Travelling with children

Travelling with kids is an adventure. The wonder of their first flight, the family memories made. You may also wish you had six extra hands, and a back-up for that beloved toy left at the gate.

Booking flights for babies and toddlers under 2 years old

Infant fares (under two years old)

Babies and toddlers are welcome onboard Air New Zealand flights. They're very special passengers, so there are a few extra rules.

  • A carer over 15 years old must accompany the infant, except for flights to and from Canada where the adult must be 16 years or older.
  • On all flights, infants sit on their adult's lap and not a seat. 
  • You can only have one infant sitting on your knee. If you are travelling alone with two infants, you'll need to purchase a child fare adjacent across the aisle and seat the other infant in an approved car seat.
  • If you're travelling with an infant you're unable to be seated within the exit row.
  • Infants can't be booked in their own Business Premier™ seat for safety reasons. You can book to share a Business Premier, Economy or Premium Economy seat with your infant and a bassinet, or book yourselves each your own seats in Economy or Premium Economy. Infants must be supervised by their carer at all times.

When you fly within New Zealand, infants travel for free. While you need to book their flight, they won't receive a ticket or receipt as they don't pay a fare or occupy a seat.

When you're flying internationally, infant fares are 10% of the adult fare.

Can I book a ticket for a child or baby online?

Yes you can! If the child will be travelling with an adult, just add them when booking your ticket. You'll need to include their passport number on international flights.

Booking flights for your baby before it's born?

Unfortunately, you can't book an infant fare until your baby is born. You can book everyone else's ticket, of course, and we can add your baby after the big day. Simply get in touch with us and have your booking reference ready.

Travelling with a placenta

New parents often ask us about bringing a placenta on their flight. There are a few simple rules to follow.

If you're flying overseas, or if your placenta is frozen or medically preserved, contact our Cargo team. There are special conditions we must follow, and they can help.

Otherwise, seal your placenta in a leak-proof container, and pack it in your checked-in baggage. You can't bring your placenta on board in your carry-on baggage.

Booking flights for children over 2 and under 12 years old

Children older than two years will have their own seat onboard the flight. They need to travel with someone who is at least 15 years old, or book as an unaccompanied minor.

Children's fares are:

  • same as an adult fare within NZ, Tasman or the Pacific
  • 75% of the adult fare on long-haul international flights 
    (Exception: Children's fares for long-haul international flights originating in US and Canada are the same as adult fares)
  • same as adult fares when travelling in Business Premier

Children 12 years and older pay adult fares.

Flights to/from Canada

All children under five years of age must be accompanied by a person who is at least 16 years old in accordance with Canadian law. Our airport staff will facilitate the allocation of seats for children under the age of 14 with accompanying adults during check-in in accordance with Canadian Law if seating hasn't already been pre-allocated.

Children's baggage allowances

Kids need a lot of stuff! It can feel like you're taking enough for a small army, and leave you wondering how you'll fit your own clothes.

You can include two items from this list for every infant and child in your group, as part of your baggage allowance:

  • Pram, stroller or buggy
  • Car seat
  • Bassinet or port-a-cot

This is in addition to their normal baggage allowance:

  • Child fares have the same baggage allowance as an adult fare
  • Infant fares include a carry-on bag but no checked-in baggage.

Bassinets

Bassinet seats are available on many of our flights. They're at the front of the cabin, and we can attach a bassinet to the wall for your baby. They're very handy for giving baby a chance to sleep comfortably, and to give your lap a rest.

For the safety of your infant, the bassinet must only be used when your infant is sleeping. Beds are made up with sheets, a pillow and blankets for added comfort.

Your baby will need to be able to safely fit the bassinet:

  • They are designed for infants up to 11.8kg (26lb)
  • The bassinet is 73.66cm long and 34.29cm wide (29 inches x 13.5 inches).

We'll try to give you a bassinet seat when you check-in with your baby, but availability is limited. It's a good idea to reserve one ahead of time with Seat Select. There's a small charge for choosing the seat.

You can book a bassinet seat in Seat Select. Choose a seat with the bassinet icon.

Traveling with your baby? Reserve a bassinet seat early. 

Bringing extra seat restraints

Car seats

Your car seat can be comforting and familiar to your child on a long flight. It also provides extra protection.

