PMI-Spot1
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January 1, 2013
Frankfurt Rhein/Main Spotting Guide
January 4, 2013Palma de Mallorca Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on July 8, 2020
Mallorca served almost 29 Mio passengers in 2018 and is a tourist mekka for Europeans especially from Germany, United Kingdom and Scandinavian Countries. Most traffic is during the peak season (May-September) especially during the weekend. The traffic is dominated by single aisle aircraft like the A320 family or Boeings 737 but heavies still flying to PMI with 332, 333, 752, 753, 763 & 787.
Biggest players at PMI are Ryanair, Iberia (Express, Nostrum), Vueling, easyJet, Air Europa and Eurowings plus the common charter carriers like Thomas Cook and TUI. Regular visitors from GERMANY are (Condor, Eurowings, Lauda, SunExpress, Lufthansa, TUIfly), from ENGLAND (British Airways, BA Cityflyer, easyJet, Flybee, Jet2, Thomas Cook, TUI Airways), from SCANDINAVIAN countries (Danish Air Transport, Finnair, Jettime, Norwegian, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Scandinavia, Tuifly Nordic) but also a lot of others different companies like, Wizz Air, Neos, Alitalia, Brussels Airlines, Air France, Transavia, Alba Star, Volotea, etc. From Russia Azur Air with 738, 752 & 763, Ural with 321, S7 with 321 and Aeroflot with a mix of 320/321 but not that frequent.
Written by Gary Culpan, Jeremy Denton, Julian Mittnacht and Björn Düwel (Spot 7) / (Last update September 2019)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Visitor Rating How was your trip? Rate this airport! |
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06L/24R | 3.270 m (10.728 ft) |
| 06R/24L | 3.000 m (9.842 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Module A (west side) | non schengen flights |
| Module C (north side) | mainly Condor, EasyJet, Norwegian |
| Module D (east side) | mainly Ryanair, TUI, Vueling |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommend because there is no public transport. If you stay at one of the nearby hotels you can also rent a (e)bike to get to most of the locations. |
| Restrooms | Restaurants/Shopping mall around the airport |
| Drinks/Food | Everywhere around the airport. |
| Hotels | Dozens of hotels at Les Meravelles and Can Pastilla in all different prize categories. |
| Season | The charter season is from May to September, especially during Weekends. After that it gets pretty quiet. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 24R | Mainly used for departures as 24 L is used for arrivals |
| 24L | Mainly in use for arrivals as 24R is used for departures |
| 06R | Used for departures only. No arrivals! |
| 06L | Mainly in use for arrivals as they use 06R for departures |
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Spot #1 – Son Oms Industrial Park – 06R Departures |
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| WHERE | To reach the spot you have to drive into the Son Oms industrial park and search for the ‘Carre Son Oms 4’. There are two buildings for taking pictures: The new one is more to the west and you can drive up with your car only from Monday to Friday however at weekend it is possible to climb above the gate and walk upstairs (but maybe it is not tolerated due to the gate). The old building east of the new one is accessible every day. You can drive up with your car to floor 1 and park it there. A fence limits the view to the runway but on the left side of the building you can take pictures clear of the fence and you can enjoy some shadow on hot days. Floor 2 is only availlable by an elevator and the owner of the parkingplace can send you off (private area). |
| WHAT | This place is only good if RWY06R is in use for departures. You can use the old building also when RWY24L is used for arrivals but 90% will exit the runway before they passed your position so you can just photograph them on the exit. Airlines who are using the Module D are within your reach. But photography is acceptable in the moring only as there will be too much heat haze during the day. |
| TIME | Best in in the morning hours until afternoon (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! There is a small café but its not open all the day. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
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Spot #2 – Dirt Mound – 06R Departures, 24L Arrivals |
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| WHERE |
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| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
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UPDATE JULY 2020 – Spot cannot be reached anymore:
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Spot #3 – Mountains – 24L Arrivals |
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| WHERE | Part way down the side of runway 24L in a lay-by just set back from the road to Sant Jordi. Just park your car where marked on the map and walk about 200 hundred yards. You will see a driveway to a gate. Just stand here a bit back from the busy road. It could be a problem if it’s really hot or you may be afraid how close we are from the roads, the cars and buses so in case, you can just seat in your car or next to it and takes pictures from there. |
| WHAT | You will only see 24L arrivals from this place. Step ladders are needed if you want to avoid the fence at bottom of the frame. You get nice mountain backgrounds from here. Or from the parking position you won’t see the mountains backgrounds. |
| TIME | From early morning hours until 14:45 (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | The road is busy and a lot of coaches come past very fast so you have to be careful at the side of the road and bring with you what you need (drinks & foods) from the petrol station (see on the map). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 140mm = 321 / 170mm = 190 / 210mm = Legacy / 380mm = Cessna Citation |
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Spot #4 – Sant Jordi – 24L Arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located along the Sant Jordi Road. If you follow the road from spot #2 northwards you will come to the next roundabout. Take the first exit and you will enter the ‘Carrer Sant Jordi’. Park your car on the right side next to the windmill. Here you can stay until the afternoon. |
| WHAT | Its an alternative to spot 3 for 24L arrivals but the angle is different here and not so good. The advantage is that you don´t stand so close to the road and its more “comfortable” here. |
| TIME | From earyl morning until ~14:30 (in the summer) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot. Have a look around and you will find benches and some trees who spend some shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
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Spot #5 – Landings afternoon runway 24L |
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| WHERE | From spot 4, continue until the first roundabout then take the third exit for about few meters, next to a small way on the right. Park your car next to the road and stay close to it. |
| WHAT | Only landings on runway 24L. |
| TIME | From ~16:30 until the end of the day (in the summer) |
