It’s one of my favourite things to do when I fly: watching the views that unfolds outside the plane window. As soon as the plane takes off, I’ll turn on the flight tracking on the entertainment system, put my headphones on and just gaze out the window. During my travels around the world, I’ve had the opportunity to see (and photograph) some of the most amazing plane window views. They never fail to inspire! This inspiration is sufficient reason for me to book a window seat whenever possible. In 2009, I launched a series called ‘Plane Views‘ to feature the photos I’ve taken from the air. Here are some of my favourite views from a plane window:
My last glimpse of Bora Bora right before the plane flew into the clouds.
The star-shaped fortress of Naarden (Vesting) is located about 30 minutes drive east of Amsterdam. The best way to appreciate the beauty of its star shape is from a plane window.
A view of the Millau Viaduct from the plane window. The Millau Viaduct, located in southern France, is the world’s tallest bridge. The tallest mast is 343m high (taller than the Eiffel Tower!) while the road deck is 270m above the valley floor!
LisbonView of Athens from the plane windowAerial view of Kathmandu, Nepal, from the plane. The Boudha Stupa, one of Kathmandu’s most iconic landmarks and a World Heritage site, can clearly be seen.
The mountains and fjords of Baffin Island in northeast Canada.Morning mist in the Alps at the Swiss-Italian border. The lake in the foregound is Lago Maggiore, with the towns of Locarno and Ascona.A view of Barcelona from the plane window
Paris seen from 30,000ft.A view of Geneva, Switzerland (and its airport in the foreground), with Mont Blanc as a backdrop.Another view of Mont Blanc (highest peak on the left). On the far right/middle, look for the pyramid-like shape of the Matterhorn.The mountains, canyons and towns on the East Bank of the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Flows from Mt. St. Helens (Washington State) seen from a flight from Vancouver, Canada, to Portland, Oregon.Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro as the plane took off from Santos Dumont airport.Aerial view of the southern lagoons of Mauritius. The island in the lagoon is the Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve (image courtesy of Bo Saldana).
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31 Responses
[…] However, the best way to appreciate Naarden Vesting’s star shape is from the air. If you’re flying into Amsterdam and the approach is from the east/northeast, you might be able to spot it if you’re sitting on the left side of the plane (row ‘A’). If you’re flying out of Amsterdam in an easterly direction, row ‘A’ will give you the best aerial view of Naarden on a clear day. Naarden Vesting is on my list of incredible plane window views. […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] like reading a book, watching a movie, playing Angry Birds (my favourite!) or looking at the plane views. I also use this time to reflect on something or come up with new […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] a while ago about ten airports to book a window seat for. I chose those ten airports because of the amazing window seat views one can enjoy either before landing or after take-off. Many of my readers suggested other airports […]
[…] out my plane window view […]
Haha! KL does indeed look like a mess from above!
Every single photo you captured is simply amazing! I can see my hometown Kuala Lumpur in there too but the city really looks like a mess ?
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] See more incredible views from a plane window. […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] of discovery’ began as the plane approached the airport. I gazed over the city from my window seat and spotted many of the city’s famous landmarks and I just couldn’t stop smiling. […]
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your comment. Hard to say but it would be a tie between Bora Bora, Rio, Sydney and Cape Town. Hehe! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
When you get to experience a town this way you have a whole other experience, everything looks more captivating from a plane. When you visit a town by foot you get to experience its particularities, its history and its people while from a plane you see the city/area as a whole. Rio and Mauritius look incredible! If you had to pick just one of these for the number one spot, which would it be, Keith?
It’s photos like these that answer why I love picking the window seat on every flight!
Nice window seat pics. I always try for window seats away from the wings too if possible. Like to capture city scapes and airports from above.
Thanks
Kendall
Glad you enjoyed the views! The Table Mountain view is definitely one of my favourites. It was a pretty surreal sight.
