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November 16, 2016Vienna Schwechat Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on November 09, 2018
Vienna International Airport / Flughafen Wien-Schwechat (VIE/LOWW) is the Gateway to Austria located on the far east of Austria, close to the borders of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Vienna handled in 2017 24.4 Mio. passengers and 290000 tons of freight. The Airport is a HUB for Austrian Airlines and the newly founded Eurowings Europe.
The Airport is served by most of the European Carriers. From Africa: Air Algerie, Air Cairo, Egypt Air, Ethiopian, Nouvelair and Tunis Air. From Asia: Air China, Air India, China Airlines, Emirates (only A380 service), ElAl, Eva Air, Georgian Airways, Iran Air, Korean Air, Thai, Qatar and Royal Jordanian. America is only served by Austrian Airlines.
The Airport is also a destination for many business jets. Also Cargo aircraft serve VIE including Asiana Cargo (74F), ASL Airlines Belgium, Cargolux (74F), Fedex, Korean Air Cargo (daily B77F/B74F), Silk Way Airlines (B74F), Turkish Cargo and UPS.
Spotting at VIE is not that easy as you have to walk long distances on farm tracks. Don’t drive up the tracks around the airport it is forbidden. The Police is controlling this and you get fined for using them!
For actual specials at VIE have a look on: https://slovakaviation.sk/vie
Written by Patrick Weis, Julian Mittnacht, Konstanty Dobrzyński, Viktor and Bas Velders (major update April 2018)
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| Airport Information | Runways | 11/29 | 16/34 | |
| 3,500m | 3.600m | |||
| Asphalt | Asphalt | |||
| Terminal | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | |
| One World, Skyteam, Emirates, Qatar, Air China, China Airlines, EVA Air, Thaiand no Alliance Airlines | Curently closed due to constructions | Austrian and European Star Alliance carriers + Air India | ||
| Spotting Information | Ladder | Not necessary at some spots. If you need one: 4 steps to get a good shots at the most spots. | ||
| Car | The easiest way to get around as the ways are long. There are dirt roads/pathways available basically all around the airport fence but which you can´t drive on. A bike can be very helpful! | |||
| Restrooms | Only in the terminal building | |||
| Drinks/Food | There are many restaurants in the terminal including MC Donald’s etc. Around the Airport there are also many places to find food. | |||
| Hotels | Around the Airport or in the City. | |||
| Season | All Year. But chance for sunshine is higher in summer. November to March can get grey, cold and rainy. | |||
| Runway Usage | General Info | Depends on the wind. Until 8:00 the Aircraft are not allowed to land from the city side, RWY11. | ||
| 11/29 | Used in both directions. | |||
| 16/34 | Used in both directions. | |||
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Spot #1 – Hunters Lookout |
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| WHERE | Continue from #16 but at the intersection of dirt roads, turn to the right and follow it until it ends at a hedge. Follow the hedge to your left until you reach the fence. At this spot, you WILL need a ladder to shot over the fence. Please DO NOT climb up the hunter’s lookout, as this is private property and strictly forbidden to enter. |
| WHAT | With a ladder (five steps to avoid the fence), you can take shots of all kinds of taxiing movements along rwy 11/29, also smaller aircraft rotating on rwy 29, while the widebodies do rotate later down the runway – but then you can take pictures of them from behind. |
| TIME | Most of the day. 9/10-18/19 (depending on the sun and lenght of the day) |
| MISC. | Quite a walk from anything that would be easy to get to with public transport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Qatar B787: 70mm; Austrian A321: 120mm; MNG Cargo: 150mm; China Airlines A340: 70mm; Asiana Cargo B747: 200mm; Emirates A380: 240mm |
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Spot #2 – Landing and line-up 29 |
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| WHERE | Near a gate in the fence. The gate enables you to take pictures with easy through the fence. You may get there by walking from spots 4 and 5 on the road that goes beside the fence of the airport. Park your car as marked on the road (next to #6). Don’t drive on the farm tracks otherwise you will be fined by the police! |
| WHAT | Aircraft landing and lining-up ar runway 29 |
| TIME | Most of the day. 9/10-18/19 (depending on the sun and lenght of the day) |
| MISC. | Quite a walk from anything that would be easy to get to with public transport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100+ [Austrian at 195mm, Pegasus at 250mm, Niki at 300mm, SunExpress at 170mm, Luxair at 270mm, Turkish at 240mm] |
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Spot #3 – 29/34 arrivals, parallel taxiway to 16/34 |
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| WHERE | At the curvature of the fence, where you have to shoot through, near runway 29 threshold. Easy to get to on foot. Simply walk north from spots 4 and 5 on the road which is located just beside the fence of the airport at a crash gate you have to walk on the side of the field. Otherwise use the path to spot 2 and then along the perimeter. Park as marked on the map (next to #6). Don’t drive up the farm tracks! |
| WHAT | Aircraft landing on runway 29, those taxiing after arrival on runway 34 and those taxiing for departure from runway 34 and some departing 34 as well. |
| TIME | Most of the day, more or less after 10 should be fine. |
