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September 9, 2015Brussels Zaventem Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on October 6, 2021
Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) is located northeast of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. In 2019, Brussels Airport hit a new passenger traffic record with 26.4 million passengers. Cargo transport closed the year at 667 thousand tonnes. The Military part, named Melsbroek (ICAO: EBMB), is located on the northeast side of the airport, with which it shares runways and ground and air control facilities.
There is also cargo handling (Brucargo) and a general aviation part (mainly handled by Luxaviation). Cargo comes mainly from Ethiopian Cargo, Qatar Cargo, Saudi Arabian Cargo and Singapore Cargo, but also DHL and a few brokers.
Brussels Airlines and TUI Belgium have their homebase at EBBR. Of course, several other carriers serve Brussels Airport as well, from all over Europe, North Africa (Royal Air Maroc, Tunsiair, Egypt Air, RwandAir), the USA (United, Delta, American), Asia (Hainan, Thai, Cathay) and MEA (Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad). Brussels Airlines also connects to a lot of destinations in the African continent. Most movements happen between 7:00 and 14:00, when most long-haul flights arrive and depart. Also the evening can bring some nice and interesting flights. The lowest traffic happens between 14:00 & 17:00.
Since the NATO headquarters are located in Brussels, at less than 5km from the airport, we regularly have some nice governmental visitors, when NATO summits are happening.
Free parking is available around the airport, but you might have to take a walk to some of the spots nevertheless. The bus station is located on level 0 – one floor down from the arrivals hall. Brucargo is served by bus lines 272, 616, 651, 652, 659, 660, 681, 682, 683, 686, 820, 821 and 830. All De Lijn services that run via Brucargo depart from platform B. The use of the De Lijn buses between bus stops located within the airport perimeter is free for all.
Bus info with all lines passing the airport => De Lijn, stop Zaventem Perron A
For the latest and trustworthy news on EBBR/Aviation in general => www.flightlevel.be and www.aviation24.be.
Some more info on expected flights etc. can be found on www.aviation24.be.
Written by Björn Van Brussel (local spotter), Walter Peeters, Mathijs Haest and Severin Hackenberger. Last Update October 2021
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 07L/25R | 3.638 m (11.936 ft) Asphalt |
| 07R/25L | 3.211 m (10,535 ft) Asphalt |
| 01/19 | 2.987 m (9.800 ft) Asphalt |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal A | Flights from and to the Schengen countries (A-gates). Also all Brussels Airlines flights to African destinations (T-gates). |
| Terminal B | Only used for flights outside the Schengen Area. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Could be helpful at some places for spotters that absolutely don’t want any obstacles in the pictures, but you can easily make it without one. |
| Car/Public Transport | For some spots it’s advised to use a car, else you’ll lose more time in public transport etc… Some spots are a little walk away from the parking spots though, but it’s acceptable. |
| Restrooms | Inside the terminal and parking buildings. None at most spots, but some fuel-stations/pubs are near. |
| Drinks/Food | Typical (fast)food inside the terminal (Quick, Pizza Hut, EXKI, Starbucks…) (public area). Small shops at the terminal and a few gas stations around the airport. Also a Carrefour Express in Steenokkerzeel center and a Delhaize in the cargo area (north of the airport). |
| Hotels | Several hotels around/at the airport. |
| Season | The weather can be pretty variable. Best periods are late spring, whole summer and early autumn. Winter gives an opportunity for some nice light pictures as well, without heat-haze. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | In general 25 is most times in use. There is an offical Preferential Runway System (PRS) defined by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority ( BCAA ) and Federal Minister for Transport:
Weekdays Monday-Friday (06:00-22:59) Departures runway 25R, Arrivals runways 25L and 25R Further information on runway usage can be found on: www.batc.be/en |
| 25R | Mainly used for departures. Most flights coming from Schengen countries, mostly Brussels Airlines land here. Also cargo and military arrivals use this RWY for arrivals |
| 25L | Mainly used for landings (most, if not all non-shengen flights land here as the park at Terminal B) and sometimes VIP aircraft parking at Melsbroek air base. very rarely used for departures. |
| 07R | Mainly used for departures when RWY 07 conditions apply ((north)eastern winds). |
| 07L | Used as main arrivals RWY when 07 conditions apply. Used as departure RWY for cargo aircraft and bizjets parked at Abelag VIP apron. |
| 01 | Mainly used for landings with very strong Northern winds. More often used during afternoons. |
| 19 | Sometimes used for departures and arrivals. |
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P1 Front Parking - 07L/25R Movements + Apron
