What Is the Lukla Flight Like? Everest Base Camp Flight Experience
- Margaux
- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
Trekking to Everest Base Camp involves one of the most famous flights in the world to Lukla Airport. Known as one of the most dangerous airports on the planet, the flight has a reputation that can make most travellers feel nervous. As someone who is terrified of turbulence and flying in small planes, this was one of the parts of the trek I was most anxious about. I had heard countless stories of risky landings and dramatic mountain weather, and the thought of flying into Lukla genuinely scared me. But after completing the flight myself, I realised that it was far less terrifying than I had imagined.
In this post, I’ll share exactly what the Lukla flight is like, from takeoff and turbulence to the famous sloped runway landing, along with tips for nervous flyers preparing for the Everest Base Camp trek.
For a complete guide to Everest Base Camp, including itineraries, packing lists, costs, and more top tips, see my blog post here.
Contents
Why the Lukla Flight Has a Dangerous Reputation
The Lukla airport runway is situated on the edge of a mountain, surrounded by mountains, in the midst of the Himalayas. It is an extremely short runway, which means the entire take off and landing needs to be precise. There is no go around opportunity here, so one mistake and it could end very badly. The runway is sloped because of its short length: it helps slow planes down when they come in to land, and speed them up when they go to take off.
Planes are not equipped with radar, so they can only fly if the weather is clear, as pilots need to be able to see the runway. This means it is common for flights in and out of Lukla to be cancelled due to bad weather.
My Experience Flying to Lukla as a Nervous Flyer
Takeoff from Ramechhap
The planes that take off for Lukla are very small (approx. 14 seats), so the takeoff from Ramechhap is quick. You will feel all the little bumps in the air, but I actually felt quite safe. Remember, the planes only fly if it is safe to do so, which often means good atmospheric conditions and minimal turbulence. Try to enjoy the views of the mountains and the snow-capped Himalayas beyond the foothills, and get excited that you’re heading towards them!
Top tip: sit on the left side of the plane on the way to Lukla to have the best chance of seeing Everest - but be early in the queue to board because everyone has the same idea! Likewise, sit on the right side on your flight back.
Landing at Lukla Airport
At only 15-20 minutes, the flight is so short that you barely register you are in the air before you spot the runway at Lukla in the distance. This was the scariest part for me, but again, you’re down before you even know it. The pilots know what they’re doing! The runway is on an incline to slow you down, you’ll turn off it, and then you disembark and get trekking! It’s a crazy experience but one I’ll remember forever.
Takeoff from Lukla (The Ski Jump Feeling)
The takeoff from Lukla is not as scary as the landing, but it’s a much stranger feeling. I relate it to what it seems to be like going off a ski jump. You go down the sloped runway, and then lift off just as the runway ends and drops off into the valley. Again, terrifying to think about, but you are in the air before the runway stops, you aren’t literally going off a cliff, even though it may seem like it. And then you’re admiring your last views of the snow-capped Himalayas before you land back in Ramechhap and see all the eager people waiting to get up there. You’ll have such a sense of accomplishment at this moment. I will never forget the mixed emotions I felt disembarking that plane, knowing it was all over.
Tips for Nervous Flyers Taking the Lukla Flight
If you’re nervous about turbulence, sit near the wing for a slightly smoother flight. You will also want to aim for peak trekking seasons (October/November and April/May) to increase your chances of dryer weather and clearer skies. Choose early morning flights if possible, and focus on the mountain views when you’re up there - they are unbelievable!
The best advice, however, I got from my guide, who reassured me as we were waiting in the Ramechhap Airport. He said: “these pilots fly this route more times a day than they pee”.
Is the Lukla Flight Worth It?
The flight to Lukla was one of the most memorable moments of my Everest Base Camp trek. Of course it is nerve-wracking, but I would recommend doing it to have the experience. It also cuts the trek time in half and means you can enjoy the mountains for longer.
However, if you’re not sure, it is possible to complete the Everest Base Camp trek without flying into and out of Lukla. This route will add several days to the experience and makes the journey less comfortable, but is very feasible. It involves getting a 10 hour jeep from Kathmandu to Salleri, spending the night, and starting the trek from there. The road to Salleri is very uneven and not well paved, which makes for a bumpy drive. Depending on your route, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 days to reach Phakding (the first night’s stop on the regular EBC route) from Salleri. You do this route in reverse on your way down.
If you are looking at doing the Everest Base Camp trek without flying, I strongly recommend booking this jeep and additional few days of trekking in Kathmandu rather than online to ensure it is booked and organised correctly. You will see plenty of tour operators around Thamel offering the package to speak to and receive quotes from.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post answers your questions about flying in and out of Lukla for Everest Base Camp. It’s something I will remember forever. While you’re out trekking, please remember to look after the incredible places you will walk through. As always, leave only your footprints behind :)
If you’re planning your own Everest Base Camp trek, be sure to check out my other posts here:
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