International check-in

Here's everything you need to know to get checked in for your international flight.

When to check in

Your international check-in time depends on your particular flight. Some flights close check-in 90 minutes before departure. Others can be 120 minutes beforehand.

You can find the exact time in the Air NZ app, your check-in email or on your e-ticket.

Remember, this is when check-in closes. Give yourself enough time to arrive well before then especially if you are travelling with children or anyone who needs special assistance. There could be queues, or you might be delayed on your way to the airport. You also need to give yourself enough time to go through security screening and customs.

Note: If the first flight in your itinerary is operated by a partner airline. You'll need to check in at the partner airline's check-in desk or website.

What you need to check in

It's very important you have all your documentation. It's illegal to board your flight without it.

You'll need:

  • Your ticket, either printed or electronic
  • Your passport, valid for at least six months. Check if the countries you're visiting have other passport requirements
  • Your entry visas, if required by the countries you're visiting
  • Your health and/or border declaration, if required by the countries you're visiting or transiting through 

Entry requirements differ between countries. Before you check in, we recommend that you ensure that you meet all travel requirements for each country you're visiting or transiting through.

Check in at the airport

If you have all the travel documentation required by your destination and transit points, you can skip the queues and use the self-service kiosks.

You will be asked to scan your machine-readable passport (these have two lines of letters, numbers and symbols below your personal information).

Then confirm your seats, and print your boarding passes and bag tags. Attach the labels to your bags and take them to Bag Drop. You're ready to go through security.

You can use Air New Zealand self-serve kiosks if you're flying from:

  • Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Tauranga, Queenstown and Wellington
  • Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney 
  • Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver
  • Hong Kong, Nadi, Narita and Singapore

Flying with a partner airline? Check in at the partner airline's departure desks.

Sometimes we can't always offer online or mobile check-in

You'll need to check in at the airport if:

  • There are border restrictions that require us to manually check your documentation
  • Home-printed or mobile boarding passes are not accepted at your departure airport (such as Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport)
  • If you need special assistance
  • If you're a child travelling alone

Remember, you can only check in if you hold the correct entry and transit requirements, such as a visa, ESTA, NZTD or proof of onward travel.

Checking in your bags

If you've checked in online, it's easy to check in your bags when you arrive at the airport. Use one of our self-service kiosks to print your bag tags. Tag your bags and take them to Bag Drop or the Oversize and fragile items desk.

The Bag Drop open times will vary depending on your departure airport and scheduled flight departure time. As a general rule, at international airports, our check-in and Bag Drop desks and kiosks are usually open 3 hours before departure. 

You can find what time Bag Drop closes on your e-ticket and on the flight details screen on the Air NZ app if you've added your booking there. 

If you have an Air New Zealand flight that connects with another Air New Zealand flight, or an airline we have an agreement with, and it's on the same booking, your baggage will be tagged to go through to your final destination. Find out more about checking in your bags for connecting flights.  

You can track the status of your checked bags on all Air New Zealand and partner Star Alliance flights within the Air NZ app.  

Still waiting for your upgrade?

If you've requested an upgrade and haven't heard from us yet, please check in as normal. It won't cancel your upgrade.

If your upgrade comes through at the last minute, we'll let you know at the gate and give you a new boarding pass.

TSA PreCheck®

Departing or transiting through US airports?

US citizens or residents departing/transiting select US airports may be eligible for TSA PreCheck®. This allows expedited screening services with a smoother security process and reduced wait times.