Among the passengers on Flight 2159, a few stood out due to their proximity to the incident:

• Sarah Jennings, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, was seated in the first-class cabin. She recalled hearing a loud noise when the collision occurred but was relieved to find that no one was seriously harmed.
• Mark and Lisa Thompson, a couple on their way to New York for a vacation, were seated in the economy section. They were among the first to notice the unexpected jolt, and after the incident, Lisa expressed her gratitude that their children, who were seated nearby, were unharmed.
• David Kim, a 55-year-old businessman, was seated near the emergency exit. His quick thinking and calm demeanor helped some fellow passengers feel safer during the subsequent evacuation process.

Once the collision was identified, the flight crew immediately began following emergency procedures. United Airlines later confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. They were escorted to the terminal, where they were provided with food, water, and transportation arrangements to their destinations.

Flight 489: Passengers and Crew Details

Flight 489, with a total of 205 passengers, was a transpacific flight bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. This flight was also affected by the ground collision. Among those on board were honeymooners, families, and individuals traveling for business or leisure.

Some passengers onboard Flight 489 shared their experiences of the moment when the planes collided:

• Jessica and Kevin Matthews, a young couple from Southern California, had been eagerly anticipating their honeymoon to Hawaii. The collision rattled them, but they were grateful that they were unscathed. Jessica recounted, “It was a terrifying moment, but the flight attendants were so calm and professional. They helped keep everyone at ease.”
• Diane Fischer, an older woman traveling to Honolulu to visit her daughter, was seated in the rear cabin. She was quick to mention that although the situation was chaotic, she was grateful for the prompt and organized evacuation that followed.
• Michael Chang, a 42-year-old entrepreneur, was traveling alone for business. He was seated near the middle of the aircraft and recalled that the sudden jolt left him momentarily disoriented, but the crew acted swiftly and professionally.

United Airlines representatives confirmed that all passengers were evacuated from Flight 489 within 30 minutes. Like the passengers of Flight 2159, they were taken to the terminal and given further assistance.

Emergency Response and Evacuation

Upon arrival at the scene, emergency response teams from SFO’s fire department and the airport’s emergency services were quick to assess the situation. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, though both aircraft suffered significant damage.

The evacuation was conducted in an orderly manner, with airport staff guiding passengers to safety using emergency slides from both planes. United Airlines ground crews assisted in the evacuation, ensuring that all passengers were moved away from the damaged aircraft and brought to a safe location in the terminal.

SFO’s fire department responded swiftly to ensure that there was no risk of fire or further safety concerns. Several airport ambulances were on standby but were not needed, as there were no reports of injuries.

Aftermath: Flight Cancellations and Investigations

Following the incident, United Airlines announced the cancellation of both Flight 2159 and Flight 489. The airline worked diligently to accommodate the affected passengers by providing alternative flights and assisting them with rebooking.

The airport was briefly shut down in the immediate vicinity of the collision, but after an inspection by authorities, operations resumed. Despite the disruption, many passengers expressed gratitude for the professionalism and efficiency shown by both airport staff and airline personnel during the evacuation process.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the ground collision. Authorities will be examining the flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders from both aircraft to gain further insight into what occurred during the incident. The NTSB’s primary focus will be to determine whether human error, miscommunication, or technical failure played a role in the collision.

Statements from United Airlines and SFO Authorities

United Airlines issued a statement early Monday afternoon acknowledging the severity of the incident and thanking passengers for their patience. The airline stressed that passenger safety is its number one priority and confirmed that it would cooperate fully with the NTSB’s investigation.

“We are grateful that no one was injured in this incident. Our immediate focus is to support the passengers and crew involved and to ensure that they are rebooked on alternate flights as quickly as possible,” said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.

San Francisco International Airport officials also provided a statement, thanking the emergency responders for their quick action and reassuring the public that the airport’s safety protocols had been followed to the letter.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers at SFO, and we will work closely with United Airlines and federal authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly,” said Ivar C. S. Hegde, Chief Operations Officer at SFO.

Community Response and Passenger Reactions

In the hours following the incident, social media was flooded with posts from passengers who had been aboard both flights. Many expressed relief that no one had been injured, while others shared their concerns about the situation and their gratitude for the swift evacuation.

“I was really scared when the plane hit, but the crew were amazing. They kept us calm and got us off the plane quickly,” said one anonymous passenger from Flight 2159.

Another passenger from Flight 489 stated, “It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen, but I’m thankful that I’m okay. The United crew and SFO staff were fantastic in handling the situation.”

Conclusion

While the ground collision at San Francisco International Airport on Monday, May 5, 2025, was a frightening and rare event, the fact that no injuries occurred is a testament to the preparedness and professionalism of the emergency responders, airport staff, and flight crews involved. The NTSB’s investigation will hopefully provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident, but for now, passengers and crew can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they made it through unscathed.

Both United Airlines Flight 2159 and Flight 489 are expected to resume operations after the damage to the aircraft has been repaired, and the affected passengers are continuing with their travel arrangements. United Airlines and SFO authorities remain committed to ensuring that such an incident does not occur again in the future.