Thanksgiving Day at LAX bring about some interesting events, both personal and professional, when Henry and Caitlin deal with the fallout when an airline goes out out business and cancels all its flights, leaving hundreds of stranded passengers and a handful of layed off employees in the terminal. Harley and Rodger also deal with a sudden strike by the ground crew, and Harley's estranged younger sister, Julie, shows up and asks her to spend Thanksgiving with their parents, which Harley dispises. Meanwhile, Tony takes charge of overseeing a 10-year-old boy traveling alone to meet his parents, and whom has a big attitue.

As Christmas approaches, events at LAX heat up when the police show up looking for a robber dressed as Santa Claus. Meanwhile, Eddie, seeking a new job as Harley's assistant, meets an attractive barmaid. Roger also deals with being kicked out of his house after he has resumed his gambling addiction and squandered most of his wife's money, while Harley herself flashes back to a previous Christmas during a runway party where she and Roger had a brief fling which almost ended his marriage.

An African political activist who was wrongly convicted of murder arrives at LAX to board a flight which will return him home for execution. As protesters try to prevent his departure, the airport becomes the sight of political unrest forcing Harley and Roger to keep the peace. However, when Roger's city council aspiration prompt him to make a bold move, the two airport chiefs stand on opposite sides of this political powder keg. Meanwhile, Nick must confront a past decision when a former passenger returns begging for his help.