Aegean Airlines' Cat-astrophe; Loses Cats in Transit
Aegean Airlines faces scrutiny after two separate incidents of lost cats in just two years. From a newlywed couple’s missing kittens to a partially blind rescue cat, these cases highlight the urgent need for airlines to treat pets as family, not cargo.
You must have heard about airlines losing travelers' baggage all the time. But have you ever heard of airlines misplacing cats? I have not.
On the Aegean Airlines Flight from Cretin to Paris, three kittens went missing. These kittens were a part of five kittens which were rescued by a newlywed couple: Adam and Bethany Mulcahy-Stephenson. According to the airline policy, only two pets are allowed in the cabin, the remaining three kittens were placed in the baggage hold.
Upon arrival, the couple received a frantic message that the kittens had been “lost.” It was later revealed the kittens were left in the hold and the flight returned to Thessaloniki instead of unloading them in Paris. Only after significant delay and stress were the kittens located and flown back, this time in-cabin with a dedicated handler. Upon reunion, they showed signs of trauma and required emergency veterinary care.
The couple criticized Aegean for not providing a clear explanation or apology. The airline, for its part, denied that the kittens were ever truly lost, stating the delay was due to operational issues and that a “coordinated response” ensured their care until reunion.
Speaking to The Guardian, Mulcahy-Stephenson said, "I was shining the torch in there to count them all 10 times. I was so relieved to see them and have them in the car, safe. When they arrived, they were absolutely traumatized, they wouldn’t eat, we had them in the emergency vet".
NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED
If I had a penny for each time Aegean Airlines misplaced a kitten, I would have two pennies which is not much but strange it happened twice.
In March 2024, a one-year-old cat named Rodri, who was partially blind, vanished while being transported on an Aegean Airlines flight from Chania (Crete) to Munich via Athens. Despite being rescued and securely packed with two other cats, Rodri’s carrier arrived broken at Athens airport, and the kitten was nowhere to be found.
The cat belonged to Alyssa Kopp and her mother Mary Gomes Kopp who were travelling with three stray kittens. Upon reaching Athens, an airport employee approached them and showed them that one of the boxes was broken.
Aegean responded, stating they coordinated with airport authorities, launched extensive search efforts, and remained committed to locating Rodri. The airline also denied rumors of offering a €100 compensation, clarifying that such claims originated from a fake social media account.
AEGEAN'S PET POLICY
Aegean’s official policy allows:
- One pet (cat or dog) in cabin if under 8 kg including the container; more must travel in the hold.
- Animals in the hold must adhere to strict container dimensions, age, vaccination, and procedural requirements.
- Booking in advance and completing a “Live Animal Acceptance Checklist” is mandatory.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the heart of these stories are not just airline procedures or operational failures, but living beings: fragile animals and the people who love them. For pet owners, handing over their furry companions to an airline requires immense trust. When that trust is broken, the impact goes far beyond inconvenience; it’s about fear, heartbreak, and the well-being of creatures who cannot speak for themselves.
Aegean Airlines, and the aviation industry as a whole, have an opportunity here: to treat animals as more than “cargo” and to acknowledge the emotional bond passengers share with them. Ensuring their safety isn’t just about good policy, it’s about compassion, accountability, and respect for life.
Because in the end, a lost pet is not just lost luggage, it’s family.
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