| WHERE | The spot is located on the top floor of the P1 Front parking. You have a nice sight of the runway and taxiway but the sight is very limited due to the many light poles and parked aircraft. Furthermore its very far from the action and upcoming heat is an issue all year round. By car: From the Brussels Ring (R0), follow the A201 towards Zaventem and Brussels Airport. When approaching the airport you will see the airport buildings in front of you. Once you pass the bridge, follow the “Front Park P1” signs. Parking at P1 isn’t cheap, so best is to park somewhere around the airport and either walk to P1 or try to catch one of the free De Lijn buses that tour between the Brucargo area and the airport. By train/bus: Get off at Brussels Airport and follow the signs to P1. You can’t miss. |
| WHAT | Recommend for 25R departures during the morning rush hour when they rotate infront of you. If there is less wind almost all are still on the ground, even small aircraft (better to use spot #3). Taxishots are possible and some planes from the general aviation pass by in front of the parking. In general its very hard to photograph from here, especially the runway due to the distance. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon/early afternoon with best light conditions. But due to the distance and upcoming heat only recommend in the early morning. |
| MISC. | Parking fees are 4 EUR/hour (maximum 20 EUR/day). Airport buildings are nearby for food and drinks and there are free toilets (Parking ticket needed to open the door) on the 5th floor. Heat haze is a problem quickly! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-600mm. Runway: A320 = 600mm; 772 = 300mm |
P3 Holiday Parking - 01/19 Movements + 07R/25L Movements + Apron
| WHERE | The spot is located on the top floor of the P3 parking (holiday parking). By car: From the Brussels Ring (R0), follow the A201 towards Zaventem. You will see the airport buildings in front of you. Once you pass the bridge, just follow the “Holiday P3” signs. Parking at P3 isn’t cheap (2EUR / 0.5hours), so best is to park somewhere around the airport and either walk to P3 or try to catch one of the free De Lijn buses that shuttle between the Brucargo area and the airport. By train/bus: Get off at Brussels Airport and follow the signs to P3. You can’t miss. |
| WHAT | In general you have an overview of runway 01/19 and spot all movements on this runway. Aircraft on the way for a 07R departure and leaving 25L. |
| TIME | Depends which runway you wanna photograph. Great light for planes vacating runway 25L (taxiways) when the light is on the runway and the other locations are no longer possible. Same for 01/19 movements. From late afternoon until sunset during the summer months for planes directly on 07R/25. Heat haze is a problem on warm days! |
| MISC. | Parking fees are 4 EUR/hour (maximum 20 EUR/day). Airport buildings are nearby for food and drinks and there are toilets on the 5th floor (Most of the times a valid parking ticket needed to enter). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-400mm B744 on 01 = 300mm |
Brussels Airlines Crewcenter parking - 25R departures + general aviation
| WHERE | The spot is located on the parking between the Luxaviation building and the Brussels Airlines Crewcenter on a narrow piece of lawn. By car: From the Brussels Ring (R0), follow the A201 towards Zaventem. You will see the airport buildings in front of you. Don’t pass the bridge, but keep to the right and follow “General Aviation” at the roundabout. This will lead you onto the Ringlaan. You will pass Luxaviation, the Brussels Airlines Crewcenter and then the Thomas Cook offices on your right. Take a left (little uphill) and go left again (Olmenstraat) to cross the bridge. At the roundabout, go right and then you have a possible parking spot on your right side (Then it’s a 10min walk to the spot). Parking at the Luxaviation reserved parking is not allowed! By bus from the airport: Take the bus at the airport and get off at the Brussels Airlines Crewcenter (bus stop B-house, lines 272, 616, 651, 652, 659, 660, 681, 682, 683, 686, 820, 821 & 830). You’re directly at the spot. You can also walk from the airport for approximate 20 minutes. |
| WHAT | You have a clear view of planes taking off on runway 25R, although if they are small/light, they might be pretty high already (bellyshots). In front of you is part of the general aviation parking, so you can also see some parked planes here, however the view is now heavily obstructed by a huge concrete wall and a double fence. |
| TIME | From morning till early afternoon. |
| MISC. | (!) Recently, they build a wall of approx. 2m high between the parking and the general aviation parking space, so if you want to have a shot of parked planes, you’ll need a ladder of several steps. Not really allowed, so if you dare, it’s hit and run. Also, there is nothing near this place, so bring along food/drinks. Since you’re on a non-public parking, try to respect it! Recently there have been a few cases where Police asked spotters to leave. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 25R takeoff 150-400mm, general aviation 50-200mm (Vueling = 350mm, Thai = 165mm, Irish Government = 155mm) |
Bridge - 25R departures
| WHERE | The spot is located on a bridge on the Olmenstraat, near the Thomas Cook Airlines building.
