Air New Zealand Special Assistance

Pregnant Women

The rules relating to carriage of expectant women on Air New Zealand flights also mention flight duration for which the pregnant woman would be eligible for.

Let us first examine certain instances wherein she is required to have a medical clearance from the airline team. These instances are:

1. Multiple pregnancies

2. Complications in pregnancy

3. Premature labour history

4. Starting of early stages of labour

For all pregnancies beyond 28 week period, a fit to fly certificate is required from the doctor or the midwife. The certificate shall mention the duration of pregnancy, due date and that you are fit to undertake flight.

For single uncomplicated pregnancy, you are allowed to travel on flight of more than 4 hours duration till end of 36 weeks of pregnancy and for less than 4 hours till end of 40 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond 28 weeks, medical certificate is required.

For multiple uncomplicated pregnancy, you can travel of flight of more than 4 hour duration till end of 32nd week and of less than 4 hour duration till end of 36 weeks.

Unaccompanied Children

Children under 5 years of age are required to travel in the company of an adult of at least 15 years of age.

Children in age group of 5-11 years can travel as unaccompanied children on certain selective routes and must make use of the airband while flying.

Children in age group of 12-16 years can travel alone on selected routes. Airband can be used on request of parent/guardian.

Children travelling alone are given a special wristband. Text messages are sent out the maximum of 5 nominated contacts (parent or guardian, drop off and pick up contacts). These messages are sent at the time of airport check-in, at boarding gate, on landing and handing over child to ground staff and on pick-up by designated person.

Service fees of the unaccompanied child

Wheelchair Bound Passengers

If you have reduced mobility and make use of the wheelchair, then Air New Zealand takes all care of you at the airports (departure, arrival) and during the flight.

Following are wheelchair sizes for different airplanes of Air New Zealand. These dimensions shall not be exceeded:

• A320 aircraft: H 97cm x W 79cm x L 131cm

• ATR72 aircraft: H 100cm x W 60cm x L 100cm.

Max. headrest height permissible is 140cm

• Q300 aircraft: H 82cm x W 75cm x L 120cm

Air New Zealand clearly outlines the need for travelling with a safety assistant whenever the person is not able to evacuate on his/her own in times of emergency, or requires support while eating, toileting or taking medicines. The safety assistant has to be a person of 16 years of age or more.

For persons with reduced mobility, Air New Zealand classifies it into three levels or stages. These stages of special service requests are identified with three codes, which are given below:

1. SSR WCHR- For a person who is not able to walk long distance but is capable of walking to seat and using stairs.

2. SSR WCHS- For a person who is not able to walk long distance or make use of the stairs but is capable of walking to seat.

3. SSR WCHC- This is a person who requires manual support to lift the upper body or an on-board aisle chair. This is further divided into 5 stages:

    i) Self Reliant- The person is completely immobile but is capable of self-transfer to the seat.

    ii) Safety Assistant- This person is completely immobile and required an upper body lift with help of a safety assistant. Safety assistant is also needed for medical assistance, hygiene and eating.

    iii) No safety assistant- The person is completely immobile and does not have a safety assistant as well. This service of Air New Zealand is applicable only for USA routes (to/from/via).

    iv) Non-travelling safety assistant: If passenger is completely immobile, the person can arrange safety assistant at the airports for lifting the upper body for transferring to/from seat. However, the assistant will not assist with eating, hygiene and medical services.

    v) Eagle lifting device- The passenger is completely immobile and requires a lifting device. Only 4 airports namely Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch have this service at present.

If you need this assistance, you are requested to inform the airline early and arrive at airport for check-in at least 60 minutes before scheduled departure of flight. You can choose to have an airport wheelchair and your own wheelchair checked-in, or come in your own wheelchair till the cabin gate and then transfer to another chair. Your wheelchair will be checked-in from gate.

If these are powered by batteries which are non-spillable, the terminals need to be suitably protected to prevent short circuit. The battery shall be securely attached to the wheelchair.

If the battery is of spillable type, it shall be disconnected and terminals shall be suitably protected from short circuit. Otherwise, the battery shall be removed and carried separately in approved packaging.

If it is the lithium battery, the power of single battery shall not be more than 300 WH and those of the other two batteries shall not be more than 160 WH each.

Service Dogs

Air New Zealand requires that only certified service dogs are allowed on-board the airplane.

Further, the passenger carrying a service dog is required to inform the airline at least 48 hours before scheduled departure time of flight and shall arrive for check-in at least one hour before the departure time.

Passengers are required to seat their dogs in their feet and on an absorbent mat provided by the airline. There shall be documentary proof with proper identification that the dog is certified service animal. Further the training must have been provided at a recognized training center, recognized by either Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or as per New Zealand Dog Control Act.

Hearing and Visual Impairment

The hearing and visual impaired passengers are provided all types of services, at the airport and inside the cabin. Both these passengers are required to inform the airline about their hearing or visual impairment so that they can be given proper assistance.

The hearing impaired passengers can contact the airline using the contact us section of the website or using the TTY service via NZ Relay.

While at the airport, the airline staff will assist with information regarding boarding times, departure gates, meal services and briefing on safety using the videos on board the plane.