pet air travel nz

Travelling with pets

Cats, dogs and small caged birds can travel as checked-in baggage on all domestic flights around New Zealand provided they fly in pet carriers suitable for air travel .  

Add your pet to your domestic flight booking

If you have a domestic flight booked with Air New Zealand, please complete this form to request that your pet is added to your booking. You will need the following information:

• Your six-character booking reference (found on your flight confirmation emails and itinerary)
• Weight of pet
• Weight of pet's carrier
• Your contact details

If your booking is for a regional route and includes more than one pet carrier per person, you'll need to pre-book your pets to  travel as cargo due to the space limitations of our smaller turbo-prop aircraft.

Weigh your pet and the carrier

To help us plan for your pet's travel, we need to know the weight of your pet (to the nearest kilogram) as well as the weight of your pet's carrier. If in doubt, it's best to round upwards so that we can have accurate information for our loading teams.

See how much it costs

The pet carriage fee is payable at the airport and reflects the special treatment required to ensure the safety of your pet.

How much you need to pay depends on the size of your pet.

• For pets up to 25kg: NZD $75
• For pets over 25kg: NZD $100

Book an extra bag (if needed)

To help us calculate and plan for your pet's travel in the hold, we consider your pet's checked-in carrier as part of your baggage allowance. 

Tip : when booking your flight, look for a fare with baggage allowance.

If the carriage of your pet results in you exceeding your baggage allowance, you can upgrade your booking to a seat+bag fare, or pre-pay for the  extra bag  prior to arriving at the airport and before check-in closes.

If you choose not to pre-pay for the extra bag, then the  excess baggage charge  and the pet carriage fee will both be payable at the airport.

If you are an Airpoints Gold, Elite or Koru member, you may be entitled to an additional bag at no charge.

Prepare your pet's travel carrier

We will not accept carriers where the animal is unable to naturally stand, sit up, turn around and lay down. 

For your pet's comfort and safety during their flight,  all pets  must travel in carriers that meet the current  standards approved by the International Air Transport Association  (IATA).

Get the right carrier size and set-up for your pet:

• When standing outside the carrier,   no part of your pet should be taller or longer than the carrier.
• When inside the carrier, they shouldn't have to duck to see out of the carrier door. The carrier should also be wide enough for your pet to turn around easily and long enough for them to lie down comfortably with their paws extended.
• The carrier must be fitted with a small water container that is fillable from the outside of the carrier. 
• For your pet's comfort and to avoid mess, the carrier floor must be lined with absorbent material such as paper, shredded newspaper or puppy pee pad.
• If the carrier does not meet our size and construction requirements , we will not accept the pet to board on your flight, and it may need to be rebooked for a later flight or day of travel, which could incur additional expenses. 

Animals per carrier

If you're travelling with more than one pet in a carrier, you need to meet these requirements:

• Only kittens and puppies over 8 weeks will be accepted for travel
• A mother and her litter are acceptable provided the kittens or puppies are over 8 weeks
• Up to 3 weaned kittens or puppies if from the same litter and less than 6 months old, and not over 14 kg each
• Maximum two adult pets of comparable size up to 14kg each per carrier. Pets must be familiar with each other and used to living together.
• Only 1 animal per carrier if exceeding 14 kg
• The carrier must meet our requirements and be fit for purpose

Familiarise your pet with the carrier

Ideally, your pet should be familiarised with their travel carrier at least two weeks before travel. This will help your pet feel more secure and comfortable, and reduce anxiety levels for both you and your pet. 

On the day of the flight

Help your pet get ready to travel.

After checking that your pet looks healthy and fit for travel, it's time to get ready for the flight. 

• Give your pet a light meal and a little water no less than two hours prior to departure, keeping in mind that travelling on a full stomach can cause motion sickness for pets. 
• You must put adequate absorbent material such as a puppy pee pad in the carrier. You may also wish to include a small comfort blanket or an old shirt with your scent on it.
• Before you place your pet in the carrier, make sure they have had plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet and stretch and exercise.
• Remember to put a small treat or favourite toy as well as their leash in your carry-on bag so that you can reward them at the end of their journey.

Before check-in

Please arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight's departure.  If you haven't checked in online already, please check in passengers before taking your pet to either the Special Assistance or Oversized Baggage counter (depending on the airport).