By car: From the Brussels Ring (R0), follow the A201 towards Zaventem. You will see the airport buildings in front of you. Don’t pass the bridge, but keep to the right and follow “General Aviation” at the roundabout. This will lead you onto the Ringlaan. You will pass Luxaviation, the Brussels Airlines Crewcenter and then the Thomas Cook offices on your right. Take a left (little uphill) and go left again (Olmenstraat) to cross the bridge. At the roundabout, go right and then you have a possible parking spot on your right side (Then it’s a 10min walk to the spot). Parking at the Luxaviation reserved parking is not allowed! |
| WHAT | You can see planes taking off from runway 25R. It is an alternative to other spots as you need less focal length but smaller planes are sometimes already quite high. Widebodies are on a good height to photograph. |
| TIME | From morning till early afternoon. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along whatever you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm 787 = 220mm / A333 = 190mm |
Brussels Airport personnel parking - 07L Movements
| WHERE | The spot is located near the bus stop at the crossing of the Ringlaan and the end of the Dreststraat. By car: Make your way into the “Nieuwe Zaventemsesteenweg” and then park your car on the left. Parking in the streets surrounding of this spot is not allowed! Walk to the location from the parking for approximate five minutes. By bus from the airport: Take the bus at the airport and get off at the bus stop Machelen Korenberg (lines 272, 616, 651, 652, 659, 660, 681, 682, 683, 686, 820, 821 & 830) |
| WHAT | When standing on the little hill behind the bus stop you can catch 07 arrivals. If you go to the crashgate on the other side of the road, you will be able to photograph the planes when they line up for 07L departure. |
| TIME | 07L arrivals from early morning till afternoon, 07L departures from mid afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along food/drinks. In worst case you could go to the Novotel hotel for a toilet. That’s not too far away. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm |
Policestation Steenokkerzeel - 19 arrivals + 25R arrivals
| WHERE | The spot is located behind the Steenokkerzeel police station, in a field. Walk in a little path north of the station, keep to the right and you will end up at the spot/on the field. By car: Once you’re on the Haachtsesteenweg, turn off to the south towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum. You can park your car along the Tervuursesteenweg or in the immediate vicinity (like the little backery parking west of the street), there is enough space to park your car here. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Oud Station. |
| WHAT | You will see arrivals on rwy19 and also rwy25R |
| TIME | Late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is a Carrefour / Okay / Aldi supermarket at Steenokkerzeel, less than 5 minutes by car. You are close to peoples houses and gardens so please pay attention to this and try not to disturb their life or in the least way possible. Try to always face away from the houses/gardens especially as there are dogs based in some houses who will bark all the time. Take care of insects in summer with the high grass. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm 19: 110mm = A320 25R: B734 = 280mm / B744 = 160mm |
19 Approach:
25R Approach:
Kapelstraat - 19 arrivals
| WHERE | The spot is located not far away from the other spots in a calm residential area offering a bit different angle. By car: Turn off N227/Tervuurstesteenweg to the east into Keistraat just south of N21. Once you’re at the y-junction, follow to the right and then you’re in the Kapelstraat. You can park your car in the area. By bus from the airport: See spot#7 and then walk to this spot. |
| WHAT | You will see arrivals on 19. |
| TIME | Morning till early afternoon. In the afternoon, you can make nice head-on shots here. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along food/drinks. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm B744 = 50mm |
25R crashgate - 25R arrivals + 19 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located a bit south of the roundabout featuring the “Renaissance Man” statue (a man with wings and some birds). By car: Leave N227 towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum at the roundabout and after 100m on your right you have a small parking space. On the other side of the road you have the 25R crashgate. Park here and position yourself as you like around here. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Nieuwstraat. |
