Home Australia ‘Mittens’ the cat becomes global jetsetter after being left on a plane by mistake

‘Mittens’ the cat becomes global jetsetter after being left on a plane by mistake

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Margot Neas sent her cat on a one-way flight to Australia and by the time Mittens arrived, she had already crossed the Tasman three times.

Mittens, a Maine Coon kitten, has been returned to his owners after making three trans-Tasman flights due to an airline error.

The eight-year-old cat was stored in the cargo hold of an Air New Zealand flight bound for Melbourne from Christchurch last Monday.

Owner Margo Neas said she waited expectantly for Mittens to reappear from the plane at Melbourne Airport.

However, after three hours of waiting, Mrs. Neas had not seen the fur or hair of the feline.

Ground staff then told Ms Neas that the plane was already on its way to New Zealand again, with Mittens still in the hold.

“I said, ‘How can this happen? How can this happen? “My God,” Neas told the Associated Press.

Staff managed to contact the pilot during the flight to inform him about the furry stowaway.

He turned on the heating system in the belly of the plane to help keep the cat warm.

Margot Neas sent her cat on a one-way flight to Australia and by the time Mittens arrived, she had already crossed the Tasman three times.

Neas's son carried the worn-out cat out of Melbourne airport after more than 21 hours of flying

Neas’s son carried the worn-out cat out of Melbourne airport after more than 21 hours of flying

The baggage handlers had not seen Mittens’ cage because there was a wheelchair in front of it.

“It wasn’t a great start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn’t have a family, we weren’t complete,” Ms Neas said.

But the pet removal company Neas had hired to arrange the kitten’s travels met the cat in Christchurch and returned it to the plane for a third trip over the ditch.

Neas said his cat had lost some weight but was otherwise unscathed from the back-to-back flights.

The cat arrived escorted on a VIP freight elevator through Melbourne Airport after being met at the gate by MoveMyPet staff.

Mittens, a typically aloof house pet, was beside himself to be reunited with his family.

‘She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled here and gave me the biggest hugs ever. It was a big relief,” said Mrs Neas.

Air New Zealand told Neas they would reimburse him for the costs associated with Mittens’ jetset and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Neas said Mittens is a typically aloof cat, but he wanted nothing more than some hugs after his travels.

Neas said Mittens is a typically aloof cat, but he wanted nothing more than some hugs after his travels.

Air New Zealand chief customer officer Alisha Armstrong told Kiwi Stuff the company had contacted Ms Neas.

“We apologize for the distress this experience has caused,” he said.

“We will work closely with our ground handling staff in Melbourne to ensure this does not happen again.”

Neas assured the public that Mittens would receive royal treatment after the grueling ordeal.

He said the family is relieved to have their home safe and sound.

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