Air Appeal: The destinations around the world that give the best first impression

Relocating to a new city or country, whether a quick flight away or a long-haul move across the world to embark on a new adventure, can be an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Gazing out of the plane window as you descend into a city you’re about to call home gives you your very first impression of your new adventure. Every city has its own visual identity, and you’ll get no better view of the layout than from thousands of feet in the air so for our latest study, we’ve unveiled the most eye-catching destinations that give off the best first impression from the air.

Using the latest eye-tracking technology, we conducted a global study, showing participants from around the world shots of popular cities people regularly consider moving to so we could see which ones instantly catch people's attention the most before they’ve even stepped foot on the ground. If you are looking to move to a new country and need to send money abroad, be sure to see how Remitly can help.

Key findings

Our new study uses eye-tracking technology to track participants’ fixation times to find the most visually appealing destinations from the skies, or as we call it, air appeal.
Prague, the Czech Republic's capital city, gives visitors the best first impression as they fly over the city, followed by Accra in Ghana in second and Amsterdam, Netherlands in third.
London is the UK’s most visually appealing city to fly into, followed by Cardiff and Bristol.
Indianapolis, Boston and Washington D.C. are the most alluring cities to fly into when people visit or move to the USA.

The global destinations that give travellers the best first impression

Over half of the top ten most eye-catching destinations are in Europe, with Prague, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, Dublin and Zurich all featuring as some of the most alluring destinations to fly into. Whether iconic buildings, high-rise skyscrapers or the natural beauty of a river capturing people’s attention, these European destinations have the best ‘Air Appeal’.

Aside from Europe, nine of the top 30 destinations giving the best first impression can be found in the USA - with Indianapolis just sneaking into the top ten and Boston, Austin, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Chicago, Phoenix, Miami and Los Angeles all making it into the top global rankings.

With a maximum possible fixation time of 16 minutes and 40 seconds, eight destinations held people’s attention for over half the potential time, making them especially appealing to people arriving by air.

The top 30 global destinations that give the best first impression

Rank	Destination	Total Time Participants Spent Focused On The View (Mins)
1	Prague, Czech Republic	14 mins 8 seconds
2	Accra, Ghana	11 mins 3 seconds
3	Amsterdam, Netherlands	10 mins 42 seconds
4	Frankfurt, Germany	10 mins 41 seconds
5	Vienna, Austria	9 mins 55 seconds
6	Lagos, Nigeria	9 mins 12 seconds
7	Dublin, Ireland	8 mins 59 seconds
8	Singapore, Singapore	8 mins 57 seconds
9	Male, Maldives	8 mins 11 seconds
10	Zurich, Switzerland	6 mins 27 seconds
11	Indianapolis, USA	6 mins 18 seconds
12	Toronto, Canada	6 mins 7 seconds
13	Lisbon, Portugal	6 mins 6 seconds
14	Boston, USA	6 mins 5 seconds
15	Washington, USA	5 mins 49 seconds
16	Austin, USA	5 mins 47 seconds
17	Budapest, Hungary	5 mins 40 seconds
18	Manila, Philippines	5 mins 39 seconds
19	Las Vegas, USA	5 mins 38 seconds
20	Delhi, India	5 mins 28 seconds
21	Tokyo, Japan	5 mins 28 seconds
22	Sydney, Australia	5 mins 28 seconds
23	Chicago, USA	5 mins 25 seconds
24	Paris, France	5 mins 10 seconds
25	Phoenix, USA	5 mins 6 seconds
26	Dubai, UAE	5 mins 5 seconds
27	Reykjavik, Iceland	4 mins 58 seconds
28	Miami, USA	4 mins 55 seconds
29	Dubrovnik, Croatia	4 mins 52 seconds
30	Los Angeles, USA	4 mins 48 seconds

Prague, The Czech Republic (14 mins 8 seconds)

Prague is our study's most visually captivating destination, giving visitors the best first impression as they fly into the city, holding people’s attention for an impressive 14 minutes and 8 seconds out of a possible 16 minutes and 40 seconds. Known for its historic buildings, including the castle and the Charles Bridge, the city is steeped in history and has a vibrant culture ready to welcome everyone looking to explore the capital of the Czech Republic. The striking terracotta roof tiles that adorn so many buildings across the city can be spotted in the air, as well as the longest river in the country, the Vltava River, which runs through the city itself.

Accra, Ghana (11 mins 3 seconds)

In second place is Accra, Ghana’s capital city. From the air, you’ll be able to see the likes of Kokrobite and Laboma Beach, stretching along the Atlantic coast, promising days of sun-soaked relaxation after a hard day’s work. Accra also has some striking monumental buildings, with the Jamestown Lighthouse with its contrasting white and red stripes and the old forts, such as Ussher Fort, Osu Castle and Fort James, stationed along the coast.

