International travel options
Travel requirements and restrictions
It's essential you understand the local requirements of where your trip begins, where you transit, and where it ends. These may include:
- Pre-travel testing
- Pre-travel quarantine
- Supplying passport details
- Declaration forms
- Arranging quarantine at your final destination
These requirements may change before you travel, so be sure to check regularly.
Use the resources below to make sure you are fully informed ahead of your journey:
- Star Alliance Country Information - The latest travel regulations for your destination and transit countries.
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) - The latest travel regulations for your destination and transit countries.
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Official global health advice related to COVID-19.
- Advice for New Zealanders living overseas
Oceania
Travel to New Zealand
Resources
New Zealand Government COVID-19 pre-travel testing information
New Zealand Government COVID-19 travel restrictions
New Zealand Government Ministry of Health website
Managed isolation and quarantine in New Zealand
Pre-departure test requirements
Most passengers travelling to New Zealand must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result before departure. Customers transiting through New Zealand from the United Kingdom and the United States must also meet this requirement.
For more information, please see the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website.
Managed Isolation Accommodation
All passengers arriving into New Zealand must register their managed isolation accommodation requirements to be permitted to board their flight. A Managed Isolation Allocation System Voucher will need to be presented at check-in. We highly recommend checking managed isolation availability before booking your ticket and registering as soon as possible. For more information visit the MIQ Government site.
One-way Quarantine-free travel
One-way, quarantine-free travel is available to book for the following services to New Zealand.
To be eligible to book 'Quarantine-free' flights - please refer to:
- Quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands to New Zealand
- Quarantine-free travel from Niue to New Zealand
Please note normal immigration rules still apply.
Travelling back to the Cook Islands or Niue
It's important to note that this is a one-way arrangement. Those wanting to return to the Cook Islands or Niue must meet local government entry requirements.
Transit via New Zealand
The New Zealand government is continually reviewing their transit restrictions and we strongly recommend that you check their website for information on whether you can transit or not. You may be required to seek advance transit approval from the relevant government. Please ensure this is done before you progress with a booking.
Travel to Australia
Resources
Advice for travellers
COVID-19 Health Alert
SmartTraveller website
Coming to Australia
New Zealand Safe Travel Zone
Pre-departure testing
Passengers travelling to or transiting through Australia must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result:
- PCR testing is required.
- The test must be performed 72 hours or less prior to departure.
- Children 4 years old and under are exempt.
- Passengers arriving into Australia on a quarantine-free flight are currently exempt from pre-departure testing.
See the Australian Government Department of Health site for more information.
Documentation required
Before you travel to Australia, you must complete an Australia Travel Declaration webform online. This should be completed at least 72 hours before departure. You will be asked to present your declaration before boarding your flight and on arrival in Australia.
Some states may have additional conditions of entry requirements. Please refer to their government websites for the most up to date information.
Mandatory quarantine
Travellers are required to undertake 14 days mandatory quarantine on arrival in Australia unless on a qualifying 'Quarantine-free' flight.
One-way safe travel from New Zealand
Quarantine-free entry into Australia is now available for some passengers travelling from New Zealand to Australia. To be eligible, you must:
- have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more and not been in a designated hotspot, and
- be travelling to Australia on a 'Quarantine-free' flight.
Quarantine-free flights can be booked by passengers who:
- have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more
- are flying from New Zealand to Australia Safe Travel Zone states
- are a New Zealand Citizen or have a valid visa to enter Australia
Return flights to New Zealand
We are excited by the Government news of two-way quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia starting soon. Until 19 April 2021, the Safe Travel Zone is a one-way arrangement. When returning to New Zealand you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in a government-managed isolation accommodation. You must register for managed isolation accommodation before your flight via the New Zealand Government's MIQ website.
Transit via Australia
If you are transiting via Australia, you must provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding your inbound flight. The Australian government is continually reviewing their transit restrictions - see their website for up to date information. You may be required to seek advance transit approval so make sure to check before booking.
Travel to Pacific Islands
Travel to the Cook Islands
Travel to Niue
Travel to Samoa
Travel to Fiji
Travel to Tonga
Travel to the Cook Islands
Resources
Cook Islands Government COVID-19 travel restrictions
New Zealand Government Ministry of Health website
Cook Islands Ministry of Health
Currently, quarantine-free travel is only available one way, from the Cook Islands to New Zealand. Those wanting to return to the Cook Islands must meet local government entry requirements.
