If you read our blog, it’s probably because you’re someone who loves aviation, and by extension, someone who loves getting up close and personal with aircraft whenever possible. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of our favorite viewing areas available at airports. All of these areas are landside, so you don’t need to clear security to visit.
Outside the terminal
1. Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC)
Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park is one of the most loved airport viewing areas in the UK. The park boasts closeup views of aircraft movements, with the best views being of aircraft departing, landing and vacating runway 23R. The park hosts a museum featuring British aircraft such as the BAE146, Hawker Siddeley Trident, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod and a former British Airways Concorde. There is also a gift shop and an excellent cafe. Also available at Manchester The Airport pub and the ‘the mount’, a raised area south of the airport. The park is not so easy to get to on public transport, so a car is recommended.
2. San Francisco (SFO/KSFO)
Bayfront Park is a small public bayside park located next to San Francisco International Airport. The park is free to visit, includes seating and offers the best views of runways 1L and 1R.
3. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD/YSSY)
A recently-renovated, purpose built raised area located near the airport’s control tower at the south-eastern end of the airfield, Sheps Mound offers visitors to Sydney Airport the chance for closeup taxiway views. The area has been popular with spotters for many years and has now been upgraded to include more parking and covered areas.
4. London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL)
A street in the London Borough of Hounslow, Myrtle Avenue includes a grassy area located shortly before the threshold of London Heathrow’s runway 27L, making it perfect for observing landings on the runway or takeoffs on 09L. It’s worth noting that whilst the area at the end of Myrtle Avenue is public, the street is a residential area and visitors should be as respectful to residents as possible.
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX)
Imperial Hill is a stalwart favorite for spotters in the City of Angels. Located South of the airport, the spot offers excellent views of aircraft departing and arriving in with direction on the airport’s southern runways (7L, 7R, 25L, 25R).
Another great spot is the park next to the famous In-N-Out Burger located just north of the airport. Home to Cranky Dorkfest, an annual avgeek gathering which we attend as often as possible. Take a look at our blog post below for more.
Inside the terminal
1. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS/EHAM)
Another firm favorite, Amsterdam Schiphol’s ‘Panorama Terrace and Fokker Experience’ affords a great view of one of the airport’s aprons for visitors and passengers traveling through the airport. In addition to the views, guests can enjoy a quality restaurant and explore one of KLM’s legendary Fokker 100 aircraft, PH-OFE.
2. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS)
Singapore’s sprawling Changi Airport has not one, but three ‘viewing malls’ located in terminals 1, 2 and 3. All offer great views of the respective aprons and are open 24 hours.
3. Vancouver Airport (YVR/CYVR)
Vancouver airport’s public observation area is located on level 4 in the domestic terminal. The area faces west towards the runway and includes complimentary viewing telescopes.
4. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER/EDDB)
Berlin’s (kind of) new airport’s viewing area can be found on the fourth floor of Brandenburg Airport’s terminal 1. As of late 2023, members of the public can access the area for an entry fee of €3 for a 90-minute time slot.
5. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND/RJTT)
All three of Haneda Airport’s terminals include observation decks, three in total. Whilst terminal 1 and 2’s decks are open until late evening, terminal 3’s deck is open 24 hours (subject to weather conditions).
6. Hamburg Airport (HAM/EDDH)
Hamburg Airport features observation decks at both terminals 1 and 2. Both are outside and include seating and telescopes. Entry is free.
Have you visited any of these viewing areas, or do you have any top suggestions for avgeeks? Share them with us in the comments below.
Cover photo: Nelson Sousa, JetPhotos.
37 Responses
The coastal walkway just outside Matagorda in Lanzarote puts you right underneath the approaching planes landing at Arrecife Airport
One brilliant airport for planespotting which you have not mentioned is Zurich.
I was there back in the summer and it’s ideal for photography and logging registrations.
You see the whole runway without obstructions.
Funchal Madeira is pretty good either off site or within the terminal. Wellington NZ off site isn’t too bad either.
There is also a viewing area at the south terminal at Vancouver. It’s a raised area also with free telescopes, one of which is lower down for children. Great views of the southern runway arrivals and departures and the cargo apron.
