Cat's Unexpected Journey

In a remarkable case of travel misadventure, an eight-year-old Maine coon cat named Mittens inadvertently embarked on a triple-flight journey before reaching her intended destination. The feline's unexpected odyssey began when her family relocated from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Melbourne, Australia.

Mittens was scheduled for a straightforward one-way trip on January 13th. However, upon arrival in Melbourne, her owners were dismayed to discover she was nowhere to be found. It transpired that due to a baggage handler's oversight, partially attributed to an obstructing wheelchair, Mittens had been left aboard the aircraft, which subsequently returned to New Zealand.

Fortunately, the pilot was alerted mid-flight about the feline passenger and took measures to ensure her comfort. After landing back in Christchurch, Mittens was promptly rerouted to Melbourne, finally reuniting with her anxious family. Despite the ordeal, which saw her airborne for approximately 24 hours, Mittens emerged relatively unscathed, albeit with some weight loss.

Air New Zealand has since issued an apology and committed to refunding all costs associated with Mittens' travel. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in pet transportation and the importance of stringent checks in air travel logistics.