Air New Zealand car seat and stroller policy
Find rules for flying Air New Zealand with family. Learn about the free allowance for strollers and car seats, baggage for infants, and family seating policies.
Air New Zealand has a generous free allowance for baby and child equipment. For each child under 12, you can bring two approved items like a car seat and stroller at no extra charge. This is separate from any regular baggage allowance.
| Topic | What Air New Zealand says |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| CARES harness | A CARES Harness is permitted if it is FAA approved, has a visible certification label, and is the correct size for the child. It cannot be used in exit row seats or in Business Premier.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 |
Strollers and car seats
For each child under 12, you can bring two approved items free of charge from a list that includes a car seat, stroller, or bassinet. The airline also specifies that one compact, foldable stroller is free for each child and does not count towards their baggage allowance.
To use a car seat on the plane, it must be no wider than 43 cm and have a visible label showing it is approved for aircraft use. Booster seats are not permitted for use on board. An FAA-approved CARES Harness is also allowed, but not in Business Premier or exit row seats.
“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
“For each infant and child under 12 years old in your group, you can bring two approved items free of charge. These include: Stroller, pram or pushchair, Car seat and approved seat restraints, Bassinet or portable cot”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Your car seat must: … Have a visible certification label showing it is approved for aircraft use. Fit between the aircraft seat armrests … If your car seat is 43 cm wide, it may not fit your chosen seat. … Car booster seats are not approved car seats and cannot be used onboard.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Your CARES Harness must: Be in safe working condition, Be the right size for your child, Be FAA approved, Have a visible certification label. You cannot use a CARES Harness in an exit row seat or in Business Premier™.”
Official wording, airnewzealand.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
On Air New Zealand, infants and toddlers under the age of two do not get a checked baggage allowance. This means a standard suitcase cannot be checked for them free of charge. However, they are permitted to bring one carry-on bag with them in the cabin.
This baggage rule is separate from the allowance for larger equipment. Even without a checked bag allowance, you can still bring the two free items like a car seat or stroller for an infant.
“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 has a specific policy for seating on flights to or from Canada. On these routes, if seats have not been pre-allocated, airport staff will help seat children under 14 with their accompanying adults at check-in.
The information we checked does not mention a family seating policy for flights on other routes. It is a good idea to ask about your seating options when you book your tickets to ensure your family can sit together.
“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
Related pages
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