Lt. Ted Stryker
Ted is the major character of the film, a former soldier who served during the Second World War. Ted has to carry a heavy burden, knowing one of his decisions killed six of his comrades during the war. Because of this, Ted has a hard time living in the post-war world, not being able to hold a job and not knowing how to communicate properly with his wife and make her happy. When Ted’s wife decides to leave him, Ted is reluctant to accept the situation so he boards the same plane as she did in an attempt to try and convince her to go back to him. The chain of events which then took place on the planed proved to Ellen how he was still a man worth fighting for and decided to give him a second chance.
Dr. Baird
Dr. Baird is among the few passengers who did not got sick on the plane and who tried to take care of the other passengers. The doctor is the one who deducted the reason why the passengers became sick and the person who tries to convince Ted to continue flying and to not give up.
The six pilots
The six pilots appearing the beginning of the film, during the time when Ted was fighting in the war. While the pilot remain unnamed, their death is important because it is linked directly with Ted’s incapacity to leave a normal life, as he was still haunted by their memories.
The British Army Doctor
The doctor appears in the beginning of the film as well and he is the one presented as treating Ted after the end of the war. The Doctor worked in the hospital where Ted was admitted and tried to alleviate Ted’s PTSD symptoms. He is also the first one who tries to make Ted move on and not let the incident affect his life.
Frank Graham
Frank Graham is a person interested in hiring Ted. At first, he is reluctant to hire Ted because he had many jobs in the past but after hearing his story, he decides to give Ted a chance.
Ellen Stryker
Ellen is Ted’s wife, even before the beginning of the war. When the film starts, Ellen decided to leave her husband and take their son with her. Ted runs after her and they end up on the same plane together. Ellen is reluctant to listen to Ted in the beginning but after they land safely, the impression left is that the two will eventually mend their relationship.
Joe Stryker
Joey is Ellen and Ted’s son who is on the plane as well. Joey was taken by his mother when she was trying to abandon her husband and he was also among the people on the plane who got sick.
Bill Wilson
Bill was one of the pilots of the plane. He is among the people who got sick during the flight to the point where he was no longer able to fly the plane.
Janet Turner
Janet is one of the stewardesses on the plane. She is among the people who does not get sick and who insists that Ted try and fly the plane.
Tony Decker
Tony is one of the passengers on the plane and also the man with whom Janet is involved in a relationship with. He is among the people who got sick on the plane.
Walt Stewart
Walt is the copilot on the plane. He also gets sick during the flight and is no longer able to fly the plane.
