(RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA) — If you were flying out of RDU on Avelo or Southwest this week, Thursday morning’s aircraft-to-aircraft contact is the kind of headline that looks scary but should not change your travel plans. An Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-700 clipped a parked Southwest Airlines jet while being towed near Terminal 1, and Airport officials said operations were not affected.
The incident happened Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, around 8:30 a.m. local time at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The Avelo 737-700, registered N707VL, was being moved in a maintenance area off Terminal 1 when it struck a stationary Southwest aircraft.
No one was injured. In fact, no one was on board either airplane at the time.
Where travelers may feel an immediate impact is on the Avelo side. The Avelo flight tied to the aircraft was scheduled to operate to New Haven, Connecticut. That flight was canceled after the contact, with maintenance teams inspecting the jet on-site and the airline notifying affected customers.
Airport officials said normal airport activity continued, which matters for anyone connecting at RDU or departing on other carriers. This was a ground incident in a non-movement area rather than a runway closure event, and the airport did not report widespread delays tied to it.
What happened, in plain English
Both airlines and the airport described the event as a towing-related bump. These incidents typically involve a tug, towbar, or tow team guiding the aircraft at low speed. Even at low speed, a wingtip, stabilizer, or engine nacelle can be damaged enough to require inspections and repairs.
Don’t rely on a single airline’s notices. Monitor Southwest’s app and any gate changes near Terminal 1, as last‑minute shifts can occur even when overall airport operations seem normal.
Photos from the aftermath showed visible damage, and crews remained with the aircraft for assessment. As of Thursday’s reports, the damage review was still in progress.
Who is affected most
This story has a narrow “blast radius” for travelers.
- Most affected: Passengers ticketed on the canceled Avelo departure from RDU to New Haven on Jan. 1.
- Less affected: Southwest customers, since the impacted aircraft was parked and RDU said airport operations continued normally.
- Not affected: Travelers flying other Avelo routes on different aircraft, and travelers using RDU in general, unless they were booked on the specific Avelo flight that canceled.
Here’s a quick guide for what to do if your trip touches either airline.
| If you’re a traveler and… | Likely impact | What to do right now |
|---|---|---|
| You were booked on the Avelo RDU–New Haven flight | Cancellation and rebooking needed | Check Avelo’s rebooking options and refund rules in your confirmation email. Screenshot alternatives before you accept changes. |
| You have a Southwest flight out of RDU | Probably none | Keep your original airport arrival plan. Monitor your inbound aircraft in the Southwest app. |
| You’re connecting at RDU on any airline | Minimal | Keep an eye on gate changes near Terminal 1, but don’t expect systemwide delays. |
⚠️ Heads Up: If your Avelo flight was canceled, don’t click “cancel” in a panic. Ask for the option you want first, since that can affect refund eligibility.
Loyalty and points: what it means for your miles
This is one of those situations where loyalty program rules matter more than usual.
- Southwest Airlines (Rapid Rewards): If your Southwest itinerary wasn’t disrupted, you likely won’t see any loyalty impact. If a delay or aircraft swap ever causes a misconnect or cancellation, Southwest generally rebooks you, and taxes on award tickets are typically refundable back to your original form of payment.
- Avelo Airlines: Avelo is a low-fare carrier and does not run a traditional, miles-based loyalty program like the Big Four airlines. That means there’s usually less “make-good” potential in the form of bonus points. Your best play is old-fashioned: get rebooked fast, or take the refund and move to another carrier if timing matters.
For travelers chasing elite status elsewhere, a cancellation can mean lost segments or spend that would have counted toward status on a major airline. If you are status-running in early January, protect the rest of your itinerary first, then deal with refunds.
Competitive context at RDU: why this matters (and why it mostly doesn’t)
RDU has become a battleground for value-minded flyers. Avelo has been building a niche with point-to-point leisure routes, often priced to undercut legacy carriers on select days. Southwest, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable brands at RDU, with a deep domestic network and flexible change policies.
This incident is unlikely to change either airline’s position at RDU. Still, it’s a reminder of a practical truth: ultra-low-fare schedules can be less forgiving when something breaks. If there’s only one flight a day to your destination, a single aircraft issue can wreck a trip.
If you need to get to the Northeast quickly, your real competition set may include same-day options via other carriers from RDU, often with a connection. That can be a better “Plan B” than waiting multiple days for the next nonstop.
What to watch next
Investigations of ground incidents typically focus on:
- Towing procedures
- Wing walkers
- Ramp markings
- Communication between the tow team and ground control
Travelers usually won’t see details right away, but the outcome can influence training and towing rules at an airport.
For now, the practical travel takeaway is simple: RDU is operating normally, but one Avelo departure was canceled because the aircraft involved needs inspection and repair.
Reminder: RDU operations remained normal, but verify your connection times today and check gate info before heading to Terminal 1 to avoid last-minute changes if you’re continuing travel.
If you were booked on Avelo out of RDU this weekend, confirm your aircraft assignment and departure time today, not at the curb—especially if you’re flying first thing in the morning.
An Avelo Airlines jet struck a parked Southwest plane while being towed at RDU on January 1, 2026. No one was on board during the minor collision, and airport operations continued as scheduled. However, Avelo canceled its flight to New Haven for aircraft repairs. Travelers are urged to check flight statuses and rebooking options directly with the airlines involved.
