Travelling or flying with a service dog
Whether you're flying across New Zealand or heading overseas, you'll find everything you need to prepare — from booking and check-in to what to expect on the flight and international requirements.
Eligibility criteria
To be accepted for travel in the cabin, your service dog must be trained or accredited by one of the following:
If your dog does not meet these criteria, it may still be eligible for certain routes. Please refer to Section 5: Direct flights to/from the USA and Section 6: Direct flights to/from Australia for alternative pathways.
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Add your service dog to your flight booking
You can request to travel with your service dog during the online booking process under Special Assistance. Once you've booked your flight, please review and complete the required forms:
- For US routes: Complete the required DOT forms about the dog's training, behaviour, health, and relief ability.
- For all other routes: Complete the service dog declaration form
Please submit the required forms at least 48 hours before your flight. To help us make your experience as smooth as possible, we recommend submitting your forms as early as possible.
If you're travelling between Australia and New Zealand, see Section 6: Direct flights to/from Australia for specific requirements, as in some cases forms must be submitted no later than 14 days before departure.
Seating options
If there is space available, we will allocate an extra seat in Economy class for floor space for your service dog. Travel in Business Premier (or equivalent) may not be possible due to seating configurations. Please get in touch with us to discuss options if required.
Need help?You can reach us in a few different ways.- 2
Checking international travel requirements
You're responsible for ensuring your service dog complies with all import and export requirements for every country you visit, depart from, or transit through. Please check with New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the relevant border authorities for full requirements in advance before your travels.
New Zealand
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires:
- An import/export permit for all service dogs (except those arriving from Australia)
Other countries
Most countries we fly to have strict rules about animal entry. These may include:
- Health checks
- Quarantine or pre-approval
- Transit requirements
If you're unable to provide the correct documentation during the booking and check-in process, it may result in your service dog being unable to travel. Air New Zealand is not liable if your dog is denied clearance at any point in your journey.
Diversions
If your flight is unexpectedly diverted to a different country or airport, we'll support you where possible, but we can't guarantee entry clearance at the alternate location.
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What to expect on the day of travel
We'll be there to guide you through each step of your journey with your service dog.
Please make sure:
- Your dog wears a harness or vest identifying them as a service dog
- Your dog wears ID tags with your name and contact details
- You carry all required documentation, including import/export permits where applicable
Check-in
Before checking in, make sure your service dog has had plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet.
Make your way over to the Special Assistance or Oversized Baggage counter (depending on the airport). Our team will review your service dog's documentation (requirements depend on your origin and destination). Please have your paperwork ready.
Border control
After checking in, you'll proceed through security and border clearance.
Boarding
Our Special Handling team will support you through the boarding process. Seating for you and your service dog will already be confirmed.
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Service dogs in training
Air New Zealand does not permit service dogs in training to travel in the cabin on international flights.
Service dogs in training may travel in the cabin on domestic Air New Zealand flights, at our discretion, if:
- The dog is accompanied by a certified trainer
- The flight is part of the dog's formal training program
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Direct flights to/from the USA
If you're flying between the USA and New Zealand, with a connecting domestic flight, your service dog is only permitted in the cabin on the direct USA-NZ flight, unless it meets our eligibility criteria.
If your dog does not meet our eligibility criteria, it will need to travel in the aircraft hold.
Please ensure that your dog meets all the requirements for travelling by air set out by the U.S. Department of Transportation before your travels.
What you need to do:
- Submit the required DOT forms about the dog's training, behaviour, health, and relief ability
- No additional Air New Zealand forms are required
Our team may assess your dog's behaviour at check-in or boarding.
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Direct flights to/from Australia
If you are flying between Australia and New Zealand on the same ticket, your service dog may travel in the cabin for the entire journey, as long as it meets the criteria below.
If your service dog hasn't been trained or certified by an approved organisation, we may consider your application for travel between Australia and New Zealand. To be eligible:
If your service dog is not accredited
If your service dog is not accredited by ADI or IGDF, please complete the Service Dog Australian Pathway form and return it to our special handling team at least 14 days before departure.
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What else you need to know
Alongside the booking steps above, there are a few extra details to help your journey run smoothly when travelling with a service dog:
- If your dog does not meet our eligibility criteria, they will need to travel as a pet in the aircraft hold, and standard pet travel charges will apply. See our travelling with pets page for more information.
- For travel on codeshare or partner airline flights, the operating airline's policies apply. Please contact the operating airline directly for approval.
- You're responsible for your service dog at all times, including at the airport and onboard.
- You're responsible for any costs resulting from injury or damage caused by your dog, or where special care, accommodation, or transport is required (for example, if your dog is denied entry at your destination).
- Air New Zealand will take every care to ensure a safe journey for your service dog. However, we are not responsible for any injury, illness, or loss unless caused by our negligence.