This month, a Maine Coon cat named Mittens flew from New Zealand to Australia with her owner, Margo Neas. However, due to an oversight by the ground staff, Mittens was left in her crate in the cargo hold and ended up taking three flights within 24 hours before being reunited with her family.
The Journey Begins
On January 13, Mittens was scheduled to fly from Christchurch, New Zealand, to her new home in Melbourne, Australia. After arriving in Melbourne, Neas waited for three hours for Mittens to be unloaded but was informed that the plane had already returned to New Zealand with Mittens still on board. The return flight took approximately 7.5 hours.
Unexpected Flights
Neas expressed her disbelief upon learning that her cat was still on the plane. Ground staff revealed that a wheelchair had obstructed the baggage handler's view of Mittens' cage, leading to the oversight. During the return flight, the Air New Zealand pilot was alerted about Mittens and activated the heating in the cargo hold to keep her comfortable.
Reunion and Aftermath
Upon landing back in Christchurch, a pet transport company that Neas had hired assisted in getting Mittens back onto a flight to Melbourne. Although Mittens lost some weight during her unexpected travels, she was otherwise unharmed and eagerly ran into Neas' arms upon their reunion.
"She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time," Neas said. "It was just such a relief."
Air New Zealand's Response
Air New Zealand issued an apology for the incident and stated that they would reimburse all costs associated with Mittens' journey. A spokesperson emphasized their commitment to working closely with ground staff to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
A Happy Ending
Despite the ordeal, Mittens has become more affectionate than ever since returning home, receiving all the attention she desires from her relieved family.
