San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Intl. Airport (SJU/TJSJ) is the major ariport of the island of Puerto Rico and serves as a gateway to all other the carribean islands. In 2019, 9.5 Mio passengers flew via SJU mainly to and from the USA. As it is an unincorporated territory of the United States. That’s why all major US carriers serving SJU and responsible for the vast majority of the airports. It is a focus city for JetBlue and for smaller carriers, using turbo props like Cape Air, Air Century, Air Sunshine and Silver Airways too. Iberia and Condor are the only non american carriers with flights to Europe. There are many cargo flights from America and Europe operated by a dozen of carriers. Furthermore Muñiz Air National Guard Base is located within the grounds of SJU and is used by the Air National Guard so military flights are a common sight.

Many hotels and beaches are just next to airport, makes it a great destination for the winter holidays, even with the family.

Written by David Gonzalez (Follow him on Instagram). Last Update: September 2020

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Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3.170 m (10.400 ft) Asphalt
10/28	2.443 m (8.016 ft) Concrete
Terminals
Terminal A	JetBlue, Frontier, Tradewind, Air Sunshine
Terminal B	All other carriers
Terminal C,D	Actually closed due to Corona
Airport Chart
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not really needed. Helpful at spot2 only.
Car/Public Transport	The public transportation is very bad so the best option is to rent a car. It is necessary for the majority of spots because it is dangerous walking due high traffic amount and the roads are without sidewalks. Only spots 1 and 2 are in walking distance from the terminal.
Restrooms	Available at all locations except #5.
Drinks/Food	Subway, Chillis etc. are directly available at all loctions except #5.
Hotels	Hampton Inn and Embassy Suites located at Isla Verde Ave offering a view of the airport. There are plenty of more hotels around the airport and the nearby beaches.
Season	Due to the bad sun postion during the summer months we recommend to stay there from September to March. More flights in the winter too as the US citizen spend their holidays there or on other nearby islands.
Security	Generally all spots are safe from robbery. Usually the police is friendly and without problems.
Runway Usage
General Info	Wind blows from the east 90% of the year so 08 and 10 are the active runways. In the winter 26 and 28 is more common due to the cold fronts.
08/26	08 is used for majority of the departures due to its length and partially arrivals by airlines using Terminal C/D.
10/28	10 used mainly for arrivals for domestic and cargo and airlines using Terminal A/B.

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	Spot #1 – Aeroparque terrace – 08 departures/arrivals, Taxiways
WHERE	If driving to the airport from the main entrance, when you have pass under the bridge (taxiway A, B) look at the left to the Ivory building with dark blue ceiling. Take the next exit (to car rentals) at the right and make another turn to the right. Drive of the bridge until the end of this road and turn left and enter the parking of the Aeroparque which is free of charge. Get inside the building which is kinda snack store with some chairs and tables to sit down and eat. There is a terrace at the 2nd floor with a view above the fence. You can walk to this location easily from the terminals.
WHAT	Complete view to runway 08. Taxiway Alpha, Bravo, Delta, Sierra, & Apron1
TIME	You can stay there from sunrise until around 11pm, after that the lighting is mainly toplit after that from April-September.
MISC.	You can buy drinks and food and the 1st floor. Restrooms are available too.
FOCAL LENGTH	Up to 150mm

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	Spot#2 – Aeroparque Parking – 08 departures/arrivals, Taxiways
WHERE	Use the same way as descriped above but stay on the parking. This spot is an option if the Aeroparque is closed. The fence is very high, a high ladder is recommended or get on the roof of your car. Also you can take pictures passing the lens through the fence (depend the diameter of lens). You can walk to this location easily from the terminals.
WHAT	The sight is almost the same like from #1. Partial view to runway 08. Close view to taxiway Alpha, Bravo, Delta, Sierra.
TIME	You can stay there from sunrise until around 11pm, after that the lighting is mainly toplit after that from April-September.
MISC.	You can buy drinks and food and the 1st floor of the Aeroparque. Restrooms are available too inside.
FOCAL LENGTH	Up to 150mm

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	Spot#3 – Chili’s Parking – 08 Arrivals and departures, taxiway
WHERE	The spot is on the Cilli`s parking garage, located at Ave. Isla Verde. It is one of the main hotels area. If you leave the airport take the 1st exit at the right take a short section of the highway and take the next exit at the right. In this road named Avenida de los Gobernadores continue until the 2dn traffic light here make a left turn and you’re in Ave. Isla Verde. Continue until the 1st crosswalk and the Parking building is at the left! You can see a Chillis restaurant in the 1st floor and the El San Juan Hotel at front. Enter to the building (parking) take the ticket and park your car and take the elevators or stairs until the last floor. Walk until the end at the last floor and enjoy the view!
WHAT	Best for runway 08 arrivals. Taxiway Alpha, Bravo, Delta, Sierra,  Apron1 &Terminal D are visible but due to the distance heat haze is a problem.
TIME	From midday until the afternoon in the summer months. Not usable from October-March as the sun stays infront of you won`t come over.
MISC.	Very careful here, the rooftop parking is full of rental cars. Plenty of restaurants and hotels just around the corner.
FOCAL LENGTH	300-400mm

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	Spot#4 Laguna Gardens parking – 10 arrivals
WHERE	On the south western corner of the airport is a small shopping center. To get there leave the airport and take the 2nd exit and pass under the bridge. Maintain at the right lane and continue in the marginal until you see a parking of the Laguna Gardens at the right. Enter the parking lot and you’re set.
WHAT	View of landings at runway 10 and sometimes final approach to runway 08 (very far).
TIME	Only usable from (October-March) when the sun stays behind you almost the whole day. Summer months not recommended.
MISC.	Subway and some more restaurants are available for food and restrooms.
FOCAL LENGTH	Up to 150mm

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	Spot#5 – Baldority Highway – 10/28 movements, taxiway, ramp
WHERE	Not the best place for spotting as it is on the emergency lane of the higway but offers a nice view. From the airport exit through the main exit and continue straight, take the 2dn exit and then take the highway 26 until the exit to Muñiz Air base. There you make a left turn under the bridg and at the traffic light make a another left turn and continue straight until the highway again. Stop with caution at the emergency lane. The lane is on a higher level than the airport fence so you have a clear view of the runway from there.
WHAT	Best for runway 10/28 movements. Cargo ramp apron 7 & 6, taxiway H, N &  and terminal A, B and partial C are visible (hazy due to the distance).
TIME	Only usable from (October-March) when the sun stays behind you almost the whole day. Summer months not recommended.
MISC.	We recommend stay in your car and wait for the planes. Go out take your pick and back to your car.
FOCAL LENGTH	Up to 150mm

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