26 Underrated Airports That Are Surprisingly Great for Layovers

20. Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUK), Lukla, Nepal: Gateway to Everest

Perched at 9,334 feet in the Himalayas, Lukla Airport is the primary gateway for trekkers heading to Mount Everest Base Camp. Its notoriously short (527m/1,729ft), steeply sloped runway ends abruptly near a cliff face, making landings and takeoffs incredibly challenging and highly weather-dependent. The dramatic mountain scenery surrounding the airport is breathtaking, but the flight itself is considered one of the world's most extreme aviation experiences, demanding immense skill from pilots and offering adventurers an unforgettable start to their trek.