Travelling with children
Booking flights for babies and toddlers under 2 years old
Infant fares (under 2 years old)
Babies and toddlers are welcome on board Air New Zealand flights. They're very special passengers, so here's what we need you to know:
- A carer over 15 years old must accompany and supervise an infant at all times, except for flights to and from Canada where the carer must be 16 years or older.
- An infant sits on their carer's lap and not in a seat. Only one infant can be carried in your lap.
- If you're travelling alone with two infants, you'll need to purchase a child fare for one of the infants and seat that infant in an approved car seat that you're responsible for providing. Infants can't be booked in their own Business Premier™ seat for safety reasons.
- You're unable to be seated in the exit row seats if you're travelling with an infant or child under 15 years old.
- You can book to share a seat with an infant in Business Premier, Economy or Premium Economy, or a bassinet seat.
- You may choose to book a seat for your infant by purchasing a child fare in Economy or Premium Economy. Infants seated in their own seat must use an approved car seat that you're responsible for providing.
Infants travel for free within New Zealand. 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, except for when you have booked a child fare for an infant.
On international flights, 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.
This needs to be sealed in a leak-proof container with the lid securely fastened. You may include cooler packs in the container.
When flying on any Air New Zealand flight, it must be placed in your checked-in baggage only.
For international flights always check the country requirements for your destination. You may need to declare the placenta on arrival.
Booking flights for children over 2 and under 12 years old
Children aged 2 to 12 have their own seat on board 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
Children over 2 years old have the same baggage allowance as adults. Babies and toddlers under 2 years old can bring one carry-on bag, but no checked-in baggage.
In addition to your baggage allowance and for no extra charge, you can bring two of these items for every infant and child under 12 years old in your group:
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.
Infants under 2 years old must use a car seat if they're seated in their own seat. Children older than 2 years are welcome to bring a car seat, but it's not a requirement.
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:
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 | Maximum width | Maximum height |
|---|---|---|
| Aft (rear) facing | 42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches) | 48 cm (19 inches) |
| Forward facing | 42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches) | 65 cm (25.5 inches) |
Aft (rear) facing
42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches)
48 cm (19 inches)
Forward facing
42-43 cm (16.5-17 inches)
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
Collapsible strollers, prams and pushchairs
Strollers, prams and pushchairs are handy when travelling with infants and children.
You can bring a compact, foldable stroller for every infant and child under 12 years old in your group. It won't count towards your child's baggage allowance, even if the fare doesn't include checked baggage. There's no extra charge, and you don't need to tell us in advance.
Checking in your stroller
- To check in your stroller, simply print out an extra bag tag from the kiosk at the airport and take it to the bag drop with your other checked baggage.
- You can check your stroller in with or without a protective travel bag. Most New Zealand airports have reusable or clear plastic travel bags that can be purchased.
- Large or double strollers must be checked in as checked baggage for all flights.
Bringing your stroller on board
- Our smaller turbo-prop aircraft with flight numbers NZ5000-NZ5999 don't have the space to accommodate strollers, so they must be checked in.
- You can bring a collapsible single stroller on your flight as carry-on baggage on international services and New Zealand domestic jet services between Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.
- To fit in the overhead locker, strollers must not exceed our carry-on baggage dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 23cm (21 x 16 x 9 inches) or weigh more than 7kg (15lb).
- If you're bringing your stroller as carry-on baggage, it must be collapsed prior to boarding the aircraft.
- It's not permitted to use it when crossing the tarmac or inside the airbridge at any airport.
- If the flight is full, we may ask you to check your stroller in at the gate.
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 | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Small | < 5kgs | < 65cm |
| Medium | 5 - 10kgs | 65 - 85cms |
| Large | 10 - 18kgs | 85 - 110cms |
Small
< 5kgs
< 65cm
Medium
5 - 10kgs
65 - 85cms
Large
10 - 18kgs
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.