Delta and Air Canada Planes Collide on LAX Taxiway

Delta and Air Canada Aircraft Make Contact at LAX

On October 6, 2026, a Delta Airlines Airbus A350-900 and an Air Canada aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on a taxiway, not a runway. A Delta flight was preparing for departure while the Air Canada plane was being towed to its gate after arriving from Toronto.

The Delta Airbus A350-900, operating as Delta Flight 7 and bound for Tokyo Haneda, made contact with the tail of the Air Canada aircraft. Specifically, the left wingtip of the Delta plane struck the horizontal stabilizer, which is the rear tail surface, of the Air Canada jet. There were 290 people on board the Delta aircraft, including 275 customers and 15 crew members. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.

Details of the Ground Collision

The Air Canada aircraft, identified as a Boeing 777, was being towed to its gate when the collision happened. The Delta flight was taxiing under its own power, preparing for its departure. The contact point was on a taxiway, indicating the incident occurred during ground operations rather than during takeoff or landing.

Following the collision, the Air Canada aircraft was taken out of service for thorough inspection and necessary repairs. Initial visual assessments suggested damage to the Delta aircraft’s left wingtip and a noticeable gash on the Air Canada plane’s horizontal stabilizer. The full extent of the damage would be determined by maintenance crews and inspectors.

Airport Operations and Investigation

Despite the aircraft contact, airport officials stated that flights at LAX continued to operate. However, there were reports of delays and some cancellations later in the day, though it was not definitively stated that these disruptions were solely caused by the collision. Delta Airlines issued an apology for the disruption and assured that their teams were working to assess the aircraft and assist affected passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that it was investigating the ground collision. The incident is being reviewed to understand the sequence of events and contributing factors. While Delta stated its cooperation with any potential investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FAA’s investigation was the primary official inquiry mentioned. The discrepancy in the Air Canada flight number between different reports (AC785 versus Flight 875) was noted, but the core details of the event remained consistent.

Aircraft Status and Passenger Accommodations

The Air Canada aircraft was removed from service to undergo inspection and repairs. Delta’s maintenance teams also assessed their Airbus A350-900 for any damage sustained during the incident. The airline focused on accommodating passengers whose travel plans were affected by the delay, working to arrange alternative travel arrangements where necessary. The safety of passengers and crew was emphasized by Delta as their top priority.

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