Hey, did you know that runways are the most important part of an airport? They’re right up there with the main terminal building as the most crucial airport features. The US has some amazing airports with top-notch facilities, and it’s also home to some incredibly long runways. Each one is unique in length and size, usually depending on where it’s located and what the airport needs.
What’s a Runway, Anyway?
Think of a runway as a really long, straight path made of pavement or concrete. It’s where planes take off and land. These strips usually have markings, lights, and navigation tools to help pilots stay safe and land accurately. A well-built runway is super important for planes – it’s where they pick up speed to fly. The lights on and around the runway are like a guide for pilots, especially when it’s hard to see or during night flights.
There are lots of airports across the US with super long runways. You might have even flown from one! Let’s take a look at six of the longest runways in the country:
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has been around since 1942 and boasts one of the longest runways in the US. It started welcoming airline flights in 1948, and its longest runway stretches out to 14,515 feet (that’s about 4,424 meters). Today, McCarran is one of the busiest airports in the country, with over 40 million passengers passing through each year.
Denver International Airport in Denver
Denver International Airport, or DIA for short, is the 20th busiest airport in the world and the 5th busiest in the US. It’s huge – covering about 34,000 acres – and has six runways for both domestic and international flights. The longest runway at DIA measures about 16,000 feet (around 4,877 meters), making it a major player in air travel.
Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico
Kirtland AFB covers 52,223 acres in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about five miles east of the Rio Grande. It was first used to test nuclear weapons and later became a flight training center during World War II. The longest runway here is about 13,793 feet (roughly 4,204 meters) long.
Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida
The Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida has one of the longest runways in the US, measuring 15,000 feet (about 4,572 meters). It covers 500 acres and has just one runway. A company called EG&G takes care of it, managing air traffic control and making sure landings are safe.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York
JFK is located 16 miles southeast of Manhattan, New York, and is the 6th busiest airport in the US. Over 70 airlines fly from JFK to places on 6 continents. The longest runway here is 14,511 feet (about 4,423 meters) long. JFK is the 17th busiest airport in the world, serving over 55 million passengers each year. It’s also a major hub for big airlines like Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways.
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California
Vandenberg AFB is 149 miles (240 km) northwest of Los Angeles. It’s where they launch military and commercial satellites into polar orbits. They also test intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) here. The longest runway at Vandenberg is about 15,000 feet (roughly 4,572 meters) long, which helps with all their different operations.
These airports have some of the longest runways in the US, which helps make air travel smoother and easier. Long runways are really important as more and more people fly – they help planes take off and land safely, even as air traffic gets busier.
