Mittens' cat becomes a frequent flier after being evasive in the cargo hold - National

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A Maine Coon named Mittens happened by chance frequent flyer The cat traveled between Australia and New Zealand three times in one day after the cat’s cage went missing in the cargo hold of the plane.

Eight-year-old Mittens was placed in the cargo hold of the plane on January 13 as his family flew overhead from Christchurch, New Zealand, to their new home in Melbourne, Australia.

Owner Margo Neas told The Associated Press that when they landed on Aussie soil, she waited three hours her cat was unloaded from the flight’s cargo area, but Mittens was never seen.

In this photo provided by Margo Neas, her cat Mittens plays with a Donald Trump toy on January 7, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.

Margo Neas via AP

The ground crew finally showed up and delivered some sad news – the Mittens were on their way back to their country of origin, still in the cargo hold, making another 7.5 hour journey.

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“I said, how can this be? How can this happen? Oh my God,” Neas told The New Zealand Herald, recounting what he had been told Mittens’ box was covered by a packed wheelchairmeans Air New Zealand the baggage handlers missed seeing him.

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When Mittens returned to New Zealand, Neas, the pet transport company she used to book the original trip, helped get the cat on the flight back to Melbourne. The pilot was alerted to the presence of the now-reactive cat, and the hold heat was turned on to keep Mittens comfortable on his third flight in 24 hours.

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“He’s mostly just ran into my arms and I just leaned over here and gave the biggest hug of all time,” Neas told The Associated Press about the cat’s return.

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“It was such a relief,” she said.

In this photo provided by Margo Neas, her son Jackson Brow holds Mittens in a cat carrier at Melbourne Airport on January 14, 2025.

Margo Neas via AP

Air New Zealand paid all of Neas’ Mittens’ travel expenses and apologized to him.

“He acknowledged my concern and noted that if it was his family pet, he would feel the same wayNeas told the New Zealand Herald.

“While they employ third parties to handle the handling of cargo, ultimately Air NZ is responsible and must give equal care and priority to all passengers, human or furry.”