Aero-Avoidance: 35+Airports Pilots Would Rather Skip

Becoming a pilot isn’t a walk in the park, that’s for sure. And if you need convincing, wait until you see these pics. It’s not just a job; it’s a massive responsibility that demands severe precision and focus. Even the tiniest slip-up could spell big trouble when you’re navigating a colossal metal bird through crowded skies. Things can escalate really quickly. And hey, not all airports are created equal, right? 

So, when pilots were asked about the one airport they’d avoid landing at if they could, you bet they had stories to share, complete with snapshots. Ready to dive into the wild world of aviation mishaps? Let’s take a peek at what these seasoned flyers have to say! 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Many accounts of pilots say that they all have to be on high alert when they are operating at the National Airport in Washington DC. It’s not a dangerous approach per se, but there still are many things to consider for a pilot apart from that.

For instance, even a minor deviation of the plane could land it in restricted airspace, which could land a pilot into an entire world of trouble. The consequences are too embarrassing for a pilot, so it is best to pay attention.

Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport

Amazingly, Cristiano Ronaldo has an airport named after him, situated on the stunning Madeira Island. However, there are a few drawbacks. The weather can get quite harsh with rain, fog, or wind, which might pose challenges for pilots trying to navigate in and out.

With the harsh weather conditions, visibility takes a hit, demanding precise landings on the narrow runway. The challenge doesn’t stop there—the runway’s width falls short of what pilots ideally prefer, adding another layer of complexity to the landing process.

Lake Tahoe Airport

According to pilots, if we were just to use the exact words they used, this airport is ‘pretty bad.’ Pilots wouldn’t usually consider landing over here if it were in their hands because Douglas County airport is safer and not too far away from this one.

Located in California, this airport is almost as if you are flying into a toilet bowl (using the exact words!). But let’s not count out the pilots who like landing over here. The major reason behind that could be that these pilots like the challenges that come with their jobs.

Catalina Airport

Pilots have faced issues while landing and taking off from this private airport located in the district of Avalon in California. But they also think that it is fun. The runway is over a plateau, so the approach has to be taken over the water.

Although you are well above the water, it’s not so easy. Another problem is that there is a hump right in the middle of the runway! What makes it even scary is that the hump on the runway isn’t even visible from a distance. You have to trust your experiences and estimations.

Juneau International Airport

This airport is located in the city of Juneau, Alaska, which is a place that has no direct road access to the outside world! That itself is enough to give a terrifying vibe to this public airport. The weather conditions are going to be harsh.

On top of all that, there is a gigantic mountain at the end of the runway, so you have to prepare for that boulder when you take off from this runway. Because of the mountain, you have to land one way and fly out the other way.

Innsbruck Airport

Nestled in Innsbruck, Austria, the Kranebitten Airport reigns as the largest international airport in the western part of the country. However, its placement doesn’t inspire confidence in safety. The surrounding terrain or factors visible in the image suggest potential vulnerabilities, prompting questions about the airport’s resilience in the face of various risks.

Let’s clarify: this international airport sits snugly within a mountain valley, an unexpected location choice in Austria. Despite its size, large planes aren’t a common sight here, adding to the intrigue. Nevertheless, the setup can be pretty unnerving for passengers and pilots alike.

Kai Tak Airport

This airport was also known as Hong Kong International Airport. We said that it was because this airport was closed in 1998. The image is terrifying, and pilots have noted that landing at this airport was almost like a nightmare. Specifically, Runway 13 was a headache.

Given the history of accidents, it’s not entirely surprising that things turned out this way. Landing was challenging due to the airport’s rugged terrain—a bustling city encircled by mountains. Pilots navigated the skies cautiously, requiring special permits for every journey, adding to the complexity of operations.

Alton Bay Seaplane Base

This seaplane base stands out in New Hampshire as the sole FAA-authorized ice runway in the contiguous United States. While seasoned pilots might handle it well, picturing a landing on a frozen lake can still spark some imagination and perhaps a touch of trepidation.

If you let your mind go, you’ll realize that so many things could go wrong. Unfortunately, you can’t let that happen because you have to focus! It’s difficult maneuvering planes on land, let alone ice. So, it’s all quite complex.

Paro International Airport

Bhutan has 4 airports, and among them, this is the only international airport. Located in the town of Paro, this airport is considered to be among the world’s most challenging airports for pilots, and we haven’t even dropped the craziest fact yet.

