Win a 1-night stay for 2 at The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences in London’s Mayfair
Home / Travel / News, Features, Tips & Advice

World’s most scenic commercial flights: 5 routes where you need a window seat

By Adrianna Johns   |  

Whether you are a frequent flyer or not, there is nothing better than glancing out of the window to see sights you have never seen before. Opportunities to witness breathtaking views from a birds-eye perspective doesn’t occur every day, therefore when the chance appears, you should take it.

Whilst you may prefer to sit by the aisle to have more space and avoid pushing past people when you need to stretch your legs, there are occasions when the window seat on a plane is certainly the better option. There are many commercial flights which are so scenically impressive that to miss out on them would be a crime.

To help you witness some of nature’s most beautiful sceneries we have enlisted the help of leading global online travel company Cleartrip – who have identified their top five scenic commercial flights to travel on in 2020. Based in Mumbai, the company operates an online travel aggregator website for booking flights, train tickets and hotel stays. From Santiago to Punta Arenas and Hong Kong to London Heathrow, these incredible flights are available at Cleartrip. If you’re lucky enough to be travelling on one of these five routes, then ensure that you are sitting by the window, with a camera — trust us, you wouldn’t want to miss out on these views.

5. Sydney to Johannesburg (Qantas airline)

Antarctica
Enjoy views of Antarctica while travelling from Sydney to Johannesburg

If you have ever wanted to see the great white continent of Antarctica, you can do so easily by flying on this Qantas flight.

The shortest route between Sydney and Johannesburg is to fly south, meaning that passengers on this plane will get fairly close to the edge of Antarctica — make sure your camera is ready, as you will have incredible views of iceberg and tundras.

This scenery is breathtaking and if you aren’t able to take a dedicated scenic flight to Antarctica, then this is an incredible alternative. To ensure that you have the best views on this route, make sure to sit on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your finger’s crossed for great weather conditions.

4. Santiago to Punta Arenas (Sky Airlines)

Take in the breathtaking views of Patagonia while travelling from Santiago to Punta Arenas

Patagonia is known for its breathtaking beauty and a fantastic way of seeing it from a different perspective will be to fly on the Sky Airline flight from the Chilean capital, Santiago, to Punta Arenas in the country’s far south.

On this flight route, you will be able to witness the majestic grandeur of the Andes Mountains — the longest continental mountain range in the world — as well as the idyllic Lakes District.

A simple and perfect way for those wanting to witness the beauty of this incredible country — make sure that your camera is fully charged.

3. Zurich to Naples (Easyjet airlines)

bigstock-Napoli-And-Mount-Vesuvius-In--110007917
Experience stunning views of Mount Vesuvius when flying into Naples

Ask anyone to list the most beautiful countries on the planet and the majority will mention Switzerland. The stunningly beautiful country is overflowing with visually attractive sceneries, and on this route, passengers will witness the breathtaking beauty of this Central European region on the first half of the journey.

For the second half of the flight, prepare to descend into Naples, where passengers will be welcomed by views of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, the Isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and plenty more for those sitting by the window.

2. Hong Kong to London Heathrow (Cathay Pacific airlines)

bigstock-The-traveler-in-the-desert-Hi-334227937
Feast on the incredible views of the Gobi Desert as you fly above China

If you have ever flown from Hong Kong to London Heathrow, then you will know that the views are spectacular.

The highlight of the route will undoubtedly be when you are reaching the halfway mark of the journey. Passengers sitting by the window will be greeted by incredible views of the Gobi Desert as you fly above China.

Keep looking out of the window for opportunities to look over the plains of the Mongolian Steppe, where expanses of grass cover much of the area. Shortly after flying over Mongolia, lucky passengers will witness the magical icy wilderness of Siberia.

1. Lima to Puerto Maldonado (Latam airlines)

Fly above the iconic Machu Pichu while travelling from Lima to Puerto Maldonado

The route from Lima to Puerto Maldonado is perhaps the most beautifully scenic route that passengers can travel on. Capturing Peru’s incredible natural diversity, travellers on this flight will have the perfect snapshot of this country’s breathtaking beauty.

Once the skyline of Peru’s capital disappears in the distance, you will be going into the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Witnessing the grandeur of this spectacular mountain range is an incredible opportunity, especially as the route continues to go over the home of Machu Pichu.

Once the plane goes over the Andes, passengers will find themselves soaring to the other side, where the exotic Amazon rainforest awaits to be seen — is there another flight route that offers better views than this one? We think not, so what are you waiting for?