For customers travelling from New Zealand to Rarotonga, the following requirements apply:
- You have spent the last 14 days in New Zealand prior to entry into the Cook Islands
- Complete a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure from Auckland
The following people are able to enter the Cook Islands:
- Cook Islanders
- Permanent Residents of the Cook Islands
- Cook Islands work permit holders
- Cook Islands resident permit holders
Requests for entry into the Cook Islands must be sought by emailing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration on immigration2@cookislands.gov.ck for approval.
Who can travel to the Cook Islands, and conditions you must meet
Travel to Niue
Resources
New Zealand Government COVID-19 Niue travel restrictions
New Zealand Government Ministry of Health website
www.safetravel.govt.nz
Currently, quarantine-free travel is only available one way, from Niue to New Zealand.
Those wanting to return to Niue must meet local government entry requirements. A limit of 30 passengers are permitted to enter Niue per fortnight.
Travellers intending to travel to Niue must:
- Meet conditions set by the Niuean Government, including having been in New Zealand for 14 days prior to entry into Niue.
- Register prior to departure for government approval to return to Niue.
- Provide negative COVID-19 test result within 4 working days of the scheduled departure.
- Complete the exit health clearance process at Auckland International Airport.
- Undergo supervised quarantine for 14 days at a government-appointed accommodation in Niue.
To find out if you can travel to Niue from New Zealand, email Niue.SecGov@mail.gov.nu
Travel to Samoa
Resources
Samoan Ministry of Health's website
The Samoan border remains open to all Samoan Citizens, Permanent and Temporary residents of Samoa, who are currently in New Zealand.
To be permitted entry into Samoa, you must comply with all Samoan Government requirements. Please note that pre-departure testing and managed quarantine is required. Further information is available on the Samoan Ministry of Health's website.
To find out if you can travel to Samoa from New Zealand, email enquiries@health.gov.ws
Travel to Fiji
Resources
www.mcttt.gov.fj
www.safetravel.govt.nz
The Fijian border remains open to all Fijian Citizens and passport holders who are currently in New Zealand. All Non-Fijian citizens (those that do not hold a Fijian passport) require approval from the Office of the Prime Minister for entry into Fiji.
Travellers intending to travel to Fiji must:
- Present written proof of a negative COVID-19 test, conducted within 72 hours before departure for Fiji.
- Complete supervised quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Fiji at a government-designated quarantine facility.
Please refer to the Fiji COVID-19 Government website for additional specific details.
Travel to Tonga
Resources
The Tongan Government have restricted travel for Tongan nationals and citizens who begin their travel from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, as well as the state of Queensland in Australia.
Travellers intending to travel to Tonga must:
- Register prior to departure for government approval to return to Tonga.
- Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 4 working days prior to travel.
- Upon arrival to Tonga, all travellers will be required to undergo mandatory government quarantine at a designated location for 14 days.
For further COVID-19 related information for Tonga, please visit the Tongan Government website.
North America
Travel to the USA
Resources
CDC: Testing and international air travel
Health attestation form
California Department of Public Health: COVID19
Los Angeles online form for inbound travellers
Pre-departure testing
All travellers will be required to have either a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test within 3 days of departure to the US, presenting a negative result. Children under the age of 2 are exempt from this testing requirement.
A US Government provided health attestation form must also be completed and presented at check-in, along with your negative test result.
Please keep in mind that you will be unable to begin your journey to the United States if you are not able to present a valid negative test result. For more information, please visit the United States CDC's website.
Travel to Los Angeles
All passengers arriving at LAX International Airport:
- from another state or country
- and who are over the age of 16,
will be required to complete an Online Form requesting contact information and acknowledging they have read and understood the State of California's travel advisory.
The online form requirement is applicable to passengers with Los Angeles as their final destination. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to USD $500. The form is not a requirement for those transiting Los Angeles to another state or country.
The State of California's travel advisory also recommends that 'all persons travelling for non-essential travel arriving into California from other states or countries, including returning Californian residents, should practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival'.