Staff will then check that the pet's carrier meets the requirements and the pet and carrier will be weighed and payment taken.

Important : we may refuse your pet's travel if the carrier does not meet the size and construction requirements .

Remember that every airport has a different configuration of where to take your pet for check-in and regulations on how your pet can arrive at the airport. 

• From Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson or Queenstown , your pet must be in their carrier before arriving at the terminal
• From a New Zealand regional airport (excluding Nelson), your pet can be on a leash and placed in the carrier at check-in

After your pet has been checked in

The Air New Zealand ground staff who load the pets onboard at the departure airport and unload at the arrival airport are trained in pet travel and will do what they can to minimise stress for your furry or feathered friend.

Before being loaded on the aircraft, your pet will wait in a special area separated from the rest of the checked-in baggage. 

Generally, pets will be last to be loaded onto the flight to avoid any lengthy waits on the tarmac.

Before the flight, the pilot is given information about the loaded cargo including any animals onboard. 

Your pet will be secured in a climate-controlled space in the aircraft hold which, just like an aircraft cabin, is pressurised for their comfort. The lights are dimmed during the flight, which helps to keep pets calm.

Arrival and pick up

Your pet will be carried into the baggage arrival area by one of our team. This may be before, during or after other baggage has been delivered to the baggage claim area, depending on the airport.

To be mindful of other passengers and airport regulations, please do not let your pet out of its carrier until you have left the terminal building.

Your pet's carrier will have cable ties securing the door. If your pet is not an escape artist, you can ask one of our ground staff or the airport helpdesk team to locate some scissors to cut the ties before the next part of your journey.

Select the right travel carrier for your pet

Air New Zealand carries animals in accordance with the current standards published in the IATA Live Animal Regulations .

Cat and dog carriers

Construction of cat or dog carrier

✔  Fibreglass, metal, rigid plastic, welded metal mesh, solid wood, and plywood carriers

✔  Ventilation holes are only permitted on the upper half of three sides, excluding the door. See example

✔  The door must be open and covered with welded mesh, bars etc., nose and paw-proof

✔  The door must form the whole of one end of the carrier (can be sliding or hinged) and can't be accidentally opened

✔  The floor must be solid and leak-proof and the interior must be smooth with nothing sticking out

✔  Spacer bar must be fitted in the middle on three sides (not the door). Handles should allow easy carriage of the carrier

✔  Wheels are permitted but must be removed or inoperable when carried

✔  Water container must be fitted in the carrier

✘ Entirely welded mesh, open wire, pop-up hatch style carriers

✘ Ventilation on the upper and lower sides of a carrier

Door locking and latching

✔ The top and bottom of a plastic carrier must be fixed together using either 'bolt tightened' or another 2-step method e.g. screw & dial

✔ Minimum fasteners include one at each corner and at least 1 down each side, carriers longer than 60cm must have minimum of 2 fasteners each side

✔ Door hinge & locking pins on rigid plastic carriers must engage the carrier by at least 1.6cm beyond the horizontal extrusion above and below the door opening

✔ Cable ties must be attached to all four corners of the carrier's door to prevent it from being prised open by the animal  

✘ Latches fixing the top and bottom of plastic carrier

✘ Restraint straps etc., securing a carrier

✘ Doors that have a 'twist clip' around the locking pins

Inside the carrier

✔ You must include appropriate and proportionate absorbent material e.g. paper, shredded newspaper or puppy pee pad

✔ You can include a blanket in the carrier

✔ Please ensure your pet has had food and water prior to travelling

✘ Important: No food or toys are permitted in, or attached to, the carrier.

Use of cable ties

✔ Airport staff may use a cable tie as a secondary means of securing a cage and preventing accidental opening. 

✘ Must not be applied through ventilation holes

✘ Must not be cut short as they pose a risk of injury to your pet

For other useful information about pet carrier requirements, please visit IATA's pet corner page . 

Example of approved pet carrier for air travel

• Adequate ventilation on the upper section of three sides (not including the door)
• Top and bottom fixed together e.g. tightened bolt and screw at each corner. Minimum of 1 fixing on sides for carriers under 60 cm; minimum of 2 if carrier exceeds 60 cm
• Space bar fitted on three sides
• Leak-proof floor
• Locking pins must extend a minimum of 1.6 cm into the top and bottom lips
• Water container

Example of unsuitable pet carrier

✘ This pet carrier will not be accepted for air travel as it has ventilation holes on the lower half of the carrier's sides and does not include a water container. 

