THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN CLOSED ON NOV 8TH 2020 AT 1500. ALL FLIGHTS MOVED TO THE BERLIN BRANDENBURG AIRPORT

Berlin Airport

BER

OLD TEXT:

Yes, Tegel is still opened and it’s being more embarrassing for the BER-airport-chairman day by day TXL is opened and BER is closed. But for spotters it’s not even bad that Tegel Airport is still in operation because it is a lovely airport to take photos with good traffic!

Tegel is still Berlin’s busiest airport, handling nearly 21 million passengers in 2017. After Air Berlin filed for bankruptcy in 2017 the new major airline in TXL now is Easyjet. Over 20 A319/A320 are based hier. Other local airlines like Germanwings and Laudamotion are also operating from TXL.  Wide-body aircraft flying to TXL are Qatar Airways (B773), United (B764), Scoot (B788), Hainan Airlines (A333), Turkish Airlines (A330) and Mongolien Airlines (B763). In summer months also Delta (B763), from 2019 American Airlines (B763) and Air Canda Rouge (B763) are flying to Berlin TXL. Government airplanes from all over the world can be seen frequently in TXL when politicians meet with the Chancellor of Germany. The German Luftwaffe A319/A343 and A400 are visiting TXL multiple times in the week.

The airport’s history is massively affected by the history of Berlin as Tegel became West-Berlin’s most important airport after the Berlin Wall was put up and Tempelhof became too small and overloaded – as everyone knows, Tempelhof was the responsible airport during the blockade by the Soviets so the US was forced to provide their part of Berlin via the “Berlin Airlift”
But enough talk about its history, let’s see what Tegel has to offer for the present – Here’s the guide!

Written by Tommy Pfeiffer (local spotter) and Marlin and Jonas Lehrmann, Severin Hackenberger. Last update July 2019

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Visitor Rating How was your trip? Rate this airport!	[ratings]
Airport Information
Runways
08L/26R	3.023 m (9,918ft)
08R/26L	2.428m (7,966ft)
Terminals
Terminal A (main building)	Full service carriers like Lufthansa, Swiss, Air France, Iberia, British Airways
Terminal C	Mainly low-cost Ryanair, easyJet, flyBe, Air Baltic and charter carriers
Terminal D	Eurowings only
Spotting Information
Ladder	No, there is no need for it and not recommened due to safety concerns.
Car/Public Transport	There are many spots within easy walking distance inside the terminal building in case you don’t have a car and also reachable with public transport.
Restrooms	Available at all publicly accessible buildings like restaurants or inside the terminal building
Drinks/Food	There are supermarkets nearby the airport and food is available inside the airport’s terminals (Burger King and few restaurants)
Hotels	There are many hotels nearby the airport belonging to all classes of categories. Check the map for further details.
Season	The flight schedule is quite the same during all season. All governmental flights are being dispatched at Tegel so during any conventions of any heads of government there will be few military traffic thus. On Planeboys.de you can find Daily plans and special flights plans.
Runway Usage
08L/26R	Long-haul flights usually take-off from this runway as this one provides a longer take-off roll when the aircraft is being fully fueled and loaded. This runway will usually be in use for landings.
08R/26L	Main departure runway for Narrow-body aircraft.

	Spot #1 – Visitor terrace
WHERE	Tegel Airport offers a visitor terrace which allows a nearly 360 degree view over Berlins largest airport. The entrance to it is beside Terminal D. The terrace is right above the terminal ring.
WHAT	Almost all operations at Tegel except taxing from Terminal D via the southern taxiway.
TIME	Thanks to different angles spotting from here is possible from morning until sunset. Light situation of the runway is optimally from late morning until late noon.
MISC.	Please note that a fee of 3 EUR (+14 years) or 2 EUR (younger than 14 years) applies when entering this visitor platform. You must pass a security check before entering and have a clear sight without glass or mesh. Everything else like food, drinks, restrooms in the Terminal. No ladder needed and allowed! Opening hours from October 2019: April until October: 09:00 – 18:00 every day November until March: 11:00 – 15:00 every day Check the official airport website for the exact opening hours!
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

