The film was shot in the USA across several locations, each chosen to create the most realistic and authentic atmosphere possible. Principal photography covered cities such as New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Los Angeles. New York, where the real events took place, served as the central location for filming. Scenes on the Hudson River and at LaGuardia Airport were shot there to preserve authenticity and convey to viewers the atmosphere of the city where the «miracle» occurred. New York also provided diverse filming locations, such as Pier 41 and the East River, allowing for dynamic and realistic scenes. Atlanta, Georgia, was chosen for interior filming, such as the dispatch center and hearing room, which were shot at Gwinnett Technical College. This location provided suitable interiors and amenities for the film crew. Additionally, scenes of Sully walking to a pub and his home were filmed in Atlanta, allowing for more intimate and personal moments in the film.

Charlotte, North Carolina, was used for filming simulator scenes, which allowed showing pilot training under conditions as close to real as possible. This added technical credibility and depth to the film. Los Angeles and the Universal and Warner Brothers studios in California provided the necessary conditions for filming complex scenes, such as the plane landing on water and cockpit scenes. These studios ensured safety and quality of filming, which was especially important for creating realistic and tense moments in the film.

Each of these locations was chosen not by chance, but with the aim of most accurately conveying the atmosphere and events related to the emergency landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. This allowed creating a film that not only tells the story but also immerses the viewer in the reality of what happened.
 

Filming Locations:

The Waterfront

In the Movie

Scene where Sully runs along the waterfront and is almost hit by a taxi. At the very beginning of the film, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) wakes up in his apartment and goes for a jog along the Manhattan waterfront. He runs along the East River, passing by Water Side Plaza, and is immersed in thoughts about the events he had to endure. Memories of the dramatic emergency landing on the Hudson River and subsequent investigations flash through his mind. At that moment, he crosses the road and is almost hit by a car, which emphasizes his inner tension and distraction. This scene highlights Sully's inner turmoil and his struggle with post-traumatic stress.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on the Manhattan waterfront near East 28th Street and the East River, in the Water Side Plaza area. This location was chosen for filming to convey the atmosphere of New York and show how Sully tries to cope with the aftermath of the accident in his familiar urban environment. The waterfront and river view create a contrast between the calmness of the surrounding nature and the hero's inner tension.

The Late Show with David Letterman

In the Movie

Scene where Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) and his crew appear on the Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman asks the crew questions about how the flight went and what happened during the emergency landing. Sully and his colleagues, including co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart), talk about their experiences and actions that day. They smile and laugh, discussing how everything turned out and how they managed to save the plane and all passengers on board. However, despite the outward joy and jokes, it is evident that Tom Hanks' character is still worried and in shock from what happened. This scene highlights how the crew handled the situation and managed to find the strength to joke and rejoice that everything ended well, but also shows that Sully is still experiencing inner tension and stress.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, located in Manhattan. This historic venue is known for its television productions: the theater was built in 1926-1927, but in 1950 it was converted into a CBS television studio and became known as Studio 50. In 1967, it was renamed the Ed Sullivan Theatre in honor of the famous host Ed Sullivan, whose show "The Ed Sullivan Show" was broadcast from this studio from 1953 to 1971. Today, the Ed Sullivan Theatre continues to be used for filming popular television shows. During the period when the film "Sully" takes place, the host of the late-night show was David Letterman. His show, "Late Show with David Letterman," was broadcast from this theater from 1993 to 2015. Currently, the same location is used for filming "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." This location is ideal for filming the scene in "Sully" because it adds realism and authenticity. Using the real place where the late-night show was actually filmed allows viewers to feel part of the events and better understand the atmosphere of that time.

LaGuardia Airport

In the Movie

Scene where moments before the departure of Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport are shown. Passengers board the plane, the crew prepares for the flight, and Sully and Skiles discuss the route and weather conditions. Late passengers are shown rushing to the flight, and the last of them board just before takeoff. The plane prepares for takeoff, and viewers see shots of LaGuardia Airport in the background. The scene conveys the usual pre-flight routine, creating a contrast with the subsequent dramatic events.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. The location was chosen because of its significance in the real story: it was from this airport that Flight 1549 departed, adding authenticity and realism. Filming at the real airport allows viewers to feel part of the events and better understand the atmosphere of that time. Additionally, LaGuardia is a recognizable location, which enhances the emotional impact of the scene.