| WHAT | When you position yourself at the end of the parking, facing the crashgate, you can take pictures of the planes when arriving on 19. You can also move a little more towards the roundabout again to see the arrivals on 25R. |
| TIME | 19 arrivals: early morning till noon 25R arrivals: from late afternoon till sunset |
| MISC. | Steenokkerzeel center is not too far away, so if you need toilets or food/drinks, you can find it there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm B744 front shot = 300mm |
Parking Steenokkerzeel - 25R + 19 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located inside a parking area just along the main street in Steenokkerzeel on the opposite site of a cemetery.. By car: Easily make your way from N227 onto Van Frachenlaan and you will quickly reach the parking area here, there’s sufficient parking space. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Nieuwstraat. Then walk to the spot, should take 1 minute at most. |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on 25R from the front a bit as well as 19 approaches. |
| TIME | 19 arrivals: early morning till noon 25R arrivals: from late afternoon till sunset |
| MISC. | Steenokkerzeel center is not too far away, so if you need toilets or food/drinks, you can find it there. Some people might not like this place since the planes are still a little high so the alternative is spot #11. But you can make some nice shots here if you’re not into sideshots. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm 25R: B744 = 200mm / A400mm = 350mm / F900 = 275mm 19: A330 = 160mm / B738 = 330mm |
25R:
19:
Cemetery Steenokkerzeel - 25R arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located on the parking of the Steenokkerzeel Cemetery. By car: From Van Frachenlaan turn to the west into Coenenstraat and then again right onto the parking of the cemetery. Park there somewhere and position yourself here. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Kerk. Then walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on rwy25R. |
| TIME | Morning till early afternoon. |
| MISC. | You’re spotting in the vicinity of a cemetery, so show some respect for the surroundings: Do absolutely not access the cemetery itself but stay on the parking lot. There is an official announcement that “spotters” are not allowed on the cemetery. Also there is a ‘Remeberance garden’ next to the parking area of the cemetery, please do not go in here to take pictures. A quite walk in the little park should be ok but try to stay out of it. Some trees might be visible in some of your shots. Just a matter of timing. Steenokkerzeel center is not too far away, so if you need toilets or food/drinks, you can find it there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm A21N = 140mm / A332 = 100mm |
Forrest - 25R Arrivals
| WHERE | This is an alternative to see arrivals 25R is in the Ruthstraat if the other spots are crowded. When on the E19 Brussel-Antwerpen, take exit 12 (Vilvoorde-Luchthavenlaan) and follow towards Steenokkerzeel. Once you’re on the Haachtsesteenweg, you will have the airport and the Military hangars on your right. At the 3rd red-light, take a right towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum. At the first roundabout, turn left into the Van Frachenlaan. Take now the 4th street on your left ( Bruyneelstraat ) and follow this street till the end. Cross the Damlaan ( carefull, no clear sight ) and you are in the Ruthstraat. Park your car just in front of the entrance of the forest. Its a 5 minute walk to the spot. Go into the forest, cross the water and walk further until you reach the open field. Go to your right and pick your favo place. |
| WHAT | You see the 25R arrivals coming from a long distance. Aircraft are a little higher here, but different angles are possible. |
| TIME | Morning till early afternoon. |
| MISC. | Nothing here, bring everything you need with you. Shadow at the treeline, sun at the edge of the field. Compared to spots 10&11 it is a quiet place, only used to walk with dog or kids. Some bicycles too. No police or whatever in case of a special guest arriving. Once on the spot, do not enter the field, as the farmer will not be amused if you do. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-400mm 744 = 180mm / Falcon2000 = 400mm |
Crashgate 25L Field - 25L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in the Aarschotstraat in Steenokkerzeel, near a crashgate for rwy25L. By car: Turn off N227 at the roundabout, take the second exit (Kortenbergsesteenweg). Take the first right again (Gorislaan). Then take the second street on your left to enter the Aarschotstraat. You’ll see a crashgate in front of you and around here you can park at the roadside. Then walk in the path just in front of the gate on your left. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Dijkstraat. Then walk to the spot (+/- 500m walk) |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on 25L. You can also use this spot for takeoff 07R but not in the best conditions. |
