Ranked: The World’s Most Beautiful Airport Landings to Add to Your Bucket List

From mountain valleys to sparkling coastlines, these beautiful airport landings offer jaw-dropping views before your plane even touches down.

There’s a particular thrill that stirs when your plane dips below the clouds and the world outside the window sharpens into view. The gentle chime of the seatbelt sign signals more than just landing—it marks the start of a show only the sky can stage. As the aircraft begins its gentle descent, passengers are treated to sweeping vistas that rival any cinematic spectacle. This is  nature’s own IMAX theatre that offers no pause button, no replays, and certainly no costly refreshments. Instead, it gives a transient and indelible vision of the earth’s splendour unfurling below.

So which airport landings are truly worth pressing your face against the window for? AllClear, a travel insurance provider, has the answer to that question. In a recent research, analysts began with a curated list of 32 airports known for their breathtaking aerial approaches. Then, they used eye-tracking technology on 100 participants to measure how quickly each view captured attention the quickest and held it the longest in seconds. The result? A ranked list of the world’s most mesmerising landings that are ideal for travellers who chase views from the sky.

Lord Howe Island Airport, Australia (Score: 85)

Lord Howe Island Airport ranks first on the list, offering an arrival that unveils a volcanic island rising from the Tasman Sea. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is home to rare wildlife, coral reefs, and misty mountain peaks. Its 886-meter runway is one of the shortest in Australia and requires expertly handled landings. Additionally, access is limited to just 400 people at a time as part of ongoing conservation efforts. Once on land, travellers can hike up Mount Gower, snorkel through the lagoon, or explore the island by bicycle. Lastly, the absence of cell service makes it an ideal place for a digital detox.

Where to sit: Left side

Queenstown Airport, New Zealand (Score: 79)

As the plane begins its descent, the jagged outline of the Southern Alps slowly appears on the horizon. Lake Wakatipu stretches below like a polished mirror that reflects the snow-dusted peaks above. This approach is known for its breathtaking scenery where towering mountains meet still waters in perfect harmony. The wind often shifts through the valley which makes each landing feel like a one-of-a-kind experience. As the aircraft draws closer to the ground, The Remarkables come into view with ridgelines that complete this cinematic arrival. It is easy to see why this descent is considered one of the most beautiful airport landings in the world.

Where to sit: Left side

Madeira Airport, Portugal (Score: 77)

Landing in Madeira is nothing short of a visual spectacle. The runway that is built partly on stilts above the Atlantic was designed to meet the demands of the island’s steep cliffs and uneven coastline. As the aircraft nears the ground, passengers are greeted with sweeping views of terraced green hills, red-roofed villages, and waves crashing against volcanic rock. Wind conditions often shift quickly, making each arrival a test of precision and timing. Along the descent, the lush Laurisilva forest reveals its ancient canopy, which shelters endemic flora and fauna.  Beyond the runway, Madeira is known for its scenic levada trails, vibrant botanical gardens, and year-round spring-like weather.

Where to sit: Right side

Pitkin County Airport, USA (Score: 77)

Nestled within the towering Rocky Mountains, the airport landing offers a breathtaking welcome that feels carved out of alpine wilderness. The narrow runway that is perched at 7,820 feet is tucked into a tight valley flanked by snowy peaks and thick pine forests. From here, travellers are swiftly transported to world-class resorts like Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands. The region is home to luxurious stays including The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome, as well as acclaimed spas and après-ski spots. Downtown Aspen also adds to the charm with art galleries, designer boutiques, and fine dining ranging from mountaintop restaurants to cosy firelit lodges.

Where to sit: Right side.

Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont Airport, Brazil (Score: 76)

Approaching Santos Dumont feels like a cinematic sequence. The aircraft glides past Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer before skimming the edge of Guanabara Bay. The runway hugs the city’s waterfront, just a few kilometers from cultural attractions like the Museum of Tomorrow and Rio’s historic Cinelândia district. With Copacabana and Ipanema also nearby, it’s one of the few airports that lets you step off the plane and straight into the city’s rhythm.

Where to sit: Right side

London City Airport, United Kingdom (Score: 76)

As the plane sweeps toward the city, London unveils itself like an old painting coming to life. The Thames snakes through the landscape, its path guiding the eye past the iconic Tower Bridge, the modern lines of the Shard, and the patchwork of ancient rooftops. High above, silver skyscrapers stand tall beside the weathered stone of historic cathedrals. Down below, red double-decker buses pulse along the streets, their movements seemingly endless. The descent, steep and narrow, is dictated by the city’s rich and tangled history. Touching down here is like stepping through a doorway into a place where past and present are forever entwined.

