Planeview Park
New York LaGuardia Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on September 29, 2026
LaGuardia Airport (LGA / KLGA) is the third busiest airport in the New York Metropolitan area. The airport mainly handles domestic traffic (32.8 million passengers in 2025, domestic in this case includes Canada) and ranks #21 in the USA. Due to its sandwiched location expansion options are very limited.
LGA is a hub for American and American Eagle (25%), Delta and Delta Connection (40%), Southwest, United, JetBlue and Frontier. The only non-US carriers currently serving the airport are Porter and Air Canada. There is some General Aviation traffic, but cargo carriers are a no-show.
Written by Thomas Okaty, Severin Hackenberger, Lars Gerber, Haofeng Yu and Stan Ev. Last change: September 2026 – Spot 2 updated
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 04/22 | 2.134 m (7.001ft) |
| 13/31 | 2.135 m (7.003ft) |
| Terminals | |
| B | Air Canada, American, Frontier, JetBlue, Porter, Southwest, United |
| C | Delta |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed at any of the locations. |
| Car/Public Transport | Spots #1, 2 and 7-11 are within walking distance from the terminals with good Q70 bus connection. For all other spots a car is required. |
| Restrooms | None directly at the spotting locations. |
| Drinks/Food | Several options available in the terminals and on Astoria Blvd. |
| Hotels | There are a few hotels on Ditmars Blvd just south of the terminal complex. |
| Season | No specific season as traffic is constant throughout the year. As the airport is located in the center of a metropolis and adjacent to Flushing Bay it gets very hazy in the summer! |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Dominating procedures: 04 in use for arrivals -> 13 in use for departures 22 in use for arrivals -> 31 in use for departures 31 in use for arrivals -> 04 in use for departures Though the runways active at JFK often drive the selection of the procedure at LGA. |
| 04/22 | Used for both arrivals and departures. |
| 13/31 | Used for both arrivals and departures. |
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Spot #1 – Planeview Park 23rd Ave – 04 and some 22 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This little park is located near the runway 04 threshold. From the airport, take 94th St across Grand Central Pkwy, then turn right onto 23rd Ave and follow this road until a little grassy area becomes visible on your right. Parking is available free of charge roadside next to the park. Follow the same directions if you want to walk from the terminal 3 to the park, but it’s about a 20 minute hike. The park is best for 22 arrivals. You will need to stand on one of the benches in the park to be able to shoot over the fence. For 04 arrivals exit the park to the 23rd Ave and stay on the sidewalk or on the small road divider. You can play with different motives and angles here. Best between 85th and 96th street. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 22 and 04. For latter the time frame is very short, just 4-5 seconds. Technically, also departures on 22 (rotation and in climb), but 22 is rarely being used for takeoffs. |
| TIME | From Sunrise until around noon (04 arrivals) and late afternoon (22 arrivals, when vacating the runway). Heat is a problem for 04 arrivals. |
| MISC. | There are also several restaurants, stores and gas stations along Astoria Blvd (one block south of 23rd Ave). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 30-100mm for arrivals >300mm for vacating aircraft after 22 arrival |
Spot 1A “Planeview Park”
View to the north:
View to the southwest:
Spot 1B “23rd Ave”
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Spot #2 – Car Rentals – 04 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is also located near the runway 04 threshold. From the airport, follow Runway Dr along the airport perimeter fence. Once you are past the runway threshold go across the intersection, the Shell station will come up on your right. Parking is a bit of an issue here, there are a few spaces on the gas station’s property, but obviously those are meant for customers and employees. Be prepared to be questioned about what you are doing and possibly to get kicked out at some point. Always stay calm, be nice and cooperative!
