Flying with a service dog
If you’re travelling with a service dog, we’ll help you prepare for your journey.
Before you fly
Before you fly with a service dog, there are a few things you’ll need to check. Find out whether your service dog can travel in the cabin, what forms you need to submit, and any entry requirements for the countries you’re travelling to or through.
Check if your service dog can travel in the cabin
To travel in the cabin, your service dog must be trained or accredited by one of these organisations:
- A fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
- A full member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
- An organisation approved under the New Zealand Dog Control Act to certify disability assist dogs
If your dog does not meet these criteria, they may still be eligible to travel in the cabin on some routes. Check the requirements for direct flights to or from the USA and direct flights to or from Australia before you fly.
Add your service dog to your booking
Please add your service dog to your booking as early as possible, so we can help prepare for your journey.
You can request to travel with your dog when booking online. Choose Special Assistance during booking.
After you book, you’ll need to complete the required forms for your route and submit them before you fly.
Submit the right forms
The forms you need to complete depend on where you're travelling.
Check travel requirements for your route
Requirements can vary depending on where you’re travelling to, from or through. Please check what applies to your full journey before you fly.
Seating options
If space is available, we’ll allocate an extra seat in Economy class to provide floor space for your service dog. Travel in Business Premier or an equivalent cabin may require additional assessment pre travel due to seating configurations. A service dog must not obstruct an aisle. Please contact us if you need to discuss your options.
Economy Skynest™ is an optional add-on to your seat. You may be able to book Skynest when travelling with a service dog, if it’s available on your flight and you agree to meet the Skynest terms and conditions.
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.
Your responsibilities when travelling
There are a few responsibilities to be aware of 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 codeshare or partner airline flights, the operating airline’s policies apply. Please contact the airline operating the flight directly for approval before you travel.
- You’re responsible for your dog at all times, including at the airport and on board.
- You’re responsible for any costs if your dog causes injury or damage. You’re also responsible for any costs if your dog needs special care, accommodation or transport. This includes situations where your dog is denied entry at your destination.
- We’ll support you and your dog during your journey, but Air New Zealand is not responsible for injury, illness or loss unless caused by our negligence.
Service dogs in training
Service dogs in training cannot travel in the cabin on international flights.
On New Zealand domestic flights, service dogs in training may travel in the cabin at our discretion if:
- the dog is accompanied by a certified trainer
- the flight is part of the dog’s formal training programme
A service dog that has completed its training and is travelling for placement with their handler may travel on one New Zealand domestic journey, as long as they are accompanied by a certified trainer.