I think Zurich for both inside and outside the terminal and then offering tours is the top.
The scenic lookout at Auckland International Airport is a great place for planespotting.
Copenhagen at the end of Englandsvej next to the Flyvergrillen (hot dog stand!). Admission free for anyone hungry for at hamburger or a hot dog! Good views of runways 22R or 04L. Mostly 22R for take-off and 04L for landings in use depending on wind direction .
I live near Denver, Colorado. I don’t think there are any great viewing locations there at DIA.
There is a cell phone waiting lot where you can view activity on a smaller East – West runway.
The big runways are North – South.
LAX northside at the In-N-Out. A two-for-one spot.
The TWA Hotel at JFK is a fun place if you get a room looking out over the tarmac. Mostly it’s parked planes but you DO see activity. Of course it requires you stay at the hotel.
Another good spot is the entire area surrounding Stavanger Airport in Norway. Not as much “big”activity but easy runway shots and a nice area. The IKEA next to Newark airport (right across the Turnpike) is a popular spot. People buy their Swedish meatballs, then sit outside on the deck to watch the plans come and go.
This may be worth a try – Stansted Airport – Belmer Road.
Approach from Stansted Mount Fitchet going along Church Road, over the M11 and turn immediately left into BURY LODGE LANE which is part of the route from the main terminal/ A120 area.
From A120/Terminal find Long Coppice Road and follow it passing the Stansted Industrial Park on the right. The road becomes BURY LODGE LANE,
Continue along this road passing the junction with the road from Stansted Mountfitchet. The road becomes Belmer Road and after a short distance runs straight alongside some tress on the right. The clue is that usually there are a few cars parked on the right but there is nothing there no houses shops etc.. Join them. Leave car and walk up one of the many short paths through the trees to the runway perimiter fence. There is a mound a couple of hundred yards to the right giving clear shots over the fence. Alternatively try getting close to the fence and shooting through it. I have never venture far to the left but unerstand the perimiter fence can be followed for quite a distance that way as well. There is a mound of earth between the fence and terminal buildings which can get in they way depending on where you are standing.
Love the pub garden at Manchester Airport, last time I visited I dropped my hire car on the opposite side of the road at the rental car village, went and had lunch inside the pub and then enjoyed the planes from the garden, amazingly close to them landing.
There is also the South Terminal outdoor viewing platform at Vancouver (YVR) I’m surprised you did not mention this 🙂
Darwin, in Australia’s Top End, has an excellent aircraft spotting zone. There is an area directly at the end of the runway where you can park your car and watch aircraft landing or taking off, depending on wind direction. This area is very popular when the RAAF, which shares the airport with normal Darwin commercial flights and GA, conducts exercises, such as Pitch Black.
Thanks for this info, Chris!
Anytime you can, pay a visit to Skyline Coffee in MEX.
I believe it is also one of the best spots anywhere!! It is on a third floor terrace, right in between both runways, a few meters from the runways threshold. It is also the cafeteria of a Flying School, so you have access to very good food, coffee, sodas.
I can send you some shots if interested!
Thanks again, and best regards!!
Guillermo Maafs
Hello FR24-Team,
what is a nice viewing area worth without traffic? FRA/EDDF has a lot Aircraft Movement and 4 “official” outside spots (indicated in Google maps), that you can chose from, depending on weather and sunlight conditions.
The observation deck at terminal 2 has great views on the apron and two main runways.
Thanks for your work
Siggi Kunath
worst must be BHX UK. I live there and wont use it and fees exorbgitant
Milwaukee WI (MKE) has two excellent locations for outside planespotting
The first is at the north end of Runway 19R When the wind is from the south there are several areas one can go to watch them land. First is along E Layton Ave which has a large area where you can park your car and get out and watch. On the north side of Layton Ave is a park which offers a number of good vantage points to watch aircraft land. When the winds are from the east there are several near the threshold of runway 30 where you can park and view landing aircraft.
