Find out information on how much checked in baggage you can take.
Any piece of baggage that weighs over 23kg but less than 32kg and/or exceeds the total linear dimensions (length+width+height) of 158cm (62") will be subject to an overweight/oversize charge.
Any item over 32kgs (70lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and will require repacking.
Find out more information on excess baggage.
To find out your baggage allowance, choose your type of travel.
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Long haul international travel
Travel that starts or finishes in US or Canada
United States Department of Transportation (US DoT) and Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) legislation requires that all passengers whose ticketed travel starts or ends in the US or Canada, will have the same carrier’s baggage allowances and charges applied for the entire ticketed journey. The legislation also requires that the first marketing carrier on the ticketed journey determines the baggage allowance and charges that are applied. The first marketing carrier may opt to apply the rules of the Most Significant marketing Carrier (MSC) or to apply their own baggage rules. (Air New Zealand will apply the rules of the MSC.)
This means that even though you may have an Air New Zealand ticket, with at least one Air New Zealand flight, the baggage allowances and charges that apply could be those of another carrier.
For return trips, if you travel in a different class or have different fare products in each direction (e.g. Business Premier one way and Economy the other or Seat and Seat+Bag), the same carrier’s rules apply, but the allowances may differ as they will be based on the applicable fare types and classes of travel purchased in each direction. You may want to consider packing to the lowest allowance to avoid excess charges.
If your travel comprises of more than one ticket, the baggage rules apply to each of those tickets separately, in which case it is likely that you could have different allowances and excess charges for each of the separately ticketed journeys. You may want to consider packing to the lowest allowance to avoid excess charges.
Please refer to your electronic ticket which shows your checked baggage allowance and which carrier’s allowances and charges apply.
For electronic tickets issued directly by Air New Zealand on or after 09 Sep 15 the baggage section will state Subject to US DoT or CTA.
If Air New Zealand baggage allowances apply, please refer to Air New Zealand long haul allowances.When do US DoT or CTA rules apply?
Ticketed Journey Do US DoT or CTA rules apply Auckland - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - Los Angeles - Auckland Yes, US DoT as journey is to the US Los Angeles - Auckland - Los Angeles Yes, US DoT as journey starts in US London - Los Angeles - Auckland - London No, as journey is via US not to / from the US Vancouver - Auckland - Sydney Yes, CTA as journey starts in Canada Auckland - Los Angeles - Toronto - Vancouver - Auckland Yes, CTA as journey is to Canada Auckland - Vancouver - Frankfurt - Hong Kong - Auckland No, as journey is via Canada not to / from Canada Los Angeles - Auckland
Sydney - Los Angeles on a separate ticket to the Los Angeles journeyYes, US DoT as both journeys are to or from the US but as separate tickets allowances and charges may differ depending on carriers involved
Journeys with multiple carriers on your ticketIf your ticketed travel involves more than one carrier as part of a checked in journey, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Resolution 302 governs baggage allowances and charges, using a concept of the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) to determine whose baggage rules apply for the itinerary. As a result baggage allowances and charges may differ between different carriers and throughout your journey depending on if the checked in journey is entirely on Air New Zealand flights or a combination of carriers.
When your checked in journey is entirely on Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flights, Air New Zealand baggage allowances and charges will apply and any additional charges will be based on your checked in journey and the baggage you check in on the day of travel.
When checking in with Air New Zealand for an Air New Zealand flight that connects to another airline or an Air New Zealand codeshare flight operated by another airline, the baggage allowances and charges applied will be those of the MSC.
When checking in with another carrier (including Air New Zealand codeshare flights) the allowances and charges applied by that carrier will apply and these may not be based on the MSC. Where different allowances and or additional charges are applied by the carrier checking you in, Air New Zealand has no control over nor are we liable for such charges.
To increase the likelihood that Air New Zealand baggage rules will apply throughout your journey book Air New Zealand flights where ever possible including Air New Zealand marketed flights operated by another airline.
For electronic tickets issued directly by Air New Zealand on or after 09 Sep 15 the baggage section will state Subject to Res 302.
For more information see our Most Significant Carrier (MSC) explained section.
For travel to / from the US or Canada special conditions may apply, please refer to the Travel to / from the US or Canada section.
Travel that commences in Brazil
Brazilian regulations require that all international ticketed journeys that commence in Brazil permits customers to have two pieces of baggage up to 32kg (70lbs) per piece applied for the entire ticketed journey regardless of stopovers. Please note that this regulation does not apply to journeys that do not commence in Brazil in which case standard baggage allowances will apply as explained in the section Journeys with multiple carriers on your ticket.
