Classic Airplane Movie Quotes That Never Get Old

Airplane Movie Quotes “Airplane!” is a classic comedy film released in 1980 that parodies disaster films. The movie is famous for its clever one-liners, hilarious visual gags, and slapstick humor. Many quotes have become iconic and are still referenced in popular culture today. From the unforgettable “Don’t call me Shirley” to the hysterical “Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue,” “Airplane!” is a goldmine of comedic genius. This list will highlight 50 of the best “Airplane!” quotes with long details.

Airplane Movie Quotes Classic Comedy Film

“Surely you can’t be serious.” –

Ted Striker, played by Robert Hays in Airplane! (1980)

Ted Striker delivers this iconic line to Dr. Romack (Leslie Nielsen) when he realizes that the plane is in serious trouble. The line has become a cultural reference for situations that seem too good (or too bad) to be true.

“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking, drinking.” –

Steve McCroskey, played by Lloyd Bridges in Airplane! (1980)

McCroskey delivers this line multiple times throughout the movie as he struggles to keep the flight under control. It’s a humorous take on the classic movie trope of a character coping with stress by turning to drugs or alcohol.

“I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.” –

Dr. Romack, played by Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! (1980)

This line is a classic example of Nielsen’s deadpan delivery and impeccable timing. The wordplay on “surely” and “Shirley” has become one of the most famous lines in the movie.

“Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?” –

Captain Oveur, played by Peter Graves in Airplane! (1980)

This line is one of the more surreal moments in the movie, as Captain Oveur tries to make small talk with young Joey, who is visiting the cockpit. The line has become a cult favorite among Airplane! fans.

“What’s our vector, Victor?” –

Roger Murdock, played by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Airplane! (1980)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar delivers this line in a cameo as Roger Murdock, the co-pilot who tries to conceal his identity as a basketball player. The line has become a catchphrase for Airplane! fans.

“Stewardess, I speak jive.” –

Clarence Oveur, played by Robert Stack in Airplane! (1980)

This line is one of the many humorous exchanges between the passengers and crew of the airplane. Clarence Oveur’s attempt to speak jive leads to a hilarious conversation between him and the two passengers.

“Excuse me stewardess, I speak jive.” –

Johnny, played by Stephen Stucker in Airplane! (1980)

Johnny delivers this line to the same stewardess who Clarence Oveur tries to speak jive with. The line has become a favorite among Airplane! fans.

“The fog’s getting thicker…and Leon’s getting larger!” –

Ted Striker, played by Robert Hays in Airplane! (1980)

Ted Striker delivers this line to Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) as they try to land the plane in heavy fog. The line is a classic example of the movie’s absurd humor.

“I haven’t seen anything like this since the Anita Bryant concert.” –

Ted Striker, played by Robert Hays in Airplane! (1980)

Ted Striker delivers this line in response to the chaos on the airplane. The line is a reference to a controversial concert by the anti-gay activist Anita Bryant in the late 1970s.

“Can you fly this plane and land it?” “Surely you can’t be serious.” “I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.” –

Ted Striker and Dr. Romack, played by Robert Hays and Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! (1980)

This exchange between Ted Striker and Dr. Romack has become one of the most famous moments in Airplane.

“Surely you can’t be serious.” – Ted Striker (played by Robert Hays) to Dr. Romack (Leslie Nielsen) in Airplane! (1980) after Romack says “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.” –

Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges) in Airplane! (1980) as he reaches for a cigarette during a stressful situation.

“I am serious…and don’t call me Shirley.” – Dr. Romack (Leslie Nielsen) to Ted Striker (Robert Hays) in Airplane! (1980), after Striker says “Surely you can’t be serious.”

“We have clearance, Clarence.” –

Roger Murdock (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves) in Airplane! (1980) as they prepare to take off.

“I haven’t felt this awful since we saw that Ronald Reagan film.” – Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) in Airplane! (1980) after a rough flight.

“Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?” – Captain Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves) to Joey (Ross Harris) in Airplane! (1980) as he questions his ability to handle a stressful situation.

“Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?” –

Captain Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves) to Roger Murdock (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in Airplane! (1980) as they prepare for takeoff.

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“Excuse me sir, there’s been a little problem in the cockpit.” – Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) to a passenger in Airplane! (1980) as she struggles to keep the plane under control.

