Flying with children Before you book
Travelling with infants and children
From booking to boarding and beyond, we’re here to help make travelling with your family as smooth as possible. Find out what you need to know when travelling with infants and children, including fares, baggage allowances, seating, meals and onboard support.
You can book an infant or child online when they are travelling with an adult. For international flights, you will need to include their passport details.
| Under 2 years | Infant fare. Infants travel free within New Zealand, or for 10% of the adult fare on international flights. | Infants booked on an infant fare travel on an adult’s lap. One infant can sit on each adult’s lap. You can book a separate seat for your infant in Economy or Premium Economy by purchasing a child fare. Infants seated in their own seat must use an approved car seat. | Infants can bring one carry-on bag but no checked baggage. For each infant travelling, you can bring two of these items free of charge — a bassinet or portable cot, a car seat, a stroller, pram or pushchair. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 11 years | Child fare. In most cases, children pay the same fare as adults on domestic and short-haul international flights, and 75% of the adult fare on long-haul international flights. Some exceptions apply. | Children need their own seat. They must travel with an adult unless they are booked as an unaccompanied minor, where eligible. | Children have the same baggage allowance as adults and for each child travelling, you can bring two of these items free of charge — a bassinet or portable cot, a car seat, a stroller, pram or pushchair. |
| 12 years and over | Adult fare rules apply | Check fare and travel requirements | Check your ticket for baggage allowance |
| Fare type | What this means | Baggage allowance |
|---|---|---|
Under 2 years | ||
| Infant fare. Infants travel free within New Zealand, or for 10% of the adult fare on international flights. | Infants booked on an infant fare travel on an adult’s lap. One infant can sit on each adult’s lap. You can book a separate seat for your infant in Economy or Premium Economy by purchasing a child fare. Infants seated in their own seat must use an approved car seat. | Infants can bring one carry-on bag but no checked baggage. For each infant travelling, you can bring two of these items free of charge — a bassinet or portable cot, a car seat, a stroller, pram or pushchair. |
2 to 11 years | ||
| Child fare. In most cases, children pay the same fare as adults on domestic and short-haul international flights, and 75% of the adult fare on long-haul international flights. Some exceptions apply. | Children need their own seat. They must travel with an adult unless they are booked as an unaccompanied minor, where eligible. | Children have the same baggage allowance as adults and for each child travelling, you can bring two of these items free of charge — a bassinet or portable cot, a car seat, a stroller, pram or pushchair. |
12 years and over | ||
| Adult fare rules apply | Check fare and travel requirements | Check your ticket for baggage allowance |
Travelling with an infant
Infants are children under 2 years old on the date they travel.
Infants travel free within New Zealand. You still need to include your infant in your booking, but they will not receive a ticket or receipt unless you book them their own seat with a child fare. On international flights, infant fares are 10% of the adult fare.
Travelling with an infant on your lap
An infant fare booking means that your infant will travel on your lap, as they do not have their own seat. Only one infant can sit on each adult’s lap. If you are travelling alone with two infants, you will need to purchase a child fare for one infant and seat them in an approved car seat that you provide.
A carer must be at least 15 years old and must supervise the infant at all times. For flights to or from Canada, the carer must be at least 16 years old. You cannot sit in an exit row seat if you are travelling with an infant or a child under 15 years old.
You can book a seat to share with your infant in Business Premier™, Premium Economy or Economy cabins. Bassinet seats may also be available on some aircraft, subject to availability.
Booking a seat for your infant
You can choose to book a separate seat for your infant in Economy or Premium Economy by purchasing a child fare. If your infant has their own seat, they must use an approved car seat that you provide. Infants cannot be booked in their own Business Premier seat for safety reasons.
Booking before your baby is born
You cannot book an infant fare before your baby is born. You can book the rest of your travelling party first, then add your infant to the booking after they are born. Contact us with your booking reference when you are ready to add them.
Travelling with a child
Children aged 2 to 11 years old need their own seat on board. Children aged 2 to 11 must travel with someone who is at least 15 years old, unless they are booked as an unaccompanied minor. For flights to or from Canada, children under 5 years old must travel with someone who is at least 16 years old.
Children's fares
Children travelling within New Zealand, across the Tasman, or to the Pacific pay the same fare as an adult. On long-haul international flights, children generally pay 75% of the adult fare. Business Premier™ fares are charged at the adult fare.
Exceptions: Children travelling on long-haul flights departing the United States or Canada pay the adult fare. Children travelling in Business Premier™ on flights departing Singapore pay 75% of the adult fare.
Travelling in a different cabin to your children
When flying Air New Zealand, you can travel in a separate cabin class from your children.
- Children must all be at least five years old
- You will need to pay the full adult fare for their seat
- Parents or carers must supervise and look after the children
- You must collect and care for your children during and at the end of the flight, and during any stopovers
Some airlines don't allow your children to fly in a different cabin. If you're connecting to a codeshare or partner flight, please check with them for their rules.
Children travelling alone
Children 5 to 11 years can travel alone provided they meet our unaccompanied minors conditions.