"Airport" is a 1970 American disaster film directed by George Seaton. The film is based on Arthur Hailey's 1968 novel of the same name. Known as one of the earliest entries in the disaster film genre, "Airport" features an ensemble cast and focuses on the events surrounding a potentially catastrophic situation aboard an airplane.
The film stars Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, and Helen Hayes, among others. The story centers around a Boeing 707 jetliner that faces a bomb threat and other complications during a transcontinental flight. The airport's chief operations manager (played by Burt Lancaster) and the aircraft's crew must work together to prevent disaster.
"Airport" was a major commercial success and became a trendsetter for disaster films of the 1970s. Its success led to multiple sequels and influenced the development of subsequent disaster films. The film received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and Helen Hayes won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
While the film is recognized for its success and impact on the disaster genre, it's important to note that its formulaic structure and conventions became a template for many disaster films that followed during the 1970s.