A widely shared photo showing hundreds of birds flying near a British Airways airplane recently went viral, accompanied by an emotional and inspiring story. The story claimed that the pilot, named Jason, was deeply moved after discovering the reason behind the birds flying alongside his aircraft.

In March 2024, fact-checking site Snopes received multiple inquiries from readers about the truth behind this viral story. One of the sources being shared was an article from the website happiness-life.org, titled “The pilot’s emotional reaction when he discovered why birds were flying alongside the plane.”

The article described a touching moment that allegedly took place in mid-air and claimed that the birds had gathered for a symbolic reason. The viral image, showing a dramatic scene of a British Airways plane surrounded by birds, drew attention from people around the world. To many viewers, the image raised concerns about bird strikes, which are common aviation hazards.

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, approximately 90% of bird strikes occur close to airports, typically during takeoff or landing. While the emotional story touched the hearts of many, Snopes began an investigation to verify whether the account was true or simply a work of fiction enhanced by a compelling photo. As of now, there is no verified evidence confirming that this emotional event with pilot Jason ever occurred, and it’s likely that the story was fabricated for entertainment or inspirational purposes.