Travel cages and carriers for birds

Your bird/s may travel in a bird travel carrier, or size-appropriate cat/dog carrier may be used, provided the required perch/perches are fitted.

For birds that rest by perching, the carrier must include round perches that:

• are large enough for the birds to grip firmly and comfortably (relevant to the species)
• allow for all birds (if more than one) to perch comfortably at the same time
• are placed so droppings do not fall into food or water troughs
• are placed at such a height that the birds can leave the perch without their heads contacting the roof, nor the tail with the floor while perching
• are not placed too high within the carrier for the birds to become upset during transport.

For parrots (psittacine), that do not rest by perching, suitably sized smooth rails fixed to the floor must be provided so that the birds can feel secure.

Frequently asked questions for pet travel

How do i add a pet to my booking.

If you book directly with Air New Zealand: 

Look for a fare with baggage allowance. If you're an Airpoints member,  you may be entitled to an additional bag at no charge.

After you've made your booking, complete this form to let us know you're travelling with a pet. This helps us to dedicate space for pets in the aircraft hold. We will need to know the following details. 

• Weight of cage

If you're booking with a travel agent: 

Let your travel agent know that you wish to travel with your pet. They will then book you a fare with baggage allowance and help you with the other details.

How do I pay for my pet to travel?

Our staff will take payment when you check your pet in at the airport.

Do I need to include paperwork or vaccination information?

No, you do not need to provide vaccination or vet information for your pet's travel on domestic flights around New Zealand. 

New Zealand’s #1 Choice For Pet Transport Services

When it comes to domestic and international pet transport , Jetpets is the name you can trust. Whether you’re relocating from Christchurch to Auckland or moving from New Zealand to Australia, we’ll make your pet travel experience a completely stress-free one.

Our Most Popular Pet Transportation Destinations

We’re here for you and your furbaby

How Pet Travel Works

Jetpets is New Zealand’s leading pet transportation company. Our dedicated team of pet travel consultants, pet handlers and partnering vets are passionate about caring for your pets, ensuring your peace of mind. Whether you’re going on a well-deserved holiday, organising a relocation or welcoming a new family member, we will be there every step of the way and provide regular pet travel updates.

Call us for expert pet travel advice Call Us

We select the most direct flights Itinerary inclusions

We can pick up from home

We will reunite you with your pet and deliver to your home

Why Choose Jetpets?

Click on the tabs below to learn more.

Our Pet Handlers & Fleet

Jetpets Pet Handlers are experienced and caring people, who have qualifications ranging from Animal Handling, to Vet Nursing and Pet Behaviourists. They can pick up or deliver your pet in our modern, temperature-controlled fleet.

Our Airline Approved Travel Crates

Our airline-approved travel crates provide the most comfortable and safe travel journey for your pet, and are available for purchase or hire. We can also provide custom built crates for larger or exotic animals.

Partnering Vets

Our partnering vets are professional experts in international and domestic pet travel in New Zealand and beyond. Our Vets can provide your pet with all the correct treatments they need to travel to their destination.

Our Pet Transit Lounge Facilities

Our Auckland Transit Lounge offers a relaxing environment for your pet prior to their flight. An opportunity for them to stretch their legs prior to travel or in the case of certain flight delays and cancellations, our friendly team will be there to ensure your pet’s utmost comfort and care.

Our People Care As Much As You Do

Our team of pet travel experts are fur-parents and animal lovers just like you! We take exceptional care of your pet every step of the way, whether it’s a pet travel consultant getting to know your pet, a pet handler giving your pet a cuddle, or a Partnering Vet visiting your pet at home for a health check.

Experienced & Accredited Team

With over 30 years’ experience and industry accreditations we are the animal travel experts that are trusted by thousands of Kiwis each year to safely reunite their pets across New Zealand and around the world!

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• Travel crate – we select the perfect sized crate
• Flights – we select the most direct flights through one of our reputable airline partners
• Collection & Delivery – we provide different levels of service covering door to door, or from and to transit lounges and/or the airport
• Pet accommodation – need time to settle into to a new home? No problem, we'll organise pet accommodation.
• Moving Overseas? – we can prepare all documentation and the vet work schedule to meet country of entry requirements

The oldest and most trusted pet transport company in New Zealand

Dog & Cat Boarding

Special attention for your special family members when you can’t be there

Top Quality Care

A state of the art facility with individually ventilated rooms

We’re all care and all responsibility.

