YUL-Spot1A
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June 16, 2016Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau – Spotting Guide
- last modified on July 21, 2026
Montreal is the largest airport in the province of Quebec. Located 15km west of the city, the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau owes its name to a popular politician who was twice prime minister and who undertook significant changes in its terms. The complex, located in the small city of Dorval, has a large terminal located west oriented between 24L-06R and 24R-06L which it is intersected by a shorter 28-10 parallel tracks. In the center of the two parallel tracks maintenance center Air Canada.
Always between two parallel but to the east is the factory Bombardier aircraft manufacturing with assembly private planes like “Challenger” chain. Southeast is a small general aviation terminal and messaging, with some specific flights including air bridge to the northern city carrying labor mines. The runway use is determined by the wind, 24L-06R generally used for departures, 24R-06L for arrivals. The 28-10 are rarely used and demand for small regional aircraft if a strong wind dictates. Airlines Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat have established their base in Montreal, as the charters Sunwings and Westjet. Other companies Raglan, First Air, Air Inuit, Air Creebec also operate regular flights from the ground. From the USA, American, United, Delta insure their rotations using models “short haul”.
Long distance flights mainly from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa are operated by Air France, British, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, Air Algerie and Tunis Air. There are no pure cargo business, except occasionally flights transporting heavy equipment for the needs of the Bombardier plant. The freight operations are concentrated in Mirabel, the old airport. Perspective traffic, a rush of departures was observed in the morning between 7 and 9 with regional companies. Then from 11am these flights return to mingling with many long-haul and large aircraft. Between 15 and 18h are incessant departures as small as large appliances and the day ends with the return of the regional fleet until the nightfall. Throughout the day, business flights are added as test flights of new aircraft manufactured by Bombardier on the site and deliveries.
Written by Cédric Valence, Thomas Okaty, King F Hui, Philipp Schütz, Kevin, Thomas Rings and Robert Haentschel. Last change: July 2026 – Spot 16-18 added
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06L/24R | 3.353 m (11,000 ft) |
| 06R/24L | 2.926 m (9,600 ft) |
| 10/28 | 2.134 m (7,000 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal A | Air Canada, Air Transat, Westjet, Sunwing, all other carriers |
| Terminal C | Air Canada, Air Transat, Westjet, Sunwing, American, Delta, United |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Better for locations 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. The use of a ladder is tolerated by the airport authorities and the fence is not so high so 3 steps are enough. |
| Car/Public Transport | You need a car to go to 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. If you don’t stay at the Holiday Inn Express you need a car to get to 1, 2 and 3. Spots 7, 11 and 12 are reachable by foot from the terminal. |
| Restrooms | Only available at airport for spot 7. |
| Drinks/Food | Only available at airport for spot 7. Nothing directly at the other locations but some fast food restaurants can be found along Autoroute Cote de Liesse. |
| Hotels | Holiday Inn Express, Sheraton Montreal Airport and the Aloft Montreal Airport about 10-15 min walk from points 1, 2 and 3, free shuttle to/from airport |
| Season | Winters are very cold with snow, best from May to September. Also some spots not usable in winter due to bad light. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 06L/24R | Mainly for arrivals with the exception of companies with the hangar located on the other runway. Also some regional flights with the hangar on this runway depart from here (Air Inuit, Hydro-Quebec) and some flights heading into north, like some Air Creebec. |
| 06R/24L | Mainly for departures. You can see landing on this runway companies with the hangar/parking slot near it like Raglan, Air Creebec, Air Canada maintenance flights, Bombardier flights and some regional aircraft with his parking slot on the South Terminal (Westjet, Air Canada Express, Porter). Also General Aviation/businnes jets use this runway. |
| 10/28 | Officially decommissioned on November 30, 2023 |
End of Avenue Jenkins - 06R arrivals and departures, 24L departures
| WHERE | At the end of Avenue Jenkins, there is a large field. It’s possible to join the fence and take pictures of movements on 24L-06R. It’s not absolutely necessary because you’re over the fence, but need a chair or a little ladder if you want to take pictures without the fence in the bottom of your shot. You can park directly at the location.
