A British Airways flight traveling from Washington, D.C., to London diverted to Boston on Saturday evening after the crew reported a possible bird strike and smoke in the cabin, officials said.
British Airways Flight 216, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, had departed Dulles International Airport shortly after 5:30 p.m. and was bound for Heathrow Airport. The plane landed safely at Boston Logan International Airport around 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A spokesperson for British Airways said the flight was diverted “as a precaution following a suspected bird strike,” adding that engineers are inspecting the aircraft. A Massachusetts Port Authority spokesperson confirmed that a bird was struck and noted that the aircraft “landed without incident.” No injuries were reported, and the number of passengers aboard the flight was not immediately disclosed.
The FAA stated it will investigate the incident.
Bird strikes have been steadily rising across the United States, according to FAA data. In 2023, approximately 19,400 bird strikes were reported at 713 U.S. airports. Officials attribute the increase to a combination of factors, including larger wildlife populations, a rise in aviation traffic, and the development of quieter aircraft engines.
Further details regarding the flight and inspection results were not immediately available.
