Japan Airlines Plane Strikes Parked Delta Jet at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
On the morning of Wednesday, February 5, 2025, a Japan Airlines aircraft collided with a stationary Delta Air Lines jet while taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The incident occurred around 10:17 a.m. between the airport’s S Concourse and the south maintenance hangars. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from either the Japan Airlines flight or the parked Delta plane.
According to SEA Airport officials, the Japan Airlines aircraft, which was arriving at the airport, appeared to strike the tail of the stationary Delta Air Lines jet while taxiing on the ramp. Passengers aboard the Japan Airlines flight reported feeling a jolt, similar to a minor car accident. One passenger, Lida Turner, described the sensation as a “fender bender,” and others shared similar reactions, initially in disbelief. Brett Powers, another passenger on the Japan Airlines flight, recalled hearing a yell just before the impact and said that passengers were calm, though surprised.
The Delta Air Lines flight involved in the collision was a Boeing 737 headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and carried 142 passengers. Despite the impact, the collision did not cause significant disruption to the airport’s overall operations, as it occurred on a taxi lane away from active runways. SEA Airport officials worked with both to ensure passengers disembarked safely. The passengers on the Japan Airportflight were deplaned about two hours later and taken to the terminal by bus.
The wing of the Japan Airlines aircraft appeared to have made contact with the tail of the Delta jet, as shown in photos shared with KOMO News by passengers and travelers at the airport. The incident caused minimal disruption, and the airport suggested that passengers should check with their airlines for updates regarding their flight status.
In a statement to KOMO News, Delta Air Lines confirmed that the incident occurred while the Delta aircraft was awaiting deicing. Delta’s spokesperson noted that the tail of the Boeing 737 made contact with the wingtip of the inbound Japan Airlines flight. Delta further clarified that there were no injuries to the crew or passengers and expressed apologies for any delays caused by the incident. The airline pledged to cooperate with aviation authorities during the investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also provided a statement regarding the incident. The FAA confirmed that the collision took place in an area not under air traffic control, and the right wing of Japan Airport Flight 68 made contact with the tail of Delta Air Lines Flight 1921. Following the collision, the FAA temporarily paused some flights to and from the airport while an investigation was initiated.
Although no major delays were reported for other flights at SEA Airport, passengers were advised to stay in touch with theis for real-time updates on their travel plans. The FAA, along with the airlines involved, is investigating the cause of the collision to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Both airlines and the FAA are working together to gather further details, but for now, airport operations have resumed with minimal interruptions. The incident has raised awareness about the importance of strict safety protocols during aircraft taxiing and the potential risks involved in busy airports like SEA.
As investigations continue, passengers and the public are reminded of the ongoing commitment of airlines and airport authorities to ensure safety and timely information during such events. SEA Airport has emphasized that while rare, such incidents are taken very seriously, and measures will be reviewed to prevent any recurrence.
