An American Airlines flight bound for San Francisco had to divert back to an airport in Philadelphia after it struck a flock of birds during a bumpy takeoff early Wednesday morning.

The flight, AA 2035, was taking off from the Philadelphia International Airport when it struck “multiple” birds shortly after its 6:57 a.m. takeoff, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The San Francisco-bound flight was back on the tarmac at PHL by 7:30 a.m., making for a short-lived departure. 3

“The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power, where customers deplaned normally,” the American Airlines spokesperson said.

Rattled passengers were swiftly moved over to a replacement plane to get to San Francisco slightly behind schedule. They were back up in the air by

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