Amsterdam, Netherlands (10 mins 42 seconds)

Amsterdam ranks third, with this attractive city famed for its iconic canals that offer visitors some incredible views from the air as they come in to land at Schiphol Airport. Often noted as an excellent place for people to move to, thanks to the city’s cosmopolitan spirit, fantastic culture and large international communities, the Dutch destination looks as welcoming from the air as it is once you’ve spent time on the ground.

Frankfurt, Germany (10 mins 41 seconds)

Following in fourth place, Frankfurt in the state of Hesse offers travellers one of the best first impressions in the world. Famed for its Christmas markets, this German city has one of the highest immigrant population percentages in Germany. The city boasts some spectacular modern buildings, with a cluster of high-rise buildings in the downtown area dominating the skyline that are bound to catch travellers’ eyes from the air. Another feature that can be spotted as you fly above Frankfurt is The Main River, which runs through the city.

Vienna, Austria (9 mins 55 seconds)

Vienna, another European city, just makes the top five. The charming Austrian capital is revered for its safety, excellent quality of life and varied culture. Its charm clearly extends to the view of the city from the skies, with our study participants finding the view from above particularly captivating. Famed for its beautiful architecture, some standout buildings you can spot from the skies as you descend into the Vienna International Airport include St Stephen’s Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna State Opera.

The UK cities that give the best first impression from the air

Whilst the UK itself doesn’t feature within the top 30 most captivating cities around the world, it is home to some very iconic sights as passengers fly across some of the biggest cities on the approach to one of the UK’s many airports.

In the UK, London boasts the most impressive views to welcome visitors, with flights allowing travellers to take in some of the world’s most iconic sights, including The Thames, the London Eye and even a glimpse of the historic Houses of Parliament, as they descend into one of the city's various airports such as Heathrow or London City Airport. With plenty of flight paths showing off the capital's sights from the air, looking beforehand to see a typical flight could help you decide which side of the plane to try and sit on so you can bag yourself a great view.

The second most alluring UK city from the skies is Cardiff, with the Welsh capital capturing the eye of participants for over four minutes in total in the study. The city has some eye-catching sights, including Cardiff Castle, the impressive Principality Stadium and the National Museum. In third place, just across the border from Cardiff, is Bristol, which held participants' attention for 3.8 minutes. The city in southwest England is known for its instantly recognisable Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge, and having an array of colourful houses dotted throughout the city.

Newquay and Manchester round off the UK’s top five, ranking in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Whilst it might be a small airport, being located on the coast means those travelling into the Cornish destination of Newquay might catch a glimpse of its famed coastline as they descend onto the runway - giving them a taste of the beautiful beaches and potential for world-class surfing that awaits them. Manchester, ranking fifth, offers those arriving a glimpse of a truly bustling city from above and the ‘green and pleasant land’, including the Pennine and Rossendale ranges surrounding the city.

Further north in Scotland, Edinburgh gives a better first impression to travellers than Glasgow, with the Scottish capital holding the attention of travellers longer than its fellow Scottish city. Known for its iconic sights, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh has much to offer visitors and those looking to relocate to Scotland.

The UK cities that give visitors the best first impression

Rank	UK Destination	Total Time Participants Spent Focused On The View (Mins)
1	London	4 mins 33 seconds
2	Cardiff	4 mins 4 seconds
3	Bristol	3 mins 51 seconds
4	Newquay	3 mins 29 seconds
5	Manchester	3 mins 22 seconds
6	Belfast	3 mins 20 seconds
7	Edinburgh	3 mins 11 seconds
8	Glasgow	3 mins 8 seconds
9	Birmingham	2 mins 41 seconds

The US destinations people find the most eye-catching from the skies

Ranking as the most impressive American destination from the skies was Indianapolis in Indiana. The state capital is best known for being the racing capital of the world, hosting some of the world’s most-attended single-day events, including the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. Motor racing fans can even catch some impressive views of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as they come into land, giving them a taste of what they can experience once they arrive in the city.

Ranking in second place is Boston, Massachusetts, the capital city famous for being a global leader in higher education and research, making it the perfect destination for those seeking world-class learning. For many flying into Logan International Airport, they’re looking for historical sights, which can be seen in the old fortification in Castle Island, or the harbour, and some views even show off the full city skyline.

Washington D.C follows in third place, with the U.S. capital boasting some impressive monuments and iconic sights such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the National Mall - making it one of the most instantly recognisable cities in the world, whether from the air or from ground level.

Fourth is Austin, the Texan city well known for its live music, vibrant culture and remarkable natural beauty. From the air, passengers can be treated to views of downtown Austin, the Colorado River and a sight of the University of Texas campus.

Rounding off the top five is Las Vegas, Nevada. The ‘entertainment capital of the world’ is home to the iconic Vegas Strip, vibrant nightlife, plentiful casinos and world-class entertainment. It’s not hard to see why iconic sights in Las Vegas captivate so many people as they arrive, as the city is home to some impressive structures, including the Strat Tower and some beautiful hotels such as the MGM Grand, the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. Visitors will also enjoy some spectacular views when landing at nighttime, as they might catch a glimpse of the brilliant lights along the city's famous strip as they descend into the airport.

California ranks as one of the most visually appealing states to fly into, with four Californian destinations, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland and Palm Springs, all ranking within the top 20. Florida follows close behind with three destinations, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville, all making it into the top 25.

Top 25 cities in the US with the best air appeal

Rank	US Destination	Total Time Participants Spent Focused On The View (Mins)
1	Indianapolis, Indiana	6 mins 18 seconds
2	Boston, Massachusetts	6 mins 5 seconds
3	Washington D.C., District of Columbia	5 mins 49 seconds
4	Austin, Texas	5 mins 47 seconds
5	Las Vegas, Nevada	5 mins 38 seconds
6	Chicago, Illinois	5 mins 25 seconds
7	Phoenix, Arizona	5 mins 6 seconds
8	Miami, Florida	4 mins 55 seconds
9	Los Angeles, California	4 mins 48 seconds
10	San Francisco, California	4 mins 37 seconds
11	Oakland, California	4 mins 36 seconds
12	Atlantic City, New Jersey	4 mins 34 seconds
13	St Louis, Missouri	4 mins 34 seconds
14	Houston, Texas	4 mins 30 seconds
15	NYC, New York	4 mins 25 seconds
16	Albuquerque, New Mexico	4 mins 18 seconds
17	Palm Springs, California	4 mins 16 seconds
18	New Orleans, Louisiana	4 mins 16 seconds
19	Seattle, Washington	4 mins 7 seconds
20	Orlando, Florida	4 mins 2 seconds
21	Honolulu, Hawaii	3 mins 56 seconds
22	Cleveland, Ohio	3 mins 55 seconds
23	Tucson, Arizona	3 mins 55 seconds
24	Denver, Colorado	3 mins 54 seconds
25	Jacksonville, Florida	3 mins 53 seconds

How to help calm your nerves when moving to a new destination

Moving to a new city or country can be a daunting experience, and you might feel apprehensive about the move, especially when the time comes to take the flight to your new destination. Here are some tips to help combat the nerves to make the change feel more exciting and help your big move go as smoothly as possible.

Research your destination. Whether you’ve been somewhere a handful of times before or if it’s your first time visiting, it’s always worth doing some thorough research before you arrive to make sure you know which area you’re heading to, the facilities available at the airport you’re flying into, local transport systems and the climate you’ll be greeted by. The more research you do before you arrive, the more prepared you’ll feel, which can help ease anxiety and instil excitement.
Pre-book your transfer (or plan your route ahead of time). It’s likely that when you move, you’ll have more than the standard amount of luggage with you, which can make trying to navigate public transport a little tricky. It’s also not something you’ll likely want to attempt after a long journey. Booking ahead or allocating some budget to get a private transfer can make a massive difference to how you feel when you land, as you’ll be safe knowing you’ll be taken straight to your accommodation and won’t have to try and understand the local transport system whilst dealing with tiredness or jet lag.
Practise relaxation techniques. The build-up to a big move can feel overwhelming, and this can reach a crescendo whilst you’re on the flight there (especially if you’ve had to say an emotional goodbye to family or friends at the airport). Try to practice relaxing movements or techniques, such as deep breathing or following along with a meditation app on the flight. You could also put on a soothing playlist of familiar songs or use relaxation apps to help refocus your attention from overthinking your significant life change and instead reframing it to think about all the exciting new opportunities to come.
Bring some home comforts. Leaving home, whether for the first time or not, can leave you feeling homesick. So, bringing home comforts on your journey can help you feel more at ease, whether it’s your favourite snacks or making sure you pack your devices to be able to watch your favourite comfort TV show on the flight. Something comforting to take your mind off any worries you might have about starting your new chapter can help you feel more settled throughout the flight.
Learn some key phrases in your new country's language. Whilst it might take you a while to master a new language, having some keywords to hand will make your experience a lot easier. Learning hello, please, and thank you - but also any questions you might have or keywords to communicate with locals once you land- can make you feel more settled, and you’ll be able to recognise the local language as soon as you touch down.
Try and bag yourself a good view. If you want to help build up the excitement for flying to your new home, think about bagging yourself a great seat so you can take in some of the views as you descend into the destination you’re heading to. Some quick research into the flight path you’re likely to take can help you decide on which seat to try and pick so you secure some unforgettable views.

Methodology: How we revealed the global cities giving off the best ‘first impression’

96 popular destinations to fly into from around the globe were compiled using desk research.

To conduct the research, a sample of 200 people were shown a series of images of different destinations from the air. Using eye-tracking software, the total time people spent looking at different destinations was recorded. The total time people looked at a destination was recorded and then used to rank the destinations to reveal the most ‘eye-catching’ and give people the best ‘first impression’. The maximum fixation time for each image would be 16 minutes and 40 seconds.

Data collected from the study was used to rank the destinations from around the world, in order of the most eye-catching.

All data was correct as of September 2024.