Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport (PDL/LPPD) is located on the island of São Miguel and the busiest airport of the Azores. It is situated just 2 km west of the city centre of Ponta Delgada and surrounded by residential areas and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. Ponta Delgada is the largest city and economic centre of Azores so PDL is both the domestic hub for SATA Air Açores interisland flights as well as the international hub for Azores Airlines.

The Airbus of Azores Airlines usually arrive from the US/Canada early morning before continuing to mainland Portugal between 8.00 -9.00. Mid-afternoon the hub operates in the other direction. Usually the same aircraft return but sometimes they are swapped over in LIS/OPO with aircraft based on other islands. Outside these hubs there are a few flights apart from a few connections to other European cities and Praia in Cabo Verde, a peculiar flight as it is probably the only straight north-south flight in the Atlantic. The DASH 8-200/400 are busy throughout the day on interisland flights with peaks in the morning and evening. Other airlines serving PDL regularly are Ryanair and TAP Air Portugal. The later competing with Azores Airlines on flights to North America with A321LR. Seasonal charters in the summer are operated by the TUI group and various airlines from Scandinavia as well as United with MAX8.

Despite its strategic position in the Atlantic PDL gets relatively few flights on fuel stops. Civil flights crossing the Atlantic historically stop at the smaller Santa Maria which has a longer runway while military flights prefer Lajes airport on the island of Terceira, also home to a major USAF airbase.

Written by Michael Lutzenberger, Stefan Bratner, Robert Albrich, Rui Cardoso and Stephan Weidenhiller. Last change: July 2025 – Spot 6 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12/30	2,497m Asphalt
Terminals	One terminal for domestic and international traffic
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Even most spots are close to the terminal they cannot be reached easily by foot so a car is recommended and rental is cheap. This will also help to explore the rest of the island when the traffic is slow. But there are public buses which stop near spots #1-3.
Drinks/Food	In the airport and several small restaurants in the village of Relva.
Hotels	There are some around spot #1 and #2, but also plenty in Ponta Delgada which is just 2km away.
Season	Year round though summer will have slightly more traffic.
Runway Usage
12/30	Used in all ways and there is no prefered direction.

	Spot #1 – EN1-1a East Bus stop – Nearby taxiway + 12/30 movements
WHERE	From the motorway R1-1a exit for EN1-1a towards Relva, the last exit before the airport. Turn right onto EN1-1a and immediately right again into Rua Monsenhor José Gomes (marked on the map exactly). There you will find enough space for free parking. Then continue by foot and cross the main road via the pedestrian crosswalk and from the other side. From there you have a perfect overlook of the airport. Bus stop Ramalho – Bairro Alcindo Alves – Aeroporto is right at the spot and the bus shelter can provide shelter during rain showers. Locals use the bus stop for parking but we recommend to use the official lots.
WHAT	Aircraft on the taxiway to the runway 30 end and runway 12/30. Nice backdrop with the ocean behind.
TIME	This spot is north of the airport so into the sun most of the day. However, on the taxiway you shot in a slight angle towards southwest so the light is ok for the morning SATA/Air Azores departure wave. In the summer for the early arrivals from North America and late evening on the runway also should be fine.
MISC.	You are on a plateau overlooking the airport, so no ladder needed. Plus heat haze and similar stuff is no issue here.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm A321 taxiway = 120mm / A321 runway = 170mm / Dash 8-400 on taxiway = 195mm

Parking Lots

Spotting Location 

PDL-Spot1

PDL-Spot1

PDL-Spot1

	Spot #2 – EN1-1a West – Nearby taxiway + Airport Apron + 12/30 movements
WHERE	From continue on the EN1-1a towards the west park on the main road in of the few parking lots or in the side road R. dos Lameiros. Cross the road again to the location which is elevated and offers a nice view of the apron. You can just simply change the position for the best angle. Bus stop Relva – Rua Dos Lameiros – Aeroporto is right at the spot and the bus shelter can provide shelter during rain showers.
WHAT	Overlooking the main apron. Clear shots of the first stands. Others might have lamp posts or ground equipment in the frame. Also aircraft taxying to stand/pushback and on the taxiway to runway 12.
TIME	Morning to midday as shooting towards the West. Backlit in the evening. Nice night shots are also possible from this spot.
MISC.	You are on a plateau overlooking the airport, so no ladder needed. Plus heat haze (maybe just APU produced heat) and similar stuff is no issue here.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm Ramp Positions: Dash 8-400 = 190mm; A321 = 170mm Dash 8-400 on taxiway = 270mm

PDL-Spot2

PDL-Spot2

PDL-Spot2

PDL-Spot2

PDL-Spot2

PDL-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Roundabout – 30 arrivals, 12 departures
WHERE	There is a roundabout at the ocean at the south of the 30 treshold and the western boundaries of the city of Ponta Delgada. From the airport follow the signs to the city centre and after passing the 30 approach continue straight to the ocean and you will reach a roundabout with an anchor in the middle. Use the third exit to park the car on a big parking area and then step on the sidewalk at the roundabout and start spotting.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 30 and heavy 12 departures. For latter we recommend spot 6.
TIME	From late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	There are hotels and restaurants nearby and also the city center is just a short hop.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 = 200mm; Dash 8-400 = 300mm

PDL-Spot3

PDL-Spot3

PDL-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Mound – 12 movements
WHERE	The spot is on mound, surrounded with bamboo, directly at the threshold of runway 12 and on the opposite side of the terminal. Continue on the main road westwards, pass spot 2 and take the next left. Drive all the way down to the ocean and then turn left. There is a parking directly under the approach path. Leave your car there and continue by foot. Cross the small bring and then the road to reach the airport fence. Walk along the perimeter fence through the bamboo. Climb up the mound until you reach a small gap, offering a free sight over the fence to the runway.
WHAT	All runway 12 departures and arrivals as well as ramp movements on the far end. Ramp can be seen in the distance but heat is an issue.
TIME	From late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	Be aware of slippery rocks and the bamboo. Wear good shoes and long clothing because of the strong vegetation.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm Sunwing 737 = 180mm

PDL-Spot4

PDL-Spot4

PDL-Spot4

	Spot #5 – Sport Arena – 12 arrivals, ramp, taxiway
WHERE	Once again turn left from the main road after you have passed spot #2. Take the next left until you see a small parking and a soccer field to your left hand side. Park there and walk through the gate and then all the way down till the end. There you will find a skate area and a basketball court. Position yourself left or right of the skatepark. You are on a hill and the terminal/ramp is below your position so no ladder is needed.
WHAT	Best for all ramp movements and 12 arrivals and line-up.
TIME	From afternoon until sunset a great position for the ramp and taxiway movements for 12 departure. 12 arrivals are possible in the early morning hours only. Night shots are possible as well but the place is very dark so be sure to use a flashlight.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Strong vegetation may  interrupt the sight. There is a swing where you can sit on.
FOCAL LENGTH	A321 taxiway = 160mm; A321 ramp = 140mm

PDL-Spot5

PDL-Spot5

PDL-Spot5

PDL-Spot5

PDL-Spot5

PDL-Spot5

	Spot #6 – Parking Lot – 30 arrivals and 12 departures
WHERE	This location is pretty similar to spot #3 but offers a slightly better angel and direct parking. From the roundabout at spot 3 continue on the Rue de Santa Clara and take the next right into the parking lot where you can spot from.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 30 and heavy 12 departures.
TIME	From late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	There are hotels and restaurants nearby and also the city center is just a short hop.
FOCAL LENGTH	The distance is higher from here compared to spot 3. Around 70-300mm ; A330 = 150mm

PDL-Spot6