| MISC. | Quite a walk from anything that would be easy to get to with public transport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 767 at 220mm, Q400 at 300mm, Austrian 319 at 300mm, Qatar at 300mm, 737 at 300mm, Royal Jordanian at 300mm |
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Spot #4 – Arrivals and Departures runway 34 |
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| WHERE | Park as marked on the map at the end of Schwadorf (next to #6) and walk up the farm track as marked. Do not drive up the farm tracks as the Police will fine you. As the way is long use a light step ladder because you need at least 4 steps. |
| WHAT | All Runway 34 movements. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From late noon until sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm [767 at 100mm, Sun Express at 240mm, Austrian 737 at 240mm, 777 at 240mm, Embraer at 260mm, Falcon at 300mm] |
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Spot #5 – Final Runway 34 |
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| WHERE | Park as marked on the map (next to #6) at the end of Schwadorf and walk up the farm track as marked. Do not drive up the farm tracks as the Police will fine you. You don’t need a step ladder for this spot as you can shot arrivals only. |
| WHAT | You can take shots of aircraft arriving on Runway 34 and line-ups on Runway 34 if they use the last intersection |
| TIME | From late noon until sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm [A319 at 185mm, Qatar at 230mm, Rossiya at 185mm] |
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Spot #6 – Landings runway 34 |
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| WHERE | There is a cicleway along the road that runs under the approach path and to the morning spots. Park your car in a small industrial zone at the end of the village of Schwadorf (also for spots #2-5). From parking cross the road to the side where the airport’s fence begins and walk back 100-150m to the south, until you reach a lone house with garden. This is the best spot for approach pics onto rwy 34 and can be used from around afternoon until sunset. For morning just walk into the opposite direction. |
| WHAT | Aircraft approaching runway 34. |
| TIME | Almost all day long in except noon. Just switch your position when the sun turns over. |
| MISC. | There is nothing there. You can even use the hedge and the trees around that house as protection against wind and sun. Be careful though: you are standing on a cycle lane, so be respectful and don’t block the cyclists’ way! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-250mm MORNING: Rossiya A319 – 170mm; Austrian Fokker 70 – 200mm; ASL B737 – 210mm; Korean Cargo B747F – 90mm; Brussels A320 – 200mm; Donavia A319 – 230mm AFTERNOON: Emirates A380 – 155mm; Swiss A340 – 100mm; Private Wings Do328 – 240mm; Royal Jordanian A320 – 190mm; Air China A330 – 125mm; Air India B787 – 160mm |
Morning:
Afternoon:
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Spot #7 – Final runway 34 morning |
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| WHERE | Just at the fence between spot 6 and 9 so start and park your car. There is a little road going side to side of the fence, easy to find. You can either walk there from spot 9 or spot 6. The road is in rather good condition and goes all the way beside the airport fence. |
| WHAT | Morning movements from runway 34. Departures and arrivals. Line-up runway 34 |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | The fence is nice to spot from, big holes, plenty of room |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [A321 arr at 125mm, CRJ at 300mm, Fokker and Transavia at 195mm, Air Berlin at 155mm, Niki at 135mm] |
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Spot #8 – Touchdown zone – Runway 34 |
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| WHERE | Just at the fence. There is a little road going side to side of the fence, easy to find. You can either walk there from spot 9 or spot 6. The road is in rather good condition and goes all the way beside the airport fence. |
| WHAT | Aircraft touching down on runway 34 |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | The fence is nice to spot from, big holes, plenty of room. You are slightly above the runway |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [Fokker at 170mm, Lufthansa at 140mm, Austrian at 230mm, 747 at 120mm, Tarom at 210mm, Niki at 120mm] |
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Spot #9 – Spotting Hill – Runway 16/34 Movements |
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| WHERE | This Spot is the Official Spotter Hill of the Airport. Here you have a clear view of the runway without a stepladder. Park your car as marked on the map and walk for 15 minutes up to the spot. |
| WHAT | All Runway Movements on Runway 16 and 34. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing here except of a rubbish bin and a table. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm [A330 at 120mm, ATR72 at 220mm] |
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Spot #10 – Rubbish Hill – RWY16 departures and arrivals |
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| WHERE | Best to park next to spot #11 and walk for 15 minutes to the hill. Its almost the as same as spot #11 but continue for a couple of minutes along the perimeter until you reach a big hill to your left. Now you have a great overlook of the runway and eastern part of the airport. |
| WHAT | All arrivals and departures on RWY16. Departures on RWY34 too but can be already pretty high. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. This spot is not really legally accessible anymore: there is a fence, preventing spotters from climb onto the “Rubbish Hill”. However, the fence is quite damaged at several parts, so if you want to cross it, it won’t be difficult. Do it at your own risk though: in theory, it is illegal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 16 Arr/Dep: 100-250mm [CRJ at 230mm, 767 at 160mm) 34 Departure: 70+ [Fokker at 180mm, 767 at 100mm, 737 at 230mm] |
