The fourth biggest airport in France, Lyon St Exupéry, welcomed 11 Mio. passengers in 2018. The regional carrier HOP! has a big hub there and is responsible for the most movements especially during their rush hours (arrivals in the morning ~7-8 am, afternoon ~2-3 pm and evening ~6-7 pm). Other big players are Air Algerie, ASL, Transavia and Easyjet besides many charter operators and the common European carriers. Due to its closeness to the Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful weather in the summer, more charter operations takes place especially during this time.

Written by Jerome Bonniel, Julian Mittnacht & Patrick Weis / (last update February 2016)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Visitor Rating How was your trip? Rate this airport!	(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading...
Airport Information
Runways
18R/36L	4.000 m (13.124 ft)
18L/36R	2.670 m (8.762 ft)
Terminals
Terminal 1	Air Algerie, Transavia France, ASL other carriers
Terminal 2	Air France, HOP!, Lufthansa, other carriers
Terminal 3	Lowcost Carriers
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary
Car/Public Transport	Necessary for most spotting locations except #1. No public transport
Restrooms	At the terminal only and in the nearby hotels.
Drinks/Food	At the terminal only.
Hotels	Ibis and Kyriad Hotel next to the terminal
Season	In summer there is more charter traffic and better light conditions due to north/south direction of the runways.
Runway Usage
18R/36L	Major runway for departures.
18L/36R	Major runway for arrivals.

	Spot #1 – Crash Gate – Taxiway
WHERE	The gate is located between a hangar, next to a stored Tristar, and the cargo area. You can also walk from the terminal to this spot which takes 20-30 minutes. Exit the terminals and pass the left bridge which span the TGV track. Cross the big road to reach a smaller road which is leading to some smaller tanks. Pass these tanks and walk straight forward until you see the Ibis Hotel. Make a left turn and follow the Rue de Malte. Pass again the TGV track and always follow the street until you will see the Tristar and the hangar in the distance. By car its almost the same way as by foot.
WHAT	Usually this is a nice spot if 36 is in use for the departures as almost all aircraft will pass your positions before reaching the holding point. Its possible that you miss some smaller/lighter planes as the use an earlier runway entrance. 36 arrivals are very tricky as there can be a lot of heat haze over the runway. The gate braces are big enough for your any camera lense.
TIME	Is becoming a good spot in the afternoon until sunset
MISC.	There is no shadow or something else. Restrooms are in the hotels.
FOCAL LENGTH	30mm = 748 (taxiing), 90mm = 320 (taxiing) & 110mm = 748 (landing runway 35L)

LYS-Spot1

LYS-Spot1

LYS-Spot1

LYS-Spot1

LYS-Spot1

LYS-Spot1

	Spot #2 – 18R/L arrivals and 18R depatures afternoon
WHERE	From the airport follow the D517E street to Lyon Nord until you pass the bridge over the railroad. After a few hundred meters turn righ into a small street that brings you up to the fence. Park on the grass on the side of the road.
WHAT	This spot is good for arrivals on runway 18L and 18R. Also you can take some 18R takeoffs. Steps are not necessary as you are on an elevated position here.
TIME	Light conditions are prefect from 12/1 p.m.
MISC.	There are some benchens, rubbish bins and some trees for shaddow
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400 mm

LYS-Spot2

LYS-Spot2

LYS-Spot2

	Spot #3 – 18R/L arrivals and 18R depatures
WHERE	From spot 2 contiune the D517E and turn right at the first roundabout. If you follow the Rout the Cremieu there is dirt road parallel to the street between the approach path and the bridge crossing the A432. Follow this one until you see a bit higher plateu. Park your car at the side of the road and walk up the the plateau.
WHAT	This spot is good for 18 R/L arrivals and 18R depature during the morning hours. As you are on a higher plateau then the fence no steps are necessary.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise till 12/1 p.m.
MISC.	There is nothing here than the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400 mm

LYS-Spot3

LYS-Spot3

LYS-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Terminal 2 – Ramp
WHERE	This one is airside located in Terminal 2 between the B and A gets. Just follow the signs to the A gates until you reach a big front of windows.
WHAT	You get some aircraft that passing by on the taxiway, leaving the runway or parked at the gates.
TIME	Best time from the afternoon until sunset.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300 mm

LYS-Spot4

LYS-Spot4

LYS-Spot4

	Spot #5 – Field – 36 arrivals
WHERE	From the airport get on the D29 and just follow the signs to Colombier-Saugnieu. Pass the approach path until you reach a industrial park. There turn left into the impasse de la Croix and after 500 meters you arrived at the spot. Its a dead end road!
WHAT	Good spots for landing on both runways 36. Departures are possible but the light planes are already very high.
TIME	From 06:00 until 12:00 during summer but be careful about heat haze
MISC.	Nothing close to the spot, please bring what you need before coming at this spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	70mm – 300mm

LYS-Spot5

LYS-Spot5

LYS-Spot5

	Spot #6 – Arrivals & departures rwy18L
WHERE	In the village of Janneyrias, you must take the Departmental 124 that goes to the village of Saint Ours, once outside the village of Saint Ours take voice no way immediately to your right and continue on the stone path until the small promontory.
WHAT	Good spot during morning when rwy18 tracks are in service. A stool is not compulsory but is a plus for this place.
TIME	From 06:00 until 12:00 during summer but be careful about heat haze
MISC.	Nothing close to the spot, please bring what you need before coming at this spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	400mm for a 320 and 300mm for a Boeing 777

LYS-Spot 6

LYS-Spot 6

LYS-Spot 6

LYS-Spot 6

LYS-Spot 6

LYS-Spot 6