An Air New Zealand flight has been grounded in Los Angeles, after the tail of the plane was clipped by another aircraft.

The Boeing 777 was ready for boarding at LAX, when a plane was towed too close to it and damaged the tail wing at the aircraft's rear.

The airline has cancelled the flight, which was due to take 285 people to Auckland.

Some people will be getting on spare seats in other planes, while some will be overnighting in LA.

Air New Zealand says it has a replacement part, but it's likely to be several days before the repair is done.