Visit the California Department of Public Health site for COVID-19 updates.
Travel to Canada
Resources
Travel restrictions in Canada: Mandatory isolation or quarantine
Pre-departure testing: news release
Pre-departure testing
All travellers must present a negative PCR test result at check-in when flying to Canada.
- The test must be dated within 72 hours of departure.
- An antigen test will not be accepted.
- Children under the age of 5 are exempt.
You will be unable to begin your journey to Canada if you are unable to present a valid negative PCR test result upon check-in.
Mandatory quarantine or isolation
All travellers arriving in Canada will be required to:
- take a mandatory COVID-19 PCR test when they arrive in Canada before they can leave the airport.
- take an additional PCR test at the end of their 14-day quarantine period.
- reserve, prior to departure to Canada, a 3-night stay in a government authorized hotel.
- Submit travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN before boarding a flight.
Everyone entering Canada must follow mandatory isolation or quarantine requirements. Not respecting these requirements is a serious offence with consequences and penalties.
Asia
Travel to China
Resources
COVID-19: Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice
www.iatatravelcentre.com
www.safetravel.govt.nz
Documentation required
All passengers must present a Green QR Health Code or signed Health Declaration Form at the airport as evidence they have met the health requirements for China. Failure to do so will result in denied boarding.
All passengers who have received a COVID-19 vaccination are required to upload their vaccine certificate as part of the QR Health Code process. This is in addition to the requirement to complete the pre-departure COVID-19 tests.
Pre-departure testing
All passengers travelling to China from New Zealand (including transit passengers) will need to complete one COVID-19 nucleic acid (PCR) and one COVID-19 IgM test within 48 hours prior to departure.
Transiting in New Zealand
We are unable to accept passengers transiting through New Zealand to China as there are no testing facilities available at transit areas in any airports in New Zealand.
Next steps for affected customers:
- We will contact affected customers and place your fare in credit for use at a later date.
- If you booked your flights via a travel agent, please contact them directly for assistance.
Travel to Hong Kong
Resources
Hong Kong government COVID-19 website
Limited entry
The Hong Kong border is closed to all foreigners, except:
- Hong Kong permanent residents, holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card.
- HKSAR passport or British National (Overseas) passport holders with right of abode in HKG.
- Those holding an activated long-term visa with pre-approval from Hong Kong Border Authority e.g. work visa or study visa.
- Those holding a 'Hong Kong identity card' (without 'permanent' status) with a valid work visa or study visa.
Pre-departure movement limitations
Passengers must have been in the country of embarkation for at least 21 days prior to travel. Please note, passengers who have been in the UK or South Africa for more than two hours in the past 21 days are not permitted to board a flight to Hong Kong.
Documentation required
All passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form and present it to a Hong Kong Department of Health staff member on arrival in Hong Kong. Note: After submitting the online form, please save the result by clicking 'Save QR Code' or take a screenshot. Additional documents are required for travellers who have visited a high-risk destination.
Quarantine
All passengers arriving in Hong Kong must isolate in a designated hotel for no less than 21 nights (22 days), starting on the day of arrival.
Accommodation must be organised directly with the hotel before departure. Please see the below lists of hotels accepting inbound passengers. If you have booked a hotel that is not on these lists, please contact them directly to ensure they accept inbound passengers.
The hotel confirmation must be presented at check-in before departure or boarding may be denied.
Passengers transiting through Hong Kong (up to 24 hours) are exempt.
Testing on arrival
All passengers will be required to undergo a saliva test for COVID-19 prior to clearing immigration and baggage collection. Passengers will receive directions and assistance after disembarking the aircraft.
Travel to Korea
Resources
www.iatatravelcentre.com
www.safetravel.govt.nz
Pre-departure testing
All travellers arriving in Korea must carry a COVID-19 negative PCR test.
The negative PCR test result must be issued within 72 hours of departure. Those who do not carry a valid test result will be denied boarding.
Quarantine
Most travellers are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility at their own expense. Travellers who are long-term visa holders or residents will be required to self-quarantine at their own residences.
Passengers transiting through Incheon International Airport to third countries will not face the new quarantine requirement but will receive a temperature screening and health questionnaire.
