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September 9, 2015Brussels Zaventem Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on November 13, 2018
Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) is located northeast of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. In 2017, the airport welcomed almost 24.8 million passengers. 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.
As of May 2018, Brussels Airport now offers 2 official spotting platforms. They are listed as spot#16 & Spot#17 in our guide below. More info on the platforms can be found on the official Brussels Airport site => https://www.brusselsairport.be/
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) and Mathijs Haest (Spot 21) – updated by Björn Van Brussel: June 2018.
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| Airport Information | Runways | 25R/07L | 25L/07R | 01/19 |
| 3.638m x 45m | 3.211m x 45m | 2.987m x 50m | ||
| Terminals | Terminal A | Terminal B | ||
| Flights from and to the Schengen countries (A-gates). Also all Brussels Airlines flights to African destinations (T-gates). | 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 | 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) and a restaurant with view on the apron on the 4th floor (Wing Tips). 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 | Further information on runway usage can be found on: www.batc.be/en | ||
| 25R | Mainly used for departures. Also cargo arrivals and planes that park at the A-pier. | |||
| 25L | Mainly used for landings, very rarely used for departures. | |||
| 07R | Mainly used for departures when (north)eastern winds. | |||
| 07L | Mainly departures for cargo and bizjets when eastern winds. Sometimes also used for arrivals. | |||
| 01 | Mainly used for landings with very strong (north)eastern winds. | |||
| 19 | Sometimes used for departures and arrivals. | |||
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Spot#1 – P1 Front Parking – 25R arrivals and departures |
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| WHERE | The spot is located on the top floor of the P1 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, 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 | 25R arrivals and departures during morning and also taxishots are possible. Some planes for the general aviation also pass by in front of the parking when arriving on 25R. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon/early afternoon |
| MISC. | Heat haze might be a problem on warm days and a few antennas/wires could be an issue. Distance to the runway is pretty big but it’s not impossible. Airport buildings are nearby for food and drinks and there are free toilets on the 5th floor. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm (Thomas Cook = 360mm, SN 330 = 220mm, Falcon = 330mm) |
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Spot#2 – P3 Holiday Parking – 01/19 overview & 07R/25L overview & taxishots |
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| WHERE | The spot is located on the top floor of the P3 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 (you pay for 1 full day minimum!), 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 tour 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 | You have an overview of runway 01/19 and 07R/25L and taxishots are also possible from here. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Heat haze might be a problem on warm days. Airport buildings are nearby for food and drinks and there are free toilets on the 5th floor. UPDATE: Recently a building was constructed in between the parking and the tarmac, that now obstructs most of the view you previously had. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-400mm (Turkish = 200mm, Royal Air Maroc = 240mm, Saudi Cargo = 300mm) |
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Spot#3 – Brussels Airlines Crewcenter parking – 25R departures + general aviation |
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| WHERE | The spot is located on the parking between the Luxaviation building and the Brussels Airlines Crewcenter. 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. |
| 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. |
| 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! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 25R takeoff 150-400mm, general aviation 50-200mm (Vueling = 350mm, Thai = 165mm, Irish Government = 155mm) |
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Spot#4 – Brussels Airport personnel parking – 07L arrivals and departures |
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| WHERE | The spot is located near the bus stop at the crossing of the Ringlaan and the end of the Dreststraat. By car: From 3 or 21 continue and then turn left 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 (Jetairfly = 300mm, ABX = 120mm) |
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| WHERE | By car: When on the E19 Brussel-Antwerpen, take exit 12 (Vilvoorde-Luchthavenlaan) and drive on towards “Cargo” and then to Diegem (lots of crossing roads here, so better stay focused) You need to end up next to & under the newly build bridge. Take a right on the Haachtsesteenweg. On your left you’ll have the Brussels Cargo site. Continue towards the next red-light (crossing with the Heirbaan). Make a U-turn and try to park your car here along the road. From here, you can enter the Cargo site and walk to the spot. By bus from the airport: Take the bus at the airport and get off at the bus stop Machelen Cargo Post (lines 272, 616, 651, 652, 659, 660, 681, 682, 683, 686, 820, 821 & 830). Walk to the spot from here. UPDATE: this spot is currently no longer accessible/allowed. You will be asked to leave by security (Aug 2016). Its future is unknown. |
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By car: Same as for spot#5, but keep following “Cargo” all the way, until you end up in the cargo site, at a roundabout. Take the first exit and you’ll see the Delhaize on your right, where you can park your car. By bus from the airport: Take the bus at the airport and get off at bus stop Machelen Cargo Discount Parking (lines 272, 616, 651, 652, 659, 660, 681, 682, 683, 686, 820, 821 & 830) and then walk to the spot. UPDATE: The gate to access this spot has been locked now and the spot is no longer accessible. Construction works should soon start here. |
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Spot#7 – Policestation Steenokkerzeel – 19 arrivals/25R arrivals |
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| WHERE | The spot is located behind the Steenokkerzeel police station, in a field. By car: 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. You can park your car along the Tervuursesteenweg or in the immediate vicinity. 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. |
