PremiumUpdatedJohn WeekesSenior Business Reporter·NZ Herald·25 May, 2026 03:00 AM3 mins to read‌Humanoid robots dressed as Buddhist monks attend a parade during a festival to celebrate the Buddha's birthday in Seoul this month. Photo / Jung Yeon-je, AFPAir New Zealand has indicated it does not plan to follow one US airline into an outright ban on humanoid or animal-like robot travel companions. Major US carrier Southwest Airlines has banned “human-like or animal-like robots” from the cabin or as checked baggage, regardless of size or purpose.

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