Pre-Flight Checklist
Preparing Your Pet
for Air Travel in NZ
Flying with pets goes far more smoothly when a little preparation happens beforehand. Whether your dog or cat is travelling domestically within New Zealand or relocating overseas, the steps below help keep them calm, safe and flight-ready on the day.
Work through this pre-flight checklist before handover or collection, and get in touch if you're unsure about anything — we're always happy to help.
Your pre-flight checklist
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Exercise your dog beforehand. A good walk before handover helps burn off nervous energy so your dog can relax and settle during transport.
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Complete any pre-export vet requirements. If your pet is flying internationally, make sure all veterinary checks and documentation are finished and cleared before travel day (see our international pet relocation page).
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Keep things calm in the lead-up. Avoid loud, busy or stressful environments where you can — a settled pet travels best.
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Use calming aids, not sedatives. Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats) sprays can help your pet feel secure in their crate. Sedation is not permitted for air travel, as it can be risky for pets at altitude.
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Trim your dog's nails. Short nails stop them catching on the crate door or fittings and causing injury during the journey.
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Limit food before travel. We'll advise on exact timing. A lighter stomach reduces the risk of soiling the travel crate, which can lead to your pet being offloaded by the airline.
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Cats — stay inside overnight. Keep cats indoors with a litter tray the night before the flight so they're safe, settled and ready to go on time in the morning.
A gentle reminder — from your pet's perspective 🐾
To help us feel safe and comfortable on travel day, here's what we'd love you to keep in mind:
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Please take me for a walk before handing me over — it helps me relax and settle before the journey.
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Make sure all my vet checks are complete. It's one less thing to worry about, and it means I'm cleared to travel.
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Keep things calm for me before my flight. Loud noises or too much excitement can make me nervous.
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A little spritz of Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats) really helps me feel secure in my crate. Please don't sedate me — it's not allowed, and it could make me feel worse.
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Trim my nails, please! Sharp nails can catch on things like the crate door and hurt me during the trip.
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Don't feed me too much before we go. I know it's hard to say no to my cute face, but a lighter tummy means I'm less likely to have an accident that delays my flight.
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If I'm a cat, please keep me inside with a litter tray the night before — I might find a spot to sneak out if I sense things are on the move!
Flying overseas? A few extra steps
International pet travel involves additional veterinary treatments, testing and paperwork, and timelines can stretch over several months depending on the destination. If you're relocating your pet abroad, start early — as MPI-accredited exporters and an Air New Zealand preferred supplier, we'll guide you through every requirement. See our international pet relocation page, or ask us about the Comfort Cabin for a calm place to settle before the flight.
Pre-flight FAQs
Can I sedate my pet before a flight? No — sedation isn't permitted for air travel, as it can be risky for pets at altitude. Use calming aids like Adaptil (dogs) or Feliway (cats) instead to help them feel secure.
Should I feed my pet before travelling? Keep food light before travel. We'll advise on timing, but a lighter stomach lowers the risk of soiling the crate, which can cause the airline to offload your pet.
What calming aids can I use? Adaptil sprays for dogs and Feliway sprays for cats help create a sense of security. Spritz the crate bedding shortly before handover.
Do I need to trim my dog's nails before flying? Yes — trimming prevents nails catching on the crate door or fittings and causing injury during the trip.
What should I do with my cat the night before? Keep your cat indoors with a litter tray overnight so they can't wander off and are calm and ready to travel in the morning.
