YYZ Spot 1
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Spotting Guide
April 25, 2018
Kassel Calden Spotting Guide
May 2, 2018Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
at - last modified on March 13, 2019
The Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport is Canada’s largest airport and the main gateway for the city of Toronto. In 2017, Pearson International was used by around 47 Million passengers, making him the 34th busiest airport worldwide.
Pearson International is the homebase and main hub of Air Canada (and its subsidiaries Express using B1900, CRJ, Dash8, E175 and Rouge using A319, A321, 763) and an important base for WestJet (plus Encore using Dash8-Q400). Both are domenating the majority of the traffic. The canadian airlines AirTransat and Sunwing offering dozens of daily flights too. Apart from them, YYZ is served by all mainline US-carriers and many different airlines from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and the Middle East, such as Hainan Airlines, LOT, Emirates, BA, Egypt Air, Saudia, Cubana and Icelandair, just to mention a few of them. The airport is open 24h but just a few flights, mainly cargo, taking place at night.
It is located around 22km northwest of Toronto’s city center. The bigger part of the airport’s surface is located on the territory of the nabouring city of Mississauga. Pearson Intl. can be reached via Highways 409 and 427. If you prefer to take the train, you can take the Toronto subway until the station “Kipling” and continue with the “Airport Rocket”. Since June 2015 it is also possible to go directly from Toronto Central Station to Terminal 1 by using the “Union Pearson Express”.
Regarding the amount of photos and Videos taken at YYZ, one could easily get the Impression that planespotting at Toronto Intl. is very popular – during our visit we experienced that this is not entirely correct. At the famous spots, spotters are a known sight, but when it comes to the less popular spots, you should expect to be approached by the authorities and probably to be displaced.
Written by Marlin Lehmann, Severin Hackenberger, Jan Seba, Luciano Manara, Julian Mittnacht and Marcus (Last Visit August 2018).
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| Airport Informations | Runways | 05/23 | 06L/24R | 06R/24L |
| 3.389 m (11.1120 ft) | 2.955 m (9.697 ft) | 2.743 m (9.000 ft) | ||
| Asphalt | Asphalt | Asphalt | ||
| 15L/33R | 15R/33L |  | ||
| 3.368 m (11.050 ft) | 2.770 m (9.088 ft) | |||
| Asphalt | Asphalt | |||
| Terminals | Terminal 1 | Terminal 3 | Infield Terminal | |
| Air Canada and Star Alliance partners, Emirates (A380) | WestJet, SkyTeam, Oneworld and all other carriers | Some international carriers, eg Icelandair, WOW, Condor | ||
| Spotting Informations | Ladder | Not needed and even not recommended; the use of a ladder next to the airport fence will attract the authorities. | ||
| Car | We recommend one, especially for spots number 5-10. You can also park directly at almost every spotting location. If you stay in one of the hotels next to the terminals and there are 23/24 ops. you can walk or use public transport to spots 1-4 and 11. | |||
| Restrooms | In the terminal and in the many many restaurants and hotels around the airport. Especially at locations 1-4 and 11. | |||
| Drinks/Food | There are a few restaurants and shops nearby every spotting location offering supply of food and Drinks. Especially at locations 1-4 and 11. | |||
| Hotels | There are many hotels nearby the Airport especially east of the terminals along Dixon Rd. From there you can walk to spots 1-4 and even 11 if you don´t mind. There are some with a nice view of RWY24 approach too so just ask for a room heading south. | |||
| Season | The traffic at Toronto Pearson does basically consist of mainline and Business carriers, that is why there is no remarkable difference between summer and winter in number of movements. The canadian carriers offering seasonal (charter) flights to Europe during the summer and to Florida, Carribbean Sea and South America during the cold canadian winter months. Due to the directon of the two main runways, spotting makes more sense during the warmer summer months. | |||
| Runway Usage | 05/23 | One of the two main runways and used in all directions. Mainly northern routes using this runway which includes most heavies. | ||
| 06L/24R | One of the two main runways and used in all directions. Mainly southern routes using this runway. | |||
| 06R/24L | Less in use than his parallel running partner but used in all directions too. Especially during peak times it is used for arrivals whilst 06L/24R is used for departures. | |||
| 15L/33R | Barely in use during strong winds only. | |||
| 15R/33L | Barely in use during strong winds only. | |||
 | Spot #1 – Park´N Fly – 24R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spots is east of terminal 1, along the Airport Rd junction Carlingview Drive on the Park`N Fly parking lot. Please check their website for the current parking rates. If you are coming from the terminal or stay in one of the closer airport hotels you can easily walk to this spot. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY 24R only. |
| TIME | In the summer only from late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There are plenty of gas stations, hotels and (fast food) restaurants next to the location. Its a bit tricky as there are some light poles that may disturb the sight but there are enough gaps. Due to powerlines you can´t spot from the Carlingview Dr! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 350 mm for B737-800 |
