John Wayne Airport in California branded America’s scariest
California’s John Wayne Airport labeled America’s scariest due to ultra-steep, sudden takeoffs from runways shortened to avoid noise complaints from wealthy neighbors
- Known worldwide for its fast and furious departures, John Wayne Airport – located in scenic Southern California – has one of the fastest takeoff rolls in the world
- These fast climbs provide an inverted roller coaster ride on every departure, but serve to reduce noise pollution in Newport Beach, Irvine and Costa Mesa
- A particularly short runway further inflames riders’ fears, forcing departing aircraft to take off in a particularly aggressive manner immediately after takeoff
A small airport among some of the most affluent communities in the US has been labeled one of the scariest places in the world to fly, due to shortened runways and steep takeoffs to comply with local noise regulations.
Known worldwide for its fast departure times, John Wayne Airport (SNA) – located in scenic Southern California – has one of the fastest takeoff rolls in the world, with planes taking off at angles of 25 degrees compared to the usual 10.
These fast climbs provide an inverted roller coaster ride on every departure, but also serve to cut down noise pollution in elite nabes like Newport Beach, Irvine and Costa Mesa.
A particularly short runway — measured at 5,700 feet instead of the usual 13,000 feet — likely further fuels riders’ fears, forcing departing planes to take off almost immediately after takeoff in a particularly aggressive affair.
So SNA flights are fast, loud and sudden from the start – hence the questionable reputation.
Known worldwide for its fast departure times, John Wayne Airport (SNA) – located in scenic Southern California – has one of the fastest takeoff rolls in the world, with planes taking off at an angle of 25 degrees compared to the usual 10 to meet local noise regulations
The airport – which welcomes a large number of private planes every day – was named after the late Western actor shortly after his death in 1979.
That said, on its official website – which is named after the late Duke shortly after his death in 1979 – SNA brags about the heightened noise regulations responsible for each scare, explaining that the airport is surrounded by different residential communities.
‘To reduce potential noise effects from aircraft operations, [SNA] enforces some of the strictest noise regulations in the United States,” operators explain.
The result is a nervous flier’s worst nightmare, with planes sounding louder than usual on takeoff, as they desperately try to climb over the affluent neighborhoods instead of roaring directly overhead.
The steep take-off ramp was also implemented to meet this not-so-sensible standard, requiring aircraft to climb noticeably faster than usual.
As if that wasn’t unreasonable enough, in 2013 the FAA even considered a proposal that would have brought even more stomach cramps to the takeoff — a quirky route proposed by Newport Beach residents that would take planes across the ocean rather than the posh communities.
Fortunately for travelers with a weak stomach, that plan was rejected, as the complicated “S-turn” maneuver is typically reserved for airports that present real hazards, such as mountains or nearby cliffs.