UPDATE MAY 2023: Parking directly at the location is no longer possible because of concrete barriers at the entrance. By foot you can still access this please but future is unknown. |
| WHAT | It’s spossible to take pictures or arrivals and departures on runway 06R, there is a fantastic background with the airport and the Canadair hangars. You also may take pictures of the taxi to 24L but there are heat hases due to the runway at the front. For the departures 24L, prefer walking a little bit backwards, there is a stone mont and climb to take good pictures of departures with good degagement. Heavy airplanes are in a good angle but light are a little hight. park alont the street. |
| TIME | From sunrise till 13:00 |
| MISC. | There is no toilet and no shop, take your dispositions before going there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 @ 65mm at point 1 and 180mm at point 2. |
Arrivals and departures runway 06R
Departures 24L from the large field close of the street
Park Jacques-de-Lesseps - All runway movements, taxiway A
| WHERE | This park is the official spotting location. It is located on Avenue Jenkins (Ave Jenkins and Ave Halpern intersection), which runs parallel to runway 06R/24L. There is no designated parking lot, but you can park your car roadside. In the northwestern corner of the park, you will find a dedicated spotting mound, which clears the airport fence.
UPDATE April 2026: the green space that used to be the park has mostly been paved over for employee parking, but the two spotting hills and bleachers are still accesible. You park on the street (as it always was before) and there’s a pathway through the employee parking clearly marked for access to the observation points. |
| WHAT | All movements on runway 06R/24L and taxiway A. All aircraft, which come from or go to the main terminal use this taxiway when either 06R is being used for arrivals or 24L is operative for departures. Aircrafts which are being towed to/from the Air Canada maintenance facility use taxiway A as well. Heat haze can be an issue on the taxiway after 9:30/10:00am in summer. |
| TIME | From sunrise until early afternoon. |
| MISC. | Park along the street. No stores or restaurants in walking distance, so bring everything you need. There is a cabin for restroom. Also, no shade and no shelter! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm for runway, up to 400 mm for taxiway A. |
Parking Lot - All runway movements
| WHERE |
The spot is at the northern end of Avenue Chartier next to the official viewing park #3. There is a parking lot but spotters never get chased. There are two fences, so you need a ladder to clear it.
|
| WHAT | Its a better choice to #2 if there are westbound operations. Arrivals on 24L are still on the runway and the 24L departures too. 06R ops are also no problem. |
| TIME | From sunrise until early afternoon. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | CRJ200= 200mm |
Dead end road - 24L arrivals
| WHERE | Coming from Avenue Cote de Liesse turn right into Avenue Renaud and take the next right into Avenue Ryan. It is just a 100 meters long dead end road. Park your car here and wait for aircraft. Sometimes taxi drivers take a nap in their car here, so please be silent… |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 24L only. 24L landing might be used by special airlines like Raglan or Nolinor as their hangars are closeby. Also from time to time 24R is closed during the day. |
| TIME | Morning until noon. Be aware of massive heat distortion in the summer as the planes are very low here. |
| MISC. | No food, no restrooms. There is a 1,80 meter fence which might disturb. A small ladder could be helpful. Or just use your car as an elevation. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200 – 300mm |
Chemin Saint-François - 024R and 06L departures, partially 24R arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located along the Chemin Saint-François on the northern part of the airport. It is a dead end road and you can easily park along the road. This spot isn’t an exact positions, rather an area along the fence, depends on what moment you wanna take pictures of.
