Brand-New JetBlue A220 Grounded After Wing Collides With Applebee’s Windows

(RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES) A brand new JetBlue Airbus A220-300 was grounded after its left wingtip struck the terminal at Richmond International Airport on September 11, 2025, shattering several windows of the Applebee’s inside the concourse during pushback for flight B6-1282 to Boston.

The collision happened at approximately 12:10 p.m., officials said, when a ground handler pushed the jet back too far and the wingtip contacted the building. No injuries were reported among passengers, crew, or airport staff, and all travelers were later re-accommodated on a replacement aircraft that left for Boston roughly five hours late.

Aircraft and immediate status

JetBlue confirmed the aircraft, registration N3257J, had entered service only four months earlier and featured the carrier’s new ‘Hops’ livery, the first design to include violet accents. The airline removed the A220 from service for inspection and repairs focused on the damaged wingtip.

As of September 12, the aircraft remains grounded pending maintenance clearance, and JetBlue has not issued a detailed public statement about the event. Richmond International Airport officials said they are cooperating with the airline and ground handling partners as part of a review of procedures.

What happened during pushback

The incident—described by travelers as a startling moment in which the JetBlue Airbus A220-300’s wing collided with Applebee’s windows—unfolded during routine pushback, one of the most controlled parts of airport operations.

While such ground strikes are not common, they are well-known risks that depend on careful coordination between the flight deck, ramp agents, and tug operators. Airport staff cordoned off the affected area inside the terminal for cleanup and glass removal. Flights from nearby gates continued, though the JetBlue departure to Boston faced the most disruption.

Passenger experience and airline response

Passengers aboard flight B6-1282 were instructed to deplane after the collision, which follows standard protocol any time an aircraft suffers a structural contact. According to airport staff:

• A replacement jet was dispatched and left about five hours later.
• Crew members worked to rebook travelers and provide new boarding passes.
• Families with young children, seniors, and travelers with tight connections faced particular stress.
• Some passengers missed meetings or hotel nights; others appreciated the steady communication from gate agents.
• JetBlue staff issued meal vouchers to some passengers during the extended wait.
• People with medical needs or mobility devices received priority assistance during deplaning and reboarding.

Immediate response and on-the-ground actions

• No injuries reported. Medical teams stood by as a precaution.
• Passengers deplaned under standard safety protocol after the collision.
• JetBlue maintenance inspected the aircraft alongside airport staff.
• Replacement aircraft launched about five hours later to complete the Richmond–Boston route.
• Damaged A220 removed from service for wingtip repairs and further checks.

Airport officials said the Applebee’s area where the windows broke was cleared quickly. Crews swept glass, sealed the space, and assessed the terminal facade. Concession operators worked with the airport to resume service once the area was safe.

Safety and policy context

The Richmond event underscores the importance of strong ramp standards and operator training. Pushback is a team sport:

• Pilots set brakes and confirm clearance.
• Tug drivers judge angles and distance.
• Wing-walkers watch for hazards.
• Ramp supervisors coordinate the operation.

Any gap can lead to property damage or worse. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains guidance on safe airport operations and ground movement. For readers who want to learn how airports and airlines reduce these risks, see the FAA’s Airport Safety resources at the FAA Airport Safety page.

Industry professionals expect Richmond International Airport and JetBlue to consider several steps in the coming weeks:

• Extra spotters or wing-walkers for certain gates when handling the A220
• Refreshed pushback briefings that emphasize gate geometry and stop points
• Temporary gate swaps if clearances are tight or if nearby construction changes the ramp area
• Close coordination with ground handling contractors on training and performance

For now, the airline has not provided a repair timeline. The A220’s composite wing and advanced systems require careful inspection after any strike, even when the damage appears limited to a winglet or tip fence. Until maintenance teams complete checks and signoffs, N3257J will remain out of service.

Wider operational context and fleet strategy

Richmond International Airport is a growing hub for regional and short-haul flights along the U.S. East Coast, and crews here manage a steady mix of narrow-body jets, regional aircraft, and business aviation. JetBlue’s A220 is newer and longer than the Embraer E190 models the airline retired earlier this week, which can change the way ground teams judge distance from terminal structures.

Ground handlers say that even a small miscalculation in angle or stop point can lead to a wingtip or tail strike, especially at gates with tight clearances or busy ramp layouts.

JetBlue’s fleet strategy places the A220 at the heart of its next phase. The carrier now operates 52 Airbus A220s and holds orders for a total of 100. With about 140 seats and better fuel burn than the E190s they replace, the A220s are designed to open new point-to-point routes and increase range on existing ones.

The airline’s broader rebranding began in June 2023, and N3257J’s fresh livery was a visible sign of that shift. The Richmond ground strike is a setback, but industry watchers do not expect long-term schedule issues beyond repair time.

Industry reaction and likely follow-up actions

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, ground mishaps like this tend to trigger immediate checks of:

• Crew training records
• Gate markings
• Pushback plans across the network

Typical follow-up measures include:

1. Quick updates in ramp briefings
2. Added spotters during tug operations at complex gates
3. New limits on which aircraft types use certain stands

At Richmond International Airport, contractors and airport managers have already started an internal review of pushback steps and operator training. The goal is simple: reduce the chance that a wing or tail contacts a building, vehicle, or another aircraft during ground movement.

Aviation safety analysts note this is not an isolated year for ramp incidents. A similar event involving another airline occurred at San Francisco International Airport on September 1, 2025. While every airport layout is different, the common thread is human factors—communication, visibility, and judgment under time pressure. When operations speed up during peak periods, the risk of a misstep rises. Add new aircraft with different dimensions, and familiar distance cues can be misleading unless teams adjust procedures.

Important: Until maintenance sign-off, affected aircraft must remain out of service to ensure structural integrity and passenger safety.

Passenger impact and public contacts

Travelers affected by the Richmond delay reported a mix of relief and frustration: relief that no one was hurt and that a replacement aircraft was found, and frustration at missed plans in Boston.

Richmond International Airport provided a public phone line for questions: (804) 226-3000. JetBlue customers can call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) for rebooking help tied to B6-1282. Airport managers stressed that their review covers both procedures and staffing so that teams on the ramp have the time, tools, and training to do the job safely.

As JetBlue continues its A220 rollout, the airline’s leadership has said the type is central to its future growth. While there’s no direct statement yet from the Chief Operating Officer about the Richmond incident, what happens next will likely focus on training, oversight, and communication with customers. In the end, that’s how a new aircraft program stays on course even when a day’s operations go sideways.