Air New Zealand only Journeys
When your entire ticketed journey is on Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flights, Air New Zealand baggage allowances and charges will apply and any additional charges will be based on your checked in journey and the number of bags you check in on the day of travel. Excess charges will be applied based on the country in which you are departing for each checked in journey with the exception of travel to / from the US or Canada for which special conditions may apply, please refer to the Travel to / from the US or Canada section.
Air New Zealand long haul allowances
The following allowances apply when Air New Zealand allowances and charges apply and will be charged per checked journey:
Fare Type Standard Baggage allowance Star Alliance Gold, Elite/Gold Airpoints & Koru baggage allowance* Economy 1 piece, max weight 23kg (50lbs) 2 pieces, max weight 23kg (50lbs) each Premium Economy** 2 pieces, max weight 23kg (50lbs) each 3 pieces, max weight 23kg (50lbs) each Business** 3 pieces, max weight 23kg (50lbs) each 3 pieces, max weight 23kg (50lbs) each * The additional piece for Elite Partner & Koru members is only available on Air New Zealand operated and ticketed flights when checking in with Air New Zealand.
** This Premium Economy and Business baggage allowance is only available on Air New Zealand operated and ticketed flights when checking in with Air New Zealand.- In addition to any other allowances, an infant and or child is permitted to carry a stroller and or car seat free of charge, regardless of fare type including when their fare does not include a checked baggage allowance. Strollers and car seats need to be suitably packed with all straps stowed away (ideally in a travel bag) in order to be carried. Plastic bags may be available for purchase at the airport if required.
- Any piece of baggage that weighs over 23kg but less than 32kg and/or exceeds the total linear dimensions (length+width+height) of 158cm (62") will be subject to an overweight/oversize charge.
- Any item over 32kgs (70lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and will require repacking.
- Medical/life equipment as well as a maximum of two wheel chairs are carried free when accompanied by the person who requires them.
- A single sporting item that is required to be packed as more than one piece to enable that item to be carried counts as one piece. For example, skis, poles and boots packed separately are considered one piece.
- Pets are not accepted on Air New Zealand aircraft either in the cabin or when presented for carriage at the airport. All pet travel must be arranged through a pet transporter.
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Most Significant Carrier (MSC) explained
For customer journeys that involve more than one carrier, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Resolution 302 governs baggage allowances and charges, using a concept of the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) to determine whose baggage rules apply for the itinerary.
These rules are based on a checked baggage concept, which is from when a bag is checked in until it is picked up, as such there may be various carriers allowance and charges applied across a customer’s entire ticket. For tickets issued on or before 31 March 2015 under Resolution 302, the Operating Carrier is generally the MSC, especially when they are operated by a partner airline (code-share flights).
For tickets issued on or after 01 April 2015 under Resolution 302, the Marketing Carrier is generally the MSC, including for flights operated by a partner airline (code-share flights).
How is the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) determined?
There are a number of steps in determining which carrier is considered the MSC based on the 3 IATA areas and the sub areas within each of those areas and where travel takes place for the checked baggage journey.
The following IATA areas and Sub areas should be used with the examples below outlining the steps to determine which carrier’s allowances and excess charges apply. There is also a map showing the areas at the end of this document which may be useful.
IATA Areas Sub areas Area 1 :North America, Central and South America, Hawaii USA, Canada, Mexico Caribbean Central America South America Area 2: Europe, Middle East Europe Middle East Africa Area 3: Asia, Guam, Southwest Pacific Japan, Korea Southeast Asia South Asian Subcontinent Southwest Pacific Step 1: The first carrier crossing from one IATA Area to another.
Unless specified assume that the sectors shown are connecting flights and considered a single checked baggage journey.
Example:Sector IATA Area Marketing Carrier Auckland - Hong Kong IATA Area 3 to IATA Area 3 XX Hong Kong - London IATA Area 3 to IATA Area 2 YY is the carrier crossing between IATA areas Carrier YY is the Most Significant Marketing Carrier.
Sector IATA Area Marketing Carrier Departing flights Auckland - Hong Kong IATA Area 3 to IATA Area 3 XX Hong Kong - London IATA Area 3 to IATA Area 2 YY is the carrier crossing between IATA areas Returning flights London - Singapore IATA Area 2 to IATA Area 3