Which city airport approaches are the world’s best?
While island and mountain airport approaches give a memorable view of the world’s natural wonders from above, city airports offer some equally iconic manmade views.
The distance of an aircraft window can give a sense of perspective that you can’t get up close. From iconic skylines, to picking out specific historical landmarks, when landing at some of these airports, you definitely want to have your camera at the ready.
Here are some of the city runways shortlisted by our judging panel in this year’s Scenic Airports poll. Now it’s up to the travelling public to have your say.
SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH AMERICAN CITIES
When it comes to cityscapes, both the US and Canada boast some impressive architectural outlines. So it’s no wonder North America is home to some of the world’s best city airport views, according to our judging panel.
First we’ve got Billy Bishop Toronto Airport which is located on a small island just outside of the city. It’s a personal favourite of mine, a spectacular contrast of an island airport in Lake Ontario, set against the backdrop of Canada’s largest city.
Also in Canada, is Vancouver Airport, a dream approach for fans of architecture and aviation. As Chloe Pantazi states, “from above, this airport looks as though it were made out of Lego; a geometrical marvel, amid a gorgeous green landscape. It’s an aviation nerd’s dream.”
Heading across the border to the USA, a popular city descent is Las Vegas McCarran, giving passengers a spectacular view of the infamous Vegas strip. “As you begin the descent, you fly in over a mountain ridge and drop down out of the clouds into a valley of stunning neon and amazing architecture. What’s not to love?” says editor-in-chief at DG Amazing Experiences, Doug Gollan.
Nearby there’s also Los Angeles International (LAX) and Santa Monica Municipal – both offering stunning views of the LA area. As John DiScala, aka “Johnny Jet”, puts it, “There’s nothing like coming home and seeing the vast excitement of Los Angeles, both day and night”.
For US history fans, Reagan National Airport offers a once-in-a-lifetime view of some of the most famous buildings in the world. “Approaches from the north give a tour-quality view of America’s capital city – passing monuments, the Watergate, Georgetown and the snaking Potomac River,” states Ross Atkinson.
And then there’s New York City, where our airport judges have highlighted not one, but two different airports that give impressive views of the iconic NYC skyline: John F Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Jason Rabinowitz, contributing writer for both Forbes and Airline Reporter, proclaims, “LaGuardia may offer one of the most picturesque urban approaches in the world. Flights often fly up the East or Hudson rivers at low altitudes, providing breath-taking views of New York City along the way.”
EUROPEAN CITY GEMS
But it’s not just North America that holds all the great city airport approaches.
“No other London airport can give better views of the city,” Benet Wilson, Aviation Queen, states about London City Airport. “The O2, Canary Wharf, the Gherkin, and more are waiting to greet you upon arrival.”
And heading over to Italy, landing in Venice Airport gives you unprecedented access to the structure of its infamous canals. “Few arrivals compare to flying through the gauzy morning light over one of the world’s most beautiful cities,” says Paul Brady, senior editor at Conde Nast Traveler.
AFRICAN & SOUTH AMERICAN CITY VIEWS
Then there are both the city and landscape views you get when flying into either Cape Town Airport in South Africa, Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, or El Dorado International in Columbia. When speaking of El Dorado Airport, Ross Atkinson of Business Traveler Magazine says, “you get an amazing view of a sprawling city which is dominated by structures built in red tones, set against the lush green backdrop of the Andes Mountains”.
Learn more about which airports our expert judges from across the travel industry love to fly into just for the view. Then vote for your favourite Scenic Airport and you could win a GoPro Hero4.
Related content
Top 10 beaches by private jet
Love is in the air: 10 romantic private jet flights
