Flight (2012) soars as both a high-stakes disaster thriller and a gripping character study. Denzel Washington delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Whip Whitaker — a pilot who miraculously crash-lands a failing plane while secretly battling addiction. What follows is a tense unraveling of truth, accountability, and personal demons.
Think you remember every nosedive, lie, and hard-won moment of honesty? Take this 10-question trivia quiz and see if you’ve got what it takes to pull off the landing.
Flight (2012) Trivia Questions & Answers
1) Who plays the role of Whip Whitaker in Flight (2012)?
Correct Answer: Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington gives one of the most powerful performances of his career as Whip Whitaker — a deeply flawed yet gifted airline pilot. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, anchoring the film’s emotional and moral complexity.
2) What is Whip Whitaker’s profession?
Correct Answer: Airline pilot
Whip is a commercial airline captain whose life appears under control — until a catastrophic in-flight failure reveals his long-standing addiction and the dangerous duality of his existence.
3) What substance is Whip addicted to?
Correct Answer: Alcohol
Whip struggles with severe alcoholism, often flying under the influence. The film is not just about a plane crash — it’s a raw examination of denial, dependence, and the path to honesty and recovery.
4) What malfunction occurs on Whip’s flight?
Correct Answer: The plane’s hydraulics fail
The plane suffers a catastrophic mechanical failure — specifically a jammed elevator and hydraulic loss — causing it to enter an uncontrollable dive. The scenario sets up one of the most intense and technically detailed crash sequences in modern cinema.
5) What extreme maneuver does Whip use to stabilize the plane?
Correct Answer: He flies it upside down
In a desperate and genius move, Whip rolls the plane upside down to stabilize the dive, then turns it upright before crash landing. This fictional but loosely aviation-inspired maneuver becomes a symbol of his brilliance — and recklessness.
6) How many people survive the crash?
Correct Answer: 96
Out of 102 people on board, 96 survive — a miraculous outcome. While Whip is hailed as a hero initially, the investigation soon turns toward his sobriety and personal accountability.
7) Which actress plays Nicole, a recovering addict?
Correct Answer: Kelly Reilly
Kelly Reilly plays Nicole, a heroin addict trying to rebuild her life. She crosses paths with Whip in the hospital after the crash, and their shared struggle with addiction adds a poignant, human layer to the film.
8) What is the name of Whip’s lawyer?
Correct Answer: Hugh Lang
Hugh Lang, played by Don Cheadle, is the skilled attorney hired to protect Whip from legal consequences. While Lang tries to cover up the truth, it’s Whip’s internal struggle that ultimately leads to a pivotal moment of honesty.
9) What organization investigates the crash?
Correct Answer: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leads the investigation, digging into the technical causes of the crash and into Whip’s personal conduct, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions.
10) How does Whip redeem himself at the end of the film?
Correct Answer: He confesses to drinking before the flight
In a climactic hearing, Whip has the opportunity to lie one last time — but chooses to tell the truth, admitting his alcoholism and his role in the events. The confession costs him his freedom, but marks the beginning of genuine redemption.