Cheers,
Keith
It would be great to experience these lively. I wish i could go there at-least once in my life. By the way thanks for sharing this. Specially this A phenomenal view of Table Mountain in Cape Town sticking out above a blanket of clouds.
Thanks for your comment Dean. I had the same views of London a few weeks ago. Happens often due to heavy traffic at Heathrow but the views are fabulous! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
Awesome views! I had a great one of London recently as there was a delay at the airport and we had to circle over the city for about 15 minutes before we could land. Saw the whole city from above :). Also had a great view of the Alps on the way home from Paris.
You’re welcome! 🙂
The pictures are just amazing i would love to experience such scenes in my real life. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Hi Nicole,
Haha, I have the same issue when travelling with others. Thanks for sharing your plane views! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
i love the window seat. Unfortunately, my husband does as well…lol. He usually gets the window seat on the way home. A few of my favs were arriving at night to San Francisco, circling over London early in the morning (plane arrived early and had to circle to wait for its turn) as the sun was rising and seeing all the iconic sites and last trip leaving Venice…I got a great photo of the island…
[…] However, the best way to appreciate Naarden Vesting’s star shape is from the air. If you’re flying into Amsterdam and the approach is from the east/northeast, you might be able to spot it if you’re sitting on the left side of the plane (row ‘A’). If you’re flying out of Amsterdam in an easterly direction, row ‘A’ will give you the best aerial view of Naarden on a clear day. Naarden Vesting is on my list of incredible plane window views. […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] like reading a book, watching a movie, playing Angry Birds (my favourite!) or looking at the plane views. I also use this time to reflect on something or come up with new […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] a while ago about ten airports to book a window seat for. I chose those ten airports because of the amazing window seat views one can enjoy either before landing or after take-off. Many of my readers suggested other airports […]
[…] out my plane window view […]
Haha! KL does indeed look like a mess from above!
Every single photo you captured is simply amazing! I can see my hometown Kuala Lumpur in there too but the city really looks like a mess ?
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] See more incredible views from a plane window. […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] Incredible views from a plane window […]
[…] of discovery’ began as the plane approached the airport. I gazed over the city from my window seat and spotted many of the city’s famous landmarks and I just couldn’t stop smiling. […]
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your comment. Hard to say but it would be a tie between Bora Bora, Rio, Sydney and Cape Town. Hehe! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
When you get to experience a town this way you have a whole other experience, everything looks more captivating from a plane. When you visit a town by foot you get to experience its particularities, its history and its people while from a plane you see the city/area as a whole. Rio and Mauritius look incredible! If you had to pick just one of these for the number one spot, which would it be, Keith?
It’s photos like these that answer why I love picking the window seat on every flight!
Nice window seat pics. I always try for window seats away from the wings too if possible. Like to capture city scapes and airports from above.
Thanks
Kendall
Glad you enjoyed the views! The Table Mountain view is definitely one of my favourites. It was a pretty surreal sight.
Cheers,
Keith
It would be great to experience these lively. I wish i could go there at-least once in my life. By the way thanks for sharing this. Specially this A phenomenal view of Table Mountain in Cape Town sticking out above a blanket of clouds.
Thanks for your comment Dean. I had the same views of London a few weeks ago. Happens often due to heavy traffic at Heathrow but the views are fabulous! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
Awesome views! I had a great one of London recently as there was a delay at the airport and we had to circle over the city for about 15 minutes before we could land. Saw the whole city from above :). Also had a great view of the Alps on the way home from Paris.
You’re welcome! 🙂
The pictures are just amazing i would love to experience such scenes in my real life. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Hi Nicole,
Haha, I have the same issue when travelling with others. Thanks for sharing your plane views! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
i love the window seat. Unfortunately, my husband does as well…lol. He usually gets the window seat on the way home. A few of my favs were arriving at night to San Francisco, circling over London early in the morning (plane arrived early and had to circle to wait for its turn) as the sun was rising and seeing all the iconic sites and last trip leaving Venice…I got a great photo of the island…