by Laura Ratliff, Condé Nast Traveler
Flying might be one of the safest modes of transportation, but you must admit -- landing at one of these airports will make even the most confident flier grip the arm rest.
1. Courchevel Airport
Located in the chic French ski town of Courchevel, this airport has an uphill runway that measures just 1,722 feet. On the other side of the runway? A vertical drop--off the side of an Alp. (Don't worry though; only private planes make landings at CVF, so unless you're a member of the ultra-luxe jet set, it's doubtful you'll be flying here anytime soon.)
Peter Barritt/Alamy
2. Princess Juliana International Airport
St. Maarten's short runway means that planes fly extremely low over the adjacent Maho Beach as they descend. The noise and wind is so scary that adrenaline junkies make a point of lining up at the fence adjacent to Runway 10 to see if they can withstand it. It's not a particularly safe thing to try.
Sean Pavone/Alamy
3. Madeira Airport
Madeira Island's Funchal Airport has water on one side and hills on the other, making for a difficult approach. In 2000, the airport's runway was extended even further into Atlantic Ocean in order to accommodate larger jets.
Werner Otto/Alamy
4. Barra Airport
Barra Airport holds the title as the only airport in the world where planes land on the beach. The airport disappears once the tide comes in from Traigh Mhòr bay, and given that it's naturally lit, car headlights provide additionally lighting in the case of decreased visibility.
Michael Roper/Alamy
5. Tenzing-Hillary Airport
At the southern end of Lukla's 1,500-foot airstrip, the ground drops 2,000 feet into a valley. Accidents are, unfortunately, common here with four crashes within the past five years.
Andrew Bain/Alamy
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Main Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Alamy
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