Overweight and oversized items

Find out what to do when you're flying with items that require special handling or exceed the standard size or weight of checked baggage.

On this page

Heavy items Oversized items Pushchairs and infant carseats Musical instruments

Packing bikes Sports equipment Wheelchairs Fly with your pet

Any piece of checked baggage that weighs over 23kg but under 32kg or exceeds the total linear dimensions (length+width+height) of 158cm (62″) will be subject to an overweight/oversize charge.
If you don't know whether your baggage is overweight or oversize, see checked-in baggage.
If you're on a domestic flight as part of an international ticket, the original international baggage allowance applies.
For flights operated by other airlines, even if they have an Air New Zealand flight number, please contact the operating airline.
Even with excess baggage fees, checking-in your items is still one of the cheapest ways to bring all your gear with you when you travel.
At the airport, check your bags in and then look for the oversize and fragile bags desk.

If your bag weighs more than 23kg

When you can't get your bag under 23kg (50lb), here are your options:

Pay an overweight charge. If your overweight bag is less than 32kg and there is space on the flight, you can pay an overweight charge at the airport. If it's possible to repack your bag and buy a prepaid extra bag, it will be cheaper than paying at the airport.

Send it as cargo. If you can't repack your baggage item to less than 32kg, it can't travel as checked-in baggage. We recommend contacting Air New Zealand National or International Cargo or a local freight company at least five days before your flight.

If your bag's dimensions add up to more than 158cm (62")

When the length, width and height of your bag add up to more than 158cm (62"), here are your options:

Repack into two smaller bags. Even if you have to pay for an extra bag, this is nearly always the best option.

Apart from seat only and infant fares, each person gets a standard baggage allowance.

Some fares will include an allowance of more than one bag, so check your booking first. If you're Airpoints™ Gold, Elite, Star Alliance Gold or Koru member you may be entitled to additional baggage at no charge. See membership benefits.

To purchase extra baggage allowance, the cheapest option is a prepaid extra bag.

Pay an excess baggage charge. If there is room on your flight, you may be able to take your oversize bag by paying an Excess Baggage fee at the airport. However if any of the three dimensions is more than one metre, we recommend you contact us with the length, width and height, to check it can fit on the aircraft.

Send it as cargo. If your bag is too big to fit in the baggage area of the aircraft, contact Air New Zealand National or International Cargo or a local freight company to discuss your options at least five days before your flight.

Infant seats, pushchairs and strollers

Flying with little ones? If you have an infant or small child on your booking, you may bring two of the following:

a pram, stroller or buggy
a bassinet or portable cot (port-a-cot)
a car seat, baby capsule or booster seat

These items are carried as checked baggage for free and in addition to any checked-baggage allowance.

Please ask our airport check-in staff to help you check these items in. Strollers and car seats need to be suitably packed with all straps stowed away (ideally in a travel bag) to be carried.

Please note:

our child fares have the same baggage allowance as adults
infants do not get a checked-in bag, but can have one piece of carry-on
if other airlines are part of your journey, be sure to also check their guidelines

Find everything you need to know about travelling with children.

Musical instruments

The size of your musical instrument will determine how you can fly with it.

Small musical instruments up to one metre long and weighing less than 7 kg can be carried as a standard carry-on bag, as long as it can be stowed properly under the seat or in an overhead bin. Didgeridoos are the exception and must be checked-in.
To prevent any bung notes, remember to protect your instrument inside a hard-sided case designed to protect it during travel. You may also wish to loosen any strings of stringed instruments.
An oversized item handling fee will apply for checked items that exceed one metre in length (including packaging, handles and wheels).
Cellos may travel in the aircraft cabin with you if an extra seat is purchased to accommodate it. Onboard, our crew will safely secure the instrument in the seat next to you. To book a seat for a cello, please call our Contact Centre or speak with your travel agent.
If other airlines are a part of your journey, remember to also check their rules.

Flying with sports equipment

Sporting items less than 2m (78.7") long and weighing up to 23kg (50lb) count as a standard bag. Otherwise, excess baggage charges apply. The maximum allowed weight is 32kg and the maximum oversize length on jet aircraft is 2.5m (98.4").

If you're travelling on our smaller, regional services within New Zealand and your item dimensions exceed length 1.8m (70.9") x width 0.8m (31.5") x height 1.20m (47.2"), please contact us for assistance.

Due to their small volume, some items up to 2.2m (86.6") long - such as fishing rods, skis and poles - may be accepted.

Sports bags can contain more than one piece of related equipment. They're assessed on their overall weight and length.

Here are some examples of sporting equipment that can be packed or bagged as single items:

Bike (see packing instructions)
Windsurfer
Hang glider
Surfboard(s)
Snow skis + boots + poles
Snowboard + boots + bindings
Water skis
Golf bag containing golf clubs and one pair of shoes

If you wish to travel with an item that exceeds the maximum weight or dimensions, contact Air New Zealand National or International Cargo, or a local freight company to discuss your options at least five days before your flight.

Packing bikes for flying

You can take non-electric pedal bicycles or push bikes in a bicycle bag or box on Air New Zealand flights. They count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

If you do not have your own bag or box for your bike, bike boxes are sold at New Zealand airports for NZD $25.00, subject to availability. The dimensions for the bike box are height 0.80m x length 1.44m x width 0.31m (80cm x 144cm x 31cm).
Children's bikes with no chain do not need to be packaged in a box, but do need to be packaged correctly.

You don't have to deflate the tyres, but packed bicycles can only be accepted as checked-in luggage if:

Handle bars are removed or turned sideways
Pedals are removed or turned in
The pressure of any nitrogen gas in mountain bike struts is no more than 200kPa (kilopascal) or 29PSI (pounds per square inch)
Any cartridges for inflating tyres are small (less than 50 ml) and contain a non-flammable gas

Remember to:

Place any loose accessories into a bag then place in the box
Seal the box and label with your name and phone number
Ensure no part of the bike is protruding from the box
Read our guide on what you can and can't pack for your flight

Bring your own wheelchair or assistive device

Travel with your pet

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. See more about checking in a pet to your flight within New Zealand.

If you're not adding your pet to your domestic booking, or you're wanting to book animals not classified as domestic pets, or animals travelling for profit (like racing greyhounds), they will need to fly with our National Cargo pet services.

There are different travel requirements for pets flying to international destinations. Our International Cargo team can help your jet-setting pet fly.

If you are travelling with a pet carrier with no pet inside it, you will need to check this in as oversize or fragile baggage because it will require special handling.