The film stars Robert Stack, Sonny Bono, and Farrah Fawcett-Majors, along with an all-star ensemble television cast in supporting roles.

Safety official Donaldson receives a letter explaining that a series of murders will take place on Flight 502 before it lands.

Concerned that he may be at risk, passenger Paul Barons confesses to Myerson that he committed the bank robbery, and that the priest and Franklin were both involved in smuggling the money out of the country on the aircraft.

Myerson agrees and pulls out a gun, proving he is the killer, having snapped when Barons escaped justice for his crime after no proof was found.

Myerson takes the passengers hostage and explains he murdered the priest and looked through the luggage of the crew and found the money in Franklin's bag.

Myerson attempts to justify his actions, claiming he will be commended for protecting the people from criminals because he brought a thief to justice when the law would not.

[3] In later interviews, Stack revealed that one of the prime incentives to sign on for Murder on Flight 502 was the opportunity to work with his wife Rosemarie and daughter Elizabeth.

[4] The Los Angeles Times called it "an ill-begotten 'Son of Airport' that never gets off the ground, having been fogged in by trite dialogue and cliche characterisations.