 | Spot #2 – Warehouses – 24R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal, follow the signs towards the Airport Road. Go East on Airport road and right on Carlingview Drive. After the Hooters restaurant, go left onto Meteor Drive and enter the industrial area. Find a spot on the parking lot. |
| WHAT | Arrivals runway 24R. |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon all year round. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby. This are some companies so its “private property”. It is better to visit it during weekends when nobody is there. Alternative is #3. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~ 170 – 250 mm. |
 | Spot #3 – Silver Dart Dr – 24R arrivals and line-up |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is an alternative to #2. Coming from Spot #1, Carlingview Drive turn the next right, pass the 427 and then left. There is a small open parking to your right hand side. It belongs to Hertz Rent a Car but it should be fine if you stay there (we had no problems for three days). Oterhwise you can park at #1, spot in the morning here and walk back to you car when the sun has moved to the opposite side. Now you have to walk along SilverDart Dr. for just a few minutes heading to the 24R approach path. Stay on the right side behind the barriers until you have find your prefered position. For line-up you have to cross SilverDart Dr. and you have to shot through the fence. When the sun moves to the other side just continue on this road. A parking for the afternoon side is marked on the map. You can walk there from the terminals too as the SilverDart Dr. starts at the international terminal. |
| WHAT | All arrivals and line-up on 24R |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon all year round. In summer summer move to the other side when the sun has turned around. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Everything you need at Spot #1. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrival: 763 = 100mm; CRJ900 = 140mm; 73G = 140mm Line-Up: 717 = 160mm; 763= 100mm; Dash8-Q400 = 180mmAfternoon: A320 = 140mm; CRJ200 = 150mm |
Morning:
Afternoon:
 | Spot #4 – Silver Dart Dr – 24L arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Same direction as described above but from the parking just cross the road. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 24L only. Mainly in use during peak times when 24R is in use for departures. |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Everything you need at Spot #1. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Dash 8-100 = 150mm; Dash 8-Q400 = 100mm |
 | Spot #5 – Convair Drive – 06R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is at the Convair Drive. Easy to reach if coming from spots 3/4 you just have to follow the road along the perimeter fence, parallel to 06R/24L till the end of the runway. A small area is available for parking your car. An elevated grass area offers a perfect place to relax, position your equipment and shoot landing aircraft that come very low and with a perfect light in the morning. |
| WHAT | 06R and 06L arrivals and 06L line-ups. 06R is only in use during peak times. |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutley nothing nearby. No issues with security or police. No ladder needed for ground photos as you can easily photograph over the fence. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 06L: CRJ200 = 160mm, 06R arrival and line-up: B738 = 320mm |
 | Spot #6 – Dead End Rd – 06L/R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is on the opposite side of the terminals at the end of Luke Rd. Easy to reach if coming from spots 3/4 you just have to follow the road along the perimeter fence, parallel to 06R/24L. Then three times left and you are in Luke Rd. Drive until the end. There is a bus stop at Dixie Rd if you don´t have a car. |
| WHAT | 06L/R arrivals only. |
| TIME | In the summer only from late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Absolutley nothing nearby. Some hotels and fast food chains at Dixie Rd south of it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 77W = 90mm; 73H = 160mm |
 | Spot #7 – Hill – 33L arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is at the threshold of RWY 33L. Use the same road if coming from #3/4 parallel to the runway but instead of turning left to #5 continue a few meters until you see a small hill to your left, on the opposite side of the threshold. Park along the road and climb up to avoid the fence in your photos. |
| WHAT | In the rare case they use 33L this is a good spot. We did not test it but departures on 15R should be possible too if you walk a bit more down the road. |
| TIME | From noon till sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Don´t block the crash gate when parking. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 763 = 140mm; A330 = 120mm |
 | Spot #8 – Infield Terminal – 15L/33R |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Once again if coming from 3/4 on the parallel route take the first right after you have passed the threshold of RWY06. Continue until you see the Inflield Terminal and turn right before it. Drive until the fence and park your car on the right side. |
| WHAT | All movements on RWY 15L/33R and taxiway E. |
| TIME | From noon till sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Taking the photos through the mesh is a bit tricky as the planes on the runway are already very quick. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | XXX |
We can´t provide sample pictures at the moment so please don´t hesitate to send us your photos from this location by using our contact form!