The terrace offers (as said) an awesome view, that’s why overview shot are difficult for this spot – we tried our best.
Western direction:

Northern direction:

Eastern direction:

	Spot #2 – Visitor tower north
WHERE	There is a visitor tower in Terminal B allowing a good overview on the runways. When you enter hall B go straight through the building until you have passed the Lufthansa fan shop and the arrival/departure hall of Terminal A appears. Turn right and take the stairs or the elevator to the highest level.
WHAT	All airfield operations on the eastern apron and runway.
TIME	All day long. Different angles enable spotting from here throughout the hole day.
MISC.	Please note that the view from this visitor tower is glazed but it is a good alternative for the days where the visitor terrace is not opened to the public. Restaurants are a few levels below; restrooms can be found everywhere inside the terminal buildings
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

	Spot #3 – Visitor tower south
WHERE	There is another visitor tower at the southern tip of Terminal B. This offers a view over apron south.
WHAT	Apron movements of Apron south. Runway operations are not fully visible. For runway spotting please use tower north.
TIME	From noon to sunset
MISC.	Please note that the view from this visitor tower is glazed but it is a good alternative for the days where the visitor terrace is not opened to the public. Restaurants are a few levels below, restrooms can be found everywhere inside the terminal buildings.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm

	Spot #4 – Essbahn
WHERE	The famous Essbahn is located between Terminal E and D. You can enjoy Berlin’s cuisine while taking pictures of the parked airplanes at Pier A, E and D. This spot is recommended for night photographs (Gates A12-A14).
WHAT	Parked airplanes at Terminal A (limited – only outer gates), E and D.
TIME	Best light conditions are from sunrise until sunset in winter months, and from noon to sunset in summer.
MISC.	Food available at the “Essbahn” or Burger King inside Terminal A. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-100mm

	Spot #5 – Taxiway Bridge
WHERE	From terminal D walk in direction car rental. Go further under the tunnel then right after you come out of the tunnel. Check out the map for detailed information.
WHAT	Airplanes taxiing to and from the parkposition to the runway. Ideal position for close ups.
TIME	Best light conditions are from sunrise until sunset in winter months, and from morning till afternoon in summer.
MISC.	Food available at the “Essbahn” or Burger King inside Terminal A.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #6 – P5 parking deck
WHERE	Follow the sings to the P5 parking deck. Go onto the top floor and walk across the parkdeck to the other side. CYou can also take pictures right from the fence. Check out the map for detailed information.
WHAT	Airplanes taxiing to and from the parkposition to the runway. Ideal position for close ups.
TIME	From early afternoon till sunset in summer. Not useable in winter.
MISC.	Food available at the “Essbahn” or Burger King inside Terminal A. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-100mm

See second overview picture for detailshot of marked area:

As help, how long aircraft “could be” to fit in the holes between the poles:

	Spot #7 – Rue Rene Laenec
WHERE	Go to the end of Rue Rene Laenec where sometimes a container is placed where you can climb up to look over the fence. If not a ladder is needed here. You can go there by public transportation:Take bus line 128 to U Osloer Straße (subway station Osloer Straße) for two stations and dismount at “Aristide-Briand-Brücke”. Walk to the same direction like you have travelled by bus and turn left on the second bridge after the bus station. Walk to the end of Rue Rene Laenec. Check out the map for detailed information.When going back to the airport, walk from Rue Rene Laenec to bus stop Kaserne Südtor and take bus M21 to Rosenthal/Uhlandstraße. Dismount the bus at the first stop (Kaserne Nordtor). Change here for bus line 128 to Flughafen Berlin-Tegel.
WHAT	Landings and arrivals of both runways on either site of operations.
TIME	Best light conditions are from sunrise until noon or early afternoon
MISC.	Heat-haze can be a problem in summer. The view on the runways can be blocked when an aircraft is taxiing in front of you. Most of the lenses fit through the gate so a ladder isn’t needed here! Be aware that the container is privat and do not jump or leave any rubbish in the area!! The owner may not amused to see spotters there so don´t go to the location if he is present.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

