Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, traveled three flights in a day after being accidentally left in an Air New Zealand cargo hold. Following her unexpected return to Christchurch, her owner, Margo Neas, was relieved when they were finally reunited in Melbourne.
Forgotten Cat’s 24-Hour Odyssey: Three Flights and a Reunion
Forgotten Cat’s 24-Hour Odyssey: Three Flights and a Reunion
A Maine Coon named Mittens unwittingly embarked on three flights after being left behind on an Air New Zealand plane, highlighting the importance of animal travel protocols.
In a peculiar series of events, an eight-year-old Maine Coon named Mittens found herself inadvertently flying three times within a span of 24 hours after she was forgotten on an Air New Zealand flight. During her initially scheduled journey from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12, Mittens’ travel cage was mistakenly left in the aircraft's cargo area.
After three hours of waiting at Melbourne airport, Mittens' owner, Margo Neas, received distressing news from the ground staff; the plane, with her pet still onboard, had already returned to New Zealand. Neas was informed that the heating had been activated in the cargo hold for Mittens’ comfort during the flight. Despite losing some weight through the ordeal, the feline was in good health when she eventually made her way back to Melbourne.
“I couldn’t believe this was happening,” Ms. Neas remarked in an interview with NBC about the situation. She recounted the moment she learned her cat was on the return flight to Christchurch, and her shock at discovering the oversight had only just come to light. Reports suggest that a stowed wheelchair may have hindered a baggage handler's ability to see Mittens’ cage.
Air New Zealand has since apologized and pledged to cover any costs incurred by Neas due to this incident. It is important to note that passengers cannot book direct animal travel internationally with the airline; all arrangements must be made through recognized pet carrier businesses. Neas expressed her joy at being reunited with Mittens, recalling how the cat "ran into my arms and just snuggled up," marking a happy moment in what had been a tough start to their new life in Melbourne.
Typically, the flight duration from Christchurch to Melbourne is under four hours, making Mittens’ unexpected journey a surprising testament to the challenges faced during pet travel.
