Air New Zealand Baggage and Carry-on

What is Air New Zealand policy on carry-on allowance?

On Air New Zealand flights, passengers are allowed to carry in the cabin, a quantity of unchecked baggage without charge, which is limited by dimensions, number and weight. The following rules for carry-on baggage allowance apply to Air New Zealand operated flights only:

• Economy passengers can take one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum weight of 7 kg (15 lbs).
• Premium Economy, Business Class and connecting Business Class passengers, Air New Zealand Elite, Gold and Star Alliance Gold passengers are permitted to carry two pieces weighing a maximum combined total of 14 kg (30 lbs), with one of those items weighing up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
• All passengers may also carry on board one small personal item such as a handbag, duty-free bag or slimline laptop bag, which must be able to fit under the seat.
• All cabin baggage must be able to fit in the overhead lockers or under the seat for safety precaution. Therefore, each item should not exceed total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 118 cm (46.5″).
• A thin laptop is considered a personal item; however, laptops in larger computer bags are counted as one piece of cabin baggage.

What is Air New Zealand policy on checked baggage allowance?

Baggage allowances and charges may differ depending on destination, flight type, fare purchased, and frequent flyer membership. Any piece of baggage part of the standard baggage allowances presented below may not exceed 23 kg in weight and/or 158 cm in total linear dimensions, otherwise, will be subject to excess baggage fees. This is regardless of the fare type purchased, itinerary and frequent flyer status.

If passengers are on a domestic flight as part of the same international ticket, then the international baggage allowance applies.

A piece of baggage that weighs over 23 kg, but less than 32 kg, and/or exceeds the total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 158 cm (62”) will be subject to an overweight and/or oversize charge. Any item over 32 kg (70 lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and will require repacking.

In addition to any other allowance, strollers and car seats are permitted free of charge, when travelling with a child. Up to two wheel chairs, medical or life equipment are carried free when accompanied by the person who requires them.

Are there any special regulations that determine which airline’s baggage policy applies?

For single-ticketed journeys that include more than one carrier, the baggage allowance and excess baggage charges of the most significant carrier (MSC) will apply, with two exceptions to this rule:

• For travel originating or ending in the US or Canada – the first marketing carrier decides the baggage allowance and charges that will apply for the entire journey. They can apply their own baggage rules or those of the most significant carrier.
• For travel starting in Brazil – local regulations require all passengers to be given a free baggage allowance of two pieces of checked baggage up to 32 kg (70 lbs) each for the entire ticketed journey and regardless of stopovers.

Excess Baggage Fees

Prepaid Extra Bags

Air New Zealand has the prepaid Extra Bags service, which allows you to purchase extra bags up to a maximum of three bags in total (including your free checked baggage allowance and the additional frequent flyer benefit if applicable). Extra Bags are only available on request on Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flights and Virgin Australia trans-Tasman flights code sharing with Air New Zealand. Extra Bags are only available when Air New Zealand baggage allowances and charges apply, provided the fare purchased includes a checked baggage allowance (Prepaid Extra Bags don’t apply to Seat Only fares).

Any Prepaid Extra Bag is subject to the following weight and size limitations: up to 23 kg per bag and total linear dimensions of 158 cm (62 inches).

The following Extra Bags rates can be booked online or through the Contact Centre (service fees apply) 90 minutes prior to departure for international journeys and up to 30 minutes prior for domestic New Zealand journeys. Below, you can see an example showing the difference between purchasing Prepaid Extra Bags and paying excess baggage at the airport (fees in NZD).

Airport Excess Baggage Fees

Charges will be applied when you exceed your permitted allowance, including any Prepaid Extra Bags and frequent flyer benefits, where applicable. Items that exceed maximum dimensions and weight for checked baggage and prepaid checked baggage (158 cm and 23 kg) are classified as oversized and/or overweight. 

Additionally, overweight and oversized items will be subject to a charge. Airport excess baggage is charged in the currency of the country of departure.

Sporting Equipment

Sporting equipment is defined as a bag or piece of equipment obviously dedicated to the pursuit of a sporting activity. Sports bags can contain multiple items as long as they remain within the stated weight and dimension limits. A single sporting item that is required to be packed as more than one piece in order to enable that item to be carried (for example, skis, boots and poles packed separately) counts as one piece. Sporting equipment counts as a standard bag if it is less than 2 m (78.7″) long and weighing up to 23 kg.

Excess baggage charges apply if the size and/or weight are exceeded. On jet aircraft (Boeing 737, 747, 767, 777, 787 and Airbus A320), the maximum weight is 32 kg and the maximum oversize length is 2.5 m (98.4″).

Maximum dimensions of 1.8 m length x 0.8 m width x 1.2 m height are accepted on Regional Domestic services. There may be occasions when items such as skis, fishing rods, poles, etc. may still be accepted on Air New Zealand Link aircraft up to 2.2 m (86.6″) due to their minimal volume.

If you are travelling on more than one aircraft, the smallest aircraft in your journey will determine the maximum length or width that can be accepted. The oversized items are carried subject to space availability on the day of travel.

More information here >>