	Spot #8 – Meadow Julius Leber Kaserne
WHERE	The first spot in the approach is located near the entrance to the Julius Leber Kaserne. Simply walk towards the entrance and then go onto the meadow. Stay under the trees. You can also walk along the street towards the perimeter fence for some meters until you reach the Autobahn (motorway) intersection, opposite of the McDonald´s. From there, a slightly shorter focal length is possible (e.g. 130 instead of 160mm for regular narrowbody aircraft) but its more tricky due to the light poles . Take bus line 128 to U Osloer Straße (subway station Osloer Straße) for 5 stations and dismount at “Julius-Leber-Kaserne”. Check out the map for detailed information. When going back to the airport take bus 128 at the same station where you have dismounted on the way there to Flughafen Berlin-Tegel. Dismount the bus at the end of the line.
WHAT	All arrivals of runway 26L/R
TIME	All day long in winter / From sunrise till noon in summer months.
MISC.	Food and drinks available. You can park your car directly on the parking opposite of the meadow. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

Julius Leber Kaserne

Crossing opposite of McDonald´s

TXL-Spot8b

TXL-Spot8b

TXL-Spot8b

	Spot #9 – Bauhaus parking deck
WHERE	There is a “Bauhaus” building supplies store (DIY market) with a huge parking deck on the top of the building which offers a good view onto runway 26L/R arrivals.You can also go there by public transportation: Take bus line 128 to U Osloer Straße (subway station Osloer Straße) for 5 stations and dismount at “Julius-Leber-Kaserne”. When you have arrived there you can already see the the “Bauhaus”. Walk up tot he parking deck at the south side of the building. The driveway to get to spot 5 is indicated in the map above. Check out the map for detailed information. When going back to the airport take bus 128 at the same station where you have dismounted on the way there to Flughafen Berlin-Tegel. Dismount the bus at the end of the line.
WHAT	All arrivals of runway 26L/R
TIME	Almost all day long in winter / From noon to sunset in summer months.
MISC.	You can park your car directly on the parking deck. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #10 – Meteorstr.
WHERE	This spot is located in the corner of the Meteorstr. Walk up the dam at the edge of the motorway. Take bus line 125 or 221 till Uranusweg or take the subway U6 till U Scharnweberstr. Check out the map for detailed information for the way.
WHAT	All arrivals of runway 26L/R
TIME	Only in summer months from afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	You can park your car directly at the spot. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

	Spot #11 – Arrival 08L/08R
WHERE	The spot is located at the water in Haselhorst. You get there with Bus 133. Get of at Tegeler Brücke and walk down the way at the first traffic light after the bridge to get to the spot. Check out the map for detailed information for the way.
WHAT	All arrivals on runway 08L/R
TIME	Early morning till afternoon.
MISC.	You can park your car at the spot. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #12/12A– Arrival 08L/08R Forest
WHERE	The spot is located in the forest north of TXL Airport. You get there with Bus 133. Get of at Tegeler Brücke and walk along the road till you see a red roadblock on the right. Walk into the forest an walk straight until you reach the fense. Walk left until you cross the approch path to reach the spot. You can also walk further up the fense to reach spot 12A. It is possible to take pictures through the fence. Check out the map for detailed information for the way.
WHAT	All arrivals on runway 08L/R and departures on runway 26L/26R
TIME	Summer from afternoon till sunset. Not useable in winter.
MISC.	You can park your car on the road. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket.
FOCAL LENGTH	28-100mm

	Spot #13 – Saatwinkel – 08L Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is an alternative to spot #12(/12A) and located nearby the “Saatwinkler Kleingartenanlage”. It’s no exact position, rather the area around here, but information below will be the same. Can be reached easily by bike or car, which can be parked nearby. Bus stops can be found along “Bernauer Str.”, for example the one marked for spot #12 and #12.
WHAT	All arrivals on runway 08L.
TIME	Summer from late afternoon till sunset. Not useable in winter.
MISC.	You can park your car on the road. No fees apply, you don’t need a car park ticket. You can find food and drinks in the nearby restaurants here or a few hundred meters to the south in the “Siemensstadt” area.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-300mm

TXL-Spot13

TXL-Spot13

TXL-Spot13