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.

The 8-year-old Maine Coon unintentionally traveled back and forth between New Zealand and Australia after being overlooked in a plane's cargo hold.

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 ...

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

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.

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

A Maine coon cat named Mittens became an accidental jetsetter 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.

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

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

“Introducing our 30th ATR into service is a milestone for Air New Zealand,” he said. “The addition of this aircraft will provide vital support for our turboprop fleet helping provide maintenance flexibility and helping maintain the reliability of our services for regional customers.”

New Zealand is making it easier to plan an extended stay by relaxing visa requirements to allow digital nomads to work from the country remotely.