Airport Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Airport manager has a bad day when a plane gets stuck in the snow, a bomber gets on a plane, and Dean Martin’s love life gets complicated.

🍿 Airport: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Blizzard and Airport Chaos

Lincoln International Airport near Chicago is hit by a severe blizzard, causing major disruptions. Mel Bakersfeld, the airport’s general manager, struggles to keep operations running smoothly despite the worsening conditions. A plane becomes stuck in the snow, blocking a crucial runway, and a group of local residents are protesting airport noise.

Personal Problems and Hidden Affairs

Amidst the chaos, several personal dramas unfold. Mel’s marriage is strained due to his dedication to his job, and he finds solace in a platonic relationship with Tanya Livingston, a passenger relations manager. Captain Vernon Demerest, Mel’s brother-in-law, is having an affair with a pregnant flight attendant, Gwen Meighen, while being married to Mel’s sister, Sarah.

A Stowaway and a Bomb Threat

The airport staff discovers Ada Quonsett, an elderly woman known for stowing away on flights. Meanwhile, D.O. Guerrero, a financially troubled man, boards a Rome-bound flight with a bomb hidden in his briefcase, intending to detonate it mid-air to secure his wife’s financial future through life insurance.

Crisis in the Air

After takeoff, the airport authorities learn about Guerrero’s bomb threat. Captain Demerest is informed and attempts to handle the situation discreetly. A series of events leads to Guerrero detonating the bomb in the lavatory, causing significant damage to the plane and injuring Gwen.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster): The dedicated but stressed airport manager whose commitment to his job strains his marriage and leads to a potential romance.
• Vernon Demerest (Dean Martin): The arrogant pilot is having an affair with a pregnant stewardess while dealing with the crisis on his flight.
• Joe Patroni (George Kennedy): The resourceful and gruff head of maintenance who is called in to clear the runway during a blizzard.
• D.O. Guerrero (Van Heflin): The desperate and disturbed man plans to detonate a bomb on an airliner to provide for his wife.
• Ada Quonsett (Helen Hayes): The elderly stowaway becomes an unexpected part of the crisis aboard the Rome-bound flight.
• Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset): The stewardess is having a secret affair and is pregnant with Vernon’s child, adding personal stakes to the unfolding disaster.
• Tanya Livingston (Jean Seberg): The airport’s passenger relations manager who is in love with Mel and deals with the chaos of the airport.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Schuyler Schultz: “Before, Virgo and Leo were right there, sir. Now I’m beginning to see Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia. We MUST be turning around.” – A precocious young boy notices the plane is turning around due to his knowledge of constellations.
• Capt. Vernon Demerest: “You have a young navigator here!” – Demerest jokingly compliments the boy’s navigational skills to diffuse the situation.
• Mrs. Schultz: “Captain, our son has a question.” – The mother draws attention to her son’s observation, highlighting his intelligence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $100,489,151
• Worldwide Gross: $100,489,151

💥 Airport Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Airport is cheesy and over-the-top, but I love it! There’s something so captivating about the interwoven stories and the sheer drama of it all. Burt Lancaster is great as the stressed-out airport manager, and Helen Hayes is an absolute delight as the stowaway. The scene where George Kennedy has to get that plane out of the snow is so intense, and Dean Martin’s complicated love life adds a fun layer of soap opera drama. Sure, it’s dated, but it’s a classic for a reason. Every time I watch it, I get sucked right in. Plus, it makes flying seem so much more glamorous than it actually is!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic disaster movies”
  • “Those interested in 1970s cinema”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts”
  • “People interested in the history of air travel”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Bomb threat and explosion”
  • “Implied marital infidelity”
  • “Injury and brief violence”
  • “Thematic elements of suicide”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “While undeniably melodramatic, Airport succeeds in capturing the anxieties of air travel in the 70s, elevated by strong performances from Lancaster and Kennedy. Though dated, it remains a captivating time capsule.
• Variety: “A glossy, star-studded affair that set the standard for disaster films. The interweaving storylines keep the audience engaged, and the tension is palpable. Hayes steals the show with her charming portrayal of the stowaway.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Airport, though clichéd by today’s standards, remains a well-crafted disaster film with a compelling narrative. Lancaster and Martin deliver solid performances, while Hayes shines as the unforgettable stowaway. A must-see for fans of the genre.

Audience Reactions

Helen Hayes’ portrayal of Ada Quonsett is hilarious and endearing.: Viewers loved the interwoven storylines and the all-star cast.

The tension of the emergency landing keeps you on the edge of your seat.: Most agree that the film, while dated, is a fun and engaging disaster movie.

Overall Consensus: A classic disaster film with a star-studded cast and engaging, if melodramatic, storylines.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 1971

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Burt Lancaster called ‘Airport’ the ‘biggest piece of junk ever made’, despite the film’s financial success and his 10% profit participation after it hit $50 million.”
• “George Kennedy portrayed Joe Patroni in ‘Airport’ and all three of its sequels, becoming a recurring character in the disaster movie genre.”
• “The Universal Pictures logo animation, usually at the beginning of the film, is shown at the end instead.”

🖥️ How to Watch Airport?

As a classic film, ‘Airport’ is available for purchase on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings or streaming services for availability, as it may occasionally appear on streaming platforms with rotating content libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Airport, you might like these similar films:

• The High and the Mighty (1954): An earlier example of an airplane disaster film, focusing on the crew and passengers of a troubled flight.
• The Poseidon Adventure (1972): Another all-star disaster film from the 70s, featuring a group of people trying to survive a capsized ocean liner.
• Airplane! (1980): A parody of disaster films, specifically ‘Airport’, that uses humor to highlight the genre’s tropes.

🛒 Airport Related Products

• Airport [Blu-ray]: Experience Airport in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Relive the classic disaster film with enhanced picture and sound quality, making it a must-have for collectors and fans of the genre.
• Airplane! [Blu-ray]: Enjoy the hilarious parody of Airport with Airplane! This Blu-ray features the classic comedy with improved visual and audio quality, making it a great addition to any movie collection.
• Boeing 707 Model Airplane Kit: Build your own replica of the iconic Boeing 707 featured in Airport. This detailed model kit includes all the necessary parts and instructions, perfect for aviation enthusiasts and model builders.
• Airport Movie Poster: Add a touch of vintage charm to your home decor with this high-quality Airport movie poster. Featuring the classic artwork from the film’s original release, this poster is a perfect gift for movie buffs and aviation enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

Airport features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Airport Love Theme” – performed by Alfred Newman
• “Airport Main Title” – performed by Alfred Newman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Airport security goes too far!

Ever feel like airport security is a *little* extra? This magician’s airport security sketch is hilarious and totally relatable. You won’t believe what sets off the metal detector!

Nastya is studying the rules of conduct at the airport

Going to the airport soon? This video shows all the rules and procedures to follow at the airport. It’s a fun way to prepare kids (and maybe adults!) for their first flight.

Racing strangers in the airport

Feeling bored at the airport? Watch Ryan Trahan race random strangers! It’s a short, funny clip that captures the chaotic energy of travel. Who knew airports could be so fun?

✨ Rate