United 93(also known asFlight 93) is a 2006 fact-based historical drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Paul Greengrass that chronicles events aboard United Airlines Flight 93 ,which was hijacked during the September 11 attacks . The film attempts to recount with as much veracity as possible (there is a disclaimer that some imagination had to be used) and in real time (from the flight's takeoff) what has come to be known in the United States as an iconic moment of heroism. According to the filmmakers, the film was made with the cooperation of many of the passengers' families (though there are some notable exceptions).

United 93premiered on April 26, 2006 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City , a festival founded to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking center and to contribute towards the long-term recovery of Lower Manhattan .Several family members of the passengers aboard the flight attended the premiere to show their support.

The film opened nationwide in North America on April 28, 2006. Ten percent of the gross from the three-day opening weekend was promised toward a donation to create a memorial for the victims of Flight 93.United 93grossed $31.4 million in the United States, and $76.2 million worldwide.

Early on the morning of September 11, 2001 , hijackers Ahmed al-Nami and Ahmed al-Haznawi are praying in their hotel room, United 93's skyjacking ringleader Ziad Jarrah reading the Quran , and Saeed al-Ghamdi shaving. The four then leave for Newark International Airport . At the airport, the crew and passengers board United Airlines Flight 93 . Shortly after boarding, and the safety briefing, Flight 93 is delayed for 41 minutes because of the high volume of traffic. The three other soon to be hijacked flights, American Airlines Flight 11 , United Airlines Flight 175 , and American Airlines Flight 77 take off.

Air traffic controllers monitoring all current flights determine that American Airlines Flight 11 , a Boeing 767 from Boston has taken a turn toward New York City . Shortly after, Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center , although the air traffic controllers do not immediately realize what has happened. About 20 minutes earlier, a tape recording was made of Mohamed Atta's line "We have some planes, just stay quiet and you'll be okay. We are going back to the airport."

Meanwhile, United Airlines Flight 175 , another 767 from Boston , is also hijacked, and begins to descend and turn toward New York City as well. Air traffic controllers then realize they are dealing with multiple hijackings. American Airlines Flight 77 , a Boeing 757 is also hijacked. The air traffic controllers and Air Force watch as Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the WTC on live television, reported by CNN.

The terrorists on Flight 93 argue about when to begin their operation. At 9:28 AM, after Ahmed al-Haznawi assembles a fake bomb, the other three hijackers wrestle their way into the cockpit and overpower the pilots. By this time, Flight 77 has crashed and created a huge fireball at the Pentagon .

Flight 93 turns towards D.C. while Ben Sliney ultimately decides to shut downallairspace in the United States and ground every flight.

The passengers on Flight 93 begin making phone calls to family through the on-board GTE Airfone system. After hearing that planes have crashed into the WTC and the Pentagon they realize that if they do nothing they will also die, and eventually elect to storm the cockpit and retake the plane using whatever makeshift weapons they can.

After Haznawi is overpowered and killed, Ahmed al-Nami warns Jarrah and Saeed al-Ghamdi in the cockpit of the passenger's revolt, and attempts to hold off the advancing passengers; he too is soon overwhelmed and is killed.

Ziad Jarrah shakes the plane violently but the passengers manage to enter the cockpit; however, as they attempt to gain control, the plane plummets into a upside down nosedive. The film ends as United 93 crashes into an empty field.