| MISC. | Nothing next to this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 170mm = 320/738 / 210mm = ATR-72 / 380mm = Cessna Citation |
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Spot #6 – Dirt Mound – 24R Departures,06L Arrivals |
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| WHERE | To get to this place you have to drive to the opposite site of the mentioned spots above. Its one of the most famous spots in Mallorca and is visited by locals as well. The area is not the best because some kind of a ghetto is close to the spot. But you don’t need to worry if you stay there!! If you start at spot 5, just follow the ‘Carrer son Fangós’ for 2 km until you will see a big ‘Carrefour’ supermarket on the right side. Inside you will find Restrooms and Fast Food locations as well. Turn the next left and you will come to a roundabout immediately. Take the first exit to ‘Son Ferriol’. Take the next exit and you will be in the next roundabout. But there is only one exit you can take and you will drive into the ‘Ctra. Llucmajor’. Now you follow this route all way down until you will reach the perimeter fence. On the left side you will find a very long dirt hill. Park your car along the road and climb up the hill between the bushes to overlook the airport area. |
| WHAT | Nice place because its in the middle of to the runway so you get all 06L/24R movements. You can get some great rotating shots if they us 24R for departures. |
| TIME | From 17:00 until the end of the day (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! Make a stop at the supermarket (FAN Shopping Center) where you will find restrooms as well. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 95mm = 738 / 140mm = ATR72 / 210mm = Saab 340 |
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Spot #7 – Son Fangos – 06L arrivals |
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| WHERE | When coming from the MA-19, take the exit No. 6 and leave the first roundabout in direction of the FAN shopping center. After only some meters, leave the second roundabout to the right (do not enter the parking of the shopping center), and follow the road leading around the shopping center. Approximately 50 meters after leaving the shopping center behind you, turn into a dead end road to the left. Follow the road until the end. You can park your car wherever you like. There are public buses stopping at the shopping center, it is a ~ 10 minute from there walk to this position. |
| WHAT | 06L arrivals only. |
| TIME | From around 17:00 until the end of the day (depends on the time of the year). |
| MISC. | Everythings you need (restrooms and plenty of shops) can be found in the nearby FAN Shopping Center). It is a ~ 10 minute walk to get there from this position. There is no shadow, but you can stay in your car when not taking photos. No ladder is needed as the planes are still high enough so the fence will not disturb you. WARNING: there are very aggressive dogs that are belonging to the adjacent property. Be aware and stay close to your car! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 260mm = Phenom / 105mm = B738 / 75mm = B763 |
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Spot #8 – Beach – 06L Arrivals |
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| WHERE | I can´t really tell you how to get there. Its pretty easy to find the spot because you will see the aircraft lining up over the oceans. Just park your car at the ‘Carrer Prol Denton’ (parking slot is marked on the map) and walk down to the water (don’t forget your swimming trunk). An alternative is to stay on the road as you are a little bit higher but you are further away from the action and need a longer focal length. |
| WHAT | You will only see 06L arrivals from the ocean at this place. |
| TIME | Best in in the morning hours until afternoon (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | You should find restrooms and restaurants pretty close to this location. There is now shadow on the beach but you can easily jump into the water to cool down. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300 mm |
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Spot #9 – Air Europa hangars – 24R Departures |
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| WHERE | This location is pretty close to the terminals and is next to the Air Europa hangar. If you start at the terminal, don’t use the freeway that leads to Palma. Try to get into the ‘Carrer son Fangós’. You will pass the ‘Park&Fly facilities on the right side and after that make a right turn into a dead end road which leads to the employee parking. Don’t enter these parking areas and stay on the road. You can only park at the right side of the street just before the gateways for a very short time. The other side of the street is a yellow stroke area.The Police doesn’t care if you stay close to your car. The road is not very busy, so you don’t get bothered. |
| WHAT | Only okay for 24R Departures. You will see the aircraft rotating pretty late so always be prepared to make a picture. |
| TIME | From early morning hours until 14:45 (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! You can go to the terminal to find the facilities. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 210mm = 753 / 290mm = 321 / 340mm = 320 / 420mm = ATR72 |
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Spot #10 – Business Jets ramp |
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| WHERE | From the spot 9, continue on the same road until the first roundabout. Take the first exit to your right then first on the left, again first on the left and finally take the far end entry. The first two ones are for AVIS (NO GO to enter) & Hertz cars (partially OK, ask a permission). Don’t stay to much of time here. |
| WHAT | You can take easily shot through the fence of a few business jets in front of you that you can’t take from spot 9. |
| TIME | From 16:30 until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | Nothing at this spot and anyway, you won’t stay here longer than 5-10 minutes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18mm to 100mm |
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Spot #11 – Blue Bridge |
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| WHERE | From the spot 2, take the direction to the sea or airport terminal. Drive the long road until the first roundabout and take the first exit to your right. Then, you pass next to a petrol station called EPSO, continue strait until you reach another small roundabout which is close to airport fences where you can see the parked business jets. Drive 5 meters after the roundabout and park your car next to the road on the sand. Don’t stay to much of time here. |
| WHAT | You can enjoy a large view of the business jets ramp where you can take easily lots of pictures. |
| TIME | From 16:30 until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | Nothing at this spot and anyway, you won’t stay here longer than 10 minutes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depend how far the aircraft is and how big is he. But in my occasion, I used 170mm until 380mm. |
24 Comments
Where is the best place to see the stored Spantax Convair 990?
