Pilots Reveal What Really Happens When a Bird Hits a Plane

Airplane pilots are trained to handle all kinds of challenges while in the air, and bird strikes, they say, are one of the most common. You may have heard about how a simple collision with a bird can turn a routine takeoff or landing into an emergency situation–remember when Sully Sullenberger was forced to land in the freezing Hudson River after a bird strike? But we’ve gathered pilots from across the airline industry with all levels of experience to reveal what you won’t hear on the news or over the PA if this happens during your flight, and it may surprise you. From the key steps in their training to what pilots actually feel in these situations, learn how pilots attempt to avoid strikes before they happen, what happens in the cockpit when they do, and what it means for you as a passenger. Subscribe to Travel + Leisure on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelandleisure?sub_confirmation=1 CONNECT Website: https://www.travelandleisure.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/travelandleisure Instagram: instagram.com/travelandleisure TikTok: tiktok.com/@travelandleisuremag T+L is the preeminent voice for the sophisticated, insatiable traveler, serving up expert intelligence and the most immersive, inspiring travel lifestyle content anywhere. We capture the pure joy of discovering the pleasures the world has to offer—from art and design to shopping and style to food and wine. Whether the experience is in print or digital, T+L offers compelling reasons to get up and go. https://www.youtube.com/@travelandleisure