World’s 10 most scenic airport landings for 2019 | CNN

<strong>10. Aosta Valley Airport, Italy: </strong>The approach to this Italian airport won special praise on PrivateFly's top 10 global scenic airports list thanks to the "majestic mountains in Europe" that can be viewed while landing.

10. Aosta Valley Airport, Italy: The approach to this Italian airport won special praise on PrivateFly's top 10 global scenic airports list thanks to the "majestic mountains in Europe" that can be viewed while landing.

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>9. London City Airport, United Kingdom: </strong>The descent to this UK airport, which boasts fantastic views of the River Thames and clock tower of Big Ben, was ninth on the list.

9. London City Airport, United Kingdom: The descent to this UK airport, which boasts fantastic views of the River Thames and clock tower of Big Ben, was ninth on the list.

Andrew Holt

<strong>8. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada: </strong>A panel of travel experts and aviation fans participated in the poll, which received over 7,000 votes.

8. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada: A panel of travel experts and aviation fans participated in the poll, which received over 7,000 votes.

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>7. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand: </strong>"Dramatic jagged peaks and Lake Wakatipu provide a taste of the glorious scenery on offer in Queenstown and its environs," one voter said of the descent to this New Zealand airport.

7. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand: "Dramatic jagged peaks and Lake Wakatipu provide a taste of the glorious scenery on offer in Queenstown and its environs," one voter said of the descent to this New Zealand airport.

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>6. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba, Dutch Caribbean: </strong>Boasting the shortest commercial runway in the world, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba was sixth on the list.

6. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba, Dutch Caribbean: Boasting the shortest commercial runway in the world, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba was sixth on the list.

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<strong>5. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten: </strong>It's just beautiful.," a voter said of the view on landing at this airport in the beautiful island of St. Maarten. "The water, the color, the land to the side and yes -- the awesome approach just above spectators' heads can't be beat!"

5. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten: It's just beautiful.," a voter said of the view on landing at this airport in the beautiful island of St. Maarten. "The water, the color, the land to the side and yes -- the awesome approach just above spectators' heads can't be beat!"

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>4. Orlando Melbourne International Airport: </strong>This Florida airport also featured in the top 10, ranking as the fourth most scenic airport view in the world.

4. Orlando Melbourne International Airport: This Florida airport also featured in the top 10, ranking as the fourth most scenic airport view in the world.

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>3. Nice Cote d'Azur, France: </strong>The descent to France's third-busiest airport came in third on the annual poll from the booking platform for private jet charters.

3. Nice Cote d'Azur, France: The descent to France's third-busiest airport came in third on the annual poll from the booking platform for private jet charters.

Courtesy PrivateFly

<strong>2. Barra Airport, Scotland: </strong>The view on the approach to Scotland's Barra Airport, which offers stunning coastal views, just missed out on the number one spot, coming in second place.

2. Barra Airport, Scotland: The view on the approach to Scotland's Barra Airport, which offers stunning coastal views, just missed out on the number one spot, coming in second place.

Ewen Weatherspoon

<strong>1. Donegal Airport, Ireland: </strong>Located on Ireland's northwest Atlantic coast, Donegal Airport claimed the top spot for the second year in a row. "We are delighted to retain this acclaim as the 'World's Most Scenic Airport Landing 2019," says Anne Bonner, Managing Director of Donegal Airport. "It is indeed a great endorsement from the traveling public and aviation/travel experts."

1. Donegal Airport, Ireland: Located on Ireland's northwest Atlantic coast, Donegal Airport claimed the top spot for the second year in a row. "We are delighted to retain this acclaim as the 'World's Most Scenic Airport Landing 2019," says Anne Bonner, Managing Director of Donegal Airport. "It is indeed a great endorsement from the traveling public and aviation/travel experts."

Owen Clarke

Most scenic airport approaches for 2019 (photos)

CNN —

There’s nothing quite like touching down in a new destination, particularly if you’re flying to somewhere with a spectacularly scenic approach.

But which airport offers the most picturesque landing view of them all?

According to the 2019 edition of an annual poll by PrivateFly, Ireland’s Donegal Airport is the world leader when it comes to breathtaking landing strips.

Rugged coastal landscapes

Donegal Airport on Ireland's northwest Atlantic coast claimed the top spot for the second year running.

Courtesy Owen Clarke

The beautiful rugged coastline seen on the approach at the regional airport in Carrickfinn came out on top for the second year in a row in the annual poll from the UK-based booking platform for private jet charters.

Scotland’s Barra Airport approach, which offers stunning coastal views, just missed out on the number one spot, coming in second place.

“Too often travelers hurry through the journey to get to their destination; this poll encourages those to stop, take a look through their aircraft window and be awestruck by the joy of flying,” said Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly.

“Donegal’s rugged coastal landscapes are truly awe-inspiring as you come into land. There is simply nowhere else like it and its popularity with global travelers is clear.”

Picturesque landings

The descent to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten also featured in the top 10.

Courtesy PrivateFly

Florida’s Orlando Melbourne International Airport also featured in the top 10, ranking as the fourth most scenic airport view in the world.

“First, you see the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and then pass over the Indian and Banana Rivers.

“Then, there is a pass over the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, where you may get a glimpse of a rocket on a launch pad,” one voter said of this descent.

The top 10 global scenic airports list also featured the UK’s London City Airport (ninth place), which boasts fantastic views of the River Thames and landmarks such as the clock tower of Big Ben.

New Zealand’s Queenstown Airport (seventh place) also featured, with voters marveling at its picture perfect landing views.

Juancho E Yrausquin Airport, which has the shortest commercial runway in the world, on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba was fifth on the list, while the approach to Italy’s Aosta Valley Airport (10th) won special praise thanks to the spectacle of the “majestic mountains in Europe” that can be viewed from above.

A panel of travel experts and aviation fans participated in the annual poll, which featured 129 different airports around the world and received over 7,000 votes.

10 most scenic airport landings, according to PrivateFly

1. Donegal Airport, Ireland

2. Barra Airport, Scotland

3. Nice Cote d’Azur, France

4. Orlando Melbourne International Airport, Florida

5. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten

6. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba, Dutch Caribbean

7. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

8. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

9. London City Airport, United Kingdom

10. Aosta Valley Airport, Italy