You're welcome to bring a car seat for a child with a paid seat. Your car seat must:

  • Be in a safe working condition
  • Be able to seat your child with their arms and thighs within its frame
  • Show a certification label approving it for use on aircraft

These are examples of the main certification labels:

Safety-logos-309x140

The certification label must be visible so it can be verified by our crew.

  • Fit between your seat's armrests, and allow the seat in front to recline

If your car seat is 43 cm (17 inches) wide it may not be able to fit your chosen seat.

Infant Seat type

Aft (rear) facing

Maximum width

42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches)

Maximum height

48 cm (19 inches)


Infant Seat type

Forward facing

Maximum width

42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches)

Maximum height

65 cm (25.5 inches)


For safety, your car seat can't block access to the aisle. Be sure to use Seat Select to choose an appropriate seat for your child:

  • A window seat
  • One of the middle seats of a centre row
  • The window end of an Economy Skycouch™. Please remove and stow the car seat if you want to raise the seat footrest or lie down.

Car seats are not permitted in the Business Premier cabin.

Car booster seats are not approved car seats.

Your flight attendant will help fit your car seat to the seat. If you have any questions please contact us.

CARES Harness

A CARES Harness gives your child torso support. You're welcome to bring one to provide extra protection for your child.

Your CARES Harness must be in a safe working condition, and be the right size for your child. It also needs to be FAA approved, and show a certification label.

Your flight attendant will help you fit your CARES Harness to the seat.

You can't use a CARES Harness in an exit row seat, or in Business Premier.

Front Packs and Infant Slings

For taxi, take-off and landing, seat your baby on your lap with an infant seat belt. Your front pack or sling must be removed and stowed during this time. You're welcome to put your baby into a front pack or sling only after take-off.

If the seat belt sign illuminates, you must fasten an infant belt around your infant and the sling or front pack.

Prohibited equipment

For safety and regulatory reasons we prohibit certain products on Air New Zealand aircraft. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • CoziGo cover for bassinets
  • Car booster seats
  • Inflatable comfort accessories e.g. Fly-Tot and Plane Pal
  • Jetkids Bedbox bag
  • LegsUp leg hammocks
  • Knee defenders

Strollers and prams

Strollers and prams come in handy when travelling with kids. They help you walk a long way with a tired toddler, strap in a runaway, and give your arms a break.

Better yet, you can take a stroller and a car seat on your flight for no extra charge. They don't count as part of your baggage allowance. You can even take a pram or stroller if your fares do not include checked baggage.

You can bring a small, single stroller all the way on to the aircraft if ALL of the following conditions are met:

  • you're flying internationally, or within New Zealand on 777-300, 787-9, A320 or A321 aircraft (this service is not available on our regional routes with turbo-prop aircraft)
  • the stroller is completely collapsible and fits in the overhead locker.

Please note:

  • If the flight is full, we may ask you to check your stroller in at the gate.
  • Prams, three-wheeled buggies and large or double strollers don't fit in the overhead locker. Please check these in as baggage on all flights.
  • This service is NOT available on our smaller turbo-prop aircraft which fly our regional routes
  • It is not permitted to use strollers when crossing the tarmac at international and domestic airports.

Seating support for children or infants with disabilities

Air New Zealand permits the onboard use of selected support seats and medical harnesses for young travellers with complex seating needs. The devices are not permitted in exit rows and in Business Premier seating for safety reasons, and may have other seating restrictions.

  • MERU TravelChair is a postural support chair for children aged 3-11 with a physical disability. The maximum sitting shoulder height for the passenger is 52cm and maximum weight is 35kg.
  • Carrot 3000 is a car seat suitable for children with special needs who weigh between 15-36kg.
  • Houdini Harness is a medical harness for postural support that must be worn in conjunction with the aircraft safety belt.

Please contact us prior to travel so that we can help you book appropriate seats for the seating support you are bringing onboard, and so we can prepare for your flight. Email us at specialhandling@airnz.co.nz or call us on +64 9 255 7757.

Flying Skycouch™ with children

Our award-winning Skycouch gives everyone the space to relax and spread out on your couch in the sky.

It's perfect for travelling with kids and safe for even our youngest travellers. We offer a Skycouch infant harness, harness belt and optional infant pod. Whether your little one is on a seat, your lap or lying down, they can be safely buckled at any time.

Skycouch infant harness and belt

At the start of the flight, our crew will provide you with a safety briefing and let you know when and how to use the infant harness with the Skycouch. The infant harness can be used when the infant is lying down or seated on the adult's lap.

