PTY-Spot1
Panama City Tocumen Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on January 16, 2026
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY/MPTO) is the country’s largest airport, just east of its capital Panama city. It is also considered the main and largest airport in all of Central America since it was nominated as the “Hub of the Americas”. For sure it’s the hub of one of the most important airlines in Latin America which is Copa Airlines. The airport in general currently holds up connections with more than 80 destinations worldwide – from South America to North America as well as Europe and Asia.
Before the Corona pandemic in 2019 16,5 million passenger used to fly to/from PTY a year. The Airport has 3 terminals (2 for passengers and 1 for cargo), one of which was recently inaugurated.
Written by Pablo Merel, Henry Larch and Jussef (J.A.). Last Change: December 2025 – Spot5 added
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 03R/21L | 3050m / 10007ft |
| 03L/21R | 2682m / 8799ft |
| Terminals | |
| T1 | Copa and some regional foreign carrier |
| T2 | Copa and some international bigger carrier such as Eurowings Discover, KLM and Air France |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed and recommended! |
| Car/Public Transport | Not neccissarily needed as you can also take the bus/public transport to all spots. But make sure to not show off your expensive equipment. |
| Drinks/Food | Nothing nearby the spots except a McDonalds close to spot #1. Close to spot 2 you will find some latinamerican restaurants though. |
| Hotels | El Riande and Crowne plaza hotel are two facilities very close to the airport. But none with special spotting views. |
| Season | Summer has the best weather, which is quite changing and challenging the rest of the year. |
| Security | Spotting in Panama is not always tolerated. You have to be very careful since sometimes the culture of spotting is not recognized in the country and many times the authorities are unaware of the issue and misinterpret it with other illegal actions. Sometimes authorities approach you and ask for a brief explanation about our activity: just tell them what you do. But it is possible that they ask you to leave. Just do so and cooperate of course!Normally, if you are standing away from the fence, airport security does not care about us. But also be prepared to be approached by curious local citizens what you are up to. Try to stay in groups, especially on the bridges and keep an eye on your belongings there as it can become quite busy during peak hours! |
| Runway Usage | |
| 03R/21L | Main runway for heavies as it is longer and has a precision approach |
| 03L/21R | Most freighters will use this runway anyway as it is close to the cargo terminal |
 |
Spot #1 – Texaco Gas station – 03R Departures + 21L Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located east of the airport in the village of Tocumen itsself. Just head for the Texaco gas station at the western border of the village. Then position yourself in the area around here as you want as this spot is no exact position. |
| WHAT | Takeoffs from runway 03R only. |
| TIME | Only in the morning. |
| MISC. | Nothing needed, but all you need can be found in the gas station next door. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm E3 = 250mm |
 |
Spot #2 – La Morelos Bridge – All 03L/21R Movements + 03R Departures + 21L Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | West of the airport you will find a bigger roundabout just next to a meadow in front of the airport’s fence. Here you will also find the bus stop “Morelo”. To allow passengers to cross the street, a bridge was installed here offering plane spotters a great view onto the runway. Position yourself on the eastern end of this bridge. |
| WHAT | All movements on runway 03L/21R in front as well as 03R departures and 21L arrivals in the back. |
| TIME | Afternoons only. |
| MISC. | Try to stay in groups, especially on the bridges and keep an eye on your belongings there as it can become quite busy during peak hours! Some restaurants nearby and shadow thanks to the bridge’s rooftop. Nothing needed otherwise, but haze can be an issue though. Some pedestrians or passengers may look strange at you or even stop and ask for the purpose. Just explain them nicely… |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 03L: B757 = 145mm / B738 = 230mm 03R: >300mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Roundabout Zona 1 – 03R Arrivals + 21L Departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Southwest of the airport is a small industrial area called “Zona 1” which is surrounded by some meadows. You can simply get here by bus and then position yourself around here for nice views onto the approach. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 03R as well as 21L departures. |
| TIME | Afternoons only. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing around. Some workers may look strange at you or even stop and ask for the purpose. Just explain them nicely. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm DC10 = 155mm / B738 = 280mm |
 |
Spot #4 – Roundabout – 03L movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is next to a roundabout, north of terminal 1 and next to the threshold of runway 03L. The easiest option to reach this place is from Terminal 1. From the arrival level just continue along the road on the grass, until you have reached the roundabout. Should be a 5 minutes walk. Now you can position yourself in this area and you get a great view of the 03L movements. |
| WHAT | Runway 03L is visible, gates 1 through 5 of Terminal 1, and the taxi ways that lead to the thresh hold of Runway 03L. |
| TIME | Usually the whole day for 03L arrivals, line-ups from noon until sunset. |
| MISC. | The fence is very low, so no ladder is needed. The are some barriers where you can climb up too. The place itself is pretty safe as it is a busy area, with lot of traffic coming and going to the terminals. Furthermore there is a bus stop nearby, which is used by the airport staff. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | The planes are very close so 20-200mm should cover everything. |
 |
Spot #5 – Terminal 1 |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The various gate areas of Terminal 1 offering plenty of options to take photos. Only accessible with a valid boarding pass for an international flight (there is just one domestic gate). Both terminals 1 and 2 are connected airside. |
| WHAT | Apron traffic and runway 03R/21L movements. End of 5A best for taxiway which connects both runways. 5B is best for apron traffic whilst 5C is good for runway 03R/21L movements. |
| TIME | Time depends on angle, but mainly better in the afternoon. |
| MISC. | All facilities inside the terminal. Of course you have to shot through the windows. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 15-300mm |
I would like to know how this photo was taken, was it taken on an airport tour? HP-1525CMP | Boeing 737-7V3 | Copa Airlines | Pablo Merel | JetPhotos
I went there in December 2022 and January 2023 and I only plane spotted at spot 3 because I didn’t know spottersguide.net existed and also I have 3 youtube videos of me plane spotting there. If you want to check one out here is a link. 2023 New Years day plane spotting at Panama city Tocumen Airport [PTY/MPTO] – YouTube
NOTE: The video is kinda shaky because at the time I was getting used to my new tripod.
Just a bit of an update for security and safety. It is better to spot in groups especially on the bridges however the airport is quite spotter friendly (airport security didn’t see bothered by us) as long as we don’t park the car near the fence. If you are standing a safe distance away from the fence, the airport doesn’t mind spotters.
I didn’t have any troubles with locals but the bridges is very busy especially during peak hours so being aware of your surroundings is very important. Some locals were even happy to talk with us about the planes we were seeing!
Thanks for the update, added the info.
Hi Mark Brandon I watched your video on this airport.
I live here and theres a group where you can enter
Whats the name of the group and do they do this year round?
Plane spotting at this airport is alright but I wish they did airport tours.