scary airplane landings and takeoffs

In fact, in order to land there, pilots must undergo specific, additional training. At the end of the runway is a precarious ledge and a 2,000-foot cliff. Matekane Air Strip, Lesotho Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND. It’s located on the tip of Hulhule Island and passengers have been known to freak out a bit during landing, thinking that the airplane is bound to overshoot the runway and land in the island’s blue waters.The runways at Skiathos can be scary no matter how you approach them. The Airports with the Scariest Landings in the World. In fact, it’s estimated that about 25 percent of Americans report having some nerves when they take off in a plane. I personally experienced the frequent wind gusts and poor weather conditions that hamper the pilots as they must make a direct head-on landing, with the biggest fear of having a large aircraft overshoot the runway if not landed perfectly on target. Gustaf III Airport, St. Bart's It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is often cited among the world’s scariest landings for its notoriously short runway. On either side of the runway are rocky hills and after the airport, it’s a straight drop into the ocean.The runway at Gibraltar International Airport is exceptional for one very nerve-wracking reason: It intersects with the island’s busiest road. The area is prone to severe winds and heavy turbulence. Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. I have flown into this airport many times and it is for sure a white-knuckle experience.Other dangerous airport landings not included in this list include; I have been a world explorer for over 30 years, having visited more than 90 countries.

Some are in incredibly remote locations, while others are close to cities—maybe a little too close for comfort. They built a series of platforms on an artificial island extending from the current runway. Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar

Courchevel Airport, France

Winds from the west, and mountains to the north and east, add to the fear factor. Paro Airport, Bhutan These are This Washington, DC airport borders two no-fly zones, and pilots often have to swerve to avoid flying over the Pentagon and the White House. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten A similarly scary landing is seen in the small plane landing of the LET L-410 Turbolet at Rtishchevo. At the end of the runway is a precarious ledge and a 2,000-foot cliff. It’s surrounded by unstable icy and snowy conditions, and it’s not uncommon for icebergs to get in the way of the arrival and departures path. Right before landing, pilots must complete a last-minute 45-degree turn and battle headwinds coming off the surrounding mountains to safely land.The landing at Tioman Island is one that keeps pilots on edge until the aircraft is at an absolute standstill, safely on the ground. The runway is not only short, it’s often a site of strong winds and turbulence. While flying is an extremely safe mode of travel, that doesn’t mean that you won’t experience a hair-raising ... Paro Airport, Bhutan. The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Since the airport is surrounded by residential communities, strict noise restrictions are in place. The 6,500-foot runway only allows for arrivals and departures during the daytime. I love exploring hidden, never before seen locations, revealing exclusive over-the-top destinations and reporting on unique celebrity stories. The airport of the Isle of Barra is the only one in the world that’s actually just a beach. It’s common enough to be a nervous flier. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. By Everest through freezing terrain, the Lukla Airport in Nepal is the prime airport for anyone who is visiting Mt. The runway is only five feet above sea level and all three runways are completely submerged during high tide.The landing at Tioman Island has pilots heading straight for a mountain and then making a quick 90-degree turn to line up with the runway. Hosted by Kellee Edwards.

Icy planes are one of the Landings at Princess Juliana Airport can be just as scary for people This airport’s proximity to both LaGuardia and Newark airports can make navigating the New York City skies a challenge.