A huge snowstorm brings disruption to Lincoln International Airport. As well as the chaos on the ground, a madman detonates a bomb on board an aeroplane in mid-air which leads to a frantic fight for survival among the crew and passengers.
The first of four Airport movies is way overlong, dull in plot and fails to make the most of some big stars of the day by offering them in roles which are at times uncomfortable to watch (in particular the Lancaster/Martin relationship). The only entertaining role comes from the unlikliest of sources in Helen Hayes, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
See also Airport 1975, Airport '77, and The Concorde... Airport '79.