Air New Zealand

Baggage Information

What you take away with you will help ensure an enjoyable and successful trip. Select from the options to the left to find what you need to know when packing your bags.

Baggage is classified in two ways: checked in baggage, stowed in the aircraft's hold and cabin baggage, which you may carry with you onto the aircraft.

There are limits on the number of pieces and weight of baggage you may take on a flight. These allowances vary depending on where you are travelling. Click on the baggage type links above for details.

Check In

Welcome to check in. On this page you'll find some guidelines to help ensure a smooth start to your journey.

International Flights

We recommend you have completed check-in at least 2 hours before your international flight is due to depart. However, due to increased security requirements on all flights operating to, through and from the USA, we recommended you allow at least 3 hours to complete your check-in at the following airports: Auckland, Nadi, London, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Apia and Tonga. For more information on increased security requirements, click here.


Domestic New Zealand Flights

You are required to be checked in 30 minutes before the departure of your domestic New Zealand flight, unless you are connecting to an international flight. In that case, please be checked in 60 minutes prior to the departure of your domestic flight. Please remember to carry proof of identity with you as you will be required to present this at check-in. A driver's licence, passport, Airpoints or Koru Club card, credit card, birth certificate or Community Services card are all suitable forms of identification.

If you're travelling from Christchurch to Auckland on either NZ34, NZ90, or NZ98, your flight will depart from the Christchurch International terminal. You must check-in 60 minutes prior to departure at the international check-in counters. You'll need a valid form of photo identification for check-in and boarding (i.e. passport or drivers licence). When you get to Auckland you'll be arriving at the international terminal so full customs and MAF screening will apply.


Domestic New Zealand Flights with International Connections

If you are checking in at a domestic New Zealand airport and you will be making a connection to an international flight, please be checked in 60 minutes prior to the departure of your domestic flight. Remember your ticket and passport, ensure you have all applicable visas and please note that many airports levy a departure tax on all passengers on international flights.


ExpressCheckTM

If you are checking in for a domestic flight in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Nelson, why not take advantage of our ExpressCheck self service check-in kiosks. Click here for details.

IMPORTANT SECURITY ADVICE TO CUSTOMERS

Security seized items on flights to, from, and via the USA

1. In order to comply with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) effective 14 April 2005, passengers are prohibited from carrying any lighters on their person or in cabin baggage in the sterile areas of airports or onboard an airplane. This includes butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters. For further information click here

Security seized items on all flights

1. In order to comply with the new USA Federal Aviation Authority and New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority security regulations it is mandatory that no customer carries knives, cutting instruments, sharp objects of any description or composition and novelty items such as toy guns or weapons into the cabin of any Air New Zealand Domestic or International aircraft.
2. Customers are advised that if such items are required by them they are to be packed into checked baggage. They are not to be carried in cabin baggage or on their person under any circumstances.
3. Customers found to be carrying any implements as described above during airport security checks will be required to surrender them. Regrettably such items cannot be returned to customers.
4. Needles and syringes are exempt from the above if the customer also has in their possession medication that has a professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturers name or pharmaceutical label.
5. In order to comply with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) effective 14 April 2005, passengers are prohibited from carrying any lighters on their person or in cabin baggage in the sterile areas of airports or onboard an airplane. This includes butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters. For further information click here


Carry-on Baggage Policy for flights to, from and through the USA

Due to the current security processing required by the USA Federal Aviation Administration, passengers travelling in all classes are allowed to bring only one piece of carry-on baggage, not to exceed 115cm or weigh in excess of 7kg, plus one personal item such as a purse, lap top or briefcase.

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