Air New Zealand infant and child policy: lap infants, bassinets and kids flying alone
A guide to Air New Zealand's infant and child policies. Learn about lap infant fares, baggage allowances, rules for car seats, and the unaccompanied minor service.
Air New Zealand’s policies stand out for offering free travel for lap infants on all domestic flights within New Zealand. For international flights, the infant fare is 10% of the adult price. The airline provides a free allowance for baby gear, letting you bring two approved items, such as a car seat or stroller, for each child under 12.
| Topic | What Air New Zealand says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | Infants are defined as children under 2 years old on their travel date. When booked on an infant fare, they travel on an adult's lap.Source |
| Lap infant, domestic flights | Infants travel for free on flights within New Zealand.Source |
| Lap infant, international flights | On international flights, infants are charged 10% of the adult fare.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | You can buy a separate seat for an infant in Economy or Premium Economy by purchasing a child fare. If an infant has their own seat, they must use an approved car seat.Source |
| Lap infant limits | Only one infant can sit on each adult's lap. The accompanying carer must be at least 15 years old (16 for flights to/from Canada). Passengers with an infant cannot sit in an exit row.Source |
| Bassinet | Bassinets are available on 777-300 and 787-9 aircraft for infants up to 11.8kg (26lb). They are limited and it is recommended to purchase a bassinet seat early.Source |
| Stroller | For each infant and child under 12, you can bring one compact, foldable stroller free of charge, and it does not count towards their baggage allowance.Source |
| Checking a car seat | For each infant and child under 12, you can bring two approved items free of charge from a list that includes a car seat, stroller, or bassinet.Source |
| Car seat on board | Car seats used onboard must have a visible certification label for aircraft use, fit between the armrests, and be no wider than 43 cm. Booster seats are not permitted for use onboard.Source |
| Infant baggage | Infants and toddlers under 2 years old are allowed one carry-on bag but have no checked baggage allowance.Source |
| Family seating | For flights to or from Canada, airport staff will help allocate seats for children under 14 with their accompanying adults during check-in if seats have not been pre-allocated.Source |
| Youngest age to fly alone | Children under 5 years old cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by an adult who is 15 years or older (16 for flights to/from Canada).Source |
| Service required for | Children aged 5 to 11 years traveling on eligible routes must be booked as a child travelling alone.Source |
| Service optional for | For children aged 12 to 16, they may travel alone or you can request the unaccompanied minor service for extra support where available.Source |
| Service fee | The unaccompanied minor service fee is USD $20 per child one way for domestic New Zealand flights and USD $60 for international flights.Source |
| Flights allowed | A child can only travel as an unaccompanied minor on flights operated by Air New Zealand.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On Air New Zealand, children under 2 years old can travel on an adult’s lap. They fly for free on domestic flights within New Zealand. For international flights, the infant fare is 10% of the adult fare. Each adult can only have one infant on their lap, and the supervising adult must be at least 15 years old, or 16 for travel to or from Canada. You cannot sit in an exit row with an infant. If you prefer your baby to have a separate seat, you can purchase a child fare for them in Economy or Premium Economy.
“Infants are children under 2 years old on the date they travel. Infants booked on an infant fare travel on an adult’s lap.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Infants travel free within New Zealand.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“On international flights, infant fares are 10% of the adult fare.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“You can choose to book a separate seat for your infant in Economy or Premium Economy by purchasing a child fare. If your infant has their own seat, they must use an approved car seat that you provide.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Only one infant can sit on each adult’s lap. … A carer must be at least 15 years old and must supervise the infant at all times. For flights to or from Canada, the carer must be at least 16 years old. You cannot sit in an exit row seat if you are travelling with an infant or a child under 15 years old.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Bassinets
Air New Zealand offers bassinets on its 777-300 and 787-9 aircraft for infants weighing up to 11.8kg (26lb). Because the number of bassinets is limited, the airline suggests purchasing a bassinet seat early to secure one. If a bassinet is important for your trip, it’s a good idea to check the aircraft type for your specific flight and reserve your seat when you book your tickets.
“You'll find bassinet seats on our 777-300 and 787-9 aircraft. … Both are designed for infants up to 11.8kg (26lb) We have a limited number of bassinet seats, subject to availability. It's a good idea to purchase your bassinet seat early.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
For each child under 12, you can bring two approved items free of charge from a list that includes a stroller, car seat, or bassinet. If you plan to use a car seat on the plane, it must have a visible certification label for aircraft use and be no wider than 43 cm to fit. Note that booster seats are not permitted for use on board. A CARES Harness is allowed if it is FAA approved.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: Air New Zealand car seat and stroller policy.
“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.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
Infants and toddlers under 2 years old are allowed one carry-on bag. They do not have a checked baggage allowance, so any items you need to check for the baby will count towards the accompanying adult’s baggage limit. This is separate from the free allowance for strollers and car seats.
“Infants and toddlers under 2 years old can bring one carry-on bag, but no checked-in baggage.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Sitting together
Air New Zealand’s policy for family seating is specified for certain routes. For flights to or from Canada, if you have not pre-selected seats, airport staff will help assign seats for children under 14 with their accompanying adults during check-in. The information we checked does not detail the family seating policy for other international or domestic routes, so it may be helpful to ask about sitting together when you book.
“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.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
Children aged 5 to 11 traveling on eligible routes must use the unaccompanied minor service. For kids aged 12 to 16, the service is optional. The fee is USD $20 per child one way for domestic New Zealand flights and USD $60 for international flights. The service is only for flights operated by Air New Zealand. You must provide the names of the adults dropping off and picking up the child, and the person collecting them must show ID. Children under 5 cannot travel alone.
“Under 5 years. No. They must travel with an adult 15 years or older, except for flights to and from Canada where the adult must be 16 years or older.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“5 to 11 years. Yes, on eligible routes. They must be booked as a child travelling alone. Airband is included where available.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“12 to 16 years. Usually yes. They may be able to travel independently, or you can choose extra support where available.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Children travelling alone service fees. Journey: Domestic New Zealand, Per child one way: USD $20. Journey: International flights, Per child one way: USD $60.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“You child can only travel as an unaccompanied minor on Air New Zealand operated flights.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“When booking, you will need to give the name of the specific person who will be dropping off the child at the airport. … You will also need to provide the name of the person who, upon presentation of their ID, will collect the child at the destination.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“12 to 16 years. Usually yes. They may be able to travel independently, or you can choose extra support where available.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
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