In the novella, there is no wind, not even a light breeze when they are in Bangor. Since this was virtually impossible to execute for the movie they simply created dialogue to explain that even with a wind down here the clouds are not moving.
Much of the story derives from Stephen King's own fear of flying; King often writes true life-experiences into his novels.
Stephen King has said that the character of Bob Jenkins, a writer of mystery novels, is based on himself.
On set, Bronson Pinchot was friendly but mischievous and would do impressions of Kate Maberly and Tom Holland, the director, on camera. Maberly later did an impression of him at his request.