Maia has been found!!
On August 18, 2023, Paula Rodriguez was traveling with her dog, Maia, with a layover in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport where she was being transported (to the plane) on the runway, and staff had opened her kennel, and she had escaped into the middle of the runway.
Ever since Maia went missing, animal lover Robin Allgood, an Atlanta resident who works to find lost dogs has put up flyers around the airport for Maia.
More than three weeks later, on Saturday, September 9th, a FedEx employee recognized Maia from the flyers and informed Robin about the discovery. Maia was found near the airport's North Cargo facilities under a rack used to move big cargo containers around the airport. After a wildlife biologist failed to catch Maia with a net, Robin Allgood was able to grab her while scooting on her back under the rack.
Delta is currently working on reuniting Paula and Maia!
Here are full articles from The Independent and CNN Travel.
Related Resources
Need Help?
Have questions about pet air travel? Visit our FAQ page or explore our comprehensive guides.
View FAQsYou Might Also Like
2025 Airline Pet Travel Summary
In 2025, U.S. airlines reported 8 pet-related air travel incidents — down 33% from the 12 recorded the prior year. The year's incidents spanned four carriers: Alaska Airlines led with 3 incidents, including 2 deaths, followed by American Airlines with 3 incidents including the year's only reported pet loss. Delta and United Airlines each recorded 1 incident. Deaths fell sharply from 8 in 2024 to 3 in 2025, though the year closed on a somber note with the December death of Meli, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, on an Alaska Airlines flight in Seattle.
July 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
This month we have one death to report. On May 16, 2026, a French Bulldog named Guapo passed away while traveling as cargo on Alaska Airlines...
January 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
More great news! November marks the 4th month with no reported pet travel incidents.
2024 Airline Pet Travel Summary
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) documented 12 pet-related air travel incidents, comprising 4 injuries and 8 deaths, with no reported losses.
June 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Happy to report there were no pet incidents this month! Not a single loss, injury, or death of an animal during air transportation was reported...
SVAN: Flying With a Trained Service Animal in the Cabin
SVAN is the Special Service Request code airlines use when a passenger travels with a trained service animal in the cabin. Here is what the code means, who qualifies under DOT rules, and the step-by-step process: forms, timing, airport relief areas, and on-board requirements.