Newly-paroled former US Army ranger Cameron Poe is headed back to his wife, but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed "Jailbird" taking the “worst of the worst” prisoners, a group described as “pure predators”, to a new super-prison. Poe faces impossible odds when the transport plane is skyjacked mid-flight by the most vicious criminals in the country led by the mastermind — genius serial killer Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, and backed by black militant Diamond Dog and psychopath Billy Bedlam.

Nicolas Cageas Cameron Poe
John Cusackas Agent Vince Larkin
John Malkovichas Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom
Ving Rhamesas Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones
Mykelti Williamsonas "Baby-O" O'Dell
Dave Chappelleas "Pinball" Parker
Colm Meaneyas Agent Duncan Malloy
Monica Potteras Tricia Poe
Landry Allbrightas Casey Poe
Rachel Ticotinas Guard Sally Bishop
David Tattersall