John Wayne Airport in California is rated the scariest in the United States due to sudden, ultra-steep takeoffs from runways shortened to avoid noise complaints from wealthy neighbors.
- Known around the world for its fast and furious departures, John Wayne Airport, located in picturesque Southern California, boasts one of the fastest takeoff runs in the world.
- These fast ascents turn it into a reverse roller coaster with each ride, but serve to reduce noise pollution in Newport Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa.
- An especially short runway further heightens passenger fears, forcing departing planes to climb especially aggressively immediately after takeoff.
A small airport nestled among some of the most prosperous communities in the US is being listed as one of the scariest places to fly in the world, due to shorter runways and steep takeoffs to comply with local flight regulations. noise.
Known worldwide for its fast and furious departures, John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in scenic Southern California, boasts one of the fastest takeoff runs in the world, with planes taking off at 25-degree angles compared to the usual 10.
These fast ascents create a reverse roller coaster with each outing, but they also serve to reduce noise pollution in intellectual cities like Newport Beach, Irvine and Costa Mesa.
An especially short runway, measuring 5,700 feet instead of the usual 13,000 feet, is likely to further heighten passenger fears, forcing departing planes to climb especially aggressively almost immediately after takeoff.
SNA flights are therefore fast, noisy and sudden from the start, hence its dubious reputation.
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Known worldwide for its fast and furious departures, John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in scenic Southern California, boasts one of the fastest takeoff runs in the world, with planes taking off at 25-degree angles compared to the usual 10 in order to Comply with local noise regulations.

These fast ascents turn into a reverse roller coaster with each outing, but they also serve to reduce noise pollution in highbrow cities like Newport Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa.
On its official website, SNA, named after the late Duke shortly after his death in 1979, boasts of the strict noise regulations that account for every scare, explaining that the airfield is Surrounded by several urbanizations.
“To mitigate potential noise impacts from aircraft operations, (SNA) maintains some of the most stringent noise standards in the United States,” the operators explain.
The result is a nervous traveler’s worst nightmare, with planes that sound louder than usual taking off as they desperately strive to climb above affluent neighborhoods instead of roaring directly over them.
The steep takeoff pitch was also implemented to meet this not-so-sensible standard, forcing planes to climb noticeably faster than usual.
If that wasn’t unreasonable enough, the FAA actually considered a proposal in 2013 that would have made takeoffs even more choppy: a wayward route proposed by Newport Beach residents that would carry planes over the ocean instead of communities. luxurious. .
Luckily for travelers with weak stomachs, that plan was scrapped, as the tricky ‘S-curve’ maneuver is usually reserved for airports that carry real dangers, such as nearby mountains or cliffs.
That said, the government agency tasked with enforcing security regulations at more than 20,000 public and private US airports considered the proposal, likely because of the wealth and power of those who issued it.

The airport, which receives a large number of private planes on a daily basis, was named after the late Western actor shortly after his death in 1979.