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| delta airlines | source: getty images |
A ground-level collision at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has raised concerns among travelers about how two large aircraft could intersect in such an unforeseen manner.
While taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday, a Japan Airlines aircraft struck a stationary Delta Air Lines plane. The collision resulted in the Japanese airliner’s wing becoming embedded in the tail section of the parked Delta jet.
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| a photo taken from a video showcasing the incident that occurred between delta airline and japan airline dated february 5, 2025 | source: tiktok/@dailymail |
The accident took place at approximately 10:17 a.m. on a taxi route located between the S Concourse and the airport's southern maintenance hangars. Emergency teams, including the Port of Seattle Fire Department, police, and SEA operations staff, quickly responded to the scene. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Authorities at the airport collaborated with both carriers to ensure all passengers were safely disembarked and transported to the terminal. Since the event occurred on a taxiway, it caused only minor disruptions to flight operations.
Footage capturing the moment has gone viral online, sparking reactions from passengers and social media users alike. Many expressed astonishment at the unusual ground-level collision, turning the event into a widely discussed topic.
"So, we were sitting on the tarmac at SeaTac, and another plane ran into us—just casually sliced into our tail. Very scary," one witness posted on social media. The occurrence left many in disbelief. "This is insane," one individual remarked, while another asked, "How is this possible?"
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| a fan comment dated february 6, 2025 | source: facebook/nytimes |
Another person recounted the impact, stating, "Sitting on the tarmac in #Seattle, and another plane just hit our wing. The plane shook. Loud. It was scary. Getting inspected now."
Social media platforms were flooded with comments as people weighed in on the incident. Some described it as "wild," while others demanded explanations, questioning how such an event could happen despite oversight by ground personnel and pilots.
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| a fan comment dated february 5, 2025 | source: tiktok/@dailymail |
Concerns about overcrowding at the airport also emerged. One user noted that SeaTac had been dealing with congestion for some time, suggesting potential operational challenges.
For some individuals, the event prompted reconsideration of air travel. One person admitted they wouldn’t be "flying anytime soon," while another echoed the sentiment, calling the situation "very scary."
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| a fan comment dated february 6, 2024 | source: facebook/fox13seattle |
Others were simply baffled, struggling to comprehend how such incidents continue to occur. Meanwhile, another user emphasized the need for caution, exclaiming, "Whoo, be careful already—Geeze!"
Delta confirmed that its Boeing 737 involved in the collision had 142 passengers aboard at the time. The aircraft, operating as Flight 1921, was preparing for de-icing before its planned departure to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when it was struck.
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| a delta passenger jet | source: getty images |
“There are no reports of injuries for crew or customers on the flight, and we apologize for the experience and delay in travels,” Delta stated. Meanwhile, Japan Airlines has yet to respond to requests for comment.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Japan Airlines aircraft involved was Flight 68. The plane had just completed an eight-hour journey from Tokyo. The collision happened in an area not monitored by air traffic control. In response, the FAA temporarily suspended some flights at the airport and initiated an investigation into the matter.
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| japan passenger jet | source: getty images |
This incident occurs amid growing scrutiny over aviation safety in the U.S. Just last week, a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River claimed 67 lives.
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| a view of the scene after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the potomac river, on january 30, 2025 | source: getty images |
Last Friday, January 31, a small medical aircraft carrying six people crashed near a shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia. There were no survivors, and one person on the ground also lost their life.
Concerns escalated further on Sunday when a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York had to be evacuated after flames erupted from one of its engines during the flight. The incident at SeaTac not only left passengers shaken but also disrupted flight schedules, adding to the frustration of many travelers.
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| a photo taken from a video showcasing the incident that occurred between delta airline and japan airline dated february 5, 2025 | source: tiktok/@dailymail |
FlightAware, a leader in real-time flight tracking, provided insights into the aftermath. According to their data, the collision caused widespread delays and cancellations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
As of today, there have been 15 total delays at SeaTac, impacting flights arriving and departing within the United States. Additionally, the incident led to 15 flight cancellations, including those traveling domestically and internationally.
With these delays and cancellations mounting, passengers at the airport were left scrambling to revise their travel plans, further complicating an already chaotic situation.
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