The pilot of a Virgin America flight taking off from Denver International Airport on Monday declared an emergency after reporting a bird strike.
The aircraft, an Airbus 320, safely returned to the hub.
“As is standard operating procedure in such circumstances and out of an abundance of caution, the captain declared an emergency, but the aircraft continued to operate as normal, and the safety of the passengers and crew was never in question,” the airline said in a statement.
The plane, operating as Flight 865, was headed to San Francisco International Airport.
Virgin America says maintenance crews were inspecting the aircraft.
“We are working to find alternative travel options for affected guests to get them to their destinations as soon as possible,” according to the airline’s statement.
Heath Montgomery, an airport spokesman, said there were no injuries.
