The Lonely Hearts Strangler, Ryan Weaver (Ray Liotta), has been caught in New York. He was convicted and sentence to be executed in Los Angeles, but had escaped. Four U.S. Marshals must now escort him, on Christmas Eve, in a nearly empty 747 commercial flight heading to Los Angeles. During the flight, another prisoner, Stubbs (Brendan Gleeson) kills the Marshals and pilot, also freeing Weaver. Weaver ends up killing Subbs and the remaining crew members except stewardess Teri Halloran (Lauren Holly). Then he locks up the few passengers on board in the “crew quarters”. Now, Teri must take control of the situation and try to land the plane safely.