In brief
Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, found herself on an extraordinary journey after being forgotten in her cage on an Air New Zealand flight. Scheduled to travel from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12, she was inadvertently left behind in the aircraft's cargo hold. After her owner, Margo Neas, waited for three hours at Melbourne airport, ground staff informed her that Mittens was on a return flight to New Zealand. During the journey, provisions were made to ensure Mittens' comfort with heating in the cargo space, and despite losing weight during her ordeal, she was in good condition upon her reunion with Margo. The incident, attributed to a possible obstruction involving a stowed wheelchair, is currently being investigated. Air New Zealand has apologized and promised to cover travel costs, while Mittens' reunion with Margo was a heartwarming moment amidst the travel chaos.