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Spot #11 – RWY16 approach |
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| WHERE | Coming from the airport drive on the 9 to Fischamend. After you have passed the approach path of RWY16 you see a small industrial area. Turn right, drive trough and turn right once you have leave the area. Now follow this road until you reach the marked parking spot. Leave your car hear and walk over the bridge, follow the dirt path along the perimeter fence until the first intersection. There you are. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY16 only. There are some stones to climb up so you can watch over the fence. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Brennweiten: 80-220mm EVA Air A330 – 90mm; Luxair DHC-8: 210mm; China Airlines A350 – 170mm; Qatar B787 – 105mm; El Al B737 – 160mm; Austrian B777 – 85mm |
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Spot #12 – RWY16 approach |
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| WHERE | Park your car as described above for #11 but then instead of crossing the bridge, simply walk ahead towards the airport fence. You can even go up the grass field to your right. Compared to #11 you have no disturbing objects and a clear background at your photos. No ladder needed, you can spot here. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY16 only. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Rossiya A319: 190mm; Alitalia A320: 170mm; Ukraine B737-500: 230mm |
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Spot #13 – Parking P4 |
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| WHERE | This spot is on the top level of P4 parking. Just follow the signs. |
| WHAT | A very nice view on the apron between the new Skylink, Terminal three and the cargo apron. Also RWY16 arrivals but a long lense is needed! |
| TIME | Depends on the angle but perfect for night shots. Shots on RWY16 in the afternoon. |
| MISC. | It’s a regular parking, easy to get to and from the terminal. Just go to the corner of the top level. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50+ [A320 at 120mm, Retro at 140mm, 320 closeup at 300mm, 777 at 170mm, A330 at 250m, overview at 75mm] |
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Spot #14 – Viewing terrace |
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| WHERE | The entrance to the terrace is from the terminal building. Rather easy to find. You need to pass through a security check before entering. It also costs a couple of euro (not much but be prepared). |
| WHAT | Best for aircrafts on the tarmac. You can also “photograph” landings on RWY 16 but they are very very far (400mm for 767, see sample). |
| TIME | The sun is usually on the other side so its not the best photo location. |
| MISC. | The entrance costs 4€ for a day for one adult, and 2€ for a child (2-16yo). The terrace is outside and there is no glass between you and the tarmac. Unfortunately the apron is situated in the same direction as the sun is most of the day so it’s a fun place to sit at, but for pictures definitely better when the weather is poor. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18+ [767 at 155mm, Aeroflot at 125mm, 777 at 195mm] |
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Spot #15 – Parking P3 |
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| WHERE | This spot is on the top level of P3 parking. Just follow the signs. |
| WHAT | Some aircraft standing on the apron. |
| TIME | Depends on the angle but perfect for night shots. |
| MISC. | It’s a regular parking, easy to get to and from the terminal. Just go to the the top level and find a spot that suits you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [Niki at 230mm, BA at 300mm, Emirates at 240mm, Luxair at 270mm, Turkish at 300mm, Germanwings at 300mm] |
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Spot #16 – 29 departures and 11 arrivals |
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| WHERE | Basically in the middle of a field and a long walk as its not allowed to drive on the dirt roads as the police checks this regulary. Park your car as marked on the map and don’t block the road and walk up the farm track. You won’t find much around. Go along the concrete road until you reach the third column of trees to your left. There you turn left to the dirt road and follow it until the next intersection. You can also get there from the Mannswörth train station. |
| WHAT | You can get nice pics of departing aircraft “doing the 29 curve” (turning to the left as they climb out from rwy 29). For arrivals on 11 just go straight to the fence for being closer. |
| TIME | Basically all day long. |
| MISC. | It’s a field so take everything you need with you, no shops, no lavatories, no benches. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Iran Government B707: 230mm; Ed Force One (B747-400): 160mm; SAS A320: 250mm; TAP A330: 170mm; Easyjet A319: 260mm; Austrian A320 Retro: 300mm |
13 Comments
You mostly gave “from sunrise to ~10.00” as time info, do you mean 10 in the morning or in the evening?
And if it’s 10 in the morning, why is it that way? I would like to spot during the holidays and would use the spotting hill as my main spot. yet the Aircrafts I want to photograph (Qatar’s A350 and Emirate’s A380 arrive around 12-1pm (12:00-13:00)
Yes it is 10 in the morning. As all spots are on the eastern side and the light is getting poor from around 10-11 so they are useless from that time on.
