In brief
Mittens’ unusual journey highlights the importance of keeping track of pets during travel.
In a surprising twist of travel fate, an eight-year-old Maine Coon named Mittens ended up on three flights in just one day due to a mix-up. Originally booked to fly from Christchurch to Melbourne, Mittens was inadvertently left behind in her cage in the cargo hold of an Air New Zealand plane. Upon arriving at Melbourne airport and not seeing her furry companion, owner Margo Neas was informed that Mittens was still on her way back to New Zealand. While it was a stressful situation, airport staff assured Neas that heating was turned on in the cargo area to keep the cat warm during the flight back. Neas expressed her shock at being informed that it took so long to discover Mittens was onboard. The adorable feline was eventually flown back to Melbourne the next day, leading to a tearful reunion filled with snuggles and relief. Although Mittens lost some weight, she was otherwise unharmed. Air New Zealand has since apologized for the incident and pledged to cover all travel expenses. The airline noted that they don’t accept direct pet bookings for international flights, highlighting the need for careful planning when traveling with pets. "She basically just ran into my arms," Neas recounted. "It was just such a relief!" As they embark on their new life in Melbourne, Neas emphasized the importance of keeping families — both human and furry — together.
