Donegal Airport has been named the airport with the most scenic landing strip for the third year in a row. The poll, conducted by private jet booking platform PrivateFly, collected responses from more than 6000 people who nominated the airports they considered the most scenic for approaches and take-offs.

The airstrip at Carrickfinn, Donegal in the north-west of Ireland came out on top of the poll with praise for its dramatic surroundings. It was followed by Msembe Airstrip in Tanzania in second place and Skiathos (Alexandros Papadiamantis) Airport in Greece in third.

A commercial airplane flying low over Simpson Bay, Saint Martin. Simpson Bay, Saint Martin, Caribbean, Saint Marteen, outdoors, daytime, crowd, people, travel, travel destinations, beach, coastline, sand, sea, water, male, men, adult, female, women, Caucasian ethnicity, swimwear, shirtless, tropical, airplane, transportation, aircraft, passenger plane, commercial airplane, aviation, jet plane, clouds, sky, landing, view from below, dangerous, excitement, low
The airport at St Maarten is renowned for its extrenely low landing ©Matt Swinden/500px

Donegal Airport's "spectacular view" received widespread praise in earlier surveys. "Mountains on one side and a beautiful rugged coastline dotted with islands and golden sandy beaches running adjacent to the runway,” said one voter, while another said it was the "most beautiful scenery I ever saw, with the beach on one side with crystal clear water and Mount Errigal standing tall on the other side."

The poll ranked 129 airports around the world with travel industry experts creating the shortlist for the public vote. Other airports recognised for their spectacular surroundings were Orlando (Melbourne) International Airport in the US and the island of Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides who came in at fourth and fifth place respectively.

Strong summer wind blows past a lonely palm tree by a airport sign in Bora Bora.
Bora Bora's landing strip showcases turquoise ocean water and the lush greenery covering the paradise island ©Getty Images/iStockphoto

"Many of us have flown less frequently this year, but these ultimate destination landings are a welcome reminder of the uplifting power of travel and aviation -- and a jaw-dropping inspiration for some memorable future flights," said Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly.

Bora Bora's Motu Mute Airport came in sixth place, singled out for its dazzling location on a crystal-blue lagoon in French Polynesia. St Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport, where planes land near Maho Beach, and the Seychelles' Praslin Island Airport were also noted for their picture-perfect surroundings, while Dubai International Airport and Fiji's Nadi International Airport completed the top 10.

This article was first published on March 25, 2019 and updated on September 17, 2020.

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