Snow, Japan Airlines incident delays more than 100 flights at Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE - A combination of winter weather and an aircraft incident caused significant flight disruptions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Wednesday, leaving travelers facing cancelations and delays.

As of 4 p.m., snow and icy conditions contributed to 193 flight delays and 28 cancelations, adding to the more than 280 delays and 100 cancelations reported on Monday.

The majority of affected flights belong to Alaska Airlines and Horizon, according to FlightAware. SEA had the highest number of canceled flights nationwide on Monday, surpassing major hubs like San Francisco International and Vancouver International Airport.

Japan Airlines, Delta aircraft incident 

What we know:

On Wednesday morning at approximately 10:17 a.m., a Japan Airlines aircraft struck the tail of a parked Delta Air Lines plane while taxiing near the S Concourse and airport maintenance hangars. No injuries were reported, and SEA officials confirmed that passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the terminal. 

What we don't know:

While the incident caused minimal operational impact, the number of incoming and outgoing flights affected is still being determined. Travelers are being advised to check with airlines for potential scheduling changes. 

Previous incidents at Sea-Tac Airport

FAA data shows there have been at least 30 runway incursions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport since Jan. 2019, including two near-miss incidents just days apart last year. 

On Sept. 10, 2024, a Boeing 737 had to abort its landing after an Airbus 321 crossed over onto the Runway 16 taxiway while the 737 was on approach. Then, on September 13, 2024, the FAA reported Air Traffic Control "did not provide runway separation" between a Boeing 777 and a Boeing 739. 

The report says the 739 aircraft "entered Runway 16L as the 777 was initiating a takeoff roll." 

In each case, the planes escaped collision. But the incursions were part of a nation-wide safety concern. 

Last year, the FAA launched an audit of runway operations at the nation’s 45 busiest airports, after multiple close calls involving passenger jets. An independent safety review in Nov. 2023 found that ATC staffing shortages posed risks to flight operations. 

Travelers advised to plan ahead

Airport officials and airlines are encouraging passengers to take proactive measures amid the ongoing weather-related disruptions:

• Sign up for flight alerts and check airline apps for real-time updates.
• Book early morning flights to reduce the risk of weather-related delays.
• Know airline policies on rebooking and compensation for cancelations.

With winter storms continuing into the week, particularly Thursday morning, SEA travelers should expect potential delays and plan accordingly to avoid travel headaches.

For the latest updates, check with your airline and visit flySEA.org.

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