A Maine coon cat named Mittens clocked up some serious air miles this month after being left on an Air New Zealand flight and accidentally flown to Australia and back. Mittens’ owner, Margo Neas, described the events as “both distressing and unacceptable” after paying $1948 to have her feline flown to Australia.

Mittens, 8, was only supposed to take a one-way flight from Christchurch to Melbourne. She ended up being airborne for over 10 hours.

AP Photo/Rod McGuirk Mittens, aged eight, was traveling from Christchurch to Melbourne with Neas, and her son Jackson as they relocated to Australia. Air New Zealand requires international animal ...

A baggage handler didn't spot Mittens' cage when it was blocked by a wheelchair on arrival in Melbourne Mittens the cat has clocked up lots of extra air miles after mistakenly flying between New Zealand and Australia three times in 24 hours.

The Air New Zealand pilot was told of the extra passenger during the ... The pet moving company that Neas used to arrange Mittens' travel met the cat on her return to Christchurch and ensured she was back on the plane for another trip to Melbourne ...

WELLINGTON: A Maine coon cat named Mittens became an accidental jet setter this month when her cage was overlooked in a plane cargo hold and she made three trips in 24 hours between New Zealand and Australia.

Air New Zealand has welcomed its 30th ATR aircraft, an ATR 72-600, into its regional operation. The aircraft has the registration ZK-MZG.

Air New Zealand has welcomed its 30th ATR aircraft, an ATR 72-600, into its regional operation. The plane entered service on January 16 and will operate its first scheduled flight from Christchurch to Invercargill.

Air New Zealand apologised to the family for the distress caused and assured that it would reimburse the entire cost of Mittens’ travel.

From Antarctic rescues to combat zones to crocodile relocations, the fleet clocked up 155,000 hours of flight time and 100,000 landings.

For 60 years the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130H Hercules fleet has served New Zealand at home and around the world and now the mighty workhorses are about to take their final bow.

Ruth and Issac Mountfort wait for the arrival of their Canadian grandparents at Gisborne Airport. It was the first time meeting their grandparents in person for Ruth, 5, and little brother Charlie, 2.