Bringing families together is a great job. We’re animal lovers too and we take pride in the pet transport work we do. What makes our job really special is being able to give happiness to people throughout New Zealand, Australia and around the world and we love it.

If you’re moving overseas it can take a lot of preparation and planning ahead. Making sure your cat or dog gets there safely can be an added stress. Or you can let the international pet travel experts like us take care of everything for you. After all, we’ve done it before and we know what needs to happen.

Get total peace of mind knowing we will take care of all your pet’s travel requirements. Your cat or dog will receive personalised service when flying to Australia, or around the world, and loads of cuddles before they get there.

Our complete pet travel package includes….

Booking the flight, domestic transfer or home pick-up, transport to the airport, animal welfare certificate, exporter declaration, mpi veterinary inspection, transport crate, you choose..

For a full explanation of our international pet travel services read on.

Pet shipping costs depend upon the destination, the breed and the size of the cat or dog you are transporting, and the airline, so let us do the maths for you. Contact us for a no-obligation quote for international pet travel.

Email or phone us. We know you will have loads of questions, so we always try to answer everything straight away.

Don’t just take our word for it…

“Fantastic service! A huge thanks for making it a smooth transition. Our cat Mischa has settled in already and is happy in her new home”

Romina Soledad Gomez

AIRLINE APPROVED TRAVEL CRATES

Pet travel crates.

4 Paws Travel can supply airline approved crates to suit that are IATA compliant for purchase. If required, we can arrange for your crate to be delivered to the departure location.

Important: If you already own a travel crate, please check with us when enquiring, as not all crates are airline approved.

Contact / Quote

To Send a message or ask a question please complete the form below or if you prefer contact us by phone / email. For a quote please click the checkbox and complete the relevant fields.

travel crates

P: 0274 994 878

E: [email protected]

International Pet travel

Map thanks to our friends at Air New Zealand

AirCare Pets arrange International Pet travel to all points of the globe.

We are able to arrange international pet transport for your pet to almost anywhere in the world.

Our international pet transport services utilise a broad range of airlines and services. We have researched the best options for transits and we only work with organisations with proven animale welfare records.

This gives us an extremely broad reach. Our membership of the International Pet and Animal Transport Association IPATA provides surety and a point of contact in the remotest parts of the world.

From New Zealand we transport animals to all the major hub airports around the world, including Los Angeles, Houston, London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore.

Our network partners in these locations handle forward flights to hundreds of airports, in all continents. Contact   your AirCare pet travel consultant and discuss your travel plans.

International pet shipping requires an extensive range of documentation, vet work, health checks and MAF Certifications. These processes are all organized by AirCare Pets to ensure your pet is fully prepared for travel.

Our international pet transport service includes full research of the best routes, quality airlines, and stopover facilities.

All animals undertaking international pet shipping with a voyage time of 6 hours or more must have an Animal Welfare Certificate in addition to the foreign veterinary requirements. The Animal Welfare Certificate ensures your pet travel crate is the correct size and has the correct features for safety and welfare. (Direct Auckland-Perth flights although over the 6 hour travel time, are exempt)

As an experienced international pet shipping company we ensure your pet is comfortable for traveling, it is our first priority.

Read more about our International Destinations

If your pet is 'over-nighting' with us for an early morning flight, we ensure that they have an early evening meal and access to toilet areas, especially prior to departure.

We use a variety of bedding options to best match the needs of the pet and the route being undertaken. Shredded paper straw is popular as we find if there are 'accidents' the straw absorbs and minimizes the chances of your pet arriving in a dirty condition. Fo international pet relocation we can advise you on the suitability of blankets or sheepskins as bedding.

All animals have large ice blocks in their water trays prior to departure. Ice is used to minimize water spillage during cargo handling. Otherwise, your pet may end up a soggy mess sitting in soaked bedding for a long period of time.

We have a range of international pet travel options for your loved ones. Please select your preferred airline of choice:

• Air New Zealand
• Qantas Airline
• Virgin Australia
• Singapore Airlines
• Other Airlines

As routes change frequently, it is always best to ask for us to research a route and airline for you.

