BUR-Spot1
Burbank Hollywood Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on December 4, 2025
Bob Hope Airport, commonly known and branded as Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR/KBUR) serves as a hub for domestic flights to/from the northern part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. JSX (base), Southwest and Alaska Airlines provide the majority of commercial traffic, but Delta, United and American Airlines also offer various connections. Business jet operators NetJets and Flexjet can be spotted frequently as well. In addition, private jets and GAT have a strong presence.
Written by Thomas Okaty and Daniel Klein (Spot 3). Last Update: November 2025
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 08/26 | 1768m (5,802ft) |
| 15/33 | 2099m (6,886ft) |
| Terminals | They are connected and share a single security screening checkpoint. |
| Terminal A | Southwest, American, Delta, Spirit |
| Terminal B | Alaska, United, Frontier |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed and not recommended |
| Car/Public Transport | Best to have a car, but the airport can also be reached from Los Angeles downtown and LAX via public transit (Burbank Airport South station). It’s about a 25 minute walk or a 5 minute Uber / Lyft ride from the station to location #1 or 5 minutes to location #3/terminal. |
| Drinks/Food | Several options along Vanowen St south of the airport. |
| Hotels | Various hotels are located around the airport, most of them east of the airport but none of them are for plane spotting. |
| Season | All year, but best from October through April to avoid the heat and haze. |
| Security | We did not encounter any issues during our stay. At location #2, airport police drove by airside several times, but gave us a friendly wave each time. Nonetheless, as always, carry ID and be cooperative when being approached by any law enforcement representative. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Due to high mountain ranges in close vicinity to the east / northeast and south, runway 08 for arrivals and 15 for departures are being used predominantly, even when light tailwinds are in effect. |
| 08/26 | Mainly used for 08 arrivals. |
| 15/33 | Mainly used for 15 departures. |
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Spot #1 – Vineland Avenue Railroad Crossing – 08 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located at the railway crossing on Vineland Avenue. Parking is available on Vineland Ave between the railway crossing and Vanowen St (facing the latter, as marked in map). Mind the train tracks! You can reach this place by train from the Burbank South Station in about 25 minutes by foot. |
| WHAT | Runway 08 arrivals |
| TIME | Winter: From sunrise until sunset Summer: From late morning until mid afternoon |
| MISC. | No shade. Food, drinks and restrooms are available at the gas station at the intersection of Vineland Ave and Vanowen St. There are also several restaurants and convenience stores along Vanowen St. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ERJ: 100mm; 738: 85mm |
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Spot #2 – Keswick St – 15 Arrivals & Line-Up |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located in an industrial area by the runway 15 threshold at the end of Keswick Street. Parking is available right by the fence facing north – do not park in front of the gate or on the lot of the adjacent business. |
| WHAT | Runway 15 line-up and departures |
| TIME | Winter: From late morning (line-up) / noon (departures) until sunset Summer: From early afternoon until sunset |
| MISC. | A lens with a smaller front diameter is required to be able to shoot through the mesh of the fence. No food, drinks and restrooms. Bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | On runway: ERJ = 70mm; 737 = 60mm Taxiway A (far side): 737 = 130mm Taxiway B (near side, only used by GAT, business jets and JSX ERJs): ERJ = 25mm |
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Spot #3 – Short Term Parking Garage – 08 Arrivals, Terminal A Ramp & 15 Departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spotting location is on the upper level of the short term parking garage right next to the terminal building. It’s about a 5 minute walk from the Burbank Airport South Station. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 08 (shortly before vacating the runway), Terminal A ramp and taxiway Delta. Heavy departures on runway 15. |
| TIME | 08 arrivals: in winter from sunrise until sunset and in summer from late morning until mid afternoon. 15 departures: from sunrise until noon all year long. |
| MISC. | Terminal provides all amenities. Parking rates can be found on the official website. No issues with security during our visit. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
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