Fact1: advertising executive Buddy Amaral is delayed by snow storm for return flight to Los Angeles, Fact2: Buddy gives ticket to Greg, Fact3: Mimi has Janice check into computer system to remove name from passenger and add Greg 's name, Fact4: Jim has put bid on in return, Fact5: video of Greg and Buddy having drink in airport bar
Output: In Chicagos OHare airport, advertising executive Buddy Amaral Ben Affleck is delayed by a snow storm for a return flight to Los Angeles, on the same airline he has just signed as a big client. He meets writer Greg Janello Tony Goldwyn, and when his flight resumes boarding, Buddy gives his ticket to Greg so he can get home to his sons, 12year old Scott Alex D. Linz and 8year old Joey David Dorfman. Buddy convinces his friend and airline employee Janice Guerrero Jennifer Grey to allow Greg to take his place on the flight. While spending the night with fellow stranded passenger Mimi Natasha Henstridge, Buddy sees on television that the flight crashed. He has Janice check into the computer system to remove his name from the passenger manifest and add Gregs name. Gregs wife Abby Gwyneth Paltrow is woken up by news of the crash, and for many hours is torn between hope and despair, clinging to the belief that Greg would still arrive on the later flight on which he was originally booked, until his death is confirmed. Once back in L.A., the airline dictates that Buddy run a series of innocuous ads to ameliorate the tragic consequences of the crash, even winning a Clio award. Crushed by guilt, Buddy drunkenly and publicly begins a stint in Alcoholics Anonymous. One of the steps in recovery is to make up for past deeds, with Buddy seeking out Abby, a budding realtor. Giving her a tip on a commercial office building that Jim Joe Morton, Buddys partner and boss, has put a bid on, in return, Abby treats Buddy to a night at Dodger Stadium. Their relationship blossoms, although both have secrets. Buddy gets close to the whole family, and Abby reveals that she is not divorced; her husband died in an aircraft crash. When the airline settles with Gregs estate, she next wants to put her boys on an aircraft to Palm Springs to get over their fear of flying. Buddy asks to go along with them, and soon develops a strong bond with the two boys. On the return trip, Buddy says he has a secret he will reveal the next day. It all comes apart when Mimi shows up, with a video of Greg and Buddy having a drink in the airport bar. Abby is devastated by Buddy lying to her and demands that he leave her home and her life  though also demanding that he say goodbye to the boys. This does not sit well with anyone. Buddy comes back the next day and talks to Scott, who feels that his father died trying to get home for a Scout Christmas tree outing. The relatives sue the airline for damages, and Janices role is revealed when Buddy is called to testify. As Abby watches on television, Buddy explains that gave his ticket to Greg and did not take Gregs in exchange. In coercing Janice to change the roster, the airlines security procedures were compromised, getting her fired. Buddy remembered that Greg was not the good flier he once was, having had too many people in his wallet. Buddy is excused by the judge, but does not feel excused. Abby had harbored the same guilt as her son in pressuring Greg to come home on the fateful flight. In being honest and facilitating the suit against the airline, Buddy realizes that he has to resign from his firm. Abby comes by to tell him that his talk with Scott had helped them both. Buddy, sensing that Abby is about to leave, asks her to help him rent his beachfront home or put it up for sale. As Buddy starts to talk about his plans, Abby realizes she can forgive him.