[DrOctagon]

I was flying from LA to Sydney a few years ago and 2001: A Space Odyssey was available on the entertainment system. After a few hours and a couple of glasses of wine I put it on and fell straight asleep. I awoke groggily some time later to this[0] frame from the movie. The next second and a half I experienced pure terror until I realised I wasn't plunging to my death in the middle of the pacific ocean and how the pre-flight safety briefing really sugar coats the reality.

[0]: https://typesetinthefuture.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/2001_...

[mrslave]

The subtext to the requirement that only strong and willing passengers sit in the emergency row is not their ability to open the door in the event of an emergency, but to block the aisle and stem the flood of panicking passengers in the rows behind while a staff member opens the door.

[MikusR]

Are there people who have managed to watch this movie in one sitting without falling asleep?

[p_l]

Yes. I was captivated the first time I watched it, many years after watching 2010.

However, if I watched it on a plane, I'd probably fall asleep as well - because it would be on a plane and I tend to sleep while I travel :)

[Koshkin]

As with some other movies, this critically depends on how you watch it. Immersion is key here, so you must watch it on a large screen, in high resolution (and definitely in one sitting).