Despite being a box-office failure when released theatrically, two direct-to-video sequels were made. This was due to the movie being one of the most rented home videos of 1997.
Screenwriter Jonathan Brett claimed to be at a loss with the film. In a 1999 interview, he stated that, "I don't know what I was thinking. I mean, it makes no sense, characters act like imbeciles, dialogue is pedestrian... but they threw millions my way. I guess I should be happy."
Was initially scheduled for theatrical release in December 1996 to coincide with it's Christmas setting, but it bombed badly during test screenings, and was instead delayed until January 1997.
MGM pulled trailers from theaters and temporarily suspended its marketing campaign after the crash of TWA Flight 800 on July 17, 1996.
The airliner used in the movie (N614FF) was a Tower Air Boeing 747-246B. The fictional TCA livery seen is very similar to Japan Air Lines' livery but minus the Tsurumaru Crane Bird on the tail. In real life, it was originally operated by Qantas, PEOPLExpress, and Continental Airlines. After the release, it was leased back to Continental Micronesia until 1999. It was destroyed in January 2008, while filming Smash Lab (2007).