Scenic Approaches (Part 3)

About this tour

This is a tour of 6,602 nm (12,226 km) divided into nineteen legs.

To complete this tour, you will need to fly at least one route of each of the legs listed below.

Scenic Approaches IIITour
Map
Leg 1: EDDM - EINN
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This is a leg of 829 nm (1,536 km) from Munich International Airport (MUC/EDDM) (Hub) to Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
DLH9921 07:00z 09:30z 2:30 A321

This is a leg of 1,294 nm (2,396 km) from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD/HAAB) (Hub) to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ/FSIA) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
ETH883 19:00z 22:50z 3:50 B737
ETH879 06:30z 10:20z 3:50 B38M B789

This is a leg of 138 nm (256 km) from Sheikh ul Alam Airport (SXR/VISR) to Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL/VILH) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
AIC447 04:50z 05:45z 0:55 A20N

This is a leg of 316 nm (586 km) from Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM/SPJC) (Hub) to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ/SPZO) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
AVA853 10:40z 12:00z 1:20 A320 A20N

This is a leg of 217 nm (401 km) from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU/ZUUU) (Hub) to Daocheng Yading Airport (DCY/ZUDC) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
CCA4215 00:15z 01:25z 1:10 A319

It requires pilots to make a winding visual approach to avoid high profile buildings including The Pentagon and The White House. This serves for low and weaving turns close to the ground below. Similarly, when planes depart Reagan Airport they tend to make an immediate sharp turn just seconds after departure to avoid the Washington Monument and White House.

This is a leg of 531 nm (983 km) from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD/KORD) (Hub) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
UAL2734 00:45z 02:40z 1:55 B738 B737
UAL1139 12:50z 14:44z 1:54 A319
UAL3624 16:10z 18:07z 1:57 E175
UAL1097 16:10z 18:02z 1:52 A320 B738
UAL439 17:45z 19:37z 1:52 A320
UAL2631 21:05z 23:00z 1:55 A319
UAL1373 14:30z 16:26z 1:56 A319 A320
UAL2659 20:05z 22:00z 1:55 A320
UAL265 11:30z 13:25z 1:55 A320
UAL5362 13:00z 14:59z 1:59 E175
UAL1836 23:05z 01:00z 1:55 A320
UAL2640 19:05z 21:00z 1:55 A320

Due to the location next to the mountains as well as the narrow size of the runway, the landing is very complicated. Pilots are forced to make a dramatic sharp turn and land near the valley, and the experience is often compared to landing on an aircraft carrier.

This is a leg of 302 nm (559 km) from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO/MROC) (Hub) to Toncontín International Airport (TGU/MHTG) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
CMP787 14:53z 16:10z 1:17 B39M B738

Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport is well known to pilots for its short runway and dangerous approach. It is located in a heavily built-up part of the huge city and gives you the impression that you are scraping the tops of high rise buildings as you land. The runways are also considered the most slippery in the world and have resulted in a large number of fatal crashes. No thank you!

This is a leg of 283 nm (525 km) from Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF/SBCF) (Hub) to Congonhas Airport (CGH/SBSP) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
AZU2636 11:20z 12:40z 1:20 E295 E195
AZU6503 16:45z 18:05z 1:20 E195
AZU6044 14:45z 16:10z 1:25 E195
AZU6041 12:55z 14:15z 1:20 E195
AZU4461 13:25z 14:50z 1:25 E195
AZU4462 21:10z 22:30z 1:20 E195
AZU4201 20:30z 21:50z 1:20 E195
AZU5008 15:40z 17:00z 1:20 E195
AZU4455 00:05z 01:25z 1:20 E195 E295
AZU4743 16:20z 17:40z 1:20 E195
AZU6503 17:41z 18:47z 1:06 E195
AZU2979 21:30z 22:55z 1:25 E195
AZU2790 19:45z 21:10z 1:25 E195
AZU4351 09:05z 10:25z 1:20 E195
AZU4589 20:25z 21:45z 1:20 E195
AZU4203 19:05z 20:25z 1:20 E195
AZU4905 15:35z 16:55z 1:20 E195

Pilots have to be specially skilled to fly into this busy airport that is surrounded by mountains and strong tailwinds blowing in from the west.