GRanted it isn’t as “fast & furious” as the airports listed above (most of which are major international gateways or hubs), but you never know what might be making an appearance (the A380 and Antonov 225 have landed there) particularly if there are weather troubles in Chicago,
The Imperial Hill location on E Imperial Avenue at LAX is well worth a visit since it is south of the airport. The sun will always be behind you. Because the site is elevated the buildings south of the airport are below the shot. Clutters Park at the top of the hill, opposite Sheldon St has a small paved area for photography.
Photos from this location can have the LAX control tower and distinctive Theme Building in the background.
Below this spot on Imperial HWY is the Flight Path Museum and Learning Centre. There is a wealth of information here about the history of LAX.
How about WORST Airports to view/see aircraft?
TORONTO PEARSON CANADA WINS HANDS DOWN – most photographer unfriendly airport EVER.
Yyz. Right on airport road when landing west
You have forgotten ZRH. It has viewing areas all around the airport and inside as well. You can even walk or skate around the whole airport. The best I have found so far and I’ve been to a few
YVR Vancouver Internatioal Airport.
Off site at the River Rock Casino parking building, 7th floor. This us the top floor with no roof to obstruct your view. Landing planes coming inbound from the East fly directly over this spot, seconds from touchdown. A great close up view.
You‘ve missed to include the Visitors’ Terrace at Frankfurt Airport. There you see EVERYTHING …and plenty of it!!
Inside the terminal, Denver International Airport (DEN) has amazing views from their DEN Skydecks (to my understanding, only in Terminals B and C) as well as Kansas City International (MCI) new terminal concourse connecter, you can see 60+% of all of the gates as well as (weather/wind permitting) aircraft taking off/landing
I’ve been looking planes @ Vantaa airport, Finland.
You climb up on little rock mountain and enjoy planes very close up your head 🙂
Gravelly Point Park in DC is excellent for arriving flights coming in from Georgetown and the Washington monument following the Potomac River directly over your head about 500 yards from the unobstructed runway threshold.
I am surprised nobody mentioned St Maarten’ Queen Juliana airport. If you want to be closer there is nowhere I believe you can get closer. Maybe it is too close with only a belly up view of landing planes but if you stand at the airport fence and don’t just loll on the beach you can see the planes holding with a good side view before turning onto the runway for take off.
Gravelly Point @DCA 2nd vote.
Great article about our hobby. I know you can’t mention every great places around the world, but I must say that Flightradar24 are indispensable when I stand and wait for the next picture.
The Royal Victoria Dock bridge for LCY-bound flights landing to the east. The height of the bridge at 15m provides for great visibility of flights before they make the turn to finals over London, and then as they pass over Canary Wharf, over your head and then into LCY.
In previous years the Emmantina Hotel Glyfada for the old Athens Airport was a spotters paradise. Personally can’t now beat Anchorage (outside) for the heavies and Lake Hood for the float planes
There’s a small viewing room at MSPin terminal 1, near D gates I believe. It’s up a small flight of stairs half hidden behind a row of arrival/departure monitors. It’s a floor or two above the main concourse level and has 360 degree windows looking out over the apron and 12L/30R. The most beautiful sunset I’ve ever experienced while at an airport was one I viewed from here. You do have to be a ticketed passenger or have a pass to get here due to it being airside. It’s often completely empty.
Aviation is one of the best kind of passions in the world.
Hello im a child from Ghana and my Grandma is building a house at a certain area.
Im an aspiring pilot and luckily my grandmas pending house is close to Ghanas international airport (DGAA/ACC) the Kotoka International Airport.
So always planes pass over our heads.
In a day there are like 50-100 aircrafts.
Oklahoma City (OKC) has a large indoor observation area on the second floor of the terminal featuring huge windows, comfortable seats and even restrooms, and the best part is you don’t have to be a ticketed passenger to access it. Because the views are only to the south, you won’t generally be able to see aircraft landing because during most of the year, landings take place on rwy 17R and you’ll only see the aircraft as they are finishing their landing roll – but you’ll have great views as they approach the terminal and park. When aircraft are landing on rwy 34L or 34R (more common in winter), your views will be excellent.
Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) is by far my most favorite planespotting location in Los Angeles, sure it’s a 50 minute drive there, and Van Nuys airport is closer, But LAX IS THE BEST IN LOS ANGELES!