Mittens The Cat: Drama at 40,000 feet. A cat endured three flights between New Zealand and Australia within 24 hours after being accidentally left on a plane. It’s an unbelievable tail…Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, was supposed to travel from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12, but her cage was mistakenly left in the cargo hold of an Air New Zealand plane.
Kitten Mittens Cat Travel Drama
After waiting three hours at Melbourne Airport, her owner, Margo Neas, was informed by ground staff that the plane had already returned to New Zealand…with Mittens still onboard. The perils of international pet shipping.
To ensure Mittens’ comfort during the flight, the heating in the cargo hold was turned on, Ms. Neas explained. Though Mittens lost some weight, she was otherwise unharmed and was flown back to Melbourne to reunite with her owner.
Speaking to NBC, Ms. Neas recounted being told about the mix-up: “They said, ‘We’ve located your cat…it’s on the return flight to Christchurch.’” She questioned why Mittens wasn’t removed earlier and was told the oversight was only just discovered.
The airline informed the pilot to turn on heating in the cargo hold, where temperatures can drop to 7°C. Reports suggest Mittens’ cage may have been obscured by a stowed wheelchair, leading to the error. A flight nanny could have helped poor Mittens!
Air New Zealand has apologized for the incident, promised to reimburse travel costs, and is investigating the mistake. The airline clarified that international pet bookings must be made through approved carriers rather than directly with the company.
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Relief for Ms. Neas and Kitten Mittens
Relieved to be reunited with Mittens, Ms. Neas described the emotional moment: “She ran into my arms and snuggled up, giving the biggest cuddles ever. It was such a relief.”
Having recently relocated to Melbourne, Ms. Neas reflected on the ordeal: “It wasn’t a great start to our new life because the family didn’t feel complete without her.”
The typical one-way flight between Christchurch and Melbourne takes under four hours.
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PetWorks Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.
