Airplane thrillers captivate viewers with their claustrophobic settings, dynamic environments, and high stakes. From Harrison Ford’s Air Force One to last year’s Idris Elba miniseries Hijack, the simple setup of a hero, a plane, and a situation has proven to be a reliable formula for gripping narratives. The inherent peril of being high in the air, coupled with the limited space and tense characters, creates a locked-room scenario with extreme consequences.