Modern aircraft are fitted with sensitive electronic equipment which can be affected by some types of electronic equipment carried by passengers. For this reason, there are restrictions on the type of equipment you may bring on board.
New Aircraft Technology: Domestic A320 Only
Items requiring prior approval
Items for use at any time
The following portable electronic devices may be used on the aircraft at any time:
- portable voice recorders (hand held units powered by dry cell batteries)
- hearing aids
- heart pacemakers
- electric shavers
- watches
- hand held calculators without printer
- noise cancelling headsets (however these must not be plugged into an electronic device after door close, during taxi to the runway, takeoff and during landing.)
Items with restricted use
The following may be used inflight; after take-off and before landing. It is also permitted to use these devices once the aircraft is taxiing in after landing. Your crew will let you know when it's safe to use these devices:
- portable computers, iPads - provided no wireless communication connections are used (e.g. Bluetooth to connect to a wireless keyboard and mouse). Bluetooth and WiFi must be switched off prior to turning the computer on, and the computer must be powered by its own battery unless in-seat power is available
- iPhones, mobile phones and other PDAs - provided it is flight mode capable and this mode is selected and devices turned off once the doors are closed
- portable CD and DVD players with headphones
- iPods and MP3 players
- Kindles (digital books) - in offline mode
- self-contained personal life support systems that use non-spill batteries, including nebulisers, monitors and similar may also be used when the passenger has prior medical clearance from Air New Zealand
- portable radios and televisions with headphones
- hand-held electronic games
- portable video recorders and cameras
- portable electric typewriters
- hand held calculators with printer
Mobile phone/Laptop/PDA use
These devices are permitted on all Air New Zealand aircraft when the aircraft is stationary on the ground, with the entry door(s) open.
When the last entry door is closed, you will be advised to switch your devices to safe or flight mode. This includes turning your laptop Bluetooth, WiFi or cellular function off, before turning the device off completely (if achievable).
You will be advised inflight when it is safe to turn it back on, but you can only turn the devices back on if you switched it to safe or flight mode on the ground.
Flight or safe mode enables the basic functions of your mobile phone/laptop/PDA to be used inflight whilst disabling the transmitting function.
At no point during the flight will you be permitted to make or receive phone calls or SMS texts, send or receive emails, or use the internet.
The Air New Zealand Mobile phone/Laptop/PDA policy allows you to turn your hand held electronic devices on after landing when advised by your crew. This will allow you to send and received phone calls and SMS texts, use your iPod, MP3 player and send and receive emails, use the internet etc. The only proviso is that you have to remain seated during taxi and have your electronic equipment handy from your seated position.
This policy will only apply to flights taxiing to an airport gate served by an airbridge. If you are required to disembark not using an airbridge or a combination of airbridge and steps, or if there are any other conditions that prohibit phone use, your crew will advise that all devices must remain switched off until inside the terminal building.
Please check with your travel agent or Air New Zealand when you book your flight if you are unsure whether the equipment you intend taking is permitted on the aircraft.
Note: The Captain can instruct that any item of equipment be turned off at any time should electronic interference be suspected.
New Aircraft Technology: Domestic A320 Only
The new A320 (domestic operations) aircraft are equipped with picocell technology which safely enables the use of cellular devices inflight (WiFi excluded).
Due to regulatory requirements, the system will only be available to you inflight. You are required to switch your devices to safe or flight mode, then off (if achievable) after the door is closed. Once airborne, your crew will advise you when this service is available to you.
Please note: Bluetooth (e.g. to connect to a wireless mouse or keyboard) and WiFi are not permitted at any time. For 3G devices such as iPad and Blackberry this will mean that only the Mobile Network connection should be turned on with WiFi and Bluetooth remaining off.
Items requiring prior approval
The following may be used only with prior approval from Air New Zealand:
- life support equipment which is not self-contained
- equipment containing dangerous chemicals such as mercury or acid devices that require a separate battery or power source
- portable radio transmitting devices and radio control systems (e.g. radio-controlled cars)
- Medical equipment
- anything not specifically covered in the previous sections
PC Power Operation
PC Ports are available in Business class on A320 aircraft, and in Business Premier and Pacific Premium Economy on B777 and B747 aircraft. The in-seat outlet unit provides 110v at 60Hz. The outlet plug accepts most common connector plugs including:
- 3-pin New Zealand or Australian plugs
- 2-pin European plugs
- 2-pin or 3-pin USA plugs
The outlet plug does not accept 3-pin British plugs. For use of devices with this type of plug, an adapter is required. Adapters are not available onboard Air New Zealand services.
Medical equipment is not approved for connection to in-seat PC power due to the level of reliability.
Medical outlets are available for approved medical devices with prior notice.
