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 outwardly claim all airports are routine, experienced aviators understand each presents unique challenges related to approach procedures, runway length, and weather conditions.
Airports like New York's LaGuardia (KLGA) demand exceptional precision due to short runways and congested surroundings, and St. Maarten (TNCM) requires specialized high-performance takeoffs because of terrain and limited pavement.
London Heathrow (EGLL) tests pilot skill with its high traffic volume and strict Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) requirements, collectively illustrating that no airport is "just another piece of concrete."

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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.