Go to "Request-A-Quote", click here

or Phone our pet travel consultant team on freephone 0800 224 773

(239) 344-8959

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New Zealand Pet Transport

Need to move your pet to New Zealand (AKL, CHC)? Allow our skilled pet shipping team to assist you, whether it's for domestic or international pet transportation. Count on our experienced professionals to guarantee the safe arrival of your beloved pet.

Door to door pet transportation services to Auckland, New Zealand include:

• Dedicated Pet Travel Support Team to coordinate your pet's move
• Liaise with your veterinarian & review documentation
• Provide an IATA-compliant travel kennel with kennel bowls, personalized labels, identification, and emergency notification instructions
• Obtain the OVD with endorsement from the USDA
• Apply for the New Zealand Import Permit
• Make the quarantine reservation & pay quarantine fees
• Book flight(s) and pay air cargo charges
• Transportation to/from the airports
• Final veterinary exam, completion of the New Zealand health certificate, and final parasite treatments
• USDA endorsement of the final documents
• USDA crate sealing
• Customs clearance
• Pick up from quarantine, if required
• Domestic transportation within New Zealand upon release from quarantine, if required
• Provide a detailed travel itinerary
• Real-time updates while your pet is in transit

Take a look at our pet travel guide for the requirements for moving your pet to New Zealand .

Airport Information

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300+ Reviews

"Samantha is doing quite well. We were very pleased with your service. She is a very important member of our family and we were very stressed about her being on such a long flight. Thanks to all the personal assistance you gave me to prepare her, everything turned out better than we could have expected. If we should ever need to fly out pet again, I can’t imagine using any other service. I would highly recommend Starwood Animal Transport to everyone!"

"The people you used at each step were wonderful. The girl who picked him up in Houston was wonderful. The man who delivered him here in Dubai – equally great. I know this is something you and your team do on a regular basis – but obviously this isn’t something we do – and to have our little dog with us here in our new home in Dubai makes our apartment here, our home! Of course, I shall recommend you to anyone wishing to fly a pet – and when it’s time for us to fly home, I’ll be in touch."

"Thanks to Starwood Animal Transport, our first experience moving our dog internationally was a very successful one! The communication throughout the entire process was prompt, clear and comforting. Kudos to Ross, Sherry and Nick for providing great customer service.I do believe that in the end, our dog had better care and travel arrangements than we did. I highly recommend Starwood and will certainly use them again in the future."

"Blake and Raven had a wonderful journey. I don't think the trip phased them in the least. They are happily settled and enjoying life in Georgia. Kenny did a wonderful job taking care of them both. He was very conscience and caring, and made sure they were fine before leaving. I will definitely recommend your business to anyone needing to relocate their pet family."

"I would like to thank you for the wonderful service transporting our four legged kids. It was not just transporting, your updates, the photos and most of all for that moment of happiness when they arrived. Priceless!"

"Greg and I wanted to thank you very much for all your work to get Pepper safely back to Australia.I know that we bombarded you guys with a lot of anxious emails at one of your busiest times of the year. We wanted to put on the record that we sincerely thank you for all your guidance and patience with us, and especially for taking on Pepper’s move at a time when we were having trouble getting traction with another service provider – you got us back on track, and very quickly."

"All went very well and my parents and aunt were impressed with the care and organization of the people they met on each end. Thanks so much! Gigi is settling in and has no issues with her crate after the trip."

"After getting our family back (2 Goldens) from NY to London Gatwick I have to congratulate you and your global team for achieving what is no small achievement. Your service in managing the paperwork, the customs clearance, selecting the best airline and route and hand holding the vets through this timely but critical process was, I am sure the only reason everything went through without delay or undue stress. Thanks to you and to all of your team. You are a service benchmark."

"A very BIG thank you to you all! The trio arrived safe and sound this morning around 2am and they were absolutely fine. They seem to have settled well into their new home as if nothing ever happened. I so appreciate all the hard work, care and professionalism that made this relocation happen. 'Starwood' is on my top list of favourites and shall make sure everyone that is ever wanting to relocate pets shall know about you all!"

"Thank you very much for your help in getting Cricket here. We are so happy to have him here and he is settling in. Of course the journey was long but he is now back to being his usual self. You really did make the entire process very smooth and easy and we never had to worry about anything. Thanks a lot!"

