Starflight: The Plane That Couldn’t Land

Starflight’s pilot and de facto leader, Cody is decisive, courageous, and willing to take calculated risks to save the passengers. He must balance personal strain with professional duty as the crisis intensifies, steering the crew toward survival. His quick thinking and willingness to improvise—especially in coordinating with NASA—drive the mission's survival and eventual return to Earth.

Media-relations representative for Thornwell Aviation, Erica navigates corporate and media dynamics aboard the plane. Her presence adds tension to the crisis, and her relationship with Cody complicates loyalties and personal motives during the emergency.

Designer of Starflight; anxious about engines not under ground control, he becomes central to improvising a rescue plan, including leveraging the docking tunnel. He drives the technical strategy and proposes a path to save passengers as the crisis unfolds.

Satellite TV magnate who pushes for an immediate launch despite NASA’s cautions. His aggressive pursuit of success and media visibility embodies the high-stakes pressure and ethical questions surrounding corporate influence in crisis decisions.

Thornwell electrical engineer who harbors a fear of flying. He contributes technically but is caught in the danger of dangerous repairs, ultimately involving in critical moments as systems fail and attempts to stabilize Starflight.

Industrial magnate and Thornwell’s shuttle-handling patriarch who resists Josh’s plan and corporate espionage. His clashes with the younger crew highlight intergenerational and corporate power tensions amid the crisis.

A passenger connected to the Hansen family, Laurie adds a human dimension to the crisis. Her presence underscores the everyday stakes for those onboard and the impact of the disaster on ordinary passengers.

Cody’s wife, whose presence on the flight weaves personal stakes into the crisis. Her relationship with Cody and the strain of the situation contribute to the emotional texture of the emergency.

Flight engineer who tests critical systems; he is killed when a hatch malfunctions, illustrating the human cost of the crisis and the dangers faced by the crew in their fight to save as many lives as possible.