Airports Are Far From Just Another Piece of Concrete

Every stop—and every runway for that matter—really does have its own personality.

Les Abend

Wednesday, April 01, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A widebody jet overflies the beach on short final to the runway at St. Maarten in the Caribbean. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

While pilots may claim all airports are "just concrete," seasoned aviators recognize that each airport presents unique challenges and idiosyncrasies beyond routine operations.
Specific airports like New York's LaGuardia (KLGA) demand pilots' "A game" due to short runways, congested airspace, and the need for precision, especially in adverse weather.
St. Maarten (TNCM) is notable for its relatively short runway, nearby terrain requiring high-performance takeoffs, and the unique hazard of beachgoers near jet blasts.
London's Heathrow (EGLL) exemplifies an airport requiring exceptional pilot skill and ATC coordination, particularly with its high traffic volume and strict Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) procedures for noise abatement.

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Light years ago, I was nearby to hear a quintessential crusty, old captain’s response to an inquiry from a passenger that prompted him to say that at the end of the day, all airports were just pieces of concrete to land the airplane. The statement is pure bravado, implying that setting the wheels down on any runway anywhere in the world is routine.

Indeed, as well-trained professional pilots, it should be routine. But for those of us that are seasoned veterans of the sky, we know that airports have their own idiosyncrasies.