Pet Travel Tips

What might delay my pet's travel plans, puppy and kitten scams, the best airline-approved travel carriers for cats and dogs.

Hamilton Pet Transport

Your personal pet shippers for all Local, National and International Pet Transportation Services

We are based in Hamilton but can organise pet air travel from any New Zealand airport

Your pets comfort and wellbeing is important to us. With 30+ years' experience within the team caring for and handling pets - you can rest easy knowing your pet will be cared for and comforted by our friendly staff - providing you with a high standard of customer service.

We Ship All Small Animals

If your small pet animal is not listed above - we still may be able to transport it for you, please contact us to check.

Moving Nationally or Internationally?

Let us remove the stress for you and arrange the documentation and transportation of your beloved pets.

We believe in the importance of caring for your pet and take pride in giving your pet a personal pet shipping experience.

Because we want your best mate to not feel any unnecessary stress, please advise us of their individual needs/personality so we can cater to them as necessary.

Hamilton Pet Transport provides you with All Pet Transportation and Documentation arranged on your behalf. We are registered with C.A.A. and NZ Government accredited exporter, as well as a preferred supplier to Air New Zealand along with other international carriers.

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Pet Travel NZ

Please use the form below to place an enquiry or to look at the potential of booking your pets flight/flights, with us. Payment can be made via direct credit, or credit card (We accept Visa and MasterCard).

We will be in contact with you shortly to go through your flight booking, confirm payment and book your flight/s. If you would like to call us directly, we can be contacted on 021 925 592 during business hours, or email us on [email protected]

Please note:

Transhipping Domestic Pets will not be booked for carriage on weekend services where the final sector departure is after 3pm.

Where a Domestic Pet flight booking involves more than one sector, there must be a minimum of one hour (60 minutes) between arrival and departure of the sector/s.

Please ensure you fill the form in correctly as making changes once booking is complete will incur a change of booking fee.

All bookings are not confirmed until a minimum of 72 hours prior to the departure date.

See Air New Zealand Flight Schedule HERE

• First Name *
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• Date of Travel * DD dash MM dash YYYY
• Preferred Flight *
• Cage Required? * Please select Yes No
• Address of Where Cage To Be Couriered To For Travelling In? * Street Address Address Line 2 Town/City Region Postal Code Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Type of Pet *
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International cargo pets

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.

How long are the pets in their crate before a flight?

• The animal must be presented to the airline for acceptance processes prior to dispatch to the flight. This is dependent on local conditions and distance from/to the aircraft. Other considerations are quarantine inspections by government bodies. Most Air New Zealand handled flights require pets to be presented to Air New Zealand Cargo at least 3 hours pre-flight, some airlines with added security formalities require pets at least 4 hours pre-flight.
• Shipments must be handled with extreme care to ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and handling staff. Adequate ventilation is essential, and all cages must be IATA compliant, with an New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) endorsed stamp where applicable. The time animals are kept awaiting uplift or delivery should be kept to a minimum

Note: MPI is only applicable in New Zealand

What can we put in our pet's travel container?

• We recommend putting a soft toy or blanket with a familiar scent if they don't take up too much room, this will help your pet settle down whilst in transport. Air New Zealand prohibits any sharp or metal items, pet food and bean bags. Please avoid anything small which may be choked on and be aware that Customs may remove and destroy them upon arrival to satisfy their quarantine requirements.
• All pets must have adequate absorbent material in the cage in case of any water spillage or toilet accidents.

What are the conditions for animals in cargo? Are they checked on?

• There is no access to the hold. There is no lighting left on, the hold is pressurized the same as the cabin and there are temperature and ventilation controls.
• It is most important that the water bowls of animals are replenished during transit stops with clean water. This is essential at stations with warmer climates.

What happens if a health problem occurs with the animal before, during or after the flight?

• If there is an issue before the flight the animal will not be accepted/flown. In New Zealand all pets travelling internationally must undergo export certification by the Ministry for Primary Industries which should alert owners and pet transporters to any health issues prior to flight check in. If a pet becomes unwell during the flight, action will take place on arrival.

Are there any additional safety precautions in place for the animals as soon as they are under the care of the airline?

• Air New Zealand only accepts pet shipments from New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) registered Animal Products exporters who are recognized pet transporters who must have the skills and knowledge to apply all the requirements of the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR) .
• Air New Zealand completes a 32 question check-sheet to ensure that IATA standards have been met. This entails bookings, documentation, container condition, food and water.

