10 most beautiful airport landings in the world
The world’s most scenic airports have been revealed.
Donegal in northwestern Ireland was declared the most beautiful in a 2019 survey.
The poll, conducted by private jet booking platform PrivateFly, garnered responses from 7,000 people who nominated the airports they considered the most beautiful for take-offs and landings.
It’s the second time in a row Donegal has claimed the top spot, thanks to its location amid a rugged, untouched landscape.
“The view is spectacular!” said one respondent.
“Mountains on one side and a beautiful rugged coastline dotted with islands and golden sandy beaches running adjacent to the runway.”
Another commented: “There is nowhere as lovely as the wild, rugged beauty of unspoiled Donegal.”
The airport has received an extra popularity boost after the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way, a coastal touring route that passes through nine counties.
Donegal was followed by Barra, an island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Here, small jets land on the beach itself.
“The approach to Barra airport is awesome – superb views over to Skye and the small isles then seeing the causeway between Eriskay and South Uist coming in over the sand dunes to land on the beach at Barra is a totally unique experience. Nothing beats it,” commented one voter.
Nice, France, comes in third, with respondents citing the “spectacular approach with the Mediterranean sunlight glistening off the azure water of the sea”; Orlando Melbourne in the US, with its approach over the Atlantic Ocean and Kennedy Space Center, ranks fourth; and fifth place is taken by St Maarten in the Caribbean thanks to a landing that swings low over the heads of throngs of holidaymakers on the beach.
The UK gets a second spot in the top 10 with London City airport, which claims ninth place.
”The view over London’s Canary Wharf and the River Thames is incredible,” commented one respondent. “Amazing at sunset and sunrise.“
“Some airports offer an aerial view that becomes reason enough to visit in itself – never mind what attractions await on the ground,” said Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly and experienced pilot.
“Some of these destinations are rapidly acquiring iconic status with aviation enthusiasts as a result.”
10 most scenic airports
Donegal (Ireland)
Barra (Scotland, UK)
Nice (France)
Orlando Melbourne (USA)
St Maarten (French/Dutch Caribbean)
Saba (Dutch Caribbean)
Queenstown (New Zealand)
Toronto Billy Bishop (Canada)
London City (England, UK)
Aosta (Italy)
