On a foggy Monday night at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), two United Airlines planes clip wings, sparking chaos for travelers and grounding two Boeing 777 jets. The incident, which unfolded as the planes maneuvered away from their gates, halted operations, canceled flights, and left passengers stranded but unharmed. This latest mishap adds to United’s turbulent 2025, raising questions about ground operations and safety protocols at one of America’s busiest airports. Let’s dive into the details, explore the fallout, and unpack what this means for flyers and the airline industry.
What Happened When United Airlines Planes Clip Wings?
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. on May 5, 2025, as United Airlines Flight 863 and Flight 877, both Boeing 777s, were pushing back from their gates. Flight 863, bound for Sydney, and Flight 877, headed to Tokyo, were preparing for trans-Pacific journeys when their wingtips grazed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the right wingtip of Flight 863 struck the left wingtip of Flight 877. No injuries were reported, and passengers deplaned normally, but both flights were canceled, disrupting hundreds of travel plans.
Ground crew miscommunication likely played a role. An advisory overheard moments before the incident—“Make sure the other plane is watching you”—hinted at the error that followed. The sheer size of Boeing 777s, with wingspans exceeding 200 feet, leaves little room for mistakes in tight gate areas. United issued a statement acknowledging the contact and launched an internal investigation alongside the FAA to pinpoint the cause.
The Fallout: Delays, Cancellations, and Passenger Frustration
The incident’s immediate impact was felt by passengers, many of whom faced rebooking nightmares. Social media buzzed with frustration as travelers shared stories of missed connections and scrambled plans. One X post described a passenger waiting six hours for a new flight, only to be rerouted through Los Angeles. United offered travel waivers and accommodations, but the disruption underscored the ripple effect of ground mishaps.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the consequences:
- Flight Cancellations: Both trans-Pacific flights were grounded for inspections.
- Passenger Impact: Hundreds faced delays or rebooking, with some stranded overnight.
- Operational Halt: The gate area was temporarily closed, affecting nearby flights.
- Investigations: The FAA and United are probing ground crew procedures.
The financial toll is also significant. Repairs to Boeing 777 wingtips, coupled with rerouting costs, could run into millions. Environmental groups highlighted the carbon footprint of such incidents, noting the fuel burn from idled planes and rerouted flights. This clash comes at a time when United is already scaling back operations at SFO due to economic concerns, as reported by SFGate on April 19, 2025.
Why Do United Airlines Planes Clip Wings at Busy Airports?
Incidents like this aren’t entirely rare. Large aircraft operating in congested gate areas face tight margins. SFO, a hub for United, handles over 50 million passengers annually, with narrow taxiways and packed gates. The Boeing 777’s massive wingspan amplifies the risk during pushback, where ground crews rely on precision and coordination. Monday’s foggy conditions may have compounded visibility challenges, though United hasn’t confirmed this.
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Industry experts point to systemic issues. “Airports need better ground surveillance tech,” said aviation analyst Sarah Coleman in a recent interview with CBS News. Automated tugs and sensors could reduce human error, but adoption lags due to costs. The incident may push SFO to fast-track such upgrades. Meanwhile, United’s safety record is under scrutiny. Recent turbulence injuries on a San Francisco-Singapore flight and a diverted Hawaii-Denver flight in April 2025 have kept the airline in the headlines.
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Changes
This wingtip scrape is a wake-up call for United and SFO. The airline’s dominance at the airport—operating more flights than any other carrier—demands flawless ground operations. Passengers, already wary of delays and safety concerns, expect accountability. United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, has been vocal about fixing systemic issues, as seen in his comments on Newark’s air traffic control woes in May 2025. A similar push for ground operation reforms could follow.
For travelers, the incident highlights the unpredictability of air travel. Booking flexibility, like refundable tickets or travel insurance, can soften the blow of disruptions. Airports and airlines must also invest in technology to prevent future collisions. As Coleman noted, “One clipped wing is one too many when trust is on the line.”
A Broader Perspective: United’s 2025 Challenges
United’s year has been a mixed bag. Strong first-quarter earnings, reported on April 19, 2025, were overshadowed by plans to cut SFO flights amid economic fears. A lawsuit alleging antisemitic discrimination on a Newark flight, filed on May 6, 2025, added to the airline’s woes. Yet, United is also innovating, investing in JetZero’s fuel-efficient blended wing aircraft, as announced on April 24, 2025. Balancing growth with operational reliability remains the airline’s tightrope.
The SFO incident, while minor in terms of injuries, looms large in the court of public opinion. Passengers want assurance that their flights will depart safely and on time. For now, United is working to rebuild trust, one careful pushback at a time. As the FAA investigation unfolds, the industry watches closely. Will this be a catalyst for change, or just another bump in United’s turbulent 2025?
So, next time you’re at SFO, spare a thought for the ground crews navigating those massive jets. A moment’s lapse can ground dreams—and planes. Stay tuned for updates as United and the FAA dig deeper into why these wings clipped and how they’ll prevent it from happening again.