 | Spot #9 – Dixie Rd – 15L/33R |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Along Dixie Rd this is a very popular spot for locals and very close indeed to the action. From 6/7 drive south until to the next big road, which will be the Dixie Rd. Just continue westwards. Park your car in Director Gate and walk a little along Dixie Road on the pedestrian lane. |
| WHAT | All movements on RWY 05. This runway is mostly used by the international traffic/wide bodies. In the morning the game became a tricky one as you must deal with trees and electric poles but there is plenty of space to shoot very good pics at very low landing aircraft. In the afternoon (summer only) from parking you must walk a little in the grass to get more distance to the aircraft landing to avoid to use a wide-angle lens. |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon all year round. In summer summer move to the other side when the sun has turned around. |
| MISC. | Some Fast Food and Gas Stations along Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Morning: 772 = 60mm; E175 = 110mm Afternoon: 77W = 70mm; Dash8-Q400 = 120mm |
Morning:
Afternoon:
 | Spot #10 – FedEx/Crash Gate- 05/23 movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminals drive westwards on the Airport Rd, pass spot 8/9 and turn left on the next big junction into Derry Rd. Drive it all the way down, pass some hangars and turn left after you have reached the FedEx complex. You will reach a crash gate after a few hundred meters. Don´t block it and park your car on the right side! Its forbidden on the left. You have to shot through the mesh on the left (23 ops) and right side (05 ops) of the crash gate. |
| WHAT | Best for 05 arrivals and departures. General Aviation traffic will pass by on taxiway J, traffic from the terminals on the opposite side on taxiway H. Also perfect for 23 departures from the fence for heavy aircraft or step back for lighter aircraft. 23 arrivals are possible but tricky due to heat when they use the first exit (see Air Azores A330) Furthermore you can see and photograph the cargo ramp. |
| TIME | In the summer only from late afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Its a known spot for locals so you shouldn´t have issues there except you block the gate. Taking the photos through the mesh is a bit tricky as the planes on the runway are already very quick. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-200mm to cover most movements. |
Runway 05 operations:
Runway 23 operations:
 | Spot #11 – Airport Rd – Arrivals RWY23 |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is YYZ most popular spotting loaction next to a gas station and you may have already seen photos from there. If coming from the terminals just follow the Airport Road for about 2km into western direction. Follow this road until you can see a Wendy’s and a Petrol-Canada gas station on your right. Park your car nearby and choose your favourite position, this depends on the angle you like the most! There is even a public parking garage where you can go on the top floor in the evening to gain a slightly better angle as from the ground. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 23 and line-up. For latter you have to cross the road and shot through the mesh. |
| TIME | You can stay here the whole day. In the morning find a location next to the CIBC bank and in the afternoon move to the opposite side just a little bit more westwards of the ‘famous’ gas station. Latter only in the summer! Line-Up possible only from sunrise till afternoon. |
| MISC. | Everything nearby, like Wendy’s or the gas station. Hotels are also just behind you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50 – 300mm |
Morning side:
Evening side:
1 Comment
Dear,
will Worth to mention that in Terminal 3 – upper departures level – at the far left side there is a glass wall that overlook the apron between T3 and T1. Some T3 gates are very close and the movement in and out DHC-8 AC Express ramp pass by very close.
The Sunshine is ok only in the morning then move in front in you.
Windows are colourless and photo are possible.