Cat makes three flights in 24 hours after being left on plane

A cat has made three trips between New Zealand and Australia just 24 hours after being forgotten on a plane.

Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, was booked to fly from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12 – but his kennel was left in the hold of an Air New Zealand flight.

After waiting three hours for Mittens at Melbourne airport, owner Margo Neas was told by ground staff that the plane had already returned to New Zealand with her pet.

At the shelter, the heat was turned on to keep the cat comfortable, Neas said. The pet – emaciated but unharmed – was later flown back to Melbourne to be reunited with its owner.

Speaking to NBC on Wednesday, Mr Neas said he and his son were informed of the problem by staff at Melbourne Airport.

“They said: ‘Look, we’ve found your cat – but he’s actually on his way back to Christchurch…’

“And I said: ‘When did you find out the cat wasn’t taken off the plane?’ And they said: ‘We only now know.’ And I said: ‘How is this possible?’

Mrs Neas said she had been told the pilot had been informed in advance that they would light a fire in the cargo hall where the temperature could drop to 7C.

The incident is still under investigation, but reports suggest that the upright wheelchair may have prevented the porter from seeing Mittens’ cage.

Air New Zealand has apologized for the inconvenience caused, and promised to refund all travel costs.

The company does not accept direct bookings of animals from individuals for international travel, so passengers must make reservations through authorized pet carriers.

Ms Neas said she was relieved to be reunited with Mitten.

“He just ran into my arms and just got in here and just held each other tight the whole time,” he told the AP on Wednesday. “It was just a relief.”

Mr Neas, who had previously considered moving to Australia, added: “It wasn’t a good start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn’t have a family, we didn’t have a family.”

One-way flying time between Christchurch and Melbourne usually takes less than four hours.