Air New ZealandNZ

Air New Zealand is the flag carrier airline of New Zealand, headquartered in Auckland. Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the airline has evolved into one of the most innovative and highly-rated carriers in the world, consistently winning awards for service, product innovation, and safety.

As a Star Alliance member since 1999, Air New Zealand offers connectivity to over 1,300 destinations worldwide through 25 partner airlines. The airline operates a fleet of approximately 110 aircraft, serving over 17 million passengers annually across domestic New Zealand routes, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia, and long-haul services to North America and London.

Air New Zealand is renowned for its innovative cabin products, including the pioneering Economy Skycouch (a row of seats that converts to a flat surface for sleeping) and the upcoming Skynest (bunk-bed sleep pods for economy passengers on ultra-long-haul flights). The airline has won Airline of the Year from AirlineRatings.com multiple times and consistently ranks among the world's safest airlines.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• One small item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack)
• Dimensions: 36 x 25 x 23 cm (14 x 10 x 9 in)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

Class	Pieces	Weight	Dimensions
Economy	1 bag	7 kg (15 lbs)	55 x 40 x 23 cm (21 x 16 x 9 in)
Premium Economy	2 bags	14 kg total (no item over 10 kg)	55 x 40 x 23 cm each
Business Premier	2 bags	14 kg total (no item over 10 kg)	55 x 40 x 23 cm each

Elite Member Bonus:

• Airpoints Gold, Elite, and Star Alliance Gold: 2 carry-on bags plus personal item

Q300 Regional Aircraft:

• Reduced depth limit: 22 cm (8 in) maximum

Important: Total linear dimensions cannot exceed 118 cm (46 in). Weight limits are checked at the gate.

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear maximum (length + width + height)

Domestic New Zealand:

Fare Type	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Seat Only	None (carry-on only)	-
Seat+Bag / Flexi Change	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Flexi Refund	2 bags	23 kg each

International:

Fare Type	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
The Works / Works Flexi / Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Premium Economy	2 bags	23 kg each
Business Premier / Business Premier Luxe	3 bags	23 kg each

Route Exceptions:

• To Honolulu (The Works): 2 bags included
• To Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei (Economy): 2 bags included
• From Australia to USA/Canada/South America (Economy): 2 bags included

No single bag may exceed 32 kg (70 lbs) regardless of fare class.

Prepaid Extra Bags

Book extra bags online for significant savings vs airport rates:

Route	1st Extra Bag	2nd Extra Bag
Domestic NZ	NZ$30 (~US$18)	NZ$45 (~US$27)
Trans-Tasman & Pacific	NZ$50 (~US$30)	NZ$80 (~US$48)
Long-haul International	NZ$80 (~US$48)	NZ$135 (~US$81)

Important: Prepaid bags available online up to 30 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights. Airport excess rates are typically double online prices.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Condition	Fee
Overweight (24-32 kg / 51-70 lbs)	NZ$80-120 (~US$48-72) per bag
Oversized (over 158 cm linear)	NZ$80+ per bag

Overweight baggage is subject to space availability on the aircraft.

Elite Status Benefits

Status	Extra Carry-On	Extra Checked Bag
Airpoints Gold	+1 bag	+1 bag
Airpoints Elite	+1 bag	+1 bag
Star Alliance Gold	+1 bag	+1 bag

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/Snowboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Surfboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be properly packed
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free	Up to 2 wheelchairs per passenger
Medical equipment	Free	Doesn't count toward allowance
CPAP machine	Free	Doesn't count as carry-on

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at airnewzealand.co.nz/baggage.

Business Premier / Business Premier Luxe

Air New Zealand's long-haul Business Class features fully lie-flat beds with direct aisle access for every seat.

Feature	Boeing 787-9 (New V4)	Boeing 777-300ER
Configuration	1-2-1	1-2-1 herringbone
Seats	22-27 seats	44 seats
Seat Width	20.5" (52 cm)	20" (51 cm)
Bed Length	80.25" (204 cm) fully flat	79" (201 cm) fully flat
Screen	24" 4K touchscreen	16" touchscreen
Power	AC, USB-A, USB-C (60W), wireless charging	AC, USB
Direct Aisle	Yes	Yes

Business Premier Features:

• Memory foam mattress, pillows, and duvet
• Premium noise-cancelling headphones
• Multi-course dining with New Zealand wines
• Bluetooth audio connectivity (new aircraft)
• Amenity kit with Antipodes skincare
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Lounge access worldwide

Business Premier Luxe (select 787-9 V4 aircraft):

• Enhanced suite with additional privacy
• Larger personal space
• Premium amenity offerings

