Southampton Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Eastleigh, Hampshire, about 6.5km northeast of the city centre. The airport handled nearly two million passengers in 2016, an 8.8% increase on the previous year.

In the early sixties, the airport’s owner, racing pilot Nat Somers, built the concrete runway and negotiated with British Rail to build Southampton Airport Parkway railway station next to the airport. Somers also worked with the Department of Transport and this led to the new M27 motorway being built just to the south of the airport runway. At the same time, a major roundabout was installed just outside the airport, and Somers’ forward thinking encouraged most of the airlines at Bournemouth Hurn to transfer their business to Southampton in the mid sixties. Somers’ company sold the airport to Peter de Savary in 1988 and it has changed ownership twice more since then. Most recently in October 2014, Heathrow Airport Holdings sold the airport to AGS Airports.

In 2016, Southampton Airport won the Airport of the Year award from the European Regional Airlines Association for its extraordinary involvement with the local community and for reducing its carbon footprint, whilst still managing to grow and expand in a highly competitive market.

Flybe, including its franchise deals with Blue Islands and Eastern Airways, is by far the largest user of the airport, with some routes operated year round whilst others are seasonal. Other operators include KLM with a service to Amsterdam, Aer Lingus Regional serving Cork, and Aurigny with a regular service to Alderney in the Channel Islands. There are also seasonal operations by Volotea to Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza and easyJet Switzerland to Geneva. Busiest routes are Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Jersey.

Written by Clive Grant and James Brownlie. Updated 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	1.723 m (5,653ft)
Terminals	The airport has a single passenger terminal serving all traffic.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Useful but not essential; (see reports under each spot).
Car/Public Transport	A car is not necessary as Spots #1-3 are all within a fifteen minute walk of the terminal. The U1C bus service operates regularly from Southampton city centre and the proximity of Southampton Parkway railway station is ideal for those coming from further afield. If you do drive, it’s worth remembering that Southampton Parkway Station car park is considerably cheaper than the official airport parking, so use that instead.
Restrooms	Not at any of the spots, but in the airport terminal.
Drinks/Food	In the airport terminal.
Hotels	Whilst there are no hotels at the airport, there is a Holiday Inn in nearby Eastleigh, along with apartments to rent and a cheaper ‘bed and breakfast’ establishment.
Season	The weather in Southampton is generally better during the summer months, though even then there’s no guarantee of sunshine. The runway alignment also means that there is very limited time in the winter months when the light is good from the western side of the runway.
Runway Usage
02/20	There is no preferential use in terms of which end of the runway is utilised; it will depend entirely on the direction of the wind. Traffic has to backtrack the runway, particularly on Runway 20, as there is no parallel taxiway.

	Spot #1 – The Airport multi storey car park – All arriving and departing traffic on Runway 02/20
WHERE	Just to the north of the airport terminal is the multi storey car park. Go to the top level and turn right towards the runway. This is Spot #1.
WHAT	All arrivals and departures on Runway 02/20 including traffic taxiing to and from the terminal.
TIME	Afternoons and evenings only from about 3pm all year round.
MISC.	Unless you have a ladder to take shots over the fence, this spot requires you to take photos through the narrow mesh which can be tricky, especially for traffic on the runway. A ladder could attract the attention of the authorities; all the photos here were taken with care through the fence. There is some shelter in the stairwell and other facilities are available in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	Between about 35mm up to about 300mm should cover most things from here, although light aircraft on the runway will require a larger lens.

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	Spot #2 – Large Mound south – All arriving and departing traffic on Runway 02/20
WHERE	Walk about ten minutes north of the terminal along Mitchell Way until you reach a large grassy mound on the left. Climb to the top for Spot #2.
WHAT	All arrivals and departures on Runway 02/20.
TIME	Afternoons and evenings only from about 3pm all year round.
MISC.	There is no shade and there are no facilities here; the terminal is close so bring what you need. Whilst you could stand anywhere along the top of the mound, it is easiest to avoid getting the fence or lampposts in your shots of traffic on the runway if you take your photos from here. Although it’s not essential, a ladder is also a great help for avoiding the fence and lampposts.
FOCAL LENGTH	About 130-300mm will cover most things from here although light aircraft on the runway will require a larger lens.

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	Spot #3 – Large Mound north – All arrivals and departures on Runway 02/20
WHERE	Continue walking north along the top of the mound from Spot #2 to the furthest end of the mound; this is Spot #3
WHAT	All arrivals and departures on Runway 02/20.
TIME	Afternoons and evenings only from about 3pm.
MISC.	There is no shade and there are no facilities here; the terminal is close so bring what you need. This end of the mound is better for photos of landing traffic on Runway 20 as it’s likely to be a bit higher above the fence; departing traffic on Runway 02 is also likely to be higher from here than at Spot #2.
FOCAL LENGTH	130-300mm will cover most things from here although light aircraft on the runway will require a larger lens.

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	Spot #4 – Behind Durnford Motors, Mansbridge Road – Arrivals Runway 02, mornings
WHERE	From the Airport Terminal, route south along Mitchell Way to the roundabout. Take the second exit on the roundabout onto Wide Lane and at the next roundabout take the first exit onto Mansbridge Road (A27). Follow this road for 0.7 miles until reaching Durnford Motors car dealership on the left hand side. Take the turning to the left immediately before Durnford Motors, then turn right and park at the end of the cul-de-sac. Walk a few yards to the east for the best spot, to avoid most of the trees; this is Spot #4. If you’re on foot, the walk from the terminal will take about thirty minutes.
WHAT	Traffic landing on Runway 02.
TIME	In the morning until noon.
MISC.	There is some shade here. “The White Swan” restaurant is very close, offering food and drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	ATR72: 300mm

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	Spot #5 – Parking South – 02 Line-Ups
WHERE	There’s parking on-site as the spot is located in a PayByPhone car park although looks pretty unused. From the train station and terminal, head south down Mitchell Way passing the Royal Mail centre and Mercedes garage (keeping it on your left). Take the first exit on the roundabout, you’re now onto George Curl way running parallel to the motorway, head along this for 150m until taking the left turn between the HTEC (left) and Regus (right) buildings. The carpark is 100m down this road. Now at the spot, there is a mesh fence but isn’t too obstructing for spotting and taking photos as the solid metal barrier has been removed in the perfect place.
WHAT	Planes taxiing out to runway 02 and landing planes on runway 20 taxiing to the gates make the best shots. Take-off and landing on runway 02 can be observed but photos aren’t ideal with long grass and other obstructions in the way.
TIME	For taxi movements, any time as the sun will be behind your back. For take-off and landings on 02, afternoons are best to avoiding backlighting and a dark subject.
MISC.	Airport fire and security regularly patrol the taxiway past the fence but don’t seem to have an issue with you being there, as long as you’re respecting their property. Spot very open with no cover from rain and sun, facilities can be found back at the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	35mm for taxiway / around 200mm for the runway

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