This airport can accept twin-engine jets, but did you know that only 7 pilots in the world are certified to fly their planes here? This breathtaking airport is literally and very intricately situated between mountains. It must be a nightmare for pilots.

Tenzing Hillary Airport

This airport is also known as Lukla Airport since it is located in the town of Lukla in Nepal. It is a domestic airport that is at an elevation of 2,846 meters. The runway of this airport is only 1,729 feet long, making it one of the most dangerous airports.

According to the account of a passenger, the runway has a 12% gradient with a drop at the bottom and a rock face at the top! The passenger hadn’t even researched the airport’s legendary reputation before boarding the plane. Good for him.

LaGuardia Airport

Located in Queens, New York, this dangerous airport went public in 1939. The reason behind its fearsome reputation is the amount of short runways in the airport. Because of that, people think of this airport as one of the worst in the USA.

Even with that reputation, it is the third-busiest airport in New York. The good news is that this airport has a multibillion-dollar reconstruction going on that is expected to be completed by next year. It could go from being the worst to the best.

USS Lexington

We don’t even need to explain how scary this place is. Just a glimpse is enough for everybody to determine that. This is an aircraft carrier that was built during the Second World War for the navy of the United States.

It’s not just a normal aircraft carrier, as you guys can assume, this is a moving, pitching, heaving, rolling aircraft carrier that is still too small for a plane landing, even according to aircraft carrier standards. On top of that, imagine the harsh winds.

Zaragoza Air Base

The Zaragoza Air Base is the Spanish Air Force’s and Space Force’s base. It was also a NATO military airbase. The thing is that there are too many parallel runways over here. So, a pilot might get confused while landing on a runway.

There have been several accounts of pilots confusing their runways, which were followed by really close calls. A few months back, there was also a major accident involving a pilot and an F-18 fighter jet. The pilot was able to successfully eject himself from the aircraft.

Gibraltar Airport

This airport serves the territory of Gibraltar, which is a British overseas territory. You need to fly very steeply in order to fly in this territory and not in Spanish airspace and to do that; you have to fly tightly around a rock.

One can only imagine how bad the turbulence must be once the wind starts blowing. It must be really scary for the pilots and even for the passengers. The conditions are very dangerous around the runway, which gives the airport its notorious reputation.

John Wayne Airport

This airport is located in Orange County, California, and it is considered to be quite a headache for pilots. According to them, the problem does not lie in landing the planes, but while taking off. Things get really technical ahead with this airport.

The thing is that you have to steeply climb up and then pull and level off. All of that is happening on a very narrow corridor, as you can see in the image above. Also, those who live near this airport must be hearing airplanes all the time.

Aspen Airport

Located in Aspen, Colorado, everything about this airport is extremely frustrating, according to pilots. The approach itself requires a pilot to go out of their way, and it’s gonna take a lot of time to give the approach another try. It Must be a test of patience.

On top of that, the parking staff and the ground staff also aren’t the best. All in all, landing a plane over here, according to the pilots, is almost as if you are trying to stuff an airplane that cannot even fit inside the airport, which makes things really dangerous.

Pendleton Airport

Also known as Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, this airport is at a 456-meter elevation, and it comes with its own issues. The runway over here has a major dip, which can really mess up a landing that would’ve otherwise been a smooth one.

Especially if the landing was a long one on an upslope, considering the dip, it would majorly mess up a proper landing. Although a mishap over here is rare, it is enough to lead to a lot of problems for the pilots and the passengers.

West Virginia International Yeager Airport

Many pilots have said that the Yeager Airport in Charleston is one of the hardest ones in all of the USA. The runway in this airport is way too short, and on top of that, it is comfortably tucked away on the top of a mountain (flattened).

Pilots who have flown here multiple times know that this is the kind of a runway where a pilot would try his best to decelerate as soon as possible. And to make things worse, considering where the runway is, the weather is not the best.

Hollywood Burbank Airport

Burbank Airport in California is also problematic because there have been numerous instances where pilots had to land close to the maximum landing weight. This leads them to fly below the 1000 ft mark and lock the brakes, which is very risky.

Furthermore, there are many mountains nearby, there is a lot of traffic, and pilots aren’t even cleared to land many times until they are a few miles out. It gets more fun because then the pilots have to figure out when the tailwind is quick.