The view here is a bit tricky with lots of signs, poles, power lines and trucks/busses passing by: position yourself by the roadside around the rental car parkings here regarding your favourite angle. |
| WHAT | All arrivals on runway 04. Technically, also departures on 22 (in climb), but 22 is rarely being used for takeoffs. 04 Line-Ups are visible behind the fence as well, but the mesh is so tight, you cannot shoot through and there is no space between fence and barbed wire, so you would need a huge ladder to clear your view over the barbed wire – that is possibly not tolerated here. |
| TIME | From early afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Food, drinks and restrooms are right here in the gas station. More options can be found on Astoria Blvd on the other side of Grand Central Pkwy. Keep a low profile as you stand by the street, police may pass by and asks what you are photographing. The view here is a bit tricky with lots of signs, poles, power lines and trucks/busses passing by. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm A320 = 90mm |
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Spot #3 – Grand Central Pkwy Overpass – 31 arrivals and 13 departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is in a residential area at the end of a pedestrian overpass over Grand Central Pkwy. From the airport, take 94th St and once you have crossed Grand Central Pkwy turn left at the light onto Ditmars Blvd. Follow Ditmars for about a mile until you hit the 31st Drive junction. The entrance to the overpass is across from 31st Dr, parking is available free of charge along Ditmars Blvd. On the overpass, a few trees will limit the viewing window, so alternatively walk down to the little park and position yourself right at the bay from. For departures continue on the promenade a bit eastwards to get closer. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 31 and aircraft banking south whilst taking off from 13. |
| TIME | From late morning until sunset for arrivals and afternoon thill sunset for departures. |
| MISC. | Nothing there, bring what you need. Plenty of benches and shade to sit down and relax. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737/A320: 400mm for arrivals. 500mm for departures. |
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Spot #4 – Flushing Bay Promenade – 31 arrivals (expressway approach) |
|---|---|
| WHERE | It’s a bit complicated to get to this location from the airport. If available, we recommend to use Google Maps and punch in “Marina East, Flushing Bay Promenade”. Follow the directions, which will lead to the parking lot right at Flushing Bay Promenade. Once there head do the eastermost corner and position yourself at the area as marked on the map. It is a bit tricky to photograph the banking aircraft as trees and light poles disturb the sight partially. Be prepared to wait a while until a space becomes available as a lot of people come here to spend an afternoon or a stroll along the bay, ride their bikes, walk their dogs etc. On weekends, it naturally gets really crowded, so you might be better off to park on Ditmars Blvd (see directions for spot #3) and to take the hike across the footbridge and along Flushing Bay. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 31. |
| TIME | From around noon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing there, bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | For banking shots at least 400mm. 90 degree A320 = 300mm |
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Spot #5 – Hermon A Macneil Park – 22 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located inside Hermon A Macneil Park. Parking is available free of charge on Poppenhusen Ave just outside along the park. Once inside the park just walk along the western promenade until you find your prefered spot. |
| WHAT | All runway 22 arrivals. |
| TIME | Light is good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | There are some benches to relax and lots of trees provide shade. No restaurants or stores in or near the park, bring everything you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737/A320: 350mm; ERJ145: 400mm |
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Spot #6 – Employee Parking – 31 departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is on the employee parking lot which is a short hump from the Marine Terminal A. Best way to get there is by shuttle bus to terminal A and from there it is just a short walk to the parking. In general you can stand everywhere on the huge lot but we recommend to look for a hidden place where you won`t be spot easily. If you arrive by car you can park at the “terminal B wait area”. The first three hours are free to park in there but drivers must remain in their vehicles. |
| WHAT | Runway 31 departures. |
| TIME | From late morning until sunset. |
| MISC. | Keep a low profile at this location and hide your camera! Terminal A is very close where you can find all amenities. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300-400mm |
