A Boston-bound Delta Airlines flight had a brief, but frightening, setback Saturday night when it had to make an emergency landing due to a bird strike.
The plane, flight 1399, was leaving Miami International Airport when it struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, per reports. Since the creatures appeared to hit one of the plane’s engines, the flight immediately returned to Miami.
“Delta flight 1399 from Miami International Airport to Boston Logan International safely returned to Miami shortly after takeoff following a reported bird strike to one of the aircraft’s two engines,” Delta said in a statement, via WSVN. “The flight will continue on shortly, as planned. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
The flight did resume its planned route, arriving at Logan International Airport in Boston two hours behind schedule, according to USA TODAY.
Bird strikes have become an increasing concern
The Federal Aviation Administration has reported an uptick in collisions between planes and birds over the last few years. In 2024, there were 22,372 bird strikes, up from 19,628 in 2023, a 14% increase.
“According to an FAA database that tracks such incidents, more than 8,000 wildlife strikes have impacted flights since the start of 2025,” writes CBS.
It’s not just in America either
Last month, there was a scary bird strike involving a flight headed to Paris from Madrid.
The strike resulted in the cabin being filled with smoke and the plane having to make an emergency landing.
“We thought that it was the turbulence that the captain was talking about, but then we started hearing a noise… and we were like, okay, something’s going on,” said passenger Giancarlo Sandoval to ABC.