Any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated, your child or infant must be restrained. To avoid disruptions later in the flight, we recommend fitting the harness when the seatbelt sign is turned off after take-off.

When an infant is using the infant harness and secured by the harness belt to the standard seatbelt of the window seat, the infant may lie down when the seatbelt sign is on. You can adjust the belt for a snug fit to keep you child safe.

Secure baby on an adult's lap by looping the adult's seat belt through the back of the infant harness.

The harness comes in three sizes:

Size

Small

Weight

< 5kgs

Length

< 65cm


Size

Medium

Weight

5 - 10kgs

Length

65 - 85cms


Size

Large

Weight

10 - 18kgs

Length

85 - 110cms


Infant pod

The optional infant pod lets babies sleep comfortably and securely with you on a Skycouch. There are a limited number of infant pods on each flight.

Your baby will need to fit within the infant pod. Its dimensions are:

  • 700mm long
  • 320mm wide at the top and 220mm wide at the foot
  • 150mm deep

Both the infant harness and harness belt, and optional pod are free for Skycouch customers.

Find out more about booking a Skycouch.

Meals 

Keeping kids fed and entertained can be a full-time job when travelling. Here's what's included with your fare, and what you can bring onboard.

Infants

If your baby is on solids or formula, you can bring your own baby food and feeding equipment on board. Please note we don't have facilities for sterilising water or equipment.

If your flight has a meal service, you can order a baby meal prior to your long haul flight. You can request a baby meal when you book your flight. You can also add a baby meal online or in the Air NZ app.

Children's meals

We'll keep little tummies happy with healthy options, and a few good kiwi treats too.

We only serve snacks on our domestic flights, but you can order children's meals prior to the flight on:

  • All long haul international flights
  • Pacific and Tasman flights when your ticket includes a meal

To order, select the children's meal option when you book. If you've already booked, you can request a children's meal online or in the Air NZ app.

Here's a taster of a typical children's menu.

  • Main meal: Mild butter chicken with rice and peas. Or penne pasta with beef bolognese. Served with Kapiti ice cream, cheese, fruit juice and a berry fruit bar.
  • Breakfast: Hotcakes with berry compote. Fresh fruit salad, muffin, juice and yogurt pouch.
  • Snacks: Available on long haul or to purchase on short haul - Rookie Cookie, potato chips and fruit juice.

We try to serve the kids before the adults so you can help them eat, before relaxing with your own meal.

BYO snacks

Kids like familiar foods, and eating on their own schedule. To make your travel a little easier, you're welcome to bring your own food on board. Some things to remember:

  • We can't heat or refrigerate your food
  • Don't get caught out by airport security restrictions on liquids, pastes and gels
  • Don't take any leftovers past border control. Leave them with us for safe disposal.

Special dietary requirements

A selection of special meals are available on our long-haul international flights. We cater for a range of allergies and dietary restrictions. You can order one of our available special meals when you book your flight. If you've already booked, you can choose a special meal online or in the Air NZ app

Please request your child's special meal at least 24 hours before you depart.

If your child has an allergy, we can work with you to manage allergies when travelling.

Entertainment

Inflight entertainment

Select the "Kids" button on our inflight entertainment screens. It gives your kids access to age-appropriate movies, TV shows, music and games.

Special situations

Travelling with more than five children

Air travel can be a fun adventure for children, but it can also be a little overwhelming. To keep everyone happy, safe and relaxed, it's best to travel with at least one adult for every five children.

Travelling with someone else's children

Airlines are careful to ensure all young people are safe when they travel. They may be cautious if you're travelling with someone under 18 and you're not their parents. We recommend you carry:

  • A letter of consent signed by the child's parent or lawful guardian
  • A copy of the child's birth certificate.

Travelling with someone else's children from a French Territory

French laws are very specific about travelling with children.

If you're leaving a French Territory (other than Noumea) with someone else's under-18 child, you must carry:

  • The child's passport with a visa, if applicable
  • A permit to travel, also known as an AST or l'autorisation de sortie du territoire. It must be signed by the child's parent or legal guardian.
  • A photocopied ID document of the parent or legal guardian who signed the permit to travel

Travelling in a different cabin to your children

When flying Air New Zealand, you can travel in one cabin class and leave your children in another.

  • 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.