| TIME | Late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Don’t park your car in front of the gate, but search a parking place in the vicinity instead. Due to obstacles, clean side on shots are almost not possible, but to the front you can take nice pictures with the watertower in the back – you are a bit higher than the fence, so even touchdown may work out. You can also move closer to the fence and give it a go with a 5-6 step ladder over the fence if you want sideshots. (JUNE 2020, recent updates have been made on the fence. It now stands even higher so full side-on shots are impossible to get, even with a full size ladder.) |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm |
Wijngaardstraat - 25L Arrivals
| WHERE | The spot is locatedby the roadside of “Wijngaardstraat”, which can easily be reached from “Kortenbergsestenweg”. Just park your car by the roadside of “Achter de Hovenstraat” near the 3er-junction and go into the first named little road, where you can choose your favourite spot along the roadside. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 25L. |
| TIME | Mid-Late afternoon till sunset. in winter unuseable. |
| MISC. | There are some stores, restaurants and gas stations inside the nearby villages north of this spot. Nothing around here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm B742 = 120mm |
Approach lights 25L - 25L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located on the Kortenbergsesteenweg in Steenokkerzeel, near the approachlights of 25L. By car: You can park on the offical parking at the beginning of the Mechelsesteenweg a bit south of the spot, but spaces are limited there. You can also look for parking space within Kortenberg north of the spot somewhere and then walk down again here. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Erps-Kwerps Watertoren. Then walk to the spot (+/-250m walk) |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on 25L. |
| TIME | Late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Feel free to move around this place to find your best position. Nice position for head-on shots or detailed shots. Please pay attention where you park your car. There are quite some parking restrictions here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm |
Kortenbergsesteenweg - 25L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located on the Mechelsesteenweg, between the approach lights of 25L and the Steenokkerzeel water tower. You can move around here to your preferred spot as it’s a pretty open space. You can park at the official parking a bit northwest of this spot. |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on rwy25L. |
| TIME | Early morning till ~14:00 |
| MISC. | Feel free to move around this place to find your best position. Nice position for head-on shots or detailed shots. Please pay attention where you park your car. There are quite some parking restrictions here. Try not to walk in the farmers fields to much! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm B734 = 110mm |
Meteostation - 25L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in a small car-free road that runs south of 25L and links the Mechelsesteenweg/Kortenbergsesteenweg with the Tervuursesteenweg (N227). There is one single building, with a path running towards it. That’s the spot. By car: Easiest is to park at the official parking along Kortenbergsesteenweg and then walk into the small road. Or you can reach it by parking at the official spotting platform “jail” and then walk here. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Erps-Kwerps Watertoren. Then walk to the spot (+/-250m walk). |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on 25L. |
| TIME | Early morning till later noon. |
| MISC. | Like most other spots, there is nothing near this place, so bring whatever you need. Some might not like this spot, since it give a little chance to some fence in your pictures. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm B734 = 110mm |
Official Spotting Platform Jail - 25L Arrivals + 07R Departures