Are there behavioural or health risks associated with flying with an animal in cargo (Ie: heart/breathing conditions, separation anxiety afterward)?

• Travelling by air can have an unsettling effect on animals which may cause changes to behaviour. 
• There is a definite increased risk for brachycephalic (snub nosed animals) due to their physical breathing conditions. Please refer to our list of brachycephalic breeds that Air New Zealand does not accept for flights exceeding 5 hours duration.

Can I sedate my pet?

• The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)   does not permit the use of sedation for pets travelling by air.  As all pets must pass MPI Certification prior to export by air, pets cannot be under the influence of sedation for any domestic or international flights.
• We do not recommend sedating pets for travel.  Sedation can lead to dehydration and also disorientation if they wake up part way through the journey.  It can also be difficult for customs to assess the health of an animal after arrival if it has been sedated. There are many natural products which can be used to calm your pet before travel though you must speak to your normal NZ registered vet or your pet transporter about the side effects of these products prior to flight.

Bringing pets into New Zealand

You can bring your pet here, but they must meet specific health standards. These change, depending on the country your pet is coming from.

The NZ Customs Service and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) both oversee the import of animals to New Zealand.

• Bringing pets and animals into NZ — NZ Customs Service
• Pets travelling to New Zealand — MPI

What you can expect

Depending on what country your pet is coming from, the process of importing a pet can be expensive and may take several months. Requirements are also often subject to change.

Get help from a professional

A professional pet exporter can help you bring your pet here safely — most airlines require you to use one to make sure you’ve followed all the rules.

They offer a range of services like arranging tests, treatments, flights, shipping crates, and other requirements.

Find an exporter who can help you ship to New Zealand:

International Pet and Animal Transportation Association

You have to pay for permits, inspections, quarantine fees and other costs, as needed.

Fees and charges when bringing pets to NZ — MPI

You need several documents to go through NZ Customs. These may include:

• proof of purchase or evidence of ownership, if available
• permit to import the animal
• veterinary certificates
• Air Waybill
• Exempting Statutory Declaration — for dogs
• NZCS 231 Bringing a Pet or Other Animal into NZ
• copy of your photo ID.

Find out more:

• Requirement documents for bringing pets to NZ — MPI

Cats and dogs

Check the MPI website for information about where cats and dogs must land in NZ to be:

• cleared for entry, or
• transferred to a quarantine facility.

Bringing cats and dogs to NZ — MPI

Banned cats and dogs

You can see a list of the types or breeds of cats and dogs that are prohibited from entering New Zealand under ‘What you need to know’ on the MPI website:

Step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ — MPI

Permits for cats and dogs

Find out if you need a permit.

If you’re bringing a cat or dog from:

• Australia, you usually do not need a permit — but your pet will need a post-arrival inspection
• an approved country, you need a permit to import
• a country that has not been approved, your pet will not be allowed into NZ until it has spent time in an approved country and you can provide a vet certificate.

See a list of the latest approved countries in the ‘IHS guidance document’ in the ‘What you need to know’ section on the MPI website:

Apply for a permit

Fill out the online form:

Cats and dogs permit application — MPI

Permits are processed within 10 working days.

Check whether you also need a transit permit if your pet is staying on the same aircraft while in New Zealand.

Cats and dogs in transit — MPI

Veterinary examinations for cats and dogs

Check when veterinary examinations must be done before the animal travels.

Quarantine for cats and dogs

Check the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs from other countries:

Quarantine facilities when importing cats and dogs

Book an MPI-approved quarantine facility:

Quarantine facilities for cats and dogs

Register your dog in NZ

If you have recently brought your dog to New Zealand, you’ll need to register it with your local council. If registration fees are not paid on time, you can be charged a penalty.

Council websites and maps — Local Government New Zealand

Other pets you can bring into NZ

You can bring:

• chinchillas — from the United Kingdom (UK) only
• guinea pigs — from Australia only
• rabbits — from Australia only
• ornamental fish and other aquatic animals

Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs) — MPI

Importing aquatic animals — MPI

Importing horses — MPI

Pets you cannot bring into NZ

See a list of pets you’re not allowed to import:

Prohibited pets — NZ Customs Service

If you have questions about importing pets to New Zealand, contact MPI.

Email: [email protected] .

