Air New Zealand engineers have arrived in Los Angeles to help repair a plane that was damaged on Tuesday.

An Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles had been stood down after the plane was clipped by another aircraft while on the tarmac.

The airline said the Boeing 777-300 was at the gate and ready for boarding when the horizontal stabiliser on its tail was clipped by another aircraft being towed causing significant damage.

A replacement part is being brought in from Dubai.

Air New Zealand said all customers from the cancelled flight have been accommodated on alternative services.

It could take several days for the plane to be repaired, the company said.