Descending into an airport is rarely considered the highlight of a journey, but some runways turn a standard arrival into an unforgettable experience. A new global study has crowned Lord Howe Island Airport in Australia as the world’s most beautiful airport landing, thanks to its rare ocean-to-beach runway and the breathtaking natural setting of this remote UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research, carried out in March 2025, used eye-tracking technology to measure which airports most captured travellers’ attention. Lord Howe Island rose to the top, offering a descent that is more scenic flyover than routine landing.
Lord Howe Island Airport: A runway that starts in the ocean and ends on golden sand
Source: Airport Data
Lord Howe Island Airport (LDH) is unlike any other in the world. Nestled in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, the airstrip stretches across the narrowest part of the island. As a result, the runway begins at the edge of the ocean and ends at a pristine sweep of golden sand, framed by volcanic mountains and turquoise waters. For passengers, the approach feels cinematic, revealing the island in a slow, dramatic unveiling. It is not just an arrival—it is a preview of the island’s extraordinary beauty.The landing is also a rare privilege. Lord Howe Island strictly limits tourism to preserve its delicate ecosystems and biodiversity. Only 400 visitors are allowed at any one time, and the only way to reach the island is by air. For travellers lucky enough to secure a spot, touching down on the spectacular runway is as memorable as the destination itself.
Why Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure
Recognised by UNESCO, Lord Howe Island is celebrated for its unique geology, unspoiled environment, and endemic wildlife. The island group is the remnant of a long-extinct volcano, with dramatic peaks such as Mount Gower rising from lush forests. Its surrounding waters are part of a marine park that protects coral reefs, tropical fish, and rare sea life.By strictly capping visitor numbers, the island balances tourism with conservation, ensuring its fragile habitats remain intact for future generations. This environmental stewardship makes the island not just a travel destination but also an ecological model. For many visitors, the dramatic airport landing is the gateway to hiking trails, pristine beaches, and world-class diving in one of the most biodiverse marine zones in the world.
How the world’s most beautiful airport landings were chosen
The study that crowned Lord Howe Island Airport as number one was conducted by AllClear Travel Insurance. Researchers recruited 100 participants and used eye-tracking technology to measure how long each landing view held attention. The final list was narrowed to 32 airports known for their stunning approaches.Lord Howe Island earned the highest score, with participants spending an average of 2.64 seconds fixated on the scene—longer than any other airport tested. This secured the airstrip an “eye-catching” score of 85 out of 100.Coming in second place was Queenstown International Airport in New Zealand, where planes descend through steep alpine valleys. Third place was a tie between Madeira Airport in Portugal and Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, Colorado, both known for challenging yet breathtaking approaches. Other airports that ranked highly included Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont Airport, London City Airport, Innsbruck in Austria, and the famously short runway at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in the Caribbean Netherlands.From alpine valleys to coral reefs, these airports prove that sometimes the journey really is as spectacular as the destination. But among them all, Lord Howe Island Airport stands out as the most beautiful landing in the world, offering travellers a one-of-a-kind descent that begins at the ocean and ends on golden sand.Also Read: World’s most pedestrian-friendly place: Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records
