For each day, there have been an average of 44,000+ flights, bringing 2.77 million passengers across the globe. So, taking flights has been a reliable mode of transportation. Thus, many airlines compete for providing the best quality service, affordability and support.

In the realm of movies, there have been many depictions of airplane travel that would either poke fun of that trope or just straightly illustrate the pleasures of airline service. So, this list will cover those movies that portrayed airlines that provide good services, from the flight crew to the travel amenities, and those that merit a zero-star rating.

Best: Home Alone (1990)

While Kevin is home alone back in Chicago, the McCallisters are briefly reaping the benefits of their flight to Paris. There are no glimpses of the kids enjoying the in-flight service of American Airlines. Though, there are glimpses of the adults tasting the best service of their commercial flight.

That moment is caught with Uncle Frank “taking home” silverware from their in-flight meal and the mention by Peter of the kids receiving the same benefits. One can make the argument of airline food being bad, but this makes it heavenly.

Worst: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

But the streak of American Airlines does not continue on Lost in New York. It should occur to the airline service that they take extra precaution after Kevin was left home alone. So, it is ridiculous that they take a miss on this instance.

But the biggest blow for AA to do is allow Kevin to gain access to the New York flight. One would think that American Airlines would double-check on their passengers. But nope. They just let him fly without an appropriate boarding pass. Well, it is pre-2001.

Best: Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

United Airlines are the front-and-center of the 23rd movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The commercial airlines always feature the iconic web-slinger in their advertisements and promotions, as do their safety videos (which are funny in their own right). So, the depiction of United in the movie is clearly a ten-minute feature ad for the airline.

Talk about the friendly crew, the travel amenities and the in-flight MCU-themed fictional movies. It looks like a cozy flight. One can look at this and overlook United Airlines’ faulty track record. (Oh wait…)

Worst: View from the Top (2003)

After Shakespeare in Love, Gwyneth Paltrow goes through her post-Oscar career in chick flicks with this forgotten romantic comedy about a small-town girl who wants to be a flight attendant. While it is nice to see a behind-the-scenes look on commercial flights, View from the Top does not make the flight easier.

Worse is the depiction of the airline company Royalty Airlines. Training to be a flight attendant is the tightest since there are many protocols to remember. Here, it is done in the most airheaded and clueless way possible.

Best: Airplane! (1980)

Surely, a comedy about a troubling flight that pokes fun of disaster movies about troubling flights would not seriously feature a great airline service. But this is serious. (Insert Shirley joke.)

But even with the case of food poisoning, the airline service in Airplane! is really good. When the airline pilot passed out from the food poisoning, they had a backup autopilot named “Otto”, who is actually sentient. And even with a rough landing, there are no casualties with the flight mishap. So, Trans American Airline gets away, for now.

Worst: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)

For the ideal travel to the dream summer destination, do not take the Gremlin Air, featured in Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. In one hysterical sequence, Gremlin Air is intentionally a nightmarish flight to take. With inattentive gremlin attendants spilling coffee, flailing around and chilling over a wrecked plane, this merits a zero-star rating.

Even so, they even let a ten-feet puppy board the plane with no notice. Clearly, the Gremlin Air bit is made for Hotel Transylvania’s zany hijinks. So, be glad Gremlin Air is not fixed on reality.

Best: Sully (2016)

The 2016 drama Sully is based on the feat of Chesley Sullenberger, the hero pilot who pulled off a miracle by landing a malfunctioning plane on the Hudson River. However, he was criticized by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), prompting him to defend his actions. Tom Hanks as Sully is magnificent on its own. And the movie is a fine sit as well for people wanting investigative and courtroom dramas. 

Like Sully’s heroic gesture, the airline service by the US Airways in the movie is professionally done and effortlessly attended. And with zero casualties, that is quite an accomplishment. 

Worst: Flightplan (2005)

A cardinal rule for airlines to consider is to never cross Jodie Foster when she boards a plane with her kid. That went over the heads of the crew of Flightplan when they failed to cooperate with her upon discovering that her daughter got missing during the flight.

The crew, both the cabin crew and the flight attendants, was almost irresponsive until it was discovered there are perpetrators within the crew. But Aalto Airlines could have cross-examined their crew members to find out if they are potential terrorists. But yeah, if it puts Foster to the edge, guess that’s fine.

Best: Up in the Air (2009)

For a frequent flyer like corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham, he would require the best amenities and the quickest trip from the most reliable airline service in the business. And he found it in American Airlines. For his many trips across the movie’s runtime, Bingham would find himself home traveling aboard and gaining access to the VIP lounges.

In addition, he would qualify for perks on their frequent-flyer program. With Clooney giving life to the charming role of Ryan Bingham, his wanderlust travels is of fantasy. Because of that, Up in the Air depicts the best airline service ever in film.

Worst: Snakes on a Plane (2006)

And the opposite side of the spectrum is the worst-case scenario when on a plane. Granted, the concept of Snakes on a Plane is a tongue-in-cheek B-movie escapism that can cut loose on logic and go crazy for its horrific premise. If it not for its approach, Samuel L. Jackson would not have uttered his most iconic line in film history.

But that does not excuse Pacific Air in the film for not overseeing a cargo of snakes onboard and doubling safety protocols. But nope, let the snakes get instinctive reactions to some leis and make them loose. Whatever works.