| WHERE | This spot is located between the runway 25L/07R and the transit center 127 bis ‘Caricole’. This is an official viewing deck and you have a nice overview on the runway, with the Brussels Control Tower in front of you. It’s a wodden platform and is easy to find. You can either stand on the platform itsself (A) or on the little grasshill next to the jail’s fence (B). By car: Just south of the tunnel underneath 25L, you have a small road on the east. Take this road and you’ll end up at the official parking.By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Erps-Kwerps Watertoren. Then walk to the spot (it’s +/-15min walk!). |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes landing on 25L or take-off from 07R (some small planes might be pretty high already. To avoid this, you can choose option B, which is a bit nearer to the point of rotate = less high!), BUT LADDERS ARE FORBIDDEN AT SPOT #16B – as shown on the specific overview shot. |
| TIME | Early morning till late midday. |
| MISC. | Some might not like it for 25L arrival shots, since you can have some fence in your pics for some bigger planes. A little step could be useful, but the usage of ladder is only allowed at the plattform (A) – at he grasshill (B) it’s forbidden! This is a frequently visited spot, so please do respect it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm B77W = 70mm |
The platform (A):
-
- Parking to the right
-
- Way up to the platform
-
- Sight from below
-
- View from the top
The grasshill (B):
Official Spotting Platform Vliegbos - 01 Movements + 25L/07R/19 Departures
| WHERE | This spot is again an official viewing deck and is located in the “Vliegbos” close to a little experience park which was also newly built. By car: Turn off N227 into Namenstraat just south of the tunnel. Parking is possible by the roadside of Namenstraat on your right (marked on the map) or near the soccer canteen. From there on, it’s a few minutes walking to the platform. By bus from the airport: Take bus 830 to Groenendaal and get off at bus stop Zaventem Imbroekstraat. From here it’s a 20min walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes landing/departing on 01 as well as late departures from 19 (KLM E170 e.g.), departures on 07R and some landings or the rare departures on 25L (e.g. Amerijet B767). |
| TIME | Early morning till noon (depending on what you want to shoot either early or late noon). |
| MISC. | No ladder needed, no shops nearby, enough parking possibilities and enough shadow. Side shots onto 01 arrivals will have fence in the bottom. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm A320 arriving = 150mm / A333 arriving = 105mm / 25L B767 departure = 195mm |
Bushes - 01 Movements + 07R Departures
| WHERE | This spot is located at the edge of a farmer’s field, close to the fence at the threshold of 01. There is a little open space where you have a clear overview of the activities. You’re located a few meters above the runway level. By car: Same as the official spotting platform Vliegbos and simply continue a few steps to the southwest. By bus from the airport: Take bus 830 to Groenendaal and get off at bus stop Zaventem Imbroekstraat. From here it’s a 10min walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You can see all movements on 01 and also the planes taking off on 07R. |
| TIME | Sunrise till noon for 01 movements, a bit longer for 07R takeoff. |
| MISC. | Heat-haze can be a BIG problem for the 07R departure shots. This place can be really crowded on sunny days and most like to take a ladder to avoid the fence in the pictures for 01 arrival shots (especially the heavies) and the insects which might cause spots on your pictures. You can use the tree stump at the front to get a bit higher, but for heavies you’ll have the fence still in the pictures (KLM and Etihad taken from the stump). Please respect the farmer’s field and don’t walk in the middle of it but use the edge to walk around it. Shadow might be a problem in summer, but you can use the forest on the other side of the field. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm E175 01 arrival = 130mm / A330 07R = 300mm |
Mabtinusweg - 01 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in a car-free path, near the Zeven Tommen. Position yourself along the path to find your prefered angle. By car or bus: Drive till the end of Zeven Tommen, there you can park by the roadside and then walk into the little path along the railways, once you reach a bridge on the left cross the rails and position yourself somewhere in the area on the right now. |
| WHAT | You can see arrivals on 01. |
| TIME | From sunrise till noon. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along whatever you need. During weekends this path is often used by joggers/bikers so try to stay on the side. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm A319 = 70mm |