“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.” –

Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges) in Airplane! (1980) as he reaches for a bottle of whiskey during a stressful situation.

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“I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on you.” – Dr. Romack (Leslie Nielsen) in Airplane! (1980) as he wishes Ted Striker (Robert Hays) and Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) luck in saving the plane.

“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.” –

Steve McCroskey, played by Lloyd Bridges in Airplane! (1980)

In this classic comedy, Bridges plays the air traffic controller who constantly cracks under pressure. In this memorable line, he humorously admits to using drugs to cope with the stress of his job.

“I am serious…and don’t call me Shirley.” –

Dr. Romack, played by Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! (1980)

One of the most famous lines from the movie, this is a response to a character named Roger who tells Romack that he’s nervous. Romack tries to reassure him by saying he’s serious, but Roger responds by calling him Shirley. Rumack’s deadpan delivery of this line has made it an enduring classic.

“Can you fly this plane, and land it?” –

Elaine Dickinson, played by Julie Hagerty in Airplane! (1980)

This line is delivered to Ted Striker, played by Robert Hays, who is a former fighter pilot with PTSD. Elaine is asking him if he can help land the plane that is in danger of crashing. It’s a moment of tension that is played for laughs in the movie.

“Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?” –

Capt. Oveur, played by Peter Graves in Airplane! (1980)

This line is part of a series of questions Capt. Oveur asks young Joey, who is traveling alone on the plane. The questions become increasingly absurd and suggestive, culminating in this memorable one-liner.

“You’d better tell the captain we’ve got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.” –

Ted Striker, played by Robert Hays in Airplane! (1980)

In this scene, Ted is desperately trying to communicate with the control tower, but keeps getting cut off by other characters. He finally manages to get through and delivers this line, revealing the reason why the plane needs to land urgently.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I don’t know how to operate a plane.” –

Johnny, played by Stephen Stucker in Airplane! (1980)

This line is delivered by the flight attendant Johnny, who is asked to take over the controls of the plane by Capt. Oveur. Johnny’s character is known for his flamboyant mannerisms and nonsensical comments, which often provide comic relief throughout the movie.

“Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?” –

Capt. Oveur, played by Peter Graves in Airplane! (1980)

In this scene, Capt. Oveur is communicating with the control tower, using a series of humorous phrases that sound like nonsense to anyone unfamiliar with aviation jargon. This line in particular has become a fan favorite and is often quoted in pop culture.

“I haven’t felt this awful since we saw that Ronald Reagan film.” –

Dr. Romack, played by Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! (1980)

This line is delivered after a passenger becomes violently ill on the plane. Dr. Romack makes the joke to his fellow passengers, using humor to try to ease the tension of the situation.

“That’s the red zone. No one goes in there.” –

Steve McCroskey, played by Lloyd Bridges in Airplane! (1980)

In this scene, Steve McCroskey is giving the control tower team instructions on how to manage the incoming planes. When a pilot asks if he can enter the red zone, McCroskey responds.

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25 Airplane Movie Quotes

“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.” – Steve McCroskey

“We have clearance, Clarence.” – Roger Murdock

“Surely, you can’t be serious.” – Ted Striker

“I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.” – Dr. Romack

“The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in a red zone.” – Airport announcer

“I haven’t felt this awful since we saw that Ronald Reagan film.” – Elaine Dickinson

“What’s our vector, Victor?” – Roger Murdock

“Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?” – Captain Oveur

“I remember the days when you used to be able to smoke on airplanes. You know, they had these little ashtrays built right into the armrests.” – Ted Striker

“You have ever seen a grown man naked?” – Captain Oveur

“Excuse me, stewardess, I speak jive.” – Lady in the airport

“I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines.” – Steve McCroskey

“Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?” – Captain Oveur

“Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit drinking.” – Steve McCroskey

“That’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now.” – Dr. Romack

“A hospital? What is it?” – Ted Striker

“It’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now.” – Dr. Romack

“The cockpit, what is it?” – Ted Striker

“It’s the little room in the front of the plane where the pilots sit, but that’s not important right now.” – Elaine Dickinson

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” – Johnny

“Cut me some slack, Jack. Chump don’t want no help, chump don’t GET da help!” – Randy

“They’re on instruments!” – Ted Striker

“You can tell me. I’m a doctor.” – Dr. Romack

“This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.” – Ted Striker

“A hospital? What is it?” – Elaine Dickinson.