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The 10 scariest runways in the world
Here's something else that might sweeten the pot in the Honduras ticket deal that Grant posted about a couple of days ago: Jump on Panamanian airline Copa's special offer and you'll have the opportunity to fly into one of the 10 scariest runways in the world, according to Travel + Leisure. Toncontin Airport, the main airport servicing the Honduras capital, Tegucigalpa, ranked seventh on the T+L list; landing at the airport features a 45-degree 11th hour left bank just prior to touching down on a very short runway. Boeing 757s are the largest planes allowed to fly into the place.
I always thought that the scariest runway (and by extension, airport to take off from and descend into) was San Diego, which features a very steep descent and a short landing space. It didn't even make the list. Of those that did, easily the scariest looking one is the Matekane Air Strip in Lesotho, a runway so short (1,312 feet) that the small bush planes that take off from there actually fall into a 7,550 couloir before climbing back up the opposite mountainside.
No thank you.
Here's the T+L top-10 scariest runways in the world:
- Paro Airport (Bhutan)
- Princess Juliana International Airport (St. Maarten - pictured)
- Reagan National (Washington, D.C.)
- Gibraltar Airport (Gibraltar)
- Matekane Air Strip (Lesotho
- Barra Airport (Barra, Scotland)
- Toncontin Airport (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
- JFK (New York)
- Madeira Airport (Funchal)
- Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba, Netherlands Antilles)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
beatofhawaii Jul 11th 2008 3:43AM
Two that are missing in my mind:
1. Katmandu. One of the most dangerous in the word. Landing approach is through a frequently cloud-covered steep mountain pass. I narrowly avoided death there by changing Thai flights in 1992.
2. Lindberg Field. Site of 1978 PSA crash. Not technically dangerous I'm told, but really scary landing right over buildings, sometimes in fog. I've had many go arounds.
Aloha, http://beatofhawaii.com
Stephanie Jul 17th 2008 1:17PM
St. Barthelemy, French West Indies!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nick Hawkins Jul 11th 2008 9:57AM
Gibraltar's runway was awesome. It's the only landing I've ever actually mentally rehearsed what to do when we slide into the water to get out of the plane.
Alfonso Sep 25th 2008 10:00AM
Short runway. Good surface to brake, a lot of gulls with several bird strikes and engine damage and, the worst, the low level wind shear ( less than 200' ASL). Its not a pleasent airport
Michael Jul 11th 2008 10:23AM
National's runway scares me. It's short and leads right into the Potomac River. I once had a flight slam on the brakes during lift-off due to a problem, and we skidded to a stop a few yards from the water.
pj Jul 13th 2008 5:08PM
how about new orleans? the landing takes place at the end of the gator infested Lake Ponchitrain!
cece Jul 13th 2008 3:25PM
La Guardia is said to be one of the airports pilots least like. I know it is quite a jolt when you land and feel the engines reverse right after. Not looking forward to ending up in Jamaica Bay!
DelcoJoe Jul 13th 2008 3:37PM
A number of years ago, I was going to the West Coast and had to change planes in Denver. The guy in the seat next to me was an Air Force pilot and we talked most of the trip. When we were coming in to land, he got quiet and just sat there, I had not flown much at that time so I sat and watched the landing.
When we were on the ground, I could tell that he was real tense, and then relaxed. I asked him what was up, and he said he didn't want to scare me, but Denver is one of the worst places to land, as the wind shear that comes from the mountains is terrible.
He said he hates to land there, as it is so bad. Now when I fly, I do every thing possible to avoid going through Denver.
JD Jul 13th 2008 4:04PM
they are not scary it is fun always looked forword to those landings spent 30 years doing it wish I still was
Gary Olszewski Jul 13th 2008 4:20PM
Add To the list Agana, Guam: The whole place is a tiny island in the Pacific, the airport's runway has the obligatory "death strip" of a few hundred feet at the end, then it's a 1000-foot drop straight into the ocean! Coming or going in or out of this one is the scariest knuckle-biter I've ever been through! Don't believe me? Ask anyone who's been there, it's unforgetable!
Gary Olszewski Jul 13th 2008 4:28PM
Or how about the SAFEST runway? That would have to be Ton Son Nhut, Saigon! In over 30 years of vicious warfare, not a single commercial plane, not a one, was ever attatcked or damaged! Pretty good record for a war zone, no?
Ginny Jul 14th 2008 1:40AM
Here are 2 more thrill rides:
1. Try the Maldives. As you descend, all you can see out of both sides of the plane is water. The atoll is only slightly wider than the runway.
2. Pokhara, Nepal. Small planes, small runway, scarey pilots, and really big mountains.
But what great adventures.
Janie Jul 13th 2008 4:54PM
Landing in Hong Kong was awesome because the landing strip is on the water.
Evan Jul 13th 2008 5:13PM
Wellington, New Zealand: The wind in the Cook Strait is intense, and flying in (and out) are off-the-charts! I flew into Wellington on one occaision and the wind was rocking the 737 like a toy as we were on final approach. The woman sitting next to me, noticing that I was sheet white and pouring sweat, patted my hand and said "Welcome to Wellington, Love." Tacking off is a real treat, too.
copskiss2 Jul 13th 2008 5:50PM
I can't believe New York's LaGuardia airport didn't make the list. This runway is so short, from the passengers' point of view, it appears as if the plane is touching down in the water first to have enough length to come to a safe stop. No room for error flying into this airport.
monk6272 Jul 13th 2008 6:47PM
I was born & raised in Astoria, near LaGuardia. I remember flying out of there on two occasions. Might've been the runway you mention. Darn plane came so close to the bridge I thought I could have reached out & touched it! (Of course, I was so "brave" I turned away & put my head betwen my legs. I've told my family & friends that they should use that "runway" only for vertical takeoffs!
copskiss2 Jul 13th 2008 5:53PM
I can't believe New York's LaGuardia airport didn't make the list. Pilots are always complaining about the short runway, and from the passenger's point of view, it appears as if the plane is touching down on the water to make room for a proper stop. No room for error at this airport
Dave Jul 13th 2008 6:07PM
I second the view on Lindberg Field, San Diego.
A few you missed - Florence, Italy, landing from the East or taking off to the East; I'm told Gitmo is "interesting" because of the need to avoid going over Cuban territory; and Erie, PA (short runway and crosswinds off the Lake)
Leo Jul 13th 2008 6:43PM
I've not been there in many years BUT look at the Sondestrom Greenland runway. It was one way in
and the reverse way out.
J La Fleur Jul 13th 2008 6:49PM
You know I used to work at Denver International Airport Yo kno wth airport of the future? LOL!! You know the "SCAREPORT" where sections of concrete on the runway have gotten sucked into the engines of aircraft? You wanna talk scary that could cause a rumble that will stir your cocktail! Denver International Airprt calls itself D I A which should be short for Denvers industrial ACCIDENT!