A Cat Forgotten in an Airplane Hold Travels Three Times Between New Zealand and Australia in 24 Hours

The Hidden Cage Mishap

Margo waited in the freight area for nearly three hours before alerting Air New Zealand staff. Unfortunately, by the time the error was discovered, the plane had already departed back to Christchurch, with Mittens still on board. The cat’s cage had been hidden behind a wheelchair in the cargo hold, causing bag handlers to overlook it during unloading.

Upon realizing the situation, the flight’s pilot ensured the cargo hold was heated to keep the 8-year-old Maine Coon comfortable. Once back in Christchurch, a specialized animal transport company retrieved Mittens and placed her on a direct flight to Melbourne, bringing the unexpected journey to an end.

A Happy Ending

Despite the ordeal, Mittens’ story concluded happily. Margo was reunited with her pet, who had lost a little weight but was otherwise unharmed. "Normally, Mittens isn’t very cuddly, but this time she was like never before," Margo shared with the media.

Air New Zealand has since issued a formal apology and pledged to reimburse all expenses related to the incident, ensuring Mittens’ unintentional adventure doesn’t happen again.