Two Alaska Airlines jets collided during pushback at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, marking the latest in a series of ground mishaps affecting major US hubs such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. While no injuries occurred, the incident highlights a growing pattern of wingtip collisions and towing errors involving major carriers like United, American, Delta, and Japan Airlines. Aviation authorities have launched investigations into these increasingly frequent events, raising concerns over ground-handling procedures and airport congestion as summer travel ramps up.

A routine pushback operation turned into another alarming incident for the aviation industry as two Alaska Airlines jets clipped wings at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The collision is the latest in a string of ground mishaps that have recently affected major U.S. airports, including San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. While no injuries were reported, the frequency of these incidents is raising renewed concern over ground safety protocols, especially during peak operational hours.

Alaska Airlines Collision: Details of the Seattle Incident

Two Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft—one a 737-800 and the other a 737-900—were involved in a minor wingtip collision while being pushed back from adjacent gates by ground-service tugs. The incident occurred shortly after noon, a busy departure window at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The two flights were scheduled to depart for destinations in California: one to Orange County (SNA) and the other to Sacramento (SMF). The contact occurred during simultaneous pushbacks when the wings of the two jets made contact.

Although the wingtip collision caused no injuries, Alaska Airlines followed standard safety procedures by returning both aircraft to the gate. All passengers were safely deplaned and rebooked on alternate flights. According to the Port of Seattle, the incident caused no significant operational delays, though the aircraft involved were taken out of service for inspection and repair.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the root cause and whether ground crew coordination or procedural errors contributed to the mishap.

A Growing Pattern: Ground Collisions at Major Airports

The Alaska Airlines incident is part of a concerning pattern that has seen an uptick in ground collisions involving major carriers at some of the busiest airports in the United States.

San Francisco International Airport – May 6, 2025

On May 6, two United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft collided during pushback operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). United Flight UA863, bound for Sydney, struck the wing of United Flight UA877, scheduled to depart for Hong Kong. The contact occurred near Terminal 2 at approximately 12:35 AM.

Both flights were canceled after sustaining visible wingtip damage. A total of 522 passengers and 32 crew members were safely deplaned and rebooked. The FAA noted that the area where the incident occurred lacked direct communication between air traffic control and the flight crews, relying solely on ground personnel.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – February 5, 2025

In a separate earlier incident at Seattle-Tacoma International, a Japan Airlines Boeing 787-9 arriving from Tokyo collided with a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 that was preparing for departure to Puerto Vallarta. The Japan Airlines aircraft struck the Delta jet while taxiing, leading to flight delays and additional inspections, though no injuries occurred.

LaGuardia Airport, New York – January 10, 2025

Two American Airlines Boeing 737s made contact at New York’s LaGuardia Airport during a towing operation. One aircraft struck the wing of a parked plane during repositioning, resulting in visible damage but no injuries. The FAA opened an inquiry into the incident.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport – January 8, 2025

Just two days prior, on January 8, another American Airlines Boeing 737-800 clipped the tail of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 during taxi operations at Chicago O’Hare. The aircraft were moving through congested apron space when the incident occurred. Both flights were delayed as the aircraft underwent evaluations.

Safety Protocols Under Review

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have flagged these recurring incidents as indicators of operational stress, particularly in ground-handling departments at busy U.S. airports. Most of the recent incidents occurred during pushbacks, towing, or taxi operations—phases where precision, timing, and clear communication are critical.

In several of the incidents, such as the collisions in San Francisco and Chicago, the areas involved were under the control of ground crews rather than air traffic control, which places heightened responsibility on ramp agents, tug drivers, and airline operations staff.

Experts have cited increased flight frequencies, seasonal peak traffic, and potential understaffing in ground operations as contributing risk factors. In the case of the Alaska Airlines collision, a full investigation will determine if proximity at adjacent gates or miscommunication between tug crews led to the contact.

Operational Impacts and Passenger Response

Despite the series of collisions, no injuries have been reported across any of the incidents so far. Passengers affected by each event were safely disembarked and rebooked. Airlines involved have emphasized that these collisions have not compromised airworthiness or flight safety, as impacted aircraft were promptly removed from service for inspection.

In the Alaska Airlines event at SEA, passengers bound for California experienced only minor delays due to swift ground response and flight reassignments.

However, travel disruptions—even minor—can impact passenger confidence and disrupt airline schedules across the network, especially during high-traffic travel weekends and holiday periods.

Industry Reaction and Next Steps

The string of recent incidents has prompted calls for enhanced ground crew training, stricter oversight of tug and tow procedures, and increased use of technology such as collision-avoidance sensors and advanced ramp surveillance systems.

Some airports, including San Francisco and Chicago O’Hare, have already announced reviews of their gate management and pushback coordination processes. Airlines, too, are reassessing internal protocols for communication during aircraft ground movements.

The FAA is expected to issue guidance in the coming weeks to improve coordination between ground teams and flight crews during tug and pushback operations—especially in apron zones not directly controlled by air traffic.

Two Alaska Airlines jets collided at Seattle Airport during pushback, reflecting a broader surge in ground mishaps across major U.S. hubs like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. The rise in such incidents is prompting renewed scrutiny of ground-handling safety amid increasing airport traffic.

The minor collision involving Alaska Airlines jets at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a stark reminder of growing concerns around ramp safety at major U.S. airports. While no lives have been endangered, the pattern of recent mishaps involving United, American, Delta, and Japan Airlines at airports such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Seattle calls for systemic safety enhancements in ground operations.

With summer travel approaching peak season, aviation regulators and airline operators face increasing pressure to ensure that what happens on the ground does not jeopardize what happens in the air.

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