Mittens, an 8-year-old Maine coon cat, inadvertently became a globe-trotting feline this month after a mix-up in a plane’s cargo hold left her on an unexpected 24-hour adventure between New Zealand and Australia.
The saga began on January 13 when Mittens was supposed to take a one-way flight with her family from Christchurch, New Zealand, to their new home in Melbourne, Australia. However, when her owner, Margo Neas, waited at the Melbourne airport for Mittens to be unloaded, hours passed with no sign of the cat.
The shocking news soon came: the plane had returned to New Zealand—with Mittens still onboard.
‘How can this happen?’
A distraught Neas recalled her disbelief. “I said, how can this happen? How can this happen? Oh my God,” she said.
Air New Zealand staff later explained that Mittens’ cage had been obscured by a stowed wheelchair, leading baggage handlers to overlook her. During the unplanned return trip—7.5 hours each way—the pilot was alerted to Mittens’ presence and activated heating in the cargo hold to ensure her comfort.
A happy reunion
When Mittens returned to Christchurch, a pet moving company ensured she was rebooked on a one-way flight to Melbourne. Though she had lost some weight, Mittens was otherwise unharmed.
“She basically just ran into my arms and snuggled up. It was the biggest cuddle of all time,” said Neas. “It was just such a relief.”
An airline’s apology
Air New Zealand has since apologized for the distress caused and promised to reimburse all costs related to Mittens’ travel. “We’ll work closely with our ground handler in Melbourne to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said spokesperson Alisha Armstrong.
The cuddliest cat ever
Normally an independent pet, Mittens has turned unusually affectionate after her adventure. “She’s the cuddliest she’s ever been,” Neas shared. “The cat gets as much attention as she wants right now because we’re just so absolutely and utterly relieved to have her back.”
From an accidental jetsetter to a pampered queen, Mittens’ story has a purr-fectly happy ending.
