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Flightplan

Flightplan is a 2005 psychological thriller film directed by Robert Schwentke and written by Peter A.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Flightplan is a 2005 psychological thriller film directed by Robert Schwentke and written by Peter A. Dowling and Billy Ray. It stars Jodie Foster as a recently widowed aircraft engineer who searches for her missing daughter aboard a flight from Berlin to the United States while others insist the child was never on the plane.

Plot

The film follows Kyle Pratt as she travels with her daughter and her husband's body after a family death. During the flight, her daughter disappears, and the crew and passengers insist the child was never aboard.

Cast

Jodie Foster plays the lead role of Kyle Pratt. The supporting cast includes Peter Sarsgaard, Sean Bean, Erika Christensen, Kate Beahan, Greta Scacchi, and Matt Bomer.

Production

Flightplan was directed by Robert Schwentke from a screenplay by Peter A. Dowling and Billy Ray. The film is a United States production associated with Touchstone Pictures.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2005 and marketed as a suspenseful psychological thriller. Available source material identifies its runtime as 93 or 98 minutes, reflecting a discrepancy between listings.

Key facts

  • Flightplan was released in 2005 and directed by Robert Schwentke.
  • Jodie Foster plays Kyle Pratt, a widowed aircraft engineer.
  • The story is set largely aboard an airliner flying from Berlin to the United States.
  • The film centers on a missing-child mystery and questions about Kyle's sanity.
  • Peter Sarsgaard, Sean Bean, Erika Christensen, and Kate Beahan appear in supporting roles.

Frequently asked questions

What is Flightplan about?
It is about a widowed mother whose daughter disappears during a transatlantic flight, while everyone around her claims the child was never on board.
Who directed Flightplan?
Robert Schwentke directed the film.
Who stars in Flightplan?
The film stars Jodie Foster, with Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean among the supporting cast.
When was Flightplan released?
It was released in 2005.
What genre is Flightplan?
It is a psychological thriller.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flightplan
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writers, cast, and plot premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408790/
    Supports: Plot synopsis, character names, and production context.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/flightplan
    Supports: Release timing, genre, runtime, cast, and plot summary.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flightplan
    Supports: Brief synopsis and genre classification.