Update April 2026: there are ongoing constructions in this area and the view is limited, but still unobstructed at some parts. The wooden fence has been replaced with a regular fence so you need an elevevation like a pick up truck. However, there is one point, where the terrain of the fence is a bit lower just exactly opposite of a house driveway. From there, you can shoot over the fence from your car’s top. JUL 2026: if the planes are landing on 24R, they touch down behind the buildings (truck freight lot) and are basically just rolling by the time they are visible from Chemin St-Francois. From the other side, if they are landing on 06L they touch down behind the construction site, which currently has equipment and large piles of material obscuring the landings, so again they planes aren’t visible until they are just about to exit the runway. Let’s see what the future brings… |
| WHAT | Departures 06L and 24R are great from here. In case of arrivals on runway 24R; some airplanes leave the runway earlier, but bigger airplanes always ride on the runway in front of you – depends on the exact position you’re standing at, too. |
| TIME | Useable in the afternoon till sunset – only in summer. |
| MISC. | There is no toilet and no shop, take your dispositions before going there. Small ladder is quite useful, otherwise you can use things like a car to get higher, so over the small wooden fence, but it will still disturb the pictures! In the summer the vegetation grows taller than the fence which obstructs the view. Bring a pickup truck or some kind of way to gain height. Security pass by but don´t care about. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B767-300 about 120mm |
Park Westwood - 06L arrivals
| WHERE | From the airport, drive westwards on Avenue Cardinal. After passing the golf course turn right onto Avenue Thorncrest and follow this road all the way to the end. Park your car roadside (mind the signs for street cleaning!) near the crash barrier, now you have to continue on foot. Just walk past the crash barrier along the park and playground (on your left) towards the end of paved surface. There you will see the spotting hill right in front of you, climb up and pick your preferred spot. |
| WHAT | Best spot for 06L arrivals in the morning. Line-Ups can be seen but full of power lines and light poles. |
| TIME | Sunrise until early afternoon for arrivals. |
| MISC. | Nothing near by, bring everything you need. No restrooms, no shade, no shelter. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-250mm |
Parc de la Grande-Anse - 06L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in the Parc de la Grande-Anse. This spot is very easy to access by car, there is a parking lot inside the park. If you are taking the public transport, you can access this place by taking the EXO train line 11 Vaudreuil-Hudson Train to Gare Pointe-Claire. After getting off the train, you need to take a 9 minutes, 700m walk. A Reminder that the frequency of this train is very low. You can also take bus 202 to stop Bord-du-Lac / Water’s Edge. The bus stop is located 50m away from the park. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 06L only. |
| TIME | This position is only usable from February to mid-November, due lighting. Otherwise you’ll be fine from around 3.30 p.m. until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here except some benches. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 170-200mm for A350/777 |
Storage Halls - 24R arrivals
| WHERE | Between the Route Transcanadienne and the Autoroute Comedey you will find the Chemin Saint-François Street. This road leads you through a industrial area and some storage halls. If you drive on this road into south-western direction you’ll cross the Autoroute Comedey. Just 250m after this you should see a high mast on your right (just in the curve). Park your car nearby and come back to the meadow. Choose your favourite position, this depends on the angle you like the most! |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 24R only. |
| TIME | This position is only usable from February to mid-November, due lighting. Otherwise you’ll be fine from 3.30 p.m. until sunset. |
| MISC. | If you drive back the Chemin Saint-François for about 600m you’ll find a gas station on your left. There you can get something to eat and there you’ll find restrooms, too.
Ladder is not needed here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
Blvd. Pitfield - 24R arrivals/06R departures
| WHERE | Drive into the dead-end road Boulevard Pitfield. It is just on the other side of the motorway 13. You can enter it from Boulevard de la Cote Vertu. Parking is easy by the roadside, so just find your preferred position. If you stay close to company DHB you have the advantage to see the aircraft quite early (Spot 9A). Keep the car where it is and cross the Blvd de la Cote Vertu at the traffic lights. Stay behind the power lines to capture the 06R departures (9B). There is a gate in the fence to stay behind the power lines. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 24R and 06R departures. |
| TIME | 24R from morning until noon. 06R in the afternoon till sunset – only in summer. |
| MISC. | There is nothing around, so take whatever you need with you. Be aware of light poles. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24R: Depending on your position between 100-300mm 06R: A330/340 = 160mm; 737/A320 = around 250mm |
Spot 9A: 24R arrivals morning
Spot 9B: 06R departures afternoon
Rue Gougeon - 24L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in Rue Gougeon, a small street in the industrial area. Simply get rid of your car nearby and search your favourite position along the roadside. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 24L. |
| TIME | Useable in the afternoon till sunset – only in summer. |
| MISC. | Nothing around here as you are in an industrial area. But with the car some gas station/shops are reachable. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm 737 = 150mm; 789 = 80mm |
Employee Parking Lot - 06R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot can be found right next to the entrance of the employee parking lot on Boulevard Albert de Niverville. When arriving by car, follow the signs to “Cell Parc” (cellphone lot) and park your car in the cellphone lot. From there it is about a 5 minute walk on the grassy shoulder (no sidewalk) of Blvd A. de Niverville to the spot. From the terminal, it’s about a 10 minute walk. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 06R. |
| TIME | 4pm until sunset (the sample photos were taken at around 3pm in early May). |
