Leeds Bradford Airport - Spotting Guide

Leeds Bradford Airport – Spotting Guide

November 22, 2023 - last modified on November 15, 2023

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA/EGNM) is a regional airport located between the two big English cities Leeds and Bradford. The airport was opened in 1931 and mainly serves as a hub for LCC or charter airlines like Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet and some Wizz or KLM services. In addition, there is little GA and some helicopters, but all in all Leeds serves around 750.000 passenger a year and thus comes in among the 20 busiest airports in the UK. There are no intercontinental flights like to Asia or North America, but PIA used to fly into LBA till 2014.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Roger Oldfield and Patrick Weis. Last Update: September 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
14/32	2250m
Terminals
T1	One Terminal serving all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Ladder not really needed as the mesh is normally wide enough for lenses to take pictures without vignetting. Plus spotting with ladders is fairly new to Leeds leading to attention or even problems by security and police.
Car/Public Transport	A car is recommended for spots 3+4, the rest can be reached by bus as well easily or on foot from the terminal.
Drinks/Food	There are few shops/restaurants around the airport.
Hotels	No spotter hotels around LBA directly with special views, but plenty hotels in the area/city.
Season	Summer has better weather, longer days and more charter traffic. So we recommend to visit LBA then.
Security	Spotting is no issue at LBA normally, but not that common: that is why we do not recommend using ladders along the fence. Try to shoot through the mesh which is quite wide and allows pictures without dark corners.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 14/32 is used in both directions frequently without any absolute favourite direction.

	Spot #1 – Airport viewing area – 14 movements
WHERE	This spot is the airport’s official viewing area located west of the airport just next to Yeadon cemetery: having said that, please position yourself in the parking in front and KEEP OUT OF THE CEMETERY. You can move along the road around the cemetery though in favor of your favourite angle. The spot can be reached easily by car via Cemetery Rd and also by bus, which stops right in front of the cemetery along Cemetery Rd.

WHAT	Arrivals and line-ups onto runway 14.

TIME	From later morning till sunset actually.

MISC.	Keep out of the cemetery, we have seen other spotters going in there although there are clear signs! Please respect the cemetery! Nothing here directly, small ladder with 2/3 steps needed to clear the view (due to high grass and some bushes) for line-ups.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm A321 line-up = 110mm B733 arriving = 80mm

	Spot #2 – Yeadon Tarn – 14 Arrivals + 32 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located on the walkway around Yeadon Tarn: just park in the official parking lot and search your favourite position around the lake.

WHAT	Aircraft just prior touchdown onto runway 14, however the touchdown itsself cannot be seen. Therefore 32 departures are also visible.

TIME	From later morning till sunset.

MISC.	The lake may attract insicts so maybe take repellent with you. Otherwise nothing needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	A321 arriving = 110mm / B737 departure = 80mm

	Spot #3 – Yeadon Moor Rd Gate – Apron
WHERE	This spot is located at the end of Yeadon Moor Rd once you end up at a gate in the fence. Try to get rid of your car nearby by the roadside and then shoot from the gate or around that at the fence

WHAT	Mainly for the apron in front with some parked aircraft from time to time, but you can also spot the runway in the back.

TIME	Best around later noon, depends on the angle the aircraft is parked in.

MISC.	Nothing needed, please shoot thru the mesh and do not use a ladder as that will attract security. Haze can be an issue on hot days. Nothing around. DO NOT BLOCK the emergency gate.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-250mm B738 = 105mm

	Spot #4 – Golf course fence – 14/32 movements
WHERE	From spot 3 on, take the small foot path along the fence (between the fence and golf course) up to wherever you want to. Just position yourself along the fence as marked on the map – we marked the two best options offering the best view.

WHAT	From here you can fairly see all movements on the runway in both directions.

TIME	From later morning till sunset.

MISC.	On rainy days and genereally in winter, the foot path is VERY muddy as the golf course also drains on it, so solid shoes are a MUST HAVE! A ladder is not really recommended as the security and golf club does not like that at all! Try to shoot thru the mesh here. Nothing around otherwise and the walk in takes quite a few minutes, so take everything you need with you.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm Close-ups all around 250mm / A320 side on = 115mm

	Spot #5 – Hawthorne Farm Dining – 32 Departures + 14 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in the parking lot of Hawthorne’s farm dining. Just search your favourite position along the front with a free view and there you go… Easy as that.

WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 14 and 32 departures, the rest of the movements (at least their gear) will be hidden as the runway is higher here.

TIME	Only on early summer mornings.

MISC.	Costa café and similar just around here. Nothing needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm B738 = 110mm