It is already known for one of America's most stomach-churning takeoffs, an abrupt, steep ascent which can make passengers feel like they are blasting into space.

Now John Wayne airport at Newport Beach, California, is threatening to ratchet up the white-knuckle factor another notch by forcing planes to slalom as they climb into the sky.

City authorities are lobbying for a new "S-curve" takeoff route to further muffle the noise of departing aircraft and protect the tranquility of well-heeled residents. The "required navigation performance departure" would oblige aircraft, which already takeoff at an unusually steep angle, to make an additional swerve to level out over the bay rather than neighbourhoods.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it did not know if such a takeoff was technically possible but would consider the request.

Newport Beach's mayor, Keith Curry, told the Los Angeles Times the city was determined to reduce noise pollution. "We'll do anything we can to reduce the impact."

Which means John Wayne airport, just 14 miles from Disneyland, could offer visitors an additional and possibly unwanted thrill. It is the third busiest commercial airfield in southern California, served by 14 carriers including Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines.

Even before the route-change proposal it was named one of the world's scariest airports for the fact planes roar to takeoff at near full power and climb at 25 degrees – 10 degrees steeper than normal – before swiftly reducing engine power, a protocol designed to minimise noise pollution over some of Orange County's wealthiest neighbourhoods, including Dover Shores.

"John Wayne's an interesting airport – one because you have a very short runway – so landings are more critical," Jon Russell, an Air Line Pilots Association regional safety director, told the LA Times. "And, of course, the takeoff profile. Those are two important catalysts for making an airport unique and more difficult."

The proposed S-curve route provoked dismay. Jean-Claude Demirdjian, a retired airline pilot, said the new route could affect safety if an engine failed during takeoff. Others accused city authorities of inconveniencing and endangering passengers.

Lobbying by residents and politicians has made John Wayne airport, named after the actor in 1979, one of the US's most noise-controlled airports. Most days commercial aircraft cannot takeoff before 7am or after 10pm.

The FAA said it would consider the city's request next year after testing of a similar proposal at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport.