What it looks like on the beach as a KLM Boeing 747 lands on runway extremely nearby looks too wild to be real
Published on Apr 23, 2026 at 6:08 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 23, 2026 at 6:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Some of the world’s airports have truly terrifying runways, and video footage showed a KLM Boeing 747 landing at the spectacular Princess Juliana International Airport runway on St. Maarten at Maho Beach.
Located in the Caribbean, the island is a popular tourist destination, but the airport itself could be the main attraction.
Thanks to the edge of the runway being so close to the sea, aircraft have to come in very low to get the landing right.
As the footage of the KLM Boeing 747 showed, beachgoers take a lot of delight in watching the aircraft land.
What the KLM Boeing 747 footage shows us
The video, posted by Ryan Atfield, shows the Boeing 747 on its final approach to the airport.
In it, we can see it come in low and slow before flying right over the heads of those having fun on the beach.
Virtually every single person on that beach was watching the airliner land.
It gives us a great idea of what it’s like to actually be there and watch these aircraft land.
The nature of the runway means the aircraft only just skims over the top of people’s heads before touching down.
Other videos on YouTube show that there is a little bit more margin for error when it comes to the landings.
Despite the unnerving nature of it, those on the beach flock to watch the aircraft land.
Why do planes arriving at St. Maarten land like this?
The topography and nature of the island are why aircraft have to land like this at St. Maarten.
The Princess Juliana International Airport’s runway is super close to the shore at Maho Beach.
By that, we mean really close, with only that small stretch of beach separating the runway from the ocean.
With the hilly terrain, aircraft have to approach the runway tightly as well.
That requires the low-altitude approach to the famous airport.
Despite the risky nature of the landings, nothing has ever caused harm to those who watch from the beach.
In fact, a trip to the island isn’t really complete without watching all these airliners swoop overhead.
Long may this incredible sight continue.
Princess Juliana International Airport timeline
March 4, 1944: The facility initially opens as a military airbase before being transitioned into a civilian airstrip by Princess Juliana of Orange
March 20, 1964: Former Dutch Minister Barend Biesheuvel officially inaugurates a newly relocated hub on the site of Simpson Bay
1997: Following the impact of Hurricane Luis, a comprehensive master plan was developed to modernize operations and handle increasing tourist traffic
November 10, 2006: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands inaugurates a completely modernized terminal building with upgraded passenger amenities
September 6, 2017: The entire infrastructure sustains catastrophic damage from the Category 5 winds of Hurricane Irma
October 10, 2017: Commercial flights officially resume using temporary ground-level structures to keep the island connected
December 2018: The ground floor partially reopens to handle both arrivals and departures while major reconstruction plans are finalized
January 2020: An official loan agreement is signed with the World Bank and the European Investment Bank to fully fund the massive terminal rebuild
October 18, 2021: A groundbreaking ceremony officially marks the start of the main reconstruction project to restore pre-hurricane capacity
November 22, 2024: A royal celebration is scheduled to mark the 80th anniversary of the site and celebrate the heavily renovated terminal
Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
