kg) plus a small item. Premium Economy, Business Premier™, connecting Business Premier, or Airpoints™ Gold/Elite and Star Alliance Gold members can bring two carry-on bags plus a small item. We’ll be keeping an eye on limits at the gate, and oversized bags may need to be checked in. Need a little extra power? You can take a maximum of two power banks (with a limit of 100Wh per device) onboard and they must be packed in your carryon bag. More information can be found here ⁠⁠Travelling with power banks.

 Checked in baggage

Bringing extra prezzies this Christmas? You can confirm your baggage allowance on your eTicket or the Air NZ app under your booking. If you are feeling extra generous this Christmas, why not add a prepaid bag  before you check in and don't forget to check for prohibited and restricted items to keep your gifts flying safely!

 Meeting your accessibility needs

If you are travelling with any type of mobility device, speak to our friendly staff at check-in so we can make your travel experience as comfortable as possible. Want to transfer into one of our wheelchairs? Please take a seat. Prefer to head to the gate in your own wheelchair? No problem. Either way, these items can be checked in free of charge.

As many wheelchairs are uniquely designed for your personal requirements, it is helpful to have written user instructions attached so our staff can pack, stow, and reassemble your wheelchair as carefully and quickly as possible. Please also check our wheelchair and battery specifications before you fly to ensure a smooth check-in process.

 Need a little assistance?

Prefer to board the plane at your own pace. Just let us know at check in and we'll make sure you can preboard the flight, please also let our friendly gate staff know you’re ready when they are. If you or someone you’re travelling with needs a little more support during your journey, contact one of our participating airports to get a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard.

 Tamariki love to travel too

Children and infants require a few extra items to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. You’ll be relieved to know that our baggage allowance includes two additional child items free of charge, even with a seat-only fare. Small collapsible travel strollers can come on board but must fit into the overhead locker. It is not permitted to use strollers when crossing the tarmac or inside the airbridge at any airport. Please note that smaller turbo-prop aircraft cannot accommodate strollers on board, so these will need to be checked in.

 Going overseas this Christmas?

Before you head overseas, it's always a good idea to check the international travel requirements of each destination country. As a rule of thumb, check that your passport is valid and meets the criteria of the destination country and check if any electronic travel authorities, visas, or declaration forms are required as a condition of entry.

 Travel Insurance

They say when it rains, it pours. Whether you’re travelling across the world or simply flying within New Zealand, it pays to be prepared. Having travel insurance means you won’t be out of pocket when the unexpected happens. Choose Air New Zealand travel insurance and you’ll earn Airpoints Dollars™ - giving you added peace of mind every time you travel.

Personal belongings

Before you leave the aircraft check the back of the seat in front of you for passports or valuables. If you realise that you are missing an important personal item, don’t worry, you can let us know by filling out our lost property form and we will get in touch if the item is retrieved.

Cabin Crew Strike Notice for 18 December Withdrawn

We’re pleased to confirm that the cabin crew strike planned for Thursday 18 December will not go ahead and all flights will operate as scheduled.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Disrupt Reimbursement Consideration

If your journey has been disrupted for a controllable reason, e.g. engineering, or crew shortages, and your new itinerary requires you to stay overnight in a place you do not reside, our airport team will be working hard to secure accommodation for you.

Over peak travel periods, availability is extremely limited and you may be required to source your own accommodation.

As a guideline, we recommend $250.00 per room and $90.00 per person, per night for meals. This is a recommended amount only, and all expenses must be reasonable and supported by itemised tax invoice receipts. Please retain all itemised tax invoice receipts, as they are required for reimbursement consideration.

To submit your reimbursement request, please visit here to do so. Alternatively, you can visit here for details on how to submit your claim through our messaging channels.