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.

Air New Zealand’s latest addition, an ATR 72-600 registered as ZK-MZG, made its first scheduled flight from Christchurch to Invercargill today. It was the 30th aircraft of its type in the airline’s fleet and is the first equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines,

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.

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 Maine coon cat named Mittens accidentally flew three times between New Zealand and Australia this month after her cage was mistakenly left in the plane’s cargo hold.

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 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.

Air New Zealand's first ATR 72-600 with Pratt & Whitney's new PW127XT engine has entered commercial operations.

“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.”