| MISC. | Nothing near by, bring everything you need. Restrooms in the terminal. No shade, no shelter. There are a few lamp posts on the parking lot, but gaps are big enough to get proper shots. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100 – 250mm |
Cardinal Avenue - 06R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located at the corner of Cardinal Avenue and a former road, which was dismantled to make room for an Air Transat facility. A crash barrier separates the remaining segment of the road from the Air Transat property. Spot 12 is an alternative to spot 11, however, it provides the advantage, that you can park your car right at the location. Nonetheless, it can also be reached by foot, it’s a good 20 minute walk from the terminal. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 06R. |
| TIME | 4pm until sunset |
| MISC. | Nothing near by, bring what you need. No shade and no shelter, unless you have a car with you. No restrooms. There are some powerlines along Cardinal Ave, but approaching aircraft will be high enough that they will be out of the frame for 90 degree and slightly angled shots. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180-400mm |
Rue Hervé Saint-Martin - 24R movements
| WHERE | This spot is located at the Rue Hervé Saint-Martin near the Air Canada facility. Take Boulevard de la Cote-Vertu heading to the Air Transat/Canada/Inuit – Bombardier facilities. After the Air Inuit (on the right) turn right and take Rue Hervé Saint-Martin. Once you have reached the taxiway/runway 06L/24R park by the roadside. There are two options where you can stay. At the first spot it is recommended to have some kind of elevation, e.g. small steps or to use your car somehow, otherwise you might have some fence in the picture or even in front of the taxiway if you are rather small. For the second option continue to the AC hangars and stop when the road bends south. The fence is lower here and no steps are needed. |
| WHAT | Best when runway 24R is active. Arrivals, departures and taxiway B photos are possible. |
| TIME | Sunrise until midday in summer. But you will likely encounter heat haze, especially on the runway, towards midday. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby, bring what you need, and be mindful you are right by the roadside here, where there is no official parking space. This means you might get moved from this spot if police shows up. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Taxiway: Dash8 = 150mm; A220 = 100mm Runway: 737/A320 = around 200mm; |
De-icing - Ramp and 24L departures
| WHERE | This spot is located at the end of Rue Hervé Saint-Martin near the Air Canada facility. Take Boulevard de la Cote-Vertu heading to the Air Transat/Canda/Inuit – Bombardier facilities. After the Air Inuit (on the right) turn right and take Rue Hervé Saint-Martin. Follow until the end and than turn right into the Aéro Mag 2000 parking. Here you are facing the de-icing apron. |
| WHAT | Parked aircrafts on the de-icing apron as well as departures on runway 24L. |
| TIME | From sunrise until early afternoon for the apron. For departures useable in the afternoon till sunset – only in summer. Better in the evening due to heat haze in the afternoon. |
| MISC. | Nothing near by, bring what you need. You need a pick-up or a small ladder to clear the fence completely for the apron. Departures are possible without one. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Apron: 70mm A330 Departures: 300mm+ for A220/737 etc; 200-250 mm for widebodies |
Warehouses - 24L arrivals
| WHERE | There are two options in an industrial area with simpel warehouses where you can stay. Both are very close and just one block apart from each other. The first one, Spot #15A is on a parking lot at Mnt de Liesse. The second one, Spot #15B is along Rue Griffith. There is a warehouse where you can park and spot from |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 24L only. |
| TIME | From sunrise until early afternoon. Less heat haze from Spot 15B as its a bit closer. |
| MISC. | Nothing near by, bring what you need. Both locations are more ore less on private property. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Around 150-200mm for A320/737 family |
Spot #15A Mnt de Liesse
Spot #15B Rue Griffith
Avenue Ryan - Apron + 24L Movements
| WHERE | This spot is not a single exact location rather the fences around the hangars along Avenue Ryan. Drive down the street with your car, see for any interesting parked aircraft and make your way to the fence there. |
| WHAT | The ramps around here as well as 24L Movements in the back. |
| TIME | Depending on the parked aircraft angle, but generally from sunrise till later noon. |
| MISC. | A small step is useful, but you can also work through the mesh or with live view. Keep a low profile though. Haze can be an issue on the runway on warmer days. Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
AirInuit Visitor Parking - Ramp
| WHERE | This spotting location can be found on AirInuit’s Visitor parking south of their hangar. The parking area north of the hangar is a no go, you will be kicked out immediately even on weekends. The visitor parking in the south here worked on the weekends however. Come here by car, quickly take your picture and leave again. |
| WHAT | The AirInuit ramp in front. |
| TIME | Depending on the parked aircraft angle, but generally from sunrise till early noon. |
| MISC. | A small step is useful, but you can also work through the mesh or with live view. Keep a low profile here! Do not come here during the week to avoid issues! Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
Rue Percival-Reid - Ramp + 24R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located along Rue Percival-Reid and the nearby parking space ok Skyservice MRO. You can park your car along the street easily and then position yourself as you wish. |
| WHAT | From the street you can spot 24R Arrivals and from the parking you can also see onto the ramp. |
| TIME | Ramp: morning hours only. 24R Arrivals: sunrise till later noon. |
| MISC. | A small step is useful for the ramp, but you can also work through the mesh or with live view. Keep a low profile though in the parking. Nothing nearby. Be aware that there are power lines/light poles which make arrival shots tricky at some points and thereby you only have limited windows. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-300mm B788 arrival = 120mm / CRJ900 = 220mm |
It might not be the best decision to take in winter, but there is a free shuttle to parking P10 from YUL every 15-20 minutes, which makes it possible to get to viewing points 1 and 2 without a car. There is also a free shuttle to P4 if you want to skip the walk to point 11.