Cemetery Zaventem - 01 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is no exact position, rather the area around here. You can stand along the cementery wall directly (A) or on the meadow directly at the airport fence behind the cemetery (B). Obviously you can also walk around to the south if you prefer steeper angles… Just move around between the cementery and the railway tracks. BUT DO NOT GO INTO THE CEMENTERY OF COURSE! By car: a little tough to explain in words how to reach the spot, but just make your way to the cemetery parking and you’ll end up near the spot already. By bus from the airport: Take bus 830 to Groenendaal and get off at bus stop Zaventem Imbroekstraat. From here it’s a 10min walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You can see arrivals on 01. |
| TIME | Late afternoon till sundown. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along whatever you need. Some service stations along the Leuvensesteenweg (southbound from here), in case needed. DO NOT GO INTO THE CEMENTERY OF COURSE! For option B a ladder is needed to avoid fence in your pictures (>3 steps if possible). +++ Google maps is not uptodate here, area around option B looks totally different already in real life +++ |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A: 100-400mm (A319 = 220mm / A332 = 125mm) B: 70-300mm (A320 = 130mm / B744 = 70mm) |
A – Cemetery wall:
B – Meadow at the fence behind the cemetery:
Hi there, i have some small updates regarding spot 1. The max fee per day isnt 20 euro as i paid 24 today for 6h. Also when the toilet on level 5 is closed, there is another one on level 2 opening with the parking card also. Yes there is some kind of viewing terras now,but its without a roof. When standing on spot 1 look below and to the right,its there in the corner. Then last but not least, there appear to be some constuction work below. When you look on the pic in the guide you see some busses and a yellow building. Thats all gone now.
Is there a visitor terrace to visit?
There isn’t a terrace at the terminal but you can go on the parking garages.
-Julian
Is it possible on spot no 5 to photo planes lining up 07L from cargo appron as well?
Negative, there is a slight uphill to the runwah which will limit your view. You can see the aircraft but the gear will be below the bent. From the hill it will be visible but there are a lot of poles.
Hi please can you put a note on spot 17. There is a problem with wasps at this location as well as rats although you won’t see the rats most of the time. Thanks
The area BruCargo is not forbidden for Spotters, only the Military parts is most of the time restricted area. If you keep you at the rules and distance of the fences at Military area they will leave you alone. The cargo area is free open for spotters, not that you can easy see any planes due to the cargo buildings. It is maybe a idea or tip to mention that it is forbidden to get on the parking building of DHL, this is only for DHL employee, there are camera’s hanging and if security see you there and you dont have a BAC badge or a DHL badge they will sent you away or will call the police on you.
Google maps is stating that at 17 (Vliegtuigkijkplaats Steenokkerzeel), the platform has permanently closed. Can anyone advise?
Nope its open. Was closed during the pandemic
This is how it looks with a phone recording from 25L spotter location (number 16)
https://youtu.be/oXsVZNEffZs
Thanks for a great website guys.
This video has been removed by the user!
Hi Björn, firts of all, thanks for this detailed spotting guide.
I have a question for you: It is easy to get to point P1 “Front Parking” from the arrivals terminal ?
I am thinking of spotting for a couple of hours that I will be at the airport.
Regards
Hi Pedro,
Yes, it’s only a few minutes walking. P1, P2 & P3 are right in front of the arrival/departure hall.
Björn
Hi, Thank you so much your nice guide.
If you don’t mind asking my asking, Is there any facilities near the Spot 16 / Spotting Platform ?
Store, Restroom,
I’m going to visit there from my hotel, but I have no cars to get there.
So I might stay there long time. Based on your guide, I’ll visit there in early morning.
Your advice is really helpful.
Hi, no at spotting position 16 is nothing. No restrooms, no shop etc.
Possible to find something at the village where spots 10-12 are. There is a sidewalk on the main road where you can reach it.
Regards
Julian
Dear Julian san,
Thank you so much for your kind information.
To get wings, I’ll think more and prepare to visit there.
Arigatougozaimasu
If there is easterly wind, please could someone tell me what the preferred runway use is. Thank you.
To answer my own question, arrivals will use 07L.