In "Night Flight," a gripping tale unfolds as pilots traverse the skies, carrying mail across South America. At the center is Fabien, determined to complete his journey despite impending storms. Rivière, the head of the mail service, grapples with the weight of responsibility and the relentless demands of his role.

The Evening Flight Begins

As the sun sets, Fabien and his wireless operator take off from Patagonia, heading towards Buenos Aires with mail. They are not alone in the skies; two other planes, one each from Chile and Paraguay, make the same journey towards a rendezvous in Buenos Aires. There, a plane is scheduled to depart at two in the morning, bound for Europe with South American mail. Despite warnings from his operator about approaching storms, Fabien, inspired by the clear evening sky, decides to press on rather than land in San Julian.

Tension at Buenos Aires

In Buenos Aires, Rivière paces the airport, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mail planes. Relief washes over him when the Chilean plane lands safely, though its pilot, Pellerin, recounts a harrowing experience navigating a storm in the Andes. Despite the frightening encounter, Pellerin remains unscathed but visibly affected. They both cling to hope that the storm will stay contained in the Andes. Meanwhile, Robineau, the inspector at Buenos Aires, feels sympathy for Pellerin's ordeal, in contrast to Rivière’s stoic exterior. He and Pellerin escape the tension of the airport for a dinner marked by casual conversation on domestic matters.

Discipline and Duty

Upon returning, Robineau faces criticism from Rivière for fraternizing with pilots. Rivière insists that leaders must maintain a strict and professional distance from the men they command, as their duty sometimes requires sending these men into perilous situations. Rivière, despite his own personal struggles, enforces a rigid discipline at the airfield. He withholds bonuses from tardy pilots, regardless of challenging circumstances, and deals harshly with even minor infractions, emphasizing the necessity of discipline in conquering night skies.

The Domestic Sphere

Meanwhile, the wife of a pilot scheduled to fly to Europe receives a call that awakens her husband for his imminent flight. As he dresses, she senses his detachment from their domestic life, realizing his commitment lies beyond the walls of their home. Arriving at the airfield, the pilot encounters Rivière, who reprimands him for a prior mission's fallback. Despite his firm exterior, Rivière holds a silent admiration for the pilot’s expertise and resolve.

The Storm's Fury

As Fabien’s flight progresses, the storm intensifies, leading to a dire situation. Visibility is nearly impossible, and all nearby airfields are closed. Rivière, growing increasingly anxious, launches a country-wide alert for Fabien’s safety. Fabien's wife, accustomed to her husband's timely returns, calls the airfield, seeking reassurance. Rivière, despite the emotional weight of the situation, offers her hopeful words, though he knows he cannot promise a safe outcome.

A Desperate Maneuver

In the eye of the storm, Fabien contemplates a crash landing and releases his only landing flare, realizing the storm has blown him off course and over the ocean. He adjusts his path westward and climbs towards a break in the clouds. Yet, beneath him, the storm rages on. With only thirty minutes of fuel remaining, the situation grows increasingly dire. Buenos Aires informs him that no nearby airfields are open, leaving Rivière to hope for a miraculous landing.

Facing Reality

As Fabien’s wife arrives at the airfield, Rivière acknowledges his inability to offer her comfort, though he deeply empathizes with her plight. He candidly explains the immense challenges of nighttime flying, communicating with her through a shared understanding rather than empty reassurances....