| MISCELLANEOUS | There is nothing near this place, so bring along food/drinks. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm (#Trident = 110mm, Turkish = 135mm) |
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Spot#8 – Kapelstraat – 19 arrivals |
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| WHERE | The spot is located not far away from Spot#7 in a calm residential area. By car: The same as spot#7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum on the Tervuurstesteenweg and then pick the first street on your left (Keistraat). Once you’re at the split, 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 rwy19. |
| TIME | Morning till early afternoon. |
| MISC. | There is nothing near this place, so bring along food/drinks. In the afternoon, you can make nice head-on shots here. Otherwise if you prefer a side-on shots, spot #9 is your place to be. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm (Air India = 50mm, Finnair = 120mm, XL = 300mm) |
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Spot#9 – 25R crashgate – 25R arrivals/19 arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located around the roundabout with the “Renaissance Man” statue (a man with wings and some birds). By car: The same as spot#7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum and take the second exit at the roundabout (follow Steenokkerzeel Centrum) and after 100m on your right you have a small parking space. On the other side of the road you have the 25R crashgate. 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 rwy19. You can also move a little more towards the roundabout again to see the arrivals on 25R. |
| TIME | rwy19 arrivals early morning till noon, rwy25R 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 (Brussels Airlines = 90mm , Singapore = 300mm, Icelandair = 80mm) |
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Spot#10 – Scouts Steenokkerzeel – 25R arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located near the Scouts terrain in Steenokkerzeel, at the crossing of the Keizerinlaan and the De Lannoylaan. By car: The same as spot#7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum and take the second exit at the roundabout (follow Steenokkerzeel centrum). Follow the road for about 500-600m until you have a parking space at your left. Take the road left (Hamdreef) and then again the first on your left (Keizerinlaan). Continue straight on until you reach the little roundabout. There’s sufficient parking space in the vicinity. By bus from the airport: Take line 651 at the airport and get off at bus stop Steenokkerzeel Nieuwstraat. Then walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes coming in on rwy25R. |
| TIME | Morning till early afternoon. |
| 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 | 50-300mm (Jet Airways = 110mm, Lufthansa = 110mm, all other pics = 300mm) |
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Spot#11 – Cemetery Steenokkerzeel – 25R arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located on the parking of the Steenokkerzeel Cemetery. By car: The same as spot#7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum and take the second exit at the roundabout (follow Steenokkerzeel centrum). Follow the road for about 500m and then take the first street on your right (Coenenstraat). Then again right onto the parking of the cemetery. 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 and do not access the cemetery itself but stay on the parking lot. (There is an official announcement that “spotters” are not allowed on the cemetery). 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 | 100-300mm (Thomas Cook = 200mm, Falcon = 300mm, MyCargo 747 = 115mm) |
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Spot#12 – Wegel 25L – 25L arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located in the Aarschotstraat in Steenokkerzeel, near a crashgate for rwy25L. By car: From the E19 (Brussel-Antwerpen), it’s the same start as for spot 7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum but go straight ahead at the first roundabout (Tervuursesteenweg). You will then pass the Brussels tower on your right. At the second 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. Just before the gate is the small path at your left. When coming in from the E40 (Brussel – Luik), take exit 21 (Sterrebeek) and go on the N227 towards Steenokkerzeel. Continue straight ahead for approx 4km (you’ll pass 2 red lights and pass the tunnel underneath rwy25L) until you reach a roundabout (you’ll see the Brussels tower left in front of you). Take the first 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. Just before the gate is the small path at 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 rwy25L. You can also use this spot for takeoff 07R but not in the best conditions. Due to obstacles, clean side on shots are almost not possible. You can also move closer to the fence and give it a go with a 5-6step ladder over the fence if you want sideshots. |
| 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. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm (XL Airways = 300mm, SAS = 230mm, Arke = 170mm) |
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Spot#13 – Approach lights 25L – 25L arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located on the Kortenbergsesteenweg in Steenokkerzeel, near the approachlights of rwy25L. By car: From the E19 (Brussel-Antwerpen), it’s the same start as for spot 7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum but go straight ahead at the first roundabout (Tervuursesteenweg). You will then pass the Brussels tower on your right. At the second roundabout, take the second exit (Kortenbergsesteenweg). Follow this road for +/-1km until you pass between the approach lights. When coming in from the E40 (Brussel – Luik), take exit 21 (Sterrebeek) and go on the N227 towards Steenokkerzeel. Continue straight ahead for approx 4km (you’ll pass 2 red lights and pass the tunnel underneath rwy25L) until you reach a roundabout (you’ll see the Brussels tower left in front of you). Take the first exit (Kortenbergsesteenweg). Follow this road for +/-1km until you pass between the approach lights. You can park on the offical parking at the beginning of the Mechelsesteenweg, but spaces are limited there. You can also opt for the parking space near Kortenberg trainstation and then walk (+/-1km walk). 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 rwy25L. |
| 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 (Malev = 70mm, Jetair = 200mm, SAS 420mm, all other pics 300mm) |
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Spot#14 – Mechelsesteenweg – 25L arrivals |
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| 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 (somewhere between point A & B), it’s a pretty open space.
