This content was created by Nate Buchanan. This content was uploaded by Nate Buchanan. This is a YouTube video titled "LANDING AT THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS AIRPORT (from the cockpit)" created on December 28, 2019. It features a conversation between Kara and Nate Buchanan as they document their experience flying to Bhutan, their 98th country, and landing at Paro airport, known for its challenging approach through the Himalayas. The video captures their emotions and experiences during the flight and landing, as well as their initial impressions of Bhutan.
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The captain has invited us to join him in the cockpit or the landing.
I can hardly breathe. 100.
We are Kara and Nate. Almost four years ago, we moved out of our apartment, put everything we owned in storage, and left to travel the world full time with the goal of visiting 100 countries. Almost four years later, those two naive kids who left Nashville on a one way ticket to Japan are actually getting close to reaching their goal.
Today we are leaving Bangladesh and flying to our 98th country of Bhutan. The flight from here to there is only about an hour, but it should be an exciting one because Paro airport is actually considered one of the most dangerous airports in the entire world due to the tricky approach to the Himalayan mountains.
We have a love hate relationship with these types of flights. As in I hate them. And Nate for some reason loves them. And this is actually the third time he has forced me to land in one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The first time being on our way to trek to Everest base camp, we landed at the Lukla airport, which is basically perched on the side of a mountain.
That was not fun.
And then earlier this here, we visited the island of Ceiba, which is home to the world's shortest commercial Runway.
That wasn't there. I was never even scared.
I think there are a couple different ways you could define what makes an airport the most dangerous in the world. You could look at how many accidents have actually occurred there, or you could think of it in terms of how tricky it is to land. And Paro falls into the latter category. The safety record there is actually pretty good. It's just extremely tricky for the pilots to get to the Runway because in order to get there, they have to weave their way through this valley in the Himalaya Mountains. So hopefully I'll be able to capture.
A little bit of.
Thank you.
How you feeling?
I'm okay right now. But when we start landing, like when the seat belt sign comes, comes on, we begin our defense. That's when my heart's gonna start racing.
I think it's gonna be so much better than the last two for you because this is like a big plane. It's not like one of the little ones. Yeah, I think as long as you just shut your eyes and don't look out of the window when we're landing, totally fine.
Okay, here we go. Please ensure that your window shade is open for decomp. The flight is only about half full, so we have a whole road to ourselves. Actually, we have like 1, 2, 5 rows all to ourselves. May we remind you that during domak and smoking are straigh be visit of all different colors.
We got a meal on this flight. Was not expecting this at all. Yeah. I believe this is a cheese sandwich. Bon appetit.
The captain has invited us to join him in the cockpit for the landing. I'm going to smile the whole time.
I'm very nervous.
Wow, what a view.
Watch your head, Nate. We're in the cockpit.
Oh, my gosh.
This is so.
Thank you.
Tip of Mount Everest is through my window. I just.
We are looking at some of the tallest peaks in the world right now, and we are about to start our descent through the clouds. Apparently the landing that we're doing today is most difficult because it requires flying over the airport, circling through a small valley, and then coming in for a landing. Couldn't ask for a better view.
I feel less nervous being in the cockpit because I can see the captain. He looks very confident, like he knows what he's doing. So I feel better up here than I would back there. Like my heart is still beating so fat. You would think I would be used to landing by now. All the times that we've flown.
We've officially landed on the top three most dangerous runways in the world. How did you talk me into doing this?
That was absolutely incredible to experience from up here. Thank you so much. Bye bye.
I'm so happy to be in bhutan country number 98.
I know that was dramatic, but that's how I feel.
Man, that was scary. There are only 15 pilots in the whole world who can land on this Runway and we just got to meet one of them.
So cool.
Look at this airport. It is so beautiful. I feel like I'm in a monastery.
That was too good. I cannot stop smiling. This is like the calmest, most serene airport that I've ever entered. I don't think I've ever felt like I needed to whisper inside of an airport.
Even the baggage carousel has a monastery on top of it.
I love it here. Let's go find our guide.
All right. Welcome to Pradhan.
This is a welcome scarf. If you want, you can put it around your neck.
I love it.
I won't miss you out. Thank you. Thank you.
Oh, and I love myself scarf. Yay.
What a difference a one hour flight makes. This could be any further opposite from Bangladesh.
So clean and quiet.
Traffic's a little bit different.
Everything that's been coming out. My nose for the past few days has been black. So just taking some deep breaths.
This trip is off to a great start. First stop of the day, giant cup of coffee with some momo. So good. I forgot how much I love momos.
All right, we just picked up a local SIM card because our data plans don't work here. And now we have a three hour drive west to the town of Punaka.
There are so many buttons and switches.
I can. Your head is about to rub the fire button.
Feeling nervous?
Yes.
Yes. When we were turning around in between the valley, I felt like I could touch the trees, like they were right there. And then I couldn't even see the Runway for the longest time. And then we got over this one mountain and it was there and then boom, we landed. There are just cows next to the.
