The world's most scenic airports

Flying into Queenstown Airport has been described as "exhilarating". Photo / iStock

Queenstown Airport has been recognised as one of the most scenic approaches in the world.

A survey by PrivateFly, a private jet charter service, ranked the world's airports to find the air approaches with the most stunning scenery.

While Queenstown topped the annual poll in 2013, this year it dropped to third place, with Malta Airport and Nice Cote D'Azur Airport in France coming first and second respectively.

However, it was described in glowing terms by one voter who wrote: "The views of the Southern Alps make this an exhilarating approach. Sometimes you can even catch a glimpse of Mt Cook to the north, or Milford Sound as you reach the end of the Tasman Sea. In winter you see snow-capped peaks and in summer the Alps glisten in the sun."

GQ magazine editor Bill Prince, who was a member of the judging panel, described the airport as a "world-class approach to a world-class destination".

"The snatched panoramas as you descend into this hitherto barren-looking landscape makes you realise that pilots do get the best views."

Also featured on the list was Barra Airport in the UK and St Maarten Airport in the Caribbean.

Top 10 Most Scenic Airport Approaches of 2016.

1. Malta Airport, Malta

2. Nice Cote D'Azur Airport, France

3. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

4. Barra Airport, UK

5. Saba (Juancho E. Yrausquin) Airport, Caribbean

6. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

7. Donegal Airport, Ireland

8. St Maarten Airport, Caribbean

9. Los Angeles International Airport, USA

10. London City Airport, UK

- nzherald.co.nz