Here on holiday came in late at night on way to hotel saw yellow prop aircraft next to a car park could you help with reg please
David
Great guide.
Helped us a lot during our 3 day spotting trip.
Spot 1: floor 2 is officialy closed by a fence, you can take an elevator to floor 2, today the security send us away. for landing is the building more left (west) not good
spot 9 is changed, there are special security gates at the middle of the road, stay the whole morning is not allowed, please change the information (picture is available)
Spot #2 road entrance permanently closed from May 2019 by a fence. No more access for cars, but you can still use it. Please leave the car in the petrol station and cross the fence by both sides and going to the mound by walking. This fence was erected due to several people threw in this road tons of constructions debris. So, no obstacle for plane spotters, feel free to continue using this spot
Thanks for the info Javier, I have updated the infos.
-Julian
is there any terrace within the terminal like in frankfurt or berlin so i can stay within the premises of the airport?
thanks in advance…
Hey Josh, there is no terrace at PMI. The only possibility is the parking garage just outside of the terminal. There you can see some traffic.
-Julian
Is it true that at spot 1 something has changed. On the roof you could always make pictures. is there now a restriction with a fence that builds, please send us an update
The roof is still accessible. There is just a new building where you can take photos from too.
-Julian
Top floor is now used as a long stay car park and sometimes you can send away from this place. So, better if use the lower floor
Great job. Perfect guide. I checked points 2, 9 and 11 in July. All information about this points are confirmed. I saved a lot of time. Thx.
Great to hear that and thanks for your feedback!
-Julian
During my stay, I made a short trip to airport from Can Pastilla on 14th of june. As I had a car, I drove to spot #4 on route to St. Jordi. Very nice spot there – good place to park your car and to take photos of arrivals for 24L on morning/noon. I spent 2.5 hours there.
This guide helped me a lot to find good spot, many thanks to authors.
Marian
Thank for the kind words Marian. Much appreciate that.
-Julian
[…] Palma de Mallorca Airport Spotting Guide […]
Spot #1:
Ther cafe around the corner in the groundfloor is open again: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar-Bas-Son-Oms/487638981421185 There you’ll find restrooms. And they have delicious cheap Food like sanswiches, noodles for example. The place on the terrace 1 floor underneath the top floor is great in the afternoon, becauce the is shadow 🙂 You don’t have any shadow on the topp floor, accessable by small staircase.
Thanks!
stayed at the roc linda hotel in can pastlla 20-25th june – from there spot 9 and spot 2 are easy to get to by cycle – an easy 20 min cycle – only small thing to note is the last part is on a main road but the cycle path is quite wide , the cycle hire is only 10 euro for 24h so you don’t have a time problem , other good news is all the bushes that you had to shot through have been taken down so you get a clear shot – for me I do video so it made it very easy – only other thing is there is still a lot of rubbish there , after a full day try the Manchester pub next to the KFC – a good night out after a full day in the sun -spot 2 for me was fine till 6 – if you like a touch down shot that is the place to go , if you need direction from the hotel to the blue bridge at spot 9 il let any one know – its very easy.
Can anyone suggest a cheap hotel or B&B in Can Pastilla? Ideally I would like a balcony with a view of the departures. They didn’t seem to land from the sea.
I stayed there in 1982 in the Hotel Gaby (probably long gone) but I was on the roof and was able to read registrations with binoculars. It was also close enough to walk to the airport (I was 16).
Gone back to searching….
Hi Carl!
There is a rub in it because the vast part of the hotels in Can Pastilla is located in Can Pastilla South whilst only a few hotels are available in Can Pastilla North. The catch is that airplanes take off on RWY24R and the other runway but 06R only! So no airplanes will be visible from the vast part of the hotel in Can Pastilla South. There is only a Ríu Center Hotel or Marina Luz Apartments which may offer a view onto RWY24R departures or RWY06L arrivals.
However, we can recommend the Java Hotel in Can Pastilla, offering a great breakfast menu but you only have a view onto the apron, not onto departures due to the runway operation restrictions.
Please refer to booking.com for further info.
Cheers Carl, hope that was helpful!
Marlin
Great spotting guide , all spots are marked here so don’t have really additions , keep up the good work! Greetings, Fabke
Oh, thanks Fabrice, we love to hear that!
Marlin