A Maine coon cat named Mittens has become an accidental jetsetter after a mix-up led her to fly 3 trips in 24 hours between New Zealand and Australia. The 8-year-old cat was initially booked for a one-way flight from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 13, but after her cage was overlooked in a cargo hold, she made unplanned round trips instead.

Owner Margo Neas recounted the moment she was informed that Mittens was on the plane as it had returned to New Zealand after waiting for three hours at the airport. "I said, how can this happen? How can this happen? Oh my God,” Neas said, expressing her disbelief.

During her unexpected journey, the Air New Zealand pilot ensured Mittens stayed warm by activating the heating system in the cargo area where temperatures can drop significantly. The confusion was reportedly caused by a stowed wheelchair obscuring the view of the baggage handlers, which contributed to the oversight.

After the long 7.5-hour flight back to Christchurch, Mittens was unharmed but had lost some weight. To ensure a smooth reunion, a pet moving company facilitated her travel back to Melbourne later that day. "She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time," Neas described their reunion.

Air New Zealand has expressed regret over this incident and has promised to refund all costs related to Mittens' travel. “We’ll work closely with our ground handler in Melbourne to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” spokesperson Alisha Armstrong stated.

In the aftermath, Mittens has transformed into a surprisingly affectionate pet. "The cat gets as much attention as she wants right now because we’re just so absolutely and utterly relieved to have her back,” Neas said, describing how much her family missed having their feline companion during their move.

For more details about Mittens' adventure, refer to HuffPost, CBS News, or check out the coverage from BBC.