Special Entry Procedure
All inbound travellers will go through the Special Entry Procedure when arriving in Korea. This includes:
- Submitting to temperature screening.
- Completing the Health Questionnaire and Special Quarantine Declaration handed out inflight.
- Providing contact information and the address of their accommodation in Korea
- Installing and using either the Self-Quarantine Safety Protection App or Self Diagnosis App to monitor symptoms and submit daily health checks during their stay in Korea.
Travel to Taiwan
Resources
Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Pre-departure testing
All travellers arriving in Taiwan must carry a COVID-19 negative PCR test.
All passengers are required to present written proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, conducted within 3 days before departure for Taiwan.
Mandatory quarantine or isolation
All passengers must provide confirmation of where they will complete their mandatory 14 day quarantine (e.g. Government Central Quarantine facility, Quarantine Hotel, or Home Quarantine). Passengers who choose to self-quarantine at home must only have one person per household and complete an online affidavit.
The Taiwanese border remains open to all Taiwanese Citizens, Permanent Residents and spouse or minors of a Taiwan Citizen. For more information, including entry and quarantine requirements, please visit the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Travel to Japan
Pre-departure testing
Effective 19 March, all passengers eligible to travel to Japan, including Japanese citizens are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure.
Documentation required
The Japanese Government has announced very strict conditions regarding mandatory 'data elements' (i.e. passport number and nationality details) that must be sighted and verified on a COVID-19 test result before a passenger can be accepted for travel.
It is understood most testing clinics carrying out COVID-19 tests may not provide all of these types of data elements, therefore the Japanese Govt have a 'Certificate of Testing for COVID-19 form' outlining the prescribed format and information clinics or medical institutions can use when recording a passenger's test results.
Key actions
Changes to the travel experience
More than ever, we're focussed on the health and safety of our people and passengers.
We're therefore making temporary changes to our service offering on the ground and in the air.

Physical distancing at the airport and onboard
Where possible we will allocate additional space between customers onboard and will do our best to keep families and travelling companions together.
Please follow all crew instructions when onboard our aircraft and be mindful that every airport will have rules set by local authorities that you'll need to comply with.

Inflight food and beverages
We have paused parts of our service which increase interactions between crew and customers, such as offering hot towels or pre-takeoff drinks from a tray.
Our businesspremier™ menu has been simplified and is now delivered on a single service tray.
We will continue to provide special meals. Please request them when you book, as normal.

Wearing face coverings
All passengers are required to wear a face-covering prior to reaching the boarding gate and on all Air New Zealand operated flights. Passengers are welcome to wear their own face-covering and we will continue to make masks available.

Cleanliness in the air and on the ground
We are taking extra steps to ensure all our aircraft, lounges, and airports are frequently cleaned. We are regularly cleaning our aircraft with antiviral products, approved for use by aircraft manufacturers and by the World Health Organisation. If you are travelling on an Air New Zealand operated flight inbound to New Zealand the crew on these flights will have a number of supplies onboard to provide customers on request, such as surgical masks and hand sanitiser.
What if I want to travel but postpone to a later date?
If your travel is within New Zealand before 30 June 2021, you can change your booking and we will waive the change fee and service fees; a fare difference may apply. If you prefer you can opt-in to credit.
If you booked your travel directly with us, either online or through our Contact Centre, you can manage your booking to opt-in to credit.
Can my children travel as unaccompanied minors?
With global travel restrictions still in place, we are unfortunately still unable to accept unaccompanied minors for international travel.
While we can accept young people travelling alone between the ages of 12-17 years, please check they meet the entry requirements for your destination. When entering New Zealand an adult over the age of 18 will be required to stay with them while in supervised quarantine.
My children were already booked - what will happen to their tickets?
You can choose to either hold the ticket in credit or request a full refund. If you have booked directly with us please go to manage bookings to request a credit.
If you have booked through a travel agent, please make this request through them.
Can I travel with my pet?
We understand your pet is a valued member of your family. You can now travel freely with your pet, please visit our travelling with pets page to ensure a smooth journey.
Will all your Lounges be open?
We know how important your daily coffee is! Our New Zealand Domestic and Regional Lounges are open at Alert Level 1.
All International Lounges will remain closed at this stage.