The film begins by introducing passengers and crew members boarding a flight from Newark to San Francisco on the morning of September 11, 2001. What starts as a routine day quickly becomes extraordinary, as four hijackers seize control of the aircraft. Concurrently, air traffic controllers, military personnel, and government officials across the United States begin to grapple with the magnitude of the unfolding terrorist attacks. The movie meticulously details the confusion, shock, and ultimate realization of the coordinated nature of the events as multiple hijacked planes crash into prominent targets.

Onboard the flight, the passengers and crew piece together what is happening through phone calls to their loved ones and news reports. Realizing that their plane is part of a larger, more devastating plan, they decide to take action. The story builds a compelling narrative around their bravery and desperation as they formulate a plan to thwart the hijackers, gripping audiences with a sense of urgency and tension. The film portrays a real-time, minute-by-minute account of their courageous efforts, leaving viewers to ponder the harrowing choices made during those final moments.