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September 23, 2023Bristol Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on May 11, 2026
With almost 8 mil passengers in 2022, the international airport of Bristol (IATA: BRS; ICAO: EGGD) is the eight busiest airport of the United Kingdom. The airport is a focus city for easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI, thus they are responsible for the biggest amount of moments. Most destinations are within the European leisure market. The airport has one of the shortest international airport runways in the country at just 2,011 m in length, with runway 27 having a threshold displacement of 140 metres. Because of this situation, the traffic is dominated by Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 family aircraft, but TUI use their 787 from time to time. Besides the common movements you will see a good amount of General Aviation traffic too.
More plane spotting infos for Bristol can be found at bristolairportspotting.co.uk
Written by Simon Fewkes. Last Update: June 2025 – All spots checked
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 09/27 | 2.011m (6598ft) |
| Terminals | One Terminal – used by all airlines |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Needed for spots 1 and 2. Don´t lean against the fences as they have motion sensors on them. |
| Car/Public Transport | Recommend to reach the locations. Spot 2 and 4 are in walking distance from the terminal but still al long walk. |
| Drinks/Food | Drinks/food can be purchased in the terminal or at The Flight Lounge cafe. Otherwise there is nothing close. |
| Hotels | Hampton by Hilton on the airport complex, but without an airport view. Premier Inn and Holiday Inn a short drive away. |
| Season | Summers can be hot and hazy with the heat off the runway. Winter gives great light but can be cold, wet and windy |
| Security | Security are never an issue and welcome spotters, just dont lean against the fences as they have motion sensors on them. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 09/27 | Used in both directions, depends on the wind |
 |
Spot#1 – Winters Lane South – 09 arrivals and departures, 27 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located on Winters Lane, the perimeter track around the runway. Accessible by car only from the terminal via Downside Rd. Parking is available as marked on the map, next to a field. |
| WHAT | Almost all movements. Arrivals and departures on 09. 27 departures and almost all 27 arrivals will pass by as they need the full runway for the roll out. |
| TIME | Winter all day long. Backlit in the summer mornings and evenings. Use the northern spot during this period. |
| MISC. | Dedicated parking, no food/drink or toilets, Ladder required to get photos above the fence. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-100mm |
 |
Spot#2 – Winters Lane North – Taxiway |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located on the opposite side of the previous location at Winters Lane, the perimeter track around the runway. Accessible by car only from the terminal via Downside Rd. Stop next to the crash gate and park by the road side without blocking the gate. By foot its a long walk from the terminal. . |
| WHAT | Best for planes taxiing close by the fence to and from the terminal, which are usually all movements. |
| TIME | Only usable in the summer mornings and evenings. |
| MISC. | Dedicated parking, no food/drink or toilets. Ladder required to get photos above the fence or can shoot through gap in gate |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-55mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Felton Common – 27 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is on a huge public land known as Felton Common, at the 27 approach. Accessible by car where you can park by the church and walk to the common. Also accessible by walking from the terminal or from the bus stops at Airport Tavern. There is a footpath onto the Common from School Lane, avoiding the need to go around by the church. |
| WHAT | Perfect for 27 landings. Line-ups on 27 can be seen but sight is blocked by the airport fence and bushes. 09 departures are already too high at this point. |
| TIME | Usually all day long from the south side. In the summer morning and evening hours you can shot from the north to avoid backlit. |
| MISC. | Dedeicated parking by the church but no food/drink/toilets |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 28-200mm |
Feltham Common #3 is easily accessible by walking from the terminal or from the bus stops at Airport Tavern. There is a footpath onto the Common from School Lane, avoiding the need to go around by the church.
I left a note for this alternative route. Thanks!
-Julian
I agree with Felton common with been the better spot but not flight lounge what spoils it is the fencing I understand security but what Bristol needs is a spotters corner of spotters building