Due to the deep impact of COVID-19 on forward travel demand we have made the following changes to our International Route network across the following services:
Los Angeles-London flights will not be resumed which will see us exiting this route earlier than the planned month of October 2020.
The non-stop Auckland-New York service will be postponed from October 2020 until late 2021 at the earliest.
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and ask for your patience as we work through these changes with customers who are directly impacted.
Customers booked via a travel agent, including a third-party website (e.g. Expedia, Booking.com) should speak with their agent.
Air New Zealand is currently operating a limited international network through to 31 August to keep air links open for essential travel and cargo movement on key trade routes. Total capacity has been reduced and demand will be reviewed on a route-by-route basis before services are resumed.
International flight schedules
Air New Zealand is extending the timeframe for its reduced network, with its minimal international operations to continue through to 24 October 2020, with a few exceptions which extend beyond this date. All services are subject to change as governments change travel and border restrictions.
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 board.
These changes have been made to keep our crew and customers safe and provide a simplified plan for our catering partners, who are also working with reduced resources.
We will continue to provide special meals. Please request them when you book, as normal.
When you fly businesspremier™ we will serve a simplified version of our menu that is delivered on a single service tray. This reduces movement and contact in the cabin, but you will still be enjoying businesspremier quality dining
We have paused parts of our service which increase interactions between crew and customers, such as the offering of a hot towel or pre-take off drinks from a tray in the cabin
Physical distancing between customers
We are working to support government guidance around physical distancing by allocating seating to allow additional space around customers where possible. We recognise there will be a need to keep families and some travelling companions together and will continue to support this wherever possible. We also ask that customers follow crew instructions when onboard our aircraft.
Children travelling alone
With global travel restrictions still in place we are unfortunately still unable to accept unaccompanied minors for international travel.
Travel requirements resources
Before making your booking, please check the latest travel restrictions of your local and destination country for the most up to date entry requirements and government advice. We have listed some of our recommended official health and travel sites to look into first. Please be aware these do not cover all situations and we strongly advise you to undertake independent country-specific exit, entry, and transit requirement research before making a booking with us.
You're welcome to change your booking if you're flying internationally before 31 July 2020. You can change the date or destination once, without paying any change fees or service fees. You will need to pay for any difference in the fare. Note, bookings between New Zealand and Australia must have the credit requested or change made by 30 June to be eligible.
If you booked through a travel agent, please ask them to manage your changes.
To make changes online, please enter your booking details below.
What are you doing to continue to support social distancing and hygiene practices?
When travelling internationally, we will still endeavour to provide additional space for customers throughout the aircraft wherever possible. Information provided to us from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that based on information they have analysed, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from one customer to another on board is very low. They see possible reasons as being that customers sit facing forward and not toward each other, seat backs provide a barrier, the use of HEPA filters and the direction of the air flow on board (from ceiling to floor), and the limited movement onboard aircraft once seated add to the onboard protection.
We continue to recommend checking-in online or via the Air New Zealand App before heading to the Airport. Online check-in is available 24 hours before the departure of your flight. You can download the App here.
What do I need to do to keep myself safe when I'm travelling?
While hand sanitiser will be available in airports and on board our aircraft, we encourage you to carry your own personal supply. If you would like to wear a facemask you are welcome to bring one for your journey. Both cloth and surgical masks are acceptable for use inflight.
Please stay home and do not fly if you feel sick or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Will I need to wear a mask in airports or on board your aircraft?
When traveling internationally, you may be required by local law to wear a face-covering in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect. We strongly advise all customers to wear masks on international flights as an extra precaution to keep yourself and others onboard safe while traveling. If you are traveling 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 else do I need to know before travel?
Please ensure you have the right to transit through all countries on your itinerary.
If you have cold or flu like symptoms you should stay at home.
These symptoms include:
a cough
a high temperature of at least 38°C
shortness of breath
sore throat
sneezing and runny nose
temporary loss of smell.
How will I know if I'm sitting next to someone who has travelled on an International flight?
In the interest of personal privacy, we won't be able to share this information, however, please rest assured we're doing everything possible to provide a safe level of social distancing for all our customers.
Why has my seat request been changed?
To help us support government guidance around social distancing we may have needed to change your seat allocation. We recognise that your choice of seat can be important and wherever possible we'll endeavour to provide you with a similar seat allocation. We also ask that customers follow crew instructions when on board our aircraft.
International flight services
Once the pandemic is over will you fly to Buenos Aires again?
COVID-19 continues to have a deep impact on travel and we expect it will be some time before global restrictions ease and demand returns. We will look at opportunities to regrow our international network when the time is right, but we have no plans to resume flying to Buenos Aires.
Why can't you continue to fly between Los Angeles and London until your planned exit date in October?
Government travel restrictions are likely to continue for some time and we don't expect demand for our Los Angeles-London service to recover before our planned exit in October.
What will happen to my booking for Buenos Aires/New York/Los Angeles-London?
We'll be in touch with you by email over the coming weeks to advise details of options available for you. Please delay contacting us until we have provided those details, so our teams are best able to assist you.
If you have booked through a travel agent, including an online travel agent, they will contact you directly.
Can a passenger connect to a New Zealand domestic flight on arrival?
No. Everyone arriving into New Zealand will now be assessed on arrival for one of the following isolation or quarantine processes:
Customers displaying high-risk of COVID-19 will be placed in managed quarantine facilities for 14 days.
Customers not displaying high-risk of COVID-19 will be placed in managed isolation facilities for 14 days.
All arrivals will be met at the airport by Government officials who will explain the new requirements and answer questions.
I'm a visitor to New Zealand. Do I need to return home?
The New Zealand government recommends that everyone travelling in New Zealand should consider returning home as soon as they are able to. Please see here for further information.
I need to get to my home country and you've suspended your services there, how can you help me?
We understand customers need to return home as soon as they can. When there are no options for us to assist you, we recommend contacting your own national consulate or embassy in the country you are in. Consulates are tasked with providing diplomatic support to their own nationals. Please see here for further information.
What if I want to travel but postpone to a later date?
For international travel on Air New Zealand aircraft only, up to and including 31 August 2020, you can change your booking and we'll waive change fees, service fees, and fare difference. If your international travel is on an Air New Zealand ticket and also includes travel on another airline, any fare difference will apply. If you prefer you can hold your fare in credit.
If your travel is within New Zealand, you can make one change where we will waive the change fee and service fees; fare difference will apply. If you prefer you can hold your fare in credit.
If you booked your travel directly with us, either online or through our Contact Centre, you can manage your booking to hold your fare in credit.
Other international travel information
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 booked to travel internationally as unaccompanied minors, what will happen with 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! New Zealand Domestic and Regional Lounges are now open and providing a full food and beverage service as follows:
Wellington Regional(Wellington Domestic will remain open)
Christchurch Fly Thru café/Koru Express (Christchurch Domestic will remain open)
All International Lounges will remain closed at this stage.
Will Valet parking be available?
You can now enjoy the convenience of Valet parking when travelling within New Zealand. Our friendly teams in Auckland and Christchurch will be ready and waiting to welcome you back. For now, Auckland International Valet and Wellington Airport Valet remain closed. We’ve been advised by Wellington Airport that all their other products are available for online booking and drive-up and our Elite members can also use their Elite vouchers for any of those products. We’ll update you as soon as we are in a position to reopen our Auckland International Valet. For more information, please visit Valet parking.
Can passengers transit New Zealand or Australia to get home?
The New Zealand and Australian governments are continually reviewing their transit restrictions and we strongly recommend that you check the following websites 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.