Newark Liberty International Airport

Located in New Jersey, this airport isn’t also very pleasant to fly in. Firstly, because of traffic, you would have to spend an exhausting amount of time in the taxi. After the pilots go through with all the fueling and additional supplies, there’s the airport turnaround.

That’s the most miserable and time-consuming part. The co-pilot who shared this story was extremely exhausted, and when he asked the captain about this situation, the captain replied by saying that this is all a very common occurrence over here!

O’Hare International Airport

This is the main airport in Chicago, Illinois. The airport has 8 runways and is a pretty renowned and busy one; this airport is among the least favorite ones for pilots, especially because of how badly it has been laid out.

According to some more reviews, it is a very confusing and unfriendly airport. It has also been ranked as one of the 10 worst airports in the USA. Because the airport is one of the busiest in the world, it is very difficult to navigate here.

Sheremetyevo International Airport

Located in Moscow, Russia, pilots say that this airport in Russia isn’t the most fun. There are a lot of reasons why, starting from the congestion. According to reviews, communication could also be a problem here if you aren’t a local.

There have also been a few accidents over here where a few casualties have been reported. Because of the congestion and the fact that it is a busy airport, there are some cleanliness issues, with the staff arriving hours early but still missing the flights.

Barra Airport

Located in Barra, Scotland, this is a short-runway airport which is also the only airport in the world where the scheduled planes use a tidal beach as the runway. The airport is on a remote territory and faces very low demand, so it only has one control tower.

For all the above-mentioned reasons, the airport only has that control tower and one small terminal, and also no space for a proper runway. It’s also why the airport uses the tidal beach. Because you’re landing on the sand, landing and flying is quite the task here.

Princess Juliana International Airport

Located on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten, it’s a very famous airport, especially because of its scenic approach. As you can see in the image, the planes fly very closely and directly over the public beach. Quite scary, right?

That is also why this beach gets so many visitors – a lot of them come just to spot the planes from a close distance. Tourists line the airport fences to marvel at the planes. It is still a very dangerous activity that has resulted in many injuries and even deaths.

Santos Dumont Airport/ Congonhas Airport

This image is quite horrific. But anyway, these airports, which are located in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, are indeed notorious ones. It is quite obvious that landings and take-offs are quite a difficult job in either of these airports.

In São Paulo, you can literally see people watching TV on their couches in the buildings that surround the airport. That’s how close the buildings are to the airport. In the airport in Rio, one mistake can make your airplane take a dive like the one in the image.

Skiathos International Airport

Located on the island of Skiathos in Greece, this international airport has one of the shortest runways, making things extremely difficult for pilots. There’s Aegean on either end of the runway, and it is surrounded by hills on both sides.

You have all of those problems with this airport, and to add to it, this runway also has a slight incline. In this image, you can see how close the plane is, and it is actually quite scary. You have to be a skilled pilot to land at this airport.

Narita International Airport

Located in Narita, Japan, and also known as New Tokyo International Airport, this airport is among the least favorite airports of many pilots. And, to our surprise, the reason behind the dislike is not the terrain or even the length of the runway.

The reason behind pilots not liking this airport is simply the wind. The winds are unstable, harsh, dangerous, and most of all, frequent (50-80 knots). Wind starts randomly blowing out of nowhere, and it could cause serious accidents. Best to practice caution.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

Well, you might be surprised to find this airport on our list, but facts are facts. However, JFK Airport isn’t on our list due to harsh conditions or bad runways. It is there on this list because this airport is an extremely busy one, making up for a frustrating experience.

For those who haven’t been to this airport in New York City, planes getting delayed is very normal here. Being the 29th plane in the queue for takeoff is also very normal here. Having slot times is also very normal here, and it’s all just a big hassle.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

This airport is located in Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh. It is also the largest airport in Bangladesh. One particular pilot says that this airport is literally the worst one. First of all, the airport has bad vehicle operators who are undertrained and overworked.

All that can still be slightly manageable, but according to the pilot, even the air traffic control is horrible. There is just one controller that controls the entire airspace, so you can imagine how things get when it gets busy. On top of that, Dhaka has tropical storms.

San Diego International Airport

Many years ago, the 60-Minute News program in San Diego mentioned a tall building in the way of the airport. If you live there and you check it out, or even if you just Google it, you’ll see that the building still exists to this date.

