The 9/11 terrorist attacks remain one of the deadliest assaults in modern history. The attacks were carried out by terrorists who hijacked four commercial planes and crashed them into strategic buildings in the United States. The attacks affected millions of people and claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals.
One of the questions that lingered in the aftermath of the attacks was the origin of the planes that hit the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City. This article provides an overview of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the airlines involved, the airports where the hijacked planes departed from, and the security measures in place before the attacks.
Overview of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorists associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial planes in a coordinated attack. The terrorists deliberately crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The other two planes were flown into the Pentagon in Virginia and a field in Pennsylvania.
The attacks were a wake-up call for the United States and the rest of the world, and marked a turning point in global counter-terrorism measures. The 9/11 attacks triggered a massive response from the US government, including the launch of the War on Terror, which aimed to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent future attacks.
Which airlines were involved in the attacks?
The planes that were hijacked on the day of the attacks were all commercial airliners. Two of the planes belonged to American Airlines, while the other two were operated by United Airlines.
The two planes that hit the World Trade Center were American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, respectively. The other two planes were American Airlines Flight 77, which was flown into the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.
Which airports did the hijacked planes depart from?
The planes that were hijacked on the day of the attacks departed from three airports in the eastern United States. American Airlines Flight 11 and American Airlines Flight 77 both departed from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. United Airlines Flight 175 and United Airlines Flight 93 both departed from Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11 was the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. The plane was a Boeing 767-200ER and was carrying 92 passengers and crew members. The flight departed from Boston Logan International Airport at 7:59 a.m. and was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles.
The hijackers on board the plane were Mohammed Atta, Abdulaziz al-Omari, Wail al-Shehri, Waleed al-Shehri, and Satam al-Suqami. They overpowered the crew and took control of the plane, flying it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.
United Airlines Flight 175
United Airlines Flight 175 was the second plane to hit the World Trade Center. The plane was a Boeing 767-200ER and was carrying 65 passengers and crew members. The flight departed from Boston Logan International Airport at 8:14 a.m. and was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles.
The hijackers on board the plane were Marwan al-Shehhi, Fayez Banihammad, Mohand al-Shehri, Ahmed al-Ghamdi, and Hamza al-Ghamdi. They overpowered the crew and took control of the plane, flying it into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m.
American Airlines Flight 77
American Airlines Flight 77 was the plane that was flown into the Pentagon. The plane was a Boeing 757-200 and was carrying 64 passengers and crew members. The flight departed from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. at 8:20 a.m. and was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles.
The hijackers on board the plane were Hani Hanjour, Khalid al-Mihdhar, Majed Moqed, Nawaf al-Hazmi, and Salem al-Hazmi. They overpowered the crew and took control of the plane, flying it into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.
United Airlines Flight 93
United Airlines Flight 93 was the only hijacked plane that did not reach its intended target. The passengers on board the plane learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and attempted to overpower the hijackers. The plane ultimately crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The plane was a Boeing 757-200 and was carrying 44 passengers and crew members. The flight departed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at 8:42 a.m. and was scheduled to fly to San Francisco.
The hijackers on board the plane were Ziad Jarrah, Ahmed al-Haznawi, Saeed al-Ghamdi, and Ahmed al-Nami.
Security measures at the airports
The 9/11 attacks exposed significant gaps in airport security measures. The terrorists were able to breach security checkpoints and smuggle weapons and explosives on board the planes.
As a response to the attacks, the US government implemented stricter security measures at airports, such as the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the implementation of more rigorous security screening procedures for passengers and baggage.
The aftermath of the attacks
The 9/11 attacks had far-reaching consequences for the United States and the rest of the world. The attacks led to the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals, caused significant damage to the economy and infrastructure, and triggered the launch of the War on Terror.
The aftermath of the attacks also saw a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment, which led to discrimination, harassment, and violence against Muslim communities in the United States and other parts of the world.
Conclusion
The planes that hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, were American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175. Both planes departed from Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts. The other two planes that were hijacked on the day of the attacks were American Airlines Flight 77, which departed from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., and United Airlines Flight 93, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
The 9/11 attacks remain one of the most devastating acts of terrorism in modern history. The attacks exposed significant gaps in airport security measures and led to the implementation of stricter security protocols at airports worldwide. The attacks also had a profound impact on global politics and society, triggering changes in counter-terrorism strategies, foreign policies, and attitudes towards religion and race.
References
- National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. (2004). The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (Authorized Edition). W. W. Norton & Company.
- Tuchman, G. (2018). 9/11: The Day that Changed America. Reader’s Digest.
- United States Department of Homeland Security. (2011). Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved from
