- Network TV version features one hour of additional footage not included in either the theatrical release or home video release. Footage only seen in the network version includes:
- Alternate opening credit sequence involving Banker and Wilson breaking into a laboratory.
- A flight attendant cabin mock-up where the crew practice an evacuation using an escape slide. Shortly after, Anne introduces the crew to Joe Patroni.
- Dialogue between Patroni and Anne.
- A scene where Joe Patroni introduces Anne to Don Gallagher, who's working on a flight simulator of the plane he will fly.
- Flashbacks of several characters. including Martin and Karen Wallace, Steve and Julie, Jane and Bonnie Stern, and Lisa with Ralph Crawford.
- Extended dialogue throughout the film.
- Gallagher and Eve discovering the plane's navigator is dead.
- Scene involving Joe Patroni and his son, Joe. Jr. Patroni has been informed of the disappearance of the 747 and has to cancel plans to attend Joe Jr's graduation ceremony.
- Brief additional footage of Martin Wallace's body floating outside the plane.
- Emily attempts to console Karen, after the drowning of Martin.
- As Gallagher and the scuba team make their underwater preparations to raise the plane, they discover Banker's body.
- Amount of time for the plane to rise to the surface is longer than the theatrical version.
- After the plan has risen, Gerald Lucas attempts to get out of the plane first, only to be stopped and pushed back by Buchek.
- Dialogue between Philip Stevens and Eddie aboard the USS Cayuga. Stevens hands Eddie a piece of paper, which reveals Eddie's wife has given birth to twins. Stevens hands Eddie a cigar to celebrate the occasion.
- Dialogue between Stevens and Buchek aboard the USS Cayuga.
- In deleted scenes shown in the television version, Brian Morrison appears again for the second time as Joseph Patroni, Jr, having previously been seen on-screen as Joe Jr. in the theatrical version of Airport 1975, and later appearing as Joe Jr. in deleted scenes shown in the television version of The Concorde: Airport '79.
- Versions seen on UK television omit the scene where Lee Grant looks out the window of the plane and sees her husband Martin Wallace (Christopher Lee), floating dead in the water.
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