-Julian
Hi
With regards to you presentation in “Runaway Usage” : can you be more precise about the landing from the city side? did you mean on runway 11?
Hi, yes thats runway 11.
-Julian
China Southern Cargo terminated their VIE routes some years ago, they no longer frequent the airport. Korean Air Cargo operates a nearly daily B777F, except Friday morning where the cargo flight is operated by a B747F.
Also, there are some changes in the list of pax carriers as well: of course Air Berlin and Niki do not fly anymore (ceased ops due to bankruptcy), however as a new intercontinental carrier, Thai operates to VIE with a B777. Emirates should be mentioned as the only carrier operating with a daily A380 flight to VIE.
Regarding terminal usage: Terminal 3 is used by Austrian and other European Star Alliance carriers, but also Air India. The other longhaul flights by Emirates, Qatar, Air China, China Airlines, EVA Air, Thai etc. operate from Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is currently undergoing a major overhaul, but it seems it will no longer serve as a separate terminal (but rather as a new security controll point + duty free area).
As for the spots:
1. For 29 departures, there is a way better spot than No. 1 (from where you could only take bellyshots of most shorthaul aircraft): park your car as described for Spot 1, but go along the concrete road until you reach the third column of trees to your left. There you turn left to the dirt road and follow it until the next intersection. You can get nice pics of departing aircraft “doing the 29 curve” (turning to the left as they climb out from rwy 29). Best time: basically all day long.
2. If you are bold enough, you can follow my instructions above, but at the abovementioned intersection of dirt roads, turn to the right and follow it until it ends at a hedge. Follow the hedge to your left until you reach the fence. At this spot, you WILL need a ladder to shot over the fence. Please DO NOT climb up the hunter’s lookout, as this is private property and strictly forbidden to enter. With a ladder, you can take shots of all kinds of taxiing movements along rwy 11/29, also smaller aircraft rotating on rwy 29, while the widebodies do rotate later down the runway – but then you can take pictures of them from behind.
3. Parking for Spots 4-6: the space described on the site is not legally for parking your car, so you are running risk of getting fined. Better continue driving north, cross the (almost never used) railroad tracks and park in the industrial compound to the right. Also, there is a cycleway along the road which you can use as a pedestrian as well. Cross the road to the side where the airport’s fence begins and walk back 100-150m to the south, until you reach a lone house with garden. This is the best spot for approach pics onto rwy 34 and can be used from around noon until sunset. You can even use the hedge and the trees around that house as protection against wind and sun. Be careful though: you are standing on a cycle lane, so be respectful and don’t block the cyclists’ way!
4. Spot 10 is not really legally accessible anymore: there is a fence, preventing spotters from climb onto the “Rubbish Hill”. However, the fence is quite damaged at several parts, so if you want to cross it, it won’t be difficult. Do it at your own risk though: in theory, it is illegal.
5. There is an alternative to Spot 11: park your car as described for Spot 11 but then instead of crossing the bridge, simply walk ahead towards the airport fence. You can even go up the grass field to your left. No ladder needed, you can spot here until about 11 and shoot rwy 16 approach.
Hi Viktor!
Thank you for this huge update… Information will be updated soon!
Regards, Severin
You are welcome! A short addendum: I just heard from spotter friends, that the Korean Cargo 747 operates not only on Fridays, but also on Thursdays – although I don’t know if this will be only short-lived or longer.
GPS coordinates of spots I mentioned above:
ad 1.: location of the spot is 48°06’59.3″N 16°31’56.7″E
ad 2.: location of the spot is 48°06’58.2″N 16°32’47.4″E
ad 3: park along the road beginning at 48°04’40.2″N 16°35’30.8″E
ad 3: location of the garden mansion aroung which you can spot 34 approaches is 48°04’37.2″N 16°35’25.2″E
ad 5: location of the grass field for 16 approaches is 48°07’28.0″N 16°34’53.6″E
Glad if I could help future spotting visitors of VIE!
Best regards,
Viktor
Hi Viktor, I tried to contact you via email. Do you received my message?
-Julian
Spotterpoint 2 & 3 are no longer available. There is a Gate on the Corner between 3 & 4 what is closed and the way is part of the airport.
Hi Giovanni, isn´t it possible to walk next to the fence to the positions on the field?
-Julian
The entrance in observation deck costs 5 euros.The ticket is for all day.You can go to eat or drink and visit again entire the day the deck without new ticket.Very beautifull view but is backlit all the day.
Are you sure it is for whole day? I was told it is for one hour only
As you are facing south you have backlit almost the whole day. But it depends on what you wanna photograph too.
-Julian