Pilots say that the landing could be a little sketchy because there are a lot of hills and buildings in the proximity, and even a multi-story parking garage right before the landing strip. You might have to drop down steeply, but the views are pretty nice.

Los Angeles International Airport

According to pilots, Los Angeles International Airport is not a bad airport to land your plane in, but there are just way too many restrictions. There are also a lot of airspace overlaps, so basically, landing there is quite stressful.

The only thing that reduces the stress factor in this entire situation is that the pilots have to be on a flight plan with the instructions provided by ATC when they have to land their planes there. Otherwise, things would’ve been really messy.       

Telluride Regional Airport

When you talk about dangerous airports, this is an airport that never skips the mind of a pilot. In short, it is a box canyon. It has a three-degree tilt with a large sagging area right in the center of the runway.

Something like that isn’t only scary for a pilot but also for a passenger. Also, the lift for the take-off that a plane would receive majorly depends on the temperature of the region, which also applies here. Overall, it is a tough ride for the pilots.

Akureyri International Airport

This airport in Finland is located at sea level in a fjord that is curved. Now that you have GPS, there’s no huge issue, but for the days when there was no GPS, you had to receive radar instructions throughout your descent.

If that wasn’t your approach, you would have to fly and stop right above the rim of the fjord. Either approach is very complex. The pilots who have been here would know that the path of the approach was very narrow, and the clouds just made it more complex.

Sandane Airport

This airport is located in the village of Sandane in Norway. According to pilots, this airport requires way more attention than any other airport. To be precise, this airport has an 800-meter runway that is tucked between fjords and mountains.

You could be really close to the mountains while flying, and the turbulence could be horrible. So, if you land over here when the weather is nice and your aircraft is lightweight, consider yourself lucky and your day to be a good one!

Floro Airport

This airport is located in Floro, Norway, and it is another Norwegian airport with a notorious reputation. As of today, the runway of the airport is 1,200 meters, but before 2001, the runway was just 800 meters. It also has a steep slope for the approach (5.4 degrees).

The problem doesn’t end there because this airport also has a lot of mountains around its vicinity, adding another layer of challenge for pilots. The winds are very strong, and it also rains a lot here. One of the runways also has a circling approach. How complicated!

Godofredo P. Ramos Airport

This airport in Malay, Philippines, is also known as the Caticlan Airport, and it has a 900-meter-long runway with a tiny apron. Imagine traveling by a taxi to other aircrafts on the apron that are just a few centimeters clear from each other.

All of that might not even sound that frustrating because we could tolerate a few things. But imagine hundreds of people trying to do all of that with you. That’s a fact because passengers are always walking to and from the aircraft over here.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Located in Manila, which is the capital of the Philippines, there are two runways at this airport, and the problem is that they cross each other. There are instances when pilots are given clearance to take off and then ordered to stop.

They’re ordered to stop because of the crossing traffic, and that must be really frustrating for a pilot. Even the quality of the radio used by air traffic control isn’t the best because there are times when you can’t understand what they’re trying to say.

Catarman National Airport

Located in Catarman, Philippines, this airport literally splits the town it is in into two parts. What’s funny is that people literally cross the runways at a convenient time, almost as if it is a road. That makes this airport a unique one.

Crossing a road is common, but crossing a runway is not so common, so it does sound pretty horrifying. However, it is fine for them because there are barely any aircraft moments throughout the day at this airport. Kids play and run around over here as well.

Haneda Airport

This airport is among the two international airports serving Tokyo in Japan. And according to pilots, this one is a headache for them because of all the procedures that they have to go through when they are here, as compared to the other airport in Tokyo.

That’s just one part of it. This airport opened up in 1931, and since then, there have been quite a few accidents over here. The most recent was in January 2024, when there was a runway collision between an Airbus and a Japan Coast Guard plane.

Kahului Airport

This airport is the main airport that serves the state of Maui in Hawaii. It is quite a pain for the pilots. This is mainly because the runway is on the shorter side of the 7000 ft, which might not be the best thing for a pilot who isn’t accustomed to these conditions.

That would’ve still been manageable if it had been the only bothersome situation, but in that region, harsh winds are very normal. 15 gusting, 25 knots, 280 variables at 030 degrees: readings like these are very common over there. Just imagine.