Aircraft noise intrusion, we learned, occurs until well after 11pm, and often before 6am. People up to 20 miles away from major airports have reported frequent and intrusive noise impacts.

Airport noise is a complex acoustic phenomenon that can travel significant distances depending on the aircraft type, weather conditions, and surrounding topography. In 2026, while modern engines are quieter, the "noise footprint" of a major international airport can still be felt 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) away from the runways. During takeoff, the high-decibel "roar" is most intense within a 2-mile radius, but low-frequency vibrations can travel further, especially on damp or overcast days when the cloud ceiling reflects sound back toward the ground. For arriving aircraft, the "glideslope" noise—including the deployment of landing gear and flaps—can be audible for several miles along the flight path. Many airports use "Noise Contour Maps" (typically the 65 dB DNL contour) to determine where soundproofing is required for homes. However, residents living as far as 20 miles away may still notice "overflight" noise during quiet night hours. Factors like wind direction can also "carry" the sound of idling engines and ground thrust reversals significantly further in one direction than another, making noise pollution a regional rather than just a local issue.