Airplane! 1980

Ex-fighter pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is a troubled war veteran who now drives a taxi, burdened by his intense fear of flying and a problematic relationship with alcohol — he tends to spill drinks everywhere except his mouth. His ex-girlfriend, Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty), works as a stewardess for Trans American Airlines and decides to end their relationship right before her flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. Determined to win her back, Ted confronts his phobia, steps away from his cab, and purchases a ticket for the same flight. However, things take a turn when Elaine continues to rebuff his attempts to reconnect, leading him to grapple with feelings of sorrow and regret, which inadvertently push some fellow passengers to the brink.

As the in-flight meal is served, catastrophe strikes when many passengers become ill. It’s Dr. Rumack, portrayed by Leslie Nielsen, who identifies the cause: food poisoning from the fish. Chaos ensues as the entire flight crew, including Captain Clarence Oveur and Roger Murdock, fall victim to the same fate, leaving no one capable of piloting the aircraft. In a desperate attempt, Elaine reaches out to the Chicago control tower, where tower supervisor Steve McCroskey provides instructions to engage the airplane’s autopilot, a somewhat comical inflatable dummy named “Otto.” They realize that Ted is their last hope, however, he is still haunted by his traumatic past, making him doubt his ability to land the plane.

Upon hearing the name Striker broadcasted on the radio, McCroskey calls in Captain Rex Kramer (Robert Stack), Ted’s former commanding officer who is now a commercial pilot, to guide Ted through the emergency landing. As they approach Chicago, Ted forgets to check the oil temperature, causing one of the engines to fail amidst a severe thunderstorm that hampers visibility. Yet, thanks to Kramer’s continuous encouragement, Ted manages to conquer his fears, executing a successful landing despite the landing gear being compromised, inflicting only minor injuries on some passengers. Finally, Elaine, impressed by Ted’s bravery, embraces and kisses him, reigniting their romance while Otto takes over the abandoned aircraft, whimsically inflating a female companion.