STM launched a new bus 214 from Dorval to Stuart-Graham / No 751 via YUL (https://transitapp.com/en/region/montr%C3%A9al/stm/bus-214) but I am not sure if a plane spotting is possible from there.
Forgot to add: (from the airport’s official site) “Runway 10-28, that was the runway intersecting the two parallel runways, was officially decommissioned on November 30, 2023.”
April 2026 Update for Spot 5: It’s not really ideal at this point in time. If the planes are landing on 24R they touch down behind the buildings (truck freight lot) and are basically just rolling by the time they are visible from Ch St-Francois. From the other side, if they are landing on 06L they touch down behind the construction site, which currently has equipment and large piles of material obscuring the landings, so again they planes aren’t visible until they are just about to exit the runway.
7, the airport parking lot, is out:
Hi, I left a note. Thanks for the update!
-Julian
I believe they have paved over the entire Jacques park. The entire block has now been turned into employee parking and the only areas not paved are a construction site with no trespassing signs. Terrible, terrible, decision.
Wow, sad to hear, but thanks for the update!
Yes, the green space that used to be the park has mostly been paved over for employee “park”ing… but the two spotting hills and bleachers are still accesible. You park on the street (as it always was before) and there’s a pathway through the employee parking clearly marked for access to the observation points.
(This is the situation right now, as of April 25th, 2026)
Hi Kevin, thanks for all the input, just updated the guide. Keep us posted please 🙂
Thanks
Sev
The Petro-Pass on Chemin St Francois is a really good spot too.
As well as the Pitfield roundabout, if you want to get some nice engine shots.
Can you send us some examples via mail please? So we can see whether to add it.
support@spotterguide.net
Update winter 2025: The construction at the Jacques-de-Lesseps park has ended; they have built a big parking lot for the employees. The park has been made smaller, it has been reduced to a small strip at the top of the parking lot. Apparently, the airport security says you are not allowed to park in the parking lot. There is still the biggest hill left, which is off to the left side
Another potential spotting location could be a cul-de-sac off to the southwest end of the airport (850 bd. Stuart-Graham)
From there you can see the airplanes parked at their gates and also the ones who have just landed and which are taxiing. The whole area is covered by a fence, but if you get close enough, it won’t matter. There is a big gate with a small gap in it which lets you get an unobstructed view of the right side of the gates. I don’t know about the parking but it is easily accessible by public transit, all you have to do is take the 11 – Vaudreuil/Hudson train to the Dorval station, then take the 204 bus which will take you right to where you need to be. It’s very hard to miss your bus as you are very close to the stop. I went there on January 2nd, it was quite interesting.
A somewhat old update for Spot 7: a visit in June 2024 confirmed that construction for the Metro is blocking the views and may well eliminate it when complete. However, from this spot I noticed another vantage point which would be good for 06R line-up shots. There is a small cafe for taxi drivers adjacent to Rue Arthur Fecteau Nord that overlooks the taxiway. Example photograph available.
Hey, is it possible to hand over some photos from 7 and the “Cafe”? Best option is via our contact form:
https://www.spotterguide.net/guide-updating/
Thanks, Julian
Hi,
Update for Spot 13 : If you drive Rue Herve Saint-Martin further up to the second left corner you can park your car on the shoulder and take better picture as the fence is lower there.
BR, Björn
Hi Björn, can you give me the coordinates please, not sure where exactly it is.
Thanks, Julian
For sure :
45°28’17.1″N 73°44’32.8″W
Hello Everyone, any suggestions which spots could work for night spotting? Any suggestion would be welcome!