Premium Economy

Feature	Boeing 787-9	Boeing 777-300ER
Configuration	2-3-2	2-4-2
Seat Pitch	41" (104 cm)	41-42" (104-107 cm)
Seat Width	19" (48 cm)	19" (48 cm)
Recline	8" (20 cm)	8"
Screen	15.6" HD	15.3" HD
Power	AC, USB-A, USB-C	AC, USB

Premium Economy Features:

• Leather seats with adjustable headrest and footrest
• Privacy wings (new aircraft)
• Enhanced meal service with ceramic crockery
• Premium headphones
• Welcome drink and amenity kit on long-haul
• Two checked bags included
• Priority boarding

Economy

Feature	Long-haul (787/777)	Domestic
Seat Pitch	31-32" (79-81 cm)	30-31" (76-79 cm)
Seat Width	17.5-18" (44-46 cm)	17-18" (43-46 cm)
Screen	11.6" HD seatback	Streaming to device
Power	USB at every seat	USB available

Economy Features:

• Complimentary meals on international flights
• Complimentary snacks and beverages on domestic
• In-flight entertainment with 2,000+ hours of content
• Blanket and pillow on long-haul
• Free WiFi available on most aircraft

Economy Skycouch

Air New Zealand's innovative Skycouch transforms a row of three Economy seats into a flat surface for sleeping.

Feature	Details
Dimensions	155 cm (5'1") long x 74 cm (29") wide
Seat Pitch	32" (81 cm)
Availability	777-300ER and 787-9 long-haul aircraft
Included	Seat liner, bedding, Skycouch kit with cuddle belt

Pricing: Approximately NZ$1,000-2,500 (~US$600-1,500) per row, one way, depending on route and demand.

Ideal for:

• Couples wanting to sleep together
• Parent with child
• Solo travelers wanting extra space

How it works: After takeoff, raise all three leg rests to create a flat surface. Air New Zealand provides bedding and a seat liner for comfort.

Skynest (Launching 2026)

Air New Zealand will introduce Skynest on ultra-long-haul Auckland-New York flights, offering Economy and Premium Economy passengers lie-flat sleep pods.

Feature	Details
Configuration	6 bunk-style pods
Pod Size	Full lie-flat, individual pod
Session Length	4-hour booking blocks
Location	Between Premium Economy and Economy
Price	Estimated NZ$400-650 (~US$250-400) per session

Included: Full-size pillow, sheets, blanket, earplugs, reading light, USB outlet, personal ventilation.

Bedding is changed between each session with 30-minute transition time.

WiFi & Entertainment

WiFi:

• Free on most long-haul aircraft
• Rolling out across the fleet
• Strong enough for streaming and messaging

Entertainment:

• Seatback screens on long-haul aircraft
• Streaming to personal devices on domestic/regional
• 2,000+ hours of content including new releases
• Air New Zealand App required for streaming content

Booking:

• Book directly on airnewzealand.co.nz for best service during disruptions
• Skycouch is excellent value for couples on long-haul flights
• Premium Economy offers significant comfort upgrade for moderate price increase
• Compare "Seat Only" vs "Seat+Bag" fares carefully for domestic trips
• Sign up for fare alerts - Air New Zealand runs seasonal sales

Maximizing Airpoints:

• Airpoints Dollars work like cash - no blackout dates
• Status Points from credit cards don't count toward tier qualification from flights
• Star Alliance flights earn Airpoints
• Use the Airpoints Store for bonus earning on online purchases

At the Airport:

• Auckland: Allow time for the international terminal experience - excellent lounges and shopping
• Use the Air New Zealand App for mobile boarding pass
• Bag drop closes 30 minutes before domestic flights - don't cut it close
• Koru Lounges have excellent local food and wine selections

In-Flight:

• Skycouch: Request bedding immediately after takeoff for best comfort
• Business Premier: New 787-9 V4 aircraft have the latest seats - check aircraft type when booking
• Download entertainment to the Air New Zealand App before your flight for offline viewing
• New Zealand wines featured onboard are among the world's best - try the local options

Connections:

• Auckland Airport has long walks between domestic and international - allow 2+ hours for connections
• Star Alliance partners offer seamless connections worldwide
• Domestic flights use a separate terminal in Auckland

Common Issues:

• 7 kg carry-on limit is enforced - weigh your bag before arriving
• Q300 regional aircraft have smaller overhead bins
• Seat Only fares have no checked baggage - add a bag online before the airport
• WiFi may be limited on older aircraft

Best Value:

• Trans-Tasman fares are competitive - compare with Qantas and Virgin Australia
• Economy Skycouch is unique to Air New Zealand and excellent for sleeping
• Domestic Flexi Refund fares include 2 bags - good value for travelers with luggage
• Premium Economy on long-haul offers lounge-quality food and 2 bags included

Last verified: January 2025. Information subject to change.