Special Flight (2011): cast, story & where to watch
2011 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 2011, Special Flight is a documentary film directed by Fernand Melgar, running about 103 minutes.
What it’s about. Switzerland still carries out special flights, where passengers, dressed in diapers and helmets, are chained to their seats for 40 hours at worst. They are accompanied by police officers and immigration officials. The passengers are flown to their native countries, where they haven't set foot in in up to twenty years, and where their lives might be in danger. Children, wives and work are left behind in Switzerland. Near Geneva, in Frambois prison, live 25 illegal immigrants waiting for deportation. They are offered an opportunity to say goodbye to their families and return to their native countries on a regular flight, escorted by plain-clothes police officers. If they refuse this offer, the special flight is arranged fast and unexpectedly. The stories behind the locked cells are truly heartbreaking.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Special Flight has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on MUBI. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Special Flight page.
If you liked it. Fans of Special Flight tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Special Flight (2011)?
- In US, Special Flight is available to stream on MUBI. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Special Flight worth watching?
- Special Flight holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was Special Flight released?
- Special Flight was released in 2011, with a runtime of about 103 minutes.