When you travel, does it matter to you where you sit? We’re not talking about coach vs business here but Aisle or Window?
When I’m travelling alone, I prefer access to aisle. But when travelling with someone (almost usually Zombie), I prefer window.
On mid to long haul flights, I use the window to rest my head and sleep. And of course, to look at the landing view.
Nothing gets me more excited than seeing a birds eye view of the city or place I’m about to spend days exploring.
I was inspired by the Telegraph’s list of World’sMost Scenic Airport Approaches, and their list is definitely ones that wallpapers are made of and makes you want to jump out of the plane immediately.
I also am in the habit of taking photos of landing views, and here’s some from my travels.
ABU DHABI
This was about 6AM, and we were landing in Abu Dhabi from Paris. I actually expected it to be more brown than this so I was pleasantly surprised to see a patch of vibrant green.
COFFS HARBOUR, Australia
I flew to Coffs Harbour from Sydney and this was just a short domestic flight it was one of the smaller planes we took. The upside to this is we flew low enough for me to get a glimpse of the wonderful harbourside just before we landed
MANILA, Philippines
Ah, My Manila. It’s congested, crowded, and it may give the claustrophobic a mini-heart attack mid-air. But it’s a view that gives my heart a jolt of excitement.
SEPANG, Malaysia
Landing into Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Airport is in Sepang), the greens and trees seem to be giving out steam and smoke. Quite reflective of my mood at that time as I was quite hungry!
BORA-BORA, French Polynesia
I’ll be first to admit that this photo doesn’t do Bora-Bora justice. That’s because when we were landing, the views were much too stunning that taking photographs totally escaped me. So what was left to snap was this.
CORON, Palawan
This view makes me happy. Because it’s good to know that some parts of the Philippines are still lush, green and undeveloped. I hope it stays this way.
LOS ANGELES
The view can be overwhelming, and this is the general feeling I get whenever I’m in the US. Overwhelmed by food, size, the fast way of living, and amazing shopping!
MALDIVES part 1
The Maldives really has more than 50 shades of blue and this can be seen when landing from a seaplane.
MALDIVES Part 2
This deserves a part 2 because there’s something cool about landing on water don’t you think?
DUBLIN, Ireland
Sometimes you just can’t get a window seat. But if you fly Etihad business class (am unsure if this feature is available on economy), you can switch the entertainment system to the live camera from different angles of the plane. This was the real time view landing early morning into Dublin.
SYDNEY Part 1
There’s a sense of comfort that welcomes me whenever I fly back to Sydney, most especially when I see the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House in one view.
SYDNEY Part 2
Still Sydney, a different and less popular view than above, but this has got to be one of the coolest landing views I’ve seen ever.
I was on a Qantas plane, and from my landing view, another Qantas plane was also trying to land! It’s quite amazing 🙂
I really love flying and watching the view as the plane lands is one of the joys I get from it.
Hi Jean,
When I travel on a plane I love the window seat and feel safer there as I’m a little scared of flying… I much preffer 1st class travel than the 2nd class and have tried both. Especially when I’m on a long haul flight I need a first class comfort. The only first class airline I’ve been on is British Airways on a 747 my favorite plane the Jumbo. I’m not a lover of the Airbus A380… Thanks for sharing your travel experience, it is awesome…
Hi Tony, there’s abit of sense of security being by the window for me as well (but more for dozing haha) I haven’t tried first class yet, would love to one day 🙂 I like the 747 as well a pity they are being wiped out slowly. What don’t you like about the A380?
The shape of the A380 is ugly. I can’t get use to it… Where it beats the 747 is the inside layout and space of the plane. I love the way the 747 takes off. It’s looks just like an eagle/bird on take off and flies with grace where as the A380 is just one big lump that flies LOL 1st class is awesome and worlds apart from 2nd class and premium economy. I was upstairs on top deck of the boing 747 British airways flight to St Lucia.. Their service was excellent and a standard way above 2nd class. The cabin is a lot quieter and you could hardly hear the engine in comparison to 2nd class lower deck… I love you and your husband’s style of travel and the videos you make… So glad to have found you two…
I’m with you on the 747..there’s something about the way it is shaped that gives the illusion of a majestic bird taking off. Yes the A380 is too massive. Though on business class they are more spacious. I hope one day Boeing will recreate a modern spin on 747- similar shape with the same modern features as the newer jets have now. Thanks so much for the appreciation Tony, we’re also happy to have you and Laura on board, we love meeting people who also have a passion for travel 🙂
What a beautiful collection of photos, I love the bright colours of the Maldives shot!
Thank you Becky! Yes the scene from the window on the Maldives flights really made me want to jump out..very tempting 🙂
Great photos! My husband always loves to take pictures out of the window. He once captured a bird strike to our plane~
Thanks Irene! Wow what a view ad shot that must have been!! you never really know what could be happening outside the window 🙂
I may need to take photos of landing views too!! Sometimes I get so engrossed with the view and forget to document it. I can’t forget the plane’s approach to Dubai when we first landed at dawn in January 2007. The city was so beautiful with lines and lines of street lights and long stretch if highways. The desert at sunrise was also stunning. Too bad, no photos!
Im very curious about what landing in Dubai is like ! But I agree with you most times im too amazed to even think about taking a photo. I reckon those moments are what really takes your breath away ,when photos are forgotten 🙂
Maldives look just so impressive! And that turquoise color just makes me wanna buy a ticket right now 😉
Hi Elena! Yes the blue is so inviting isn’t it? It made me feel like jumping from the plane 🙂
Beautiful landing shots, really nice!
Thank you!