SZB Spot1
Subang Airport Kuala Lumpur – Spotting Guide
- last modified on December 7, 2023
With 1.964 Mio passengers in 2018, Subang is the smaller one of Kuala Lumpurs two international airports. Only two carriers offering schedule services out of SZB. Subang is the old international Airport of Kuala Lumpur.
It’s a hub of Batik Air and Firefly which are the only passenger carriers. The Cargo operrator Raya Airways (former Transmile Air Service) is serving several destination for DHL, UPS with Boeing 737, 757 and 767. The rest of the traffic is General Aviation, charter, maintenance and military flights, especially of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
You can get there with taxi (cab), payed 33 MYR, from downtown for around 8 bugs. Use the asian taxi-app “Grab”, it’s usefull.
Written by Patrick Weis. Last change: March 2023 (Spot 1 updated)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 15/33 | 3.780m (12.402 ft) |
| Terminals | one for all schedule pax operations |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not required as fence is lowered or there are objects to stand on to clear the fence. |
| Car/Public Transport | Not required, but makes it much easier than explain the taxidrivers. Taxidrivers don’t like to pick you up as they get more money at the airport. If they pick you up they try to sell the drive for much more money as it should normally cost! |
| Restrooms | There are restaurants at the morning spot and a fuel station on the way to the afthernoon spot |
| Drinks/Food | Take drinks and snacks with you, there are a few restaurants at the morning spot but only a fuel station near the afthernoon spot |
| Hotels | Hotel Newton Subang is the closest hotel to the spot. We stayed in the O’Boutiques suites as the other one was sold out. |
| Season | The best month to travel are January, Feburary, June-August as there is a lot of rain in the other months. There are often rain showers in the afternoon. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 15/33 | Normally there is always 15 in use. Really rare that 33 is mainly used. |
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Spot #1 – Morning 15/33 |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located next to a couple of restaurant next to the road on an earth parking space. The terminal is also just around the corner. You can use the pipe and a pile of sand there to clear the fence or just use steps.By public transport: There are two bus routes, one being RapidKL 772 from Pasar Seni – Subang Suria and the other being an MRT Kajang Line feeder bus route T804 from MRT Kwasa Sentral – Subang Skypark terminal. Both routes pass the road next to the fence, altho we recommend 772 as the frequency is higher than T804. |
| WHAT | You will get most of the traffic here if they not use the intersections for takeoff |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the winter are from sunrise till 12:00 |
| MISC. | There are some restaurants arround this spot with facilitys |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
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Spot #2 – Fuel Station – late Afthernoon line up and arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located just at the left side after you entered the street at the fuel station. You can easily spot over the fence onto the runway from the benches at the spot. |
| WHAT | From this spot you can take all arrivals and line ups from the last taxiway. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 14:00 till sunset |
| MISC. | You can park at the car park. There are some benches to sit down or use it to shoot over the fence. The Fuel station arround the corner offeres drinks and food. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-200mm |
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Spot #3 – Afthernoon touch down |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located a bit further down the road from spot #2. The fence is lowered so you can easily photograph the runway. |
| WHAT | From this spot you can take all plane movements at the airport. The 15 arrivals are touching down in front of you |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 14:00 till sunset |
| MISC. | Beware of passing truck traffic! No facilitys at this spot. Be aware of some wild dogs. Some small trees spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-200mm |
can you use ladders here? vegetation has grown over the years and intended to use a ladder that is away from the fence near my own car to not show i have the intention to climb over the fence before airport security comes to check in with me
what place you write on destination if you use grabcar?
I’ve been to spot #1 with grab, just put Dapor Berasap as the destination, it will take you there.
if possible i’d like to just provide some info on getting to spot #1:
there are two bus routes, one being RapidKL 772 from Pasar Seni – Subang Suria and the other being an MRT Kajang Line feeder bus route T804 from MRT Kwasa Sentral – Subang Skypark terminal. Both routes pass the road next to the fence, altho I’d recommend 772 as the frequency is higher than T804.
Thanks for the hint! I have added it to the guide.
-Julian
Hello! I went there today
Spot3 is very wild, there are some factory noises that you don’t want and lots of stray cats and dogs walking around, but you don’t need to be afraid of them.
Spot2 is very convenient as you can stand on a stone chair and shoot.
In my opinion, Spot 1 is my favorite! You can park your car and wait for the plane to arrive. Next to the fence, there are some rocks and dirt piled up in a bump, standing on it for a clear shot.
Bonus: I think you could add a point four, just directly in front of runway 15, (at 3°08’53.5 “N 101°32’20.7 “E) some planes landing on runway 15 will pass over your head. — Although most people won’t be there to watch it however for me it was very impressive.
I was here today, on spot 3 is no stonehill anymore,
but you don’t need, the fence is low.
Some dogs barking, ignore them.
10-15 walking to next 7elevens.
Prepare It’s realy hot, drink enough!
Some little trees for shadow.
On spot 2 are some benches.
Spot are only for arrivals, departing traffic
normaly takes a taxiway earlier.
You can get there with taxi (cab), payed 33 MYR,
from downtown, around 8 bugs.
Use the asian taxi-app “Grab”, it’s so usefull.
Hi Bernd, sorry for the late answer. Thanks for the useful tips! Guide has been updated.
-Julian
Nice Guide……
I am planning to go to Subang Airport in this coming August 17th….
Thanks for the Great post!
I am going tomorrow, anyone else?
Macs used to have a viewing area years ago, has it gone?