Mittens' Unexpected Journey: Cat Flies Three Times in 24 Hours After Airline Oversight

Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon cat, experienced quite the unexpected adventure after being left behind on a plane during a flight from Christchurch to Melbourne. Her owner, Margo Neas, was at Melbourne Airport on January 12, eagerly waiting for her furry friend but was instead informed by ground staff that Mittens had unknowingly flown back to New Zealand. When questioning how such a mix-up occurred, Neas learned the airline staff had just discovered that her cat had not been removed from the plane.

Despite the oversight, Air New Zealand acted quickly to ensure Mittens was safe. The company informed Neas that the plane's heating system had been activated to keep her comfortable, as the cargo hold temperatures could drop to as low as 7°C.

The mishap is currently under investigation, with reports suggesting that the presence of a stowed wheelchair may have prevented baggage handlers from seeing Mittens' cage. The airline has since apologized and promised to reimburse travel costs as a gesture of goodwill.

Neas, who recently relocated to Melbourne, expressed her overwhelming joy upon being reunited with Mittens. "She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up," she recalled, describing it as a huge relief after a stressful start to their new life together. The typical flight path between Christchurch and Melbourne is usually completed in under four hours, but Mittens’ unplanned adventure made it a journey of a lifetime.

Neas' experience serves as a reminder to airlines about the importance of careful handling of animals during transport, ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future.