The story follows the life of Ted Striker, a former fighter pilot who suffers from PTSD and alcoholism due to his traumatic experiences in the war. He now works as a taxi driver, unable to hold down a stable job due to his fear of flying. His ex-girlfriend, Elaine Dickinson, is now a flight attendant and breaks up with him before boarding a flight from Los Angeles to Chicago.
Determined to win her back, Ted abandons his taxi and purchases a ticket on the same flight as Elaine. However, Elaine remains uninterested in him, and Ted’s sadness and nostalgia cause several other passengers to commit suicide unintentionally.
The situation takes a turn for the worse when everyone on board becomes sick after eating the in-flight meal, and it is discovered that the fish served was contaminated. With the flight crew unable to function, Elaine contacts the Chicago control tower for assistance. They instruct her to activate the plane’s autopilot, an inflatable dummy named “Otto,” to fly the plane to Chicago. However, Otto cannot land the plane, leaving the passengers’ lives in danger.
Elaine and Dr. Rumack persuade Ted to take control of the plane. Steve McCroskey, the tower supervisor, contacts Ted’s former commanding officer, Rex Kramer, who is now a commercial pilot, to guide Ted through the landing procedure. Initially, Ted struggles with his wartime flashbacks and breaks down, but with the encouragement of Elaine and Dr. Rumack, he regains his confidence and takes control of the plane.
As the plane approaches Chicago, the weather worsens, and the landing becomes even more challenging. However, with Elaine as co-pilot and Rex’s guidance from the tower, Ted successfully lands the plane despite the landing gear shearing off. Fortunately, the passengers suffer only minor injuries, and rescue vehicles arrive to assist them.
Impressed by Ted’s bravery, Elaine embraces and kisses him, rekindling their relationship. The couple watches as Otto takes control of the plane, inflates a female companion, and flies off, leaving them behind.
In the end, Ted overcomes his fear of flying and saves the passengers, winning back the love of his life. The story serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of individuals facing their fears and overcoming past traumas.