Where to sit: Right side

Innsbruck Airport, Austria (Score: 74)

A flight into Innsbruck feels like floating through a snow globe set in the Tyrolean Alps. Steep mountain walls rise close on either side as the plane glides past fairytale villages and forested slopes. Rivers shimmer below, winding their way through valleys dotted with traditional chalets. Once you arrive, you are within easy reach of some of Austria’s top ski resorts, including Nordkette, Patscherkofel, and Axamer Lizum. The city itself blends imperial charm with mountain adventure, offering baroque architecture, open-air cafés, and easy gondola access to panoramic trails.

Where to sit: Left side

Paro International Airport, Bhutan (Score: 72)

Descending into Paro feels like drifting into a mythical realm carved by the gods. The Himalayas rise like sentinels on all sides with their snowy crowns brushing the sky as the aircraft weaves through narrow mountain corridors. Sacred monasteries cling to cliffs, their golden roofs glinting in the sunlight. Once on the ground, the magic deepens where visitors marvel at the gravity-defying Tiger’s Nest, gaze over rice terraces, and breathe in the calm of one of the last great Buddhist kingdoms. Every moment feels hushed, like stepping into a kingdom that time chose to spare.

Where to sit: Left side

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Caribbean Netherlands (Score: 69)

Saba’s tiny airstrip is the shortest commercial runway in the world at just 400 meters—leaving virtually no room for error. Nestled between cliffs and the Caribbean Sea, it’s both visually arresting and pulse-raising. The island’s landscape is a blend of misty mountains, lush valleys, and peaceful villages. Trails wind through dense rainforests that lead to Mount Scenery, which is the island’s highest point, where views of the surrounding sea take your breath away. Beneath the waves, the vibrant coral reefs promise unforgettable diving experiences in one of the Caribbean’s most pristine corners.

Where to sit: Right side

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, USA (Score: 68)

When coming into Oʻahu, the world below blooms with colour. Reefs glow beneath the waves and Diamond Head stands tall above the glittering hotels of Waikīkī. The view stretches from the peaks of the Koʻolau Range to the calm expanse of Hanauma Bay. Once on land, the island invites you to walk through the stories of Pearl Harbor, hike shaded trails to Manoa Falls, or chase waves along the Northern Shore. The island greets every arrival with the rhythm of hula and the scent of plumeria.

Where to sit: Left side

Lukla Airport, Nepal (Score: 68)

The journey into Lukla begins long before the plane touches the ground. The Himalayas rise like ancient walls as their peaks brushed in snow and silence. As the aircraft nears the hilltop strip, Mount Everest looms in the distance beside the jagged faces of Lhotse and Nuptse.  From here, trekkers set out toward suspension bridges, stone-lined villages, and the footsteps of the world’s highest climb.

Where to sit: Left side

Seychelles International Airport, Seychelles (Score: 65)

Mahé appears beneath the wings like a dream carved from sea and stone. Forested peaks stretch across the island while the waves break gently over Saint-Anne Marine National Park. Coral atolls glow through crystal waters and giant granite rocks stand guard along Anse Intendance and Beau Vallon Beach. Minutes from the runway, travellers can wander the colonial streets of Victoria, relax at luxury resorts like Maia and Four Seasons, or explore tea plantations tucked into the hills. Each view from the sky hints at the lush wonders waiting below.

Where to sit: Left side

Telluride Regional Airport, USA (Score: 65)

High in the Colorado sky, the runway rests on a mesa surrounded by the towering San Juan Mountains. The valley drops away on all sides, revealing a landscape that shifts with the seasons—golden aspens in autumn, snow-covered peaks in winter, and wildflower meadows in summer. The air feels thinner, crisper, and charged with possibility. Just a short ride away, the town of Telluride welcomes visitors with its historic Main Street, upscale lodges, and the scenic gondola that links to Mountain Village. Each arrival is as scenic as the stay that follows.

Where to sit: Either side.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, France (Score: 65)

Flying over Nice offers an unforgettable panorama of the French Riviera’s vibrant coastline.The Mediterranean below gleams under the sun with yachts scattered like pearls across the sea. Meanwhile, the villas of the Côte d’Azur cascade down the green hillsides that flow down to meet the coastline. The airport’s location on reclaimed land gives the sensation of touching down on water. Once on solid ground, the famous Promenade des Anglais, the vibrant markets of Old Town, or the art-filled Matisse Museum of the region await discovery.  

Where to sit: Left side

Wellington International Airport, New Zealand (Score: 60)

The harbour glows in rich sapphire tones as Wellington rises from the edge of the sea. Strong winds that swirl through the valleys turn each arrival into a spectacle shaped by nature. As the second New Zealand airport on the list, its coastal runway presents a challenge matched only by the beauty of what surrounds it. Nearby attractions include Te Papa’s immersive exhibits, Zealandia’s thriving bird sanctuary, panoramic views atop Mount Victoria and the humming life of Cuba Street.

Where to sit: Right side

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