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Spot #7 – Abandoned Hotel – 04 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Not far from the Planeview Park is an abandoned hotel where you can stay. From the park just continue on Ditmars Blvd till 90st. The empty hotel is on the opposite side of the college . Park at the entrance. Walking from the terminal 3 is possible via 94th over the Grand Central Pkwy. |
| WHAT | Runway 04 arrivals only. |
| TIME | From sunrise until around noon. |
| MISC. | There are also several restaurants, stores and gas stations along Astoria Blvd (one block south of 23rd Ave). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737/A320 around. 150 – 200 mm American E170 around 250 mm |
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Spot #8 – Terminal B Garage – Ramp + 04/22 Movements + 13/31 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot can be found on the upper floors of Terminal B’s parking garage. You can either get here by car or take the LGA Bus Q70 and exit at the bus stop “LaGuardia St/94th St” just south of the garage. Then walk up here to the highest floor no. 7 which will give you the best overview. For more water in the back and a flatter angle, head down to spot no. 5 again. |
| WHAT | A real allrounder: you can shoot the ramp and taxiway towards 04 departure as well as 04 departure plus 22 movements and in the distance even 13/31 movements from the northern edge. Night shot also work from here towards the ramp. The western edge allows 04 arrivals and 04 line-up shots. |
| TIME | Depends on the exact angle but mostly sunrise till later noon. |
| MISC. | Haze is a big issue in summer from early noon on, especially on 13/31. All you need can be found in terminal B a few minutes walk away. The western front is covered with sun protector poles: you have to shoot between them – a lense fits per whole, but be prepared that it is tricky to follow movements through there. Be prepared, that security and TSA patrol the parking garage. Some won’t care, others will approach you to ask what you do, why, for how long, how you got here… Just stay polite and cooperative. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm
North: A320/B737 on stands just in front of you south of taxiway/terminal = 70mm / Aircraft on taxiway/runway = ~300mm depending on size and position |
Northern front:
Western front:
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Spot #9 – Terminal B – Taxiway + Ramp + 13/31 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located in Terminal B’s eastern end: you can either stand inside in the Atrium and shoot the Terminal B taxiway/ramp in front close by or head out onto the driveway’s edge 100m to the east to also see Terminal C ramp parts and runway 13/31 in the back. |
| WHAT | Parts of the ramps, taxiways and runway 13/31 around here. At Terminal B just in front of you, normally Porter, Frontier, Southwest and JetBlue will park. |
| TIME | Depends on the anlge, best around noon though. |
| MISC. | All you need is inside Terminal B. Haze is a huge issue from the driveway option on the runway, especially with running APUs in the foreground. The windows are only a bit tinned in the Atrium, but shooting not parallel through them, will make your pictures blurry! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-300mm
Atrium: E175 on taxiway west = 180mm |
Atrium inside:
Driveway outside:
 |
Spot #10 – Terminal C Parking Garage – Ramp + 13/31 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Follow the signs for LGA’s Terminal C parking garage and make your way to the top floor. From its northernd and western front you will be able to shoot nicely. |
| WHAT | 13/31 Movements in front plus parts of the ramps and taxiway. |
| TIME | From sunrise until around noon. |
| MISC. | Haze is a big issue in summer from early noon on, especially on 13/31. All you need can be found in terminal C a few minutes walk away. Some parts/floors are covered with sun protector poles: you have to shoot between them – a lense fits per whole, but be prepared that it is tricky to follow movements through there. Be prepared, that security and TSA patrol the parking garage. Some won’t care, others will approach you to ask what you do, why, for how long, how you got here… Just stay polite and cooperative. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Should be 100-400mm |
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Spot #4 isnt really a good place to stay longer. Some Containers and parked cars under the bridge. Uber driver asked us why we want to go there and to be careful. There arent many people at the park.
This is an official promenade along the waterfront so no need to be worried about.
-Julian
Hi last time I visited LGA, a few years back , what happened to the rocking chairs in the terminal. Are they still there.
The Hudson River is also a great place for arrivals into LGA
These are my personal favorites
Hi. I want to point out that from the Spots 3&4 or between you can catch the departures from runway 13 (Bankings) easily when you have appropriate lens (400mm+)