SJU-Spot1
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November 2, 2020San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport – Spotting Guide
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- last modified on July 1, 2021
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
| Rating | |
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| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
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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
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| 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
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| 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 |
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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 |
4 Comments
Hi, I would like to advise to update Spot #1 and #2 times, you can use them until around 11pm between April and September and after that the lighting isn’t that good in any spots, mainly toplit, thanks!
Hi improved the description but you can spot in the “winter” here as well as the light is good.
See here: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10028441
How do I know what type of aircraft are taking off other than looking at the schedules? Do JetBlue, AA, Southwest, Delta and Frontier usually fly from PR a single aircraft type, respectively? Which are they?
Hello Dennis,
Southwest brings 737-700,800
AA 737-800, A321s, A320s and 777-200 occasionally 777-300
Frontier A320, A320 NEO and A321
Spirit A320, A320 NEO and A321s
JB A320, A321, A321 NEO and E190
Delta A321, B737-900, 757-200