By car or bus: see spot #13. |
| 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. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm (Jet Airways = 300mm, El Al = 300mm, Tailwind 135mm) |
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Spot#15 – Meteostation – 25L arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located in a small car-free road that runs south of rwy25L 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 go to spot#13 or #14 and then walk into the small road. Or you can reach it by parking near spot #16 en then walk to the spot. 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 rwy25L. |
| TIME | Early morning till ~14:00 |
| 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 (Tailwind= 110mm) |
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Spot#16 – Spotting Platform – 25L arrivals / 07R departures (official EBBR spotting platform) |
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| 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. By car: From the E19 (Brussel-Antwerpen), it’s the same start as for spot#7, towards Steenokkerzeel Centrum but go straight ahead at the first roundabout (first exit, on the Tervuursesteenweg). You will then pass the Brussels tower on your right. At the second roundabout, take again the first exit (still on the Tervuursesteenweg). You will then pass the tunnel underneath rwy25L. Once you’re out, after +/-100m, you have a small road on your left. Take this road and you’ll end up at the official parking. When coming in from the E40 (Brussel – Luik), take exit 21 (Sterrebeek) and go on the N227 towards Steenokkerzeel. Continue straight ahead for +/-3km (you’ll pass 2 red lights). Just before entering the tunnel underneath rwy25L, you have a small road on your right. Take this road and you’ll end up at the official parking.=> Spotting platform 25L/07RBy 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!). There is an alternative spot, too, which isn’t worth an extra grid, because everything is the same – you’re only ~200 meters to the southwest, so most of the planes won’t be that high here. The location can be found next to the permiter fence on a grasshill (16b). |
| WHAT | You will be able to see planes landing on RWY 25L or take-off from runway 07R (some small planes might be pretty high already. To avoid this, you can take spot 16b, 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 Uage of ladder sis only allowed at the plattform (#16a) – at he grasshill (#16b) it’s forbidden! Use it on your own risk, just don’t spoil the fun for the others… Sometimes the people inside the center might try to catch your attention. Just ignore them and everybody’s happy. This is a frequently visited spot, so please do respect it.Update September 2018: BRU Airport is going to build another fence as shown on the Updatepicture. This will disturb our pictures even more! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm (Emirates = 70mm, Etihad = 300mm, Jet Airways = 80 & 300mm) |
Pictures taken from the platform (16a):
The new fence – September 2018:
Pictures taken form the mentioned grasshill (16b):
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Spot#17 – Spotting Platform – 01 movements / 25L arrival / 07R departures (official EBBR spotting platform) |
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| WHERE | This spot is again an official viewing deck and is located in the “Vliegbos” By car: When coming from the E19 (Brussel-Antwerpen), it’s the same as for spot#16, but instead of taking left after the tunnel, take the first on your right (Namenstraat). When coming in from the E40 (Brussel – Luik), take exit 21 (Sterrebeek) and go on the N227 towards Steenokkerzeel. Continue straight ahead for +/-2km (you’ll pass 2 red lights). You’ll see a billboard indicating S.K. Nossegem, so just turn left to enter the Namenstraat.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. Another option is to park near spot#20.=> Spotting Platform 01/19By 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 rwy01 as well as late departures from rwy19, departures on rwy07R and some landings on rwy25L. |
| TIME | Early morning till ~14:00. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed, no shops nearby, enough parking possibilities and enough shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 400mm
A320 arriving = 150mm / A333 arriving = 105mm |
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Spot#18 – “de boskes” – 01 arrivals & departures / 07R departures |
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| WHERE | This spot is located at the edge of a farmer’s field, close to the fence at the threshold of rwy01. 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: see spot#17 or use spot#20 as alternative. 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 rwy01 and also the planes taking off on rwy07R. |
| TIME | Sunrise till ~14:00 for rwy01 movements, a bit longer for rwy07R 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 rwy01 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 (KLM = 130mm, LOT = 310mm, TAP & Jet Airways = 300mm) |
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Spot#19 – Mabtinusweg – 01 arrivals |
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| 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: see spot#20. It’s the same path as towards spot#18 but take the little path to your right once you pass the second railway bridge. |
| WHAT | You can see arrivals on rwy01. |
| 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 | 70-300mm (Cargo B = 300mm, TAP = 70mm) |
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Spot#20 – Zeven Tommen – 01 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located along the Zeven Tommen in between the railway tracks. By car: a little tough to explain in words how to reach the spot, but just program Zeven Tommen, 1930 Zaventem in your GPS (coordinates 50°53’04.0″N 4°29’18.0″E) and you’ll end up near the parking place for this spot.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 rwy01. |
| 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. You can also position yourself along the wall of the Zaventem cemetery, the shots are pretty similar, but you have less people/cars/bikes passing by and you’re a bit further off. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm (747 = 80mm, KLM = 135mm, Freebird = 300mm, JetairFly = 400mm) |
Not all example pictures were taken form the same spot as can be seen on the different angles! Rwand Air A332, Saudia Cargo B744, Air Cargo Global B744, Air Europa ERJ195 and Brussels Airlines A320 were taken from the wall, which is shown in the overview picture and marked on the map. To get a “lower angle” (like the Freebird one) go to the street on the other site of the field a bit nearer to the railways.
