- Southwest Flight 1379 made a safe diversion after a bird strike near DCA shortly after takeoff.
- The Boeing seven thirty-seven MAX eight landed at Baltimore/Washington International around three fifteen p.m. to three twenty-four p.m.
- No injuries were reported, and passengers were moved to another aircraft to Houston.
Southwest Airlines Flight 1379 diverted to Baltimore on Tuesday after the aircraft struck birds shortly after departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 had been heading to Houston Hobby.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2026. The flight left DCA around 1:54 p.m. and landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport around 3:15 p.m.
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No injuries were reported. The aircraft landed safely after the crew followed established procedures.
The plane arrived between 3:15 p.m. and 3:24 p.m., according to the reported timeline. It was carrying passengers bound for William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.
Southwest said the passengers would continue their journey on another aircraft.
“The pilots followed procedures and the flight landed uneventfully. Customers will be accommodated to Houston on a separate aircraft. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees”
A spokesman for the airport also described the arrival as safe.
The spokesman said “the aircraft landed safely and without incident.” Passengers transferred to another aircraft for the continuation to Houston.
The diversion changed the flight's route but not its Houston destination
Flight 1379 followed a short alternate route after leaving Washington. Its original destination remained unchanged.
| Flight detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight | Southwest Flight 1379 |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737 MAX 8 |
| Planned departure | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, around 1:54 p.m. |
| Planned destination | William P. Hobby Airport, Houston |
| Diversion airport | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
| Arrival at diversion airport | Around 3:15 p.m. to 3:24 p.m. |
The diversion also briefly affected operations at the airport, including a short ground stop.
The FAA will examine what happened after departure
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the bird strike. The review follows the aircraft's departure from DCA and its subsequent landing in Baltimore.
The agency's investigation comes after the pilots diverted the plane and landed without reported injuries. The airline then arranged a replacement aircraft for the Houston-bound passengers.
The plane's final destination was not changed. Passengers were set to continue to Houston on the separate aircraft arranged by the airline.