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Last updated 12 January 2024

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Choosing the right crate for your pet’s air travel

Cat in Transportation Crate

When travelling with your pet by air, it is essential to select an appropriate crate that is safe and comfortable for your pet, and, if flying internationally, one that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements.

Free pet transport quotes Phone or Email Us

Here are some key considerations when choosing your pet crate:

Number of animals.

IATA regulations state that no more than two animals (which must be of a comparable size and weighing no more than 14kg each, and well adjusted to cohabitation together) may travel in the same container. Up to three animals under 6 months old from the same litter may share one container.

It is good practice, however, to provide an individual container for each of your adult pets if you have more than one flying at once, however. Even if your pets are normally placid and gentle in temperament, any animal can become agitated and stressed when travelling, and the potential for aggression is greatly increased.

Size of your pet

Your crate must be large enough to give your pet the room it needs to turn around normally while standing up, and to be able to stand, sit and lie down in its natural position.

To work this out, measure:

• the length of your pet in cm from nose to the root of its tail, excluding the tail itself
• the length of the front leg from the floor to its elbow joint
• the width of the widest part of your pet’s body
• the height from the floor to the top of your pet’s head or the tips of its ears, whichever point is higher

The minimum size of your crate must be:

Length = A + (B x 0.5)

Height = D + 3cm

Width = C + 2cm

If your pet is a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed of dog, the dimensions of the crate must be at least 10% larger than those stated above.

Materials and design of the crate

If you are transporting your pet on a domestic flight within New Zealand, you can use a plastic or mesh cage. If your pet is travelling internationally, however, crates made entirely of mesh do not meet IATA regulations. You may be able to use a rigid plastic container at the discretion of the airline you are travelling with, but any wheels must be removed or fully disabled prior to travel. Robustly constructed wooden crates are accepted by IATA and all pet-carrying airlines.

Wooden crates should be constructed with an outer frame of 2.5cm x 7.5cm timber, which may be bolted or screwed together and lined with solid wood or plywood sides.

The floor must be solid and leak-proof; the roof must also be solid but may have ventilation holes; and side walls must be solid but adequately ventilated. Ventilation holes must account for least 16% of the surface area of the container. For wooden crates, the framework must be lined by timber of at least 12mm thickness.

The walls of the crate must be smooth, with nothing protruding that your pet might be able to gnaw or damage.

One whole end of the container must be open and covered with a securely attached hinged or sliding door. This may be constructed from metal (both bars and welded mesh are acceptable, provided the gauge is small enough to restrict paws and noses from being poked through) or plastic (provided the hinges and locks are made from metal of a sufficient thickness).

All crates must have handles or bars along the long sides of the roof.

We recommend you select a professionally built, IATA approved crate for your pet, such as those sold and rented by Aero Pets Ltd. Nobody wants to arrive at the airport with their pet in tow, only to be told their crate is not fit for purpose and their pet cannot fly.  If you are planning on building your own, check with your airline first to find out if they will accept it, and pay close attention to adhering to IATA’s Live Animals Regulations.

Get in touch +44 (0)1725 551124

Air New Zealand Pet Travel

• Air New Zealand
• British Airways Pet Travel
• Qantas Airlines Pet Travel
• Singapore Airlines Pet Travel
• Which Airlines Carry Pets?

Air New Zealand are the national flag carrier of New Zealand and regularly fly pets from UK to New Zealand and back again. The flights they offer are one of the shortest ways to fly pets from UK to New Zealand. The flights stop in either Los Angeles, USA or Hong Kong. The benefit is that the stop is a short stop and so the pets do not have to be moved off the aircraft and are checked and watered at the stopover.

The main destination for pets on flights is Auckland, New Zealand as the Christchurch route is better served by Singapore Airlines. All pets landing in New Zealand now have to serve 10 days quarantine on landing in either Auckland or Christchurch.

Questions on taking your pets on Air New Zealand? Call our experts on 01725 551124.

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Petair were amazing, they took care of every aspect and communicated with our local broker making the process so much easier for us. Our dog, Indy stayed with them in kennels for a week before travel and Petair vets dealt with all necessary health checks. We received regular updates whilst she was in kennels which...

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PetAir UK helped me to move to NYC with my Staffie Luna. They provided an excellent service and kept me updated with her progress via photos which really helped me know she was doing well during the transfer.