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Spot#21 – Bridge – 25R departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located on a bridge on the Olmenstraat, near the Thomas Cook Airlines building close to spot #4.
By car: see spot#3 |
| WHAT | You can see planes taking off from runway 25R. It is an alternative to #4 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 | 180-300mm TUI 787 = 220mm, Brussels Airlines Avro = 300mm, Brussels Airlines A330 = 190mm |
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Spot #22 – 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. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-300mm
SSJ95 = 350mm / B738 = 330mm / B737 = 390mm |
20 Comments
I searched for the new spotting platform, can you tell me where is it?
Hi Mohamed
The platforms are near spot#16 and spot#19
Björn
Thanks for the detailed info Björn
You’re welcome Wesley!
One of the best guides on this website! Thank you very much.
I am specially grateful for the advices how to reach the spots by bus.
Hey Tom!
Thank you for your feedback; great to hear you like(d) it 🙂
Regards,
Spotterguide.net-Crew
Thanks for the nice comment Tom, glad we were able to help you out at EBBR 🙂
Hello,
This Christmas Hollidays, I’ll go spot at Brussels airport! Do you have a good spot where we can shoot on runway and we can have a view to shoot the take of or landing without ladder. If you can say me more about some spot on this page, I appreciate that!
have a good day
Julien
Hi Julien,
I advice you to read through the guide of Brussels Airport. All spots are clearly described, and an indication whether a ladder is required is also given. Spotting ON the runway is however not possible.
Björn
Hello,
Nice guide with good info!!
I am plannig a visit for BRU. I am specially intrested in the logo jets from Brussels airlines. What`s the best place for caching these birds for sure.
Happy spotting!!
Hi bae146
Thanks for the compliment 🙂
Most of the time, rwy25L is used for landings, so best spots would be 13-14-15-16
If it’s 01 for landings, then use spot 19-20-21
Regards
Björn
Hi
Some changes for the current conditioning in brussels: Brussels airport is currently in the process to start building 2 spotters platforms 1 at the 127bis spot 16 and 1 near the spot 17,18 that are no longer available due to construction works. Spot 2 due to construction works Has it become really difficult to take pictures before the satellite building. after that building you have a clean view again.
Greetings Mathijs Clottens
Hi Matthijs,
The comments have been added to the guide.
Thanks
Björn
hello,
spot 17 and 18 is closed they putted a fence around the hill 🙁
Hi Sam,
Indeed, I have read several sources confirming the same. As mentioned, the future of these spots has always been uncertain. I will adapt the guide for now and if the situation changes, we’ll update it again.
Thanks for the info!
Björn
Hi Björn, thanks for this really detailed spotting guide. As the wind came from the “correct” direction today I tried my best at position #18 on the sand hills. It was quite a fantastic view on to rwy 01 and 07. Due to the foggy weather today I was not able to get a lucky shot with the Atomium in the background but that’s why I have a good reason to come back ;0)
Your guide was really helpful to me and all your work on this is much appreciated.
Greetings from Cologne
Hello,
Just a small question: can you already go back again at the sand hills for the movements of 01/07R? They were closed for the RWY works during summer.
Cheers,
Yuri
Hello Björn
I’m looking at a wee trip to Brussels Int for the day from next Tuesday. I will be on foot so it deppends on the weather .
Any problems on the car parks and also would it be safe to say any place airside rather than going through arrivals
Yours
Alan
BHD
Hi Alan,
There is absolutely no issue being on the parkings. I never heard of anybody getting in trouble for spotting over there. Just respect the place and you’ll be safe.
Spotting airside is however, not really possible, unless you’re happy with pics through dirty glass 🙂
Cheers & happy spotting!
Björn
Hello Björn.
Thank you for this detailed guide for BRU. I am sure it involved lot of hard work to put it all on paper.
Cheers!