United 93 (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

After receiving phone calls from their loved ones, the passengers learned about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Realizing their plane had also been hijacked and that they faced certain death if they did not act, they collectively decided to fight back. They understood that unlike the other flights, they had been given a chance to respond, and chose to storm the cockpit to regain control of the aircraft.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, the hijackers are seen preparing for their attack, foreshadowing the confrontation that would later occur.

• passengers
• cockpit
• storm
• counterattack
• heroism

The hijackers allowed passengers to use the GTE Airfone system to make phone calls to their loved ones. During these calls, passengers received news about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which revealed the true nature and scope of the hijacking. This information galvanized them to take action.

Foreshadowing: News of the attacks reaches the flight through the phone calls, directly connecting the passengers to the broader events unfolding.

• phone calls
• grounded
• airfone
• news
• wtc

Flight 93 encountered heavy rush hour traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport, causing a brief delay before it could take off. This delay was significant because it meant Flight 93 was running behind schedule compared to the other three hijacked planes, which all successfully completed their takeoffs without incident.

Foreshadowing: The delay sets Flight 93 apart from the other flights and contributes to the unique circumstances that allowed passengers to mount their counterattack.

• delay
• traffic
• newark
• airport
• takeoff

After learning about the attacks, passengers made one final set of phone calls to say goodbye to their families. They then improvised weapons using items available on the plane, including cutlery, wine bottles, and fire extinguishers. They also learned that one passenger had some flight experience, even if limited to non-commercial flights, and placed their hope in his knowledge to execute the counterattack.

Foreshadowing: The earlier scene showing passengers boarding the flight appears routine, making the later preparation for battle even more impactful.

• weapons
• improvised
• preparation
• flight experience
• counterattack

The hijackers deliberately allowed passengers to use the on-board GTE Airfone system. This decision proved catastrophic for them, as the phone calls enabled passengers to learn about the scope of the terrorist attacks and coordinate their revolt. The hijackers likely wanted passengers to remain calm and not suspect their fate, but this choice ultimately enabled the passengers to mount their heroic counterattack.

Foreshadowing: The hijackers' decision to allow phone calls directly leads to the passengers' decision to fight back.

• hijackers
• phone calls
• airfone
• mistake
• revolt

Despite the passengers' brave efforts to overpower the hijackers and gain control of the aircraft, the struggle occurred as the plane was in a critical state. Ziad Jarrah, the pilot hijacker, attempted to stabilize the aircraft but ultimately lost control during the violent struggle in the cockpit. The plane entered a nosedive and crashed into an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Foreshadowing: The intense battle in the cockpit shows the desperate struggle for control that leads to the crash.

• crash
• pennsylvania
• nosedive
• control
• lost

One hijacker constructed a fake bomb using clay and plastic. This prop was used to intimidate passengers and crew into complying with the hijackers' demands. When passengers launched their counterattack, they overcame this hijacker and discovered the bomb was not real, which likely emboldened their efforts to retake the plane.

Foreshadowing: The fake bomb is shown being assembled early in the hijacking sequence.

• fake bomb
• clay
• plastic
• intimidation
• prop

Ziad Jarrah was the pilot among the hijackers aboard Flight 93. He was responsible for flying the aircraft and was at the controls during the passenger revolt. During the struggle in the cockpit, Jarrah attempted to destabilize the attackers by maneuvering the plane violently, but ultimately lost control as passengers overwhelmed the cockpit.

Foreshadowing: Jarrah is seen praying with the other hijackers before the mission, establishing his commitment to the attack.

• ziad jarrah
• pilot
• hijacker
• controls
• cockpit

During the hijacking, the terrorists placed a photograph of the U.S. Capitol onto the flight yoke mount clip. This indicated their intended target: the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Unlike the planes that struck the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Flight 93's target was the seat of American government, demonstrating the broader scale of the terrorist objectives.

Foreshadowing: The photo is strategically placed, revealing the hijackers' ultimate destination.

• capitol
• photo
• target
• washington
• flight yoke

Ben Sliney was an air traffic controller at the FAA Command Center who played a crucial role in the government's response. After witnessing the crashes of multiple hijacked planes and coordinating with the U.S. Air Force, Sliney made the critical decision to order the grounding of all flights across U.S. airspace. This was unprecedented and helped prevent further attacks.

Foreshadowing: Sliney appears early in the film as the situation unfolds, establishing his authority.

• ben sliney
• faa
• grounding
• airspace
• order