In brief
Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, experienced three flights within 24 hours after she was inadvertently left in the cargo hold of an Air New Zealand plane. En route from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12, the airline staff overlooked her travel cage. Owner Margo Neas patiently waited for three hours at Melbourne Airport, only to be informed that Mittens had been flown back to New Zealand without her.
Ms. Neas recalled the moment she learned of the mishap, stating, "They said: 'Look, we have located your cat - but it's actually on the return flight to Christchurch...'" Despite the stressful oversight, she was reassured that the plane’s heating had been activated in the cargo area to keep Mittens comfortable during her unexpected journey.Mittens ultimately made another flight back to Melbourne, where she was joyfully reunited with Ms. Neas. The pet had lost some weight, but showed no lasting harm. Ms. Neas described her relief upon seeing Mittens again: "She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time."The incident has raised questions and is still under investigation, particularly concerning how a stowed wheelchair may have blocked the baggage handler's view of Mittens's cage. Air New Zealand has publicly apologized for the distress caused and vowed to reimburse travel expenses. Unlike other airlines, Air New Zealand requires pet airlines to book the travel, meaning direct pet bookings are not available for international passengers.Reflecting on her relocation to Australia, Ms. Neas admitted that Mittens’s ordeal was not the best start for her family: "It was not a great start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn't have the family, we weren't complete." The regular flight duration between Christchurch and Melbourne is less than four hours, but this unique experience for Mittens highlights the unpredictability that can accompany air travel.Melbourne Air Travel Cats Christchurch New Zealand Australia
