YLW-Spot1
Kelowna International Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on September 28, 2026
Kelowna International Airport (YLW/CYLW) is a regional airport of the town of Kelowna close to the Rockie Mountains famous National Parks Banff and Jasper. With just over 2 million passangers its the 10th buissiest airport in Canada in 2024.
The Airport is served by several Canadian Airlines connecting some regional routes as well as some to Mexico, USA and the Canadian East Coast. Beside that some shorter cargo routes served as well. With KF Aerospace changing from Convair to ATR soon, which making the ATR the largest cargo plane to operate their with some additional smaller comuter cargo planes.
Written by Patrick Weis. Last change: July 2025
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 16/34 | 2.755 m (9.039 ft) Asphalt |
| Terminals | One for all flights |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | You can easy get this done without |
| Car/Public Transport | A car is needed for most spots. |
| Drinks/Food | Plenty of restaurants, shops and coffee shops west of the airport |
| Hotels | There are some hotels on the opposite side of the terminal. |
| Season | Best to visit during the summer months between April and September and the north/south direction of the main runways. Just a few hours in the winter on each side as the sun is coming from the south all day long. Freezing temperatures between December and February are likely to put off all but the hardiest of enthusiasts. Best months in terms of sunshine percentage are July and August. |
| Security | Usually no problems with security as long you not block gates. Just carry an ID with you just in case it’s needed. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 16/34 | Used in both directions depending on the wind. |
 |
Spot #1 – Old Vernon Rd – 16 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located along the Old Vernon Rd. There is a gravel shoulder of the street where you can take your arrival shots. |
| WHAT | Best for 16 arrivals and line-ups over the fence. |
| TIME | Depending on the sun position you can photograph from each side of the runway the whole day. Except noon when the sun is over the runway axis. |
| MISC. | No facilities at the spot. Bring everything with you and do not block the farm entry with your car. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150 – 400 mm (400 for small aircraft) |
Morning Side:
Afternoon side: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11326214
 |
Spot #2 – Optic Ct/Bakery – 16/34 movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is in an industrial zone at the end of Optic Ct right next to Hwy 97. There is a gravel area where you can park and stay. The position is elevated with a good view on the runway.There is also a bakery at provides a nice place to sit outside, have a coffee and watch the traffic. |
| WHAT | Great spot for almost all runway movements. You might miss some 34 arrivals but the rest should be no problem. For the taxiway you have most of the times trees in your pictures |
| TIME | Best from afternoon until sunset.Heat haze in the early afternoon |
| MISC. | The bakery is run by Swiss Manager. Hence, quality of breaad is good and convenient for visitors from Germany/ Switzerland. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300-600 mm depends on the angle. Better to have more for different angles |
 |
Spot #3 – Bulman Road – 34 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Park your car on the side of Bulman Road on the gravel next to the street. The road is next to the Shadow Ridge Golf Club, south of the airport. Find the preferred position along the road but do not block the farm roads entrances, which can be quite busy. |
| WHAT | Runway 34 arrivals only. |
| TIME | Depending on the sun position you can photograph from each side of the runway the whole day. Except noon when the sun is over the runway axis. |
| MISC. | No restrooms or food available nearby. Employes will come and ask what you are doing but they are ok with it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180-400 mm |
| KF Centre of Excellence | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The newly created KF Centre of Excellence host beside 2 Convairs outside a nice collection of aircrafts mainly in flying conditions. Entrance fee is based on donations with 5CAD minimum per person. From the observation deck on top you have a view above the airport but this is obstructed by some buildings |
| WHAT | Mainly the musuems exhebits. You see all movements on 34 and 16 but views are limited |
| TIME | Best time from afternoon until sunset. Be aware of heat distortion for the runway! |
| MISC. | Restrooms inside. All planes are accessable even the Museum might be closed on weekends. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-24 for the museum inside. 200-400mm for the runway ops should be fine |
The bakery at spot 2 provides a nice place to sit and to have a coffee. Moreover, the bakery is run by Swiss Manager. Hence, quality of breaad is good and convenient for visitors from Germany/ Switzerland.
Time: Photos from this side of the airport are better taken after 2pm. Before that, it is OK, but not the best.
KF Center of Excellence: Currently, there are two more airplanes on display; two Convair 340. All planes are accessable even the Museum might be closed on weekends.