This is a leg of 388 nm (719 km) from San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) (Hub) to San Diego International Airport (SAN/KSAN) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
UAL298 02:06z 03:51z 1:45 B739 B738 B39M
UAL3754 22:55z 00:40z 1:45 B739
UAL1041 15:45z 17:32z 1:47 B738 B38M
UAL1057 23:37z 01:22z 1:45 B738 B39M B38M
UAL2325 13:30z 15:09z 1:39 B738
UAL2041 20:12z 21:57z 1:45 B738 B38M
UAL336 17:58z 19:47z 1:49 B738

Although not as visually terrifying as some of the other airports in this list, the hazards at LaGuardia Airport involve crowded airspace, bird wildlife and a runway that extends into the water.

This is a leg of 310 nm (574 km) from Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ/CYYZ) (Hub) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA/KLGA) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
ACA8996 22:15z 23:46z 1:31 E175
ACA8986 14:10z 15:41z 1:31 E175
ACA990 17:15z 18:39z 1:24 E175
ACA8544 23:15z 00:46z 1:31 E175
ACA8984 13:10z 14:46z 1:36 E175
ACA8992 20:15z 21:46z 1:31 E175 CRJ9
ACA8542 18:20z 19:51z 1:31 E175
ACA8988 15:45z 17:16z 1:31 E175
ACA8998 00:55z 02:30z 1:35 E175
ACA8990 17:15z 18:46z 1:31 E175
ACA8990 17:48z 19:02z 1:14 E175
ACA540 11:40z 13:04z 1:24 E175
ACA540 11:40z 13:04z 1:24 E175 CRJ9
ACA540 12:59z 14:07z 1:08 CRJ9
ACA8540 11:40z 13:11z 1:31 E175 CRJ9
ACA8994 21:15z 22:46z 1:31 E175
ACA8982 10:15z 11:46z 1:31 E175 CRJ9

Another scary airport in the U.S. is Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (elevation 7,800 feet) in the popular ski town of Aspen. Multiple crashes have happened due to ever-changing wind conditions, low visibility, and mountains on either side. It’s definitely one of the trickiest runways to land in the country.

This is a leg of 109 nm (202 km) from Denver International Airport (DEN/KDEN) (Hub) to Aspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Field (ASE/KASE) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
UAL4658 13:45z 14:36z 0:51 CRJ7
UAL5273 19:40z 22:03z 2:23 CRJ7
UAL4664 17:15z 18:12z 0:57 CRJ7
UAL5781 02:55z 03:50z 0:55 CRJ7
UAL5779 01:06z 02:02z 0:56 CRJ7
UAL5782 15:45z 16:36z 0:51 CRJ7
UAL5771 19:45z 20:41z 0:56 CRJ7
UAL5771 23:37z 00:08z 0:31 CRJ7
UAL5769 17:55z 18:50z 0:55 CRJ7
UAL5773 21:40z 22:36z 0:56 CRJ7
UAL5775 23:20z 00:16z 0:56 CRJ7

Santos Dumont Airport is the second major airport serving Rio de Janeiro. The airport is one of three Brazilian airports subject to slot restrictions. The airport is restricted to 23 operations per hour and to narrow-body, military and general aviation aircraft only, due to short runway lengths (700 meters) and a difficult approach due to its proximity to the Sugar Loaf mountain.

This is a leg of 220 nm (407 km) from Viracopos International Airport (VCP/SBKP) (Hub) to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU/SBRJ) (Hub) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
AZU2917 23:00z 00:05z 1:05 E195 AT76
AZU2797 09:00z 10:05z 1:05 E195
AZU2616 14:00z 15:05z 1:05 E195
AZU2616 13:00z 14:05z 1:05 E195
AZU2924 11:15z 12:20z 1:05 E195
AZU4305 21:00z 22:05z 1:05 AT76 E195
AZU4305 21:30z 22:35z 1:05 E195
AZU5086 19:00z 20:05z 1:05 E195
AZU2783 20:00z 21:05z 1:05 AT76 E195
AZU2963 15:10z 16:15z 1:05 E195
AZU2783 20:50z 21:55z 1:05 E195
AZU2932 17:10z 18:15z 1:05 E195
AZU2884 00:20z 01:25z 1:05 E195
AZU9803 11:09z 11:57z 0:48 E195

Another entry from New Zealand, Gisborne Airport is also considered to be one of the world's most difficult airports. Located on the outskirts of Gisborne, this airport actually has a railway intersecting its runway at one point. It has three grass runways and one main runway, landings require accurate coordination with approaching trains. For this reason, it is not uncommon for either planes or trains to be delayed to allow the other to safely pass.

