World’s 10 most scenic airport approaches for 2018

By Francesca Street, CNN
2 minute read
Published 5:50 AM EDT, Wed April 11, 2018
<strong>10. Miami International Airport, Miami (USA)</strong>: PrivateFly, a booking platform for private jet charters, has listed the top 10 most scenic runways for 2018. Taking the number 10 spot is Miami, thanks to its clear views and coastal beauty.
10. Miami International Airport, Miami (USA): PrivateFly, a booking platform for private jet charters, has listed the top 10 most scenic runways for 2018. Taking the number 10 spot is Miami, thanks to its clear views and coastal beauty.
Courtesy Miami-Dade Aviation Department
<strong>9. St. Maarten Airport (Saint Martin): </strong>Descending into St. Maarten airport, the plane almost skids across the sand and the crystal-blue water. "Although the island of St. Maarten and Princess Juliana International Airport are still recovering from the aftereffects of Hurricane Irma, it's still my pick for the most stunning landing," says judge Benet Wilson, founder of website Aviation Queen.
9. St. Maarten Airport (Saint Martin): Descending into St. Maarten airport, the plane almost skids across the sand and the crystal-blue water. "Although the island of St. Maarten and Princess Juliana International Airport are still recovering from the aftereffects of Hurricane Irma, it's still my pick for the most stunning landing," says judge Benet Wilson, founder of website Aviation Queen.
Courtesy of PrivateFly
<strong>8. London City Airport (UK): </strong>On a sunny day or as night falls, flying into London City Airport affords unforgettable views of the Thames and London landmarks, including famous skyscraper The Shard.
8. London City Airport (UK): On a sunny day or as night falls, flying into London City Airport affords unforgettable views of the Thames and London landmarks, including famous skyscraper The Shard.
Andrew Holt
<strong>7. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Canada): </strong>Another incredible cityscape descent is on offer in Toronto, with its views spanning the city's urban center to Lake Ontario below.
7. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Canada): Another incredible cityscape descent is on offer in Toronto, with its views spanning the city's urban center to Lake Ontario below.
Courtesy PrivateFly
<strong>6. Orlando Melbourne International Airport (USA):</strong> Orlando is another airport landing blessed with blue skies, blue seas and city panoramas.
6. Orlando Melbourne International Airport (USA): Orlando is another airport landing blessed with blue skies, blue seas and city panoramas.
Courtesy Walt Simpson
<strong>5. Juancho E Irausquin Airport (Saba): </strong>Juancho E Irausquin Airport is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba. It's also home to the shortest commercial runway in the world (396 meters). The airport is surrounded by incredible natural beauty.
5. Juancho E Irausquin Airport (Saba): Juancho E Irausquin Airport is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba. It's also home to the shortest commercial runway in the world (396 meters). The airport is surrounded by incredible natural beauty.
Cess Timmers/www.tvc-advertising.com
<strong>4. Queenstown Airport (New Zealand): </strong>Voters were keen on the scenery and landscapes surrounding Queenstown Airport, landing it a spot in the top 10.
4. Queenstown Airport (New Zealand): Voters were keen on the scenery and landscapes surrounding Queenstown Airport, landing it a spot in the top 10.
PrivateFly
<strong>3. Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (France): </strong>Arrive in style to the French Riveria courtesy of Nice Cote d'Azur Airport. "The final approach goes along the shoreline which offers spectacular views," says judge and blogger "Pilot Patrick."
3. Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (France): Arrive in style to the French Riveria courtesy of Nice Cote d'Azur Airport. "The final approach goes along the shoreline which offers spectacular views," says judge and blogger "Pilot Patrick."
Courtesy PrivateFly
<strong>2. Barra Airport (UK): </strong>At Barra Airport in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, you land and take off from a spotless sandy beach.
2. Barra Airport (UK): At Barra Airport in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, you land and take off from a spotless sandy beach.
VisitScotland_ScottishViewpoint
<strong>1. Donegal Airport (Ireland):</strong> Taking the top spot is Donegal Airport in Ireland, thanks to its rugged beauty and low descent.
1. Donegal Airport (Ireland): Taking the top spot is Donegal Airport in Ireland, thanks to its rugged beauty and low descent.
Courtesy Wen Clarke Photography
World's most scenic airport approaches
CNN  — 

The rocky coast of Donegal, Ireland played a starring role in the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” when none other than the Millennium Falcon landed on the county’s rocky Malin Head – Ireland’s most northerly point.

But whether you’re landing a fictional starship or a Boeing 747, Donegal Airport is a spectacular landing strip – and now it’s been crowned the world’s most scenic airport approach by PrivateFly, a booking platform for private jet charters.

“Donegal is extraordinarily beautiful and deservedly sits in the top spot this year,” says Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly. “Its rugged coastal landscapes were a location for the recent Star Wars movies, and it’s not hard to see why.”

The top ten also includes the sandy beauty of Barra Airport on the Isle of Barra in Scotland’s incredible Outer Hebrides.

Related article 'Star Wars' locations that actually exist

“The top ten is an annual bucket list for travel fans, a fascinating mix of global descents to fly in your lifetime. From tiny runways like last year’s winner Saba (the world’s shortest commercial runway) and Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, to the major cityscapes offered up by London City or Miami International,” says Twidell, who is an experienced pilot himself.

A panel of travel experts and aviation fans participated in the annual poll, which received more than 8,500 votes for a total of 112 airports across the globe.

Other highlights include the picture-perfect cityscape afforded by descending into London City airport and the sun-bleached, Mediterranean beauty of Nice Cote d’Azur.

If you want to snap that perfect window seat Instagram, these are the destinations you should be checking out in 2018.

10 most scenic airport landings, according to PrivateFly

1. Donegal Airport, Ireland

2. Barra Airport, Scotland

3. Nice Cote d’Azur, France

4. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

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

6. Orlando Melbourne Airport, US

7. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

8. London City Airport, London, UK

9. Princess Juliana International Airport, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, French/Dutch Caribbean

10. Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida, US