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What airport has the best view upon approach/landing?

What airport has the best view upon approach/landing?

Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:39 pm
  #1  
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What airport has the best view upon approach/landing?

Ok, so I had the pleasure of sitting next to VegasJosh on a flight yesterday from ATL-PWM. Small world, he's the only person I've "friended" here on flyertalk and what do you know, we ended up next to each other.

We got chatting and he mentioned the approach to PWM (Portland, Maine) has the best views out of anywhere in the world. He flies a lot more than I do and my experience is limited but I have to agree with him about Portland. We thought we would throw the question out to other seasoned flyers.

What airport do you feel has the best views upon final approach? Seems tough to beat Portland, that picturesque ocean view with all of the Casco Bay Islands, not to mention this time of the year as the foliage is changing.

Note: I put "Delta" in the title in order to keep this in the Delta forum. Hopefully that is ok.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:52 pm
  #2  
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Originally Posted by JayTeaBee
Ok, so I had the pleasure of sitting next to VegasJosh on a flight yesterday from ATL-PWM. Small world,

We got chatting and he mentioned the approach to PWM (Portland, Maine) has the best views out of anywhere in the world.
OMG small world indeed. Took ATL-PWM Friday evening. Sunday morning did PWM-DTW.

Yes PWM is wonderful.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:53 pm
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PDX approach is great, especially if you're coming in from the north.

I also like CPH as you often get a great view of the resundsbron.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:54 pm
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TTT
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There are lots out there. Here are a few of my favorites.

Seattle is beautiful with Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier in the distance.
Anchorage is incredible for the ocean and the Chugach Mountains inland.
Many of the western Montana airports (FCA, BTM, MSO, BZN) have very pretty approaches as you descend over the Rocky Mountains.
I like LAX when approaching from the west, especially early in the morning. If you are looking north you get cool views of the Channel Islands. If you are looking south neat views of Catalina Island and Long Beach. Even more fun if they are landing from the west as they sometimes do in the mornings.
Zurich is also pretty impressive with the Alps all around.
Sydney is iconic with great views of the coast and the famous landmarks.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:55 pm
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LGA -- especially coming from the south with Manhattan's skyscrapers just out the left window.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 12:57 pm
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The approach to LGA can't be beat for views. Make sure you have a window seat on the left side.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:00 pm
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Originally Posted by RRDD
The approach to LGA can't be beat for views. Make sure you have a window seat on the left side.
the approach will occasionally be up the hudson, so the right side view is insane... it almost looks like you could touch the top of the skyline.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:02 pm
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Originally Posted by CabinCaptive
LGA -- especially coming from the south with Manhattan's skyscrapers just out the left window.
+1 - even the northerly approach into EWR on a TATL for example, seeing the Manhattan skyline always fills me with awe.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:05 pm
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As mentioned before,

1) LGA coming up the East River and sitting on left side - even more impressive now as the World Trade area is rebuilt

2) LGA coming up the Hudson River and sitting on the right side - you fly over the buildings on the West side
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:05 pm
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Delta: What airport has the best view upon approach/landing?

Flying in and out of NCE is also beautiful
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:05 pm
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My vote is SFO without any fog!
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:06 pm
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Originally Posted by CabinCaptive
LGA -- especially coming from the south with Manhattan's skyscrapers just out the left window.
+1 Love the view of Manhattan...
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:06 pm
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Kai Tak !!
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:07 pm
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If you like city views, I think some of the approaches into LGA (specifically the Expressway approach) provides great views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan if you're sitting on the port side of the aircraft.

DCA's River approach also has amazing views of Washington, DC's monuments.

Both of these are my favorite. Fantastic view and a pretty fun landing with the aircraft flying left and right.
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Old Oct 20, 2014, 1:08 pm
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HKG is my favorite
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