This is a leg of 181 nm (335 km) from Auckland International Airport (AKL/NZAA) (Hub) to Gisborne Airport (GIS/NZGS) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
ANZ5163 20:35z 21:40z 1:05 DH8C
ANZ5165 22:50z 23:55z 1:05 DH8C
ANZ5167 01:50z 02:55z 1:05 DH8C
ANZ5171 03:40z 04:45z 1:05 DH8C
ANZ5169 00:30z 01:35z 1:05 DH8C
ANZ5161 07:15z 08:20z 1:05 DH8C

Heathrow airport may be a way outside London's city centre, but if you're flying in on the often-used eastern approach, you'll get a bird's eye view of the UK capital on the right-hand side as you swoop over its landmarks on final approach. You'll follow the Thames through central London, past Greenwich and Canary Wharf, over London Bridge and St Paul's, and finally past Buckingham Palace and the royal parks which surround it. You'll glimpse Wembley Stadium right before touchdown. Another, less used approach goes over Windsor -- although the best views for that are from the left.

This is a leg of 190 nm (351 km) from Brussels Airport (BRU/EBBR) (Hub) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) (Hub) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
BEL2103 19:20z 20:35z 1:15 A20N A320 A319
BEL2095 14:55z 16:05z 1:10 A320 A20N
BEL2105 18:40z 19:55z 1:15 A319
BEL2093 07:50z 09:15z 1:25 A320 A20N

Rwanda is beautiful from the air, and the descent into capital Kigali shows off the country at its best. Crossing over from the Democratic Republic of Congo into Rwanda, you'll descend over lush green hills, speckled with houses and red streaks of the local earth roads - all backed up by mountains in the distance for added drama. On the right side, you should glimpse Lake Kivu, which acts as the border between Rwanda and the DCR, before descending over the hills.

This is a leg of 184 nm (341 km) from Entebbe International Airport (EBB/HUEN) to Kigali International Airport (KGL/HRYR) .

Eligible routes

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Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
BEL473 22:55z 23:50z 0:55 A333

This is a leg of 266 nm (493 km) from Montreal / Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL/CYUL) (Hub) to Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ/CYTZ) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
ACA7962 20:03z 20:56z 0:53 DH8D
ACA7979 00:30z 01:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7989 20:44z 21:36z 0:52 DH8D
ACA7969 19:30z 20:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7975 22:30z 23:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7965 17:30z 18:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7959 14:30z 15:48z 1:18 DH8D
ACA7953 11:30z 12:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7971 20:30z 21:52z 1:22 DH8D
ACA7955 12:30z 13:52z 1:22 DH8D

This is a leg of 231 nm (427 km) from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND/RJTT) (Hub) to Kobe Airport (UKB/RJBE) (Hub) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
ANA411 21:40z 22:50z 1:10 B763 A321 A21N
ANA415 11:30z 12:45z 1:15 A20N
SKY101 22:20z 23:35z 1:15 B738
SKY103 00:05z 01:20z 1:15 B738
SKY105 04:00z 05:15z 1:15 B738
SKY117 11:05z 12:20z 1:15 B738
SKY109 06:35z 07:50z 1:15 B738
SKY113 08:55z 10:10z 1:15 B738
SKY119 12:15z 13:30z 1:15 B738

Day or night, landing at LAX is impressive. Nearly 100 percent of the time, planes land from the east. This means a seat on the right side of the plane is your best bet to catch views of the San Gabriel mountains, the Los Angeles River, downtown L.A., the Hollywood sign, and Century City in the distance. On either side, however, you’ll be treated to views of seemingly endless sprawl before touching down among tall palm trees, neon lights, and at least one very large In-N-Out Burger. At night it’s especially incredible, as the freeways seem to flow like veins in a giant organism.

This is a leg of 205 nm (380 km) from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS/KLAS) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) (Hub) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
UAL2487 17:42z 18:58z 1:16 B739 B738 B39M
UAL2650 13:00z 14:13z 1:13 B38M B739 B738
UAL2339 02:33z 03:49z 1:16 B39M
UAL684 23:52z 01:08z 1:16 B38M B39M B738

This is a leg of 408 nm (755 km) from Denver International Airport (DEN/KDEN) (Hub) to Yellowstone Airport (WYS/KWYS) .

Eligible routes

Choose any one of the routes below.

Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Aircraft Models
UAL5210 13:50z 15:30z 1:40 CRJ2