ATL - Spot 1
Groningen Airport Spotting Guide
June 15, 2019
Nelson Airport Spotting Guide
June 26, 2019Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on July 16, 2020
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by both passengers and number of total landings and take-offs. Located 7 miles south of downtown Atlanta, the airport has 5 runways and handles more than 100 million passengers every year. ATL is the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, as well as the focus city for Frontier Airliners, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines. While the majority of movements are Delta Air Lines, there are also international carriers such as KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airways, Korean Air, Aeromexico, etc.
There are also several cargo operators that serving Atlanta like Asiana, Cargolux, Cathay, China Airlines, Emirates Sky Cargo, EVAAir Cargo, FedEx, Korean, Qatar Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines and UPS. The cargo complex is located between the runways 09R/27L and 10/28.
Although Atlanta is the largest airport in the world and has five runways, it is never boring due to the high number of arrivals and departures. There are also no reports about problems with the airport secuirty or police.
Next to spot 3, the Renaissance Hotel is the Delta Flight museum located. The facility has many attractions and exhibitions. Aircraft on display like the Boeing 747, 757, Douglas DC-9, just to mention a few things.
Written by Yixin Chen, Brian T Richards (Spot 3), Andrew Cohen (Spot 8), Michael Johnson (Spot 9), Koos van der Heijden (Spot 10) and Achim Walther (Spot 5). Last Update: October 2019
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 08L/26R | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| 08R/26L | 3.048 m (9.999 ft) |
| 09L/27R | 3.780 m (12.390 ft) |
| 09R/27L | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| 10/28 | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Concourse T, A, B, C | Delta, United (T), American (T). Southwest (C) |
| Concourse D | Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, American |
| Concourse E | Delta, Contour, Boutique Air, Southwest and foreign carriers (intl. flights) |
| Concourse F | Delta, Southwest and foreign carriers |
| Airport Chart |  |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not recommended to use. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is necessary for off-airport locations except the terminal spots. |
| Restrooms | Inside the terminal, good for the parking deck locations. Outside there are always some hotels and fast food chains nearby. |
| Drinks/Food | Inside the terminal, good for the parking deck locations. Outside there are always some fast food chains nearby. |
| Hotels | One of the most popular hotels for planespotters worldwide ist the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport. See infos at spot3 for more details. Otherwise there are two hotel zones. One is at the north of the airport whilst the second are is on the south-west corner of the field. |
| Season | The best season to visit ATL is winter, as several locations will be good for all day and the sun position is favorable. In summer, evening departures on Runway 9R/27L is very good. However, sun postion is too high during the day to get decent shots in summer. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | ATL airport has five runways, all in west-east direction. Most of the time ATL operates westbound, unless there’s wind in the opposite direction. Cargo operators tend to use the southern runways as these are closer to their facilities. |
| 08L/26R | Mainly used for landings. Usually half of the international arrivals land here. |
| 08R/26L | Mainly used for departures of domestic flights. |
| 09L/27R | Mainly used for departures. 90% of the international departures use this runway due to its proximity to the international terminal and because it is the longest one. |
| 09R/27L | Mainly used for landings. Usually another half of the international arrivals use this runway. |
| 10/28 | The far south runway. Mainly used for domestic arrivals. |
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Spot #1 – Domestic Terminal South Parking Garage |
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| WHERE | This locations is on the top floor (4th floor) of the Domestic Terminal South Parking Garage. From I-85, just follow the well-designed signage to Domestic Terminal South Parking and enter Daily Parking (not Economy or Hourly parking). Drive all the way up to the top floor and position yourself to runways 9L/27R and 9R/27L. If 27 is in use, it’s better to stay at the east end. If 9 is in use, better to stay at the west side for the line-ups and landings. |
| WHAT | If 27 is in use, you can get all departures as they rotate via 27R. You can also get some (not all) taxing aircrafts just landed from 27L. If 9 is in use, you can get landings from 9R, line-ups and departures at 9L. |
| TIME | Aircrafts on the runway are only good for May to July after 17:30. Good for night shots all year round. During summer, most Europe bound departures after 17:30 use 9L/27R for departure. |
| MISC. | Restrooms are inside the terminal. This is a known plane spotting location and there are no issues with security reported. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm for taxiing aircrafts. 100-400 for departing aircrafts. |
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Spot #2 – Domestic Terminal North Parking Garage |
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| WHERE | This locations is on the top floor (4th floor) of the Domestic Terminal North Parking Garage. From I-85, just follow the well-designed signage to Domestic Terminal North Parking and enter Daily Parking (not Economy or Hourly parking). Drive all the way up to the top floor and position yourself to runways 8L/26R and 8R/26L. |
| WHAT | All landings on 8L and departures on 26L. Taking ground pictures is not possible from here due to disturbing light poles and other objects. |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. However, heat haze is too severe for 8L landings during summer to make decent shots (alternative is spot #8). |
| MISC. | Restrooms are inside the terminal. Fast food chains available around the airport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-450mm |
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Spot #3 – Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel |
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| WHERE | Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel is one of the most famost spotting hotels in the world. The hotel locates in the north of the airport, facing directly to Runways 8R/26L and 8L/26R, as well as the business jet ramp. Booking is required to spot here. Upon check-in, you should ask for a room facing south on higher floors. Our room was 1107 and it offered a great view of the airport. Check in time is after 4pm and they were very strict at enforcing that. All rooms facing south have a balcony where you can easily sit down and enjoy the traffic. |
| WHAT | All movements on 8L/26R as well as business jet ramp. |
| TIME | Good for mornings and evenings in summer. In winter it will be backlit all day long. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is in your hotel. There are also several restaurants close to the hotel. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm |
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Spot #4 – The Engineering Guy |
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| WHERE | This is location is to the east of the field. From I-75 southbound, take Exit 239 to the Old Dixie Highway. Drive along Old Dixie Highway for another 0.6 miles and you’ll see The Engineering Guy on your right. Park and spot the landings on its parking lot.
Address: 1000 Tradeport Blvd #1011, Atlanta, GA 30354 |
| WHAT | All landings on 26R |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | There are fast food restaurants down south along the Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm |
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Spot #5 – Catalina |
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| WHERE | This is a alternative to #4 with a better angle but more distance. It is located on an open space next to a mexican restaurant named “Catalina”. To get there drive the US route 41 northbound until the road got two lanes, again. Short after this point you’ll see the restaurant and open space on the right. Park north of if and start spotting. Address: 4110 Old Dixie Rd, Hapeville, GA 30354, USA |
| WHAT | Best for RWY26R wich is more in use for landings than 26L which you can photograph from there too. |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | Food and toilet in the restaurant. There are also fast food restaurants down south along the Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | For 26R: 380mm for a 738; 250mm for A346 |
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Spot #6 – Range, Guns and Safes |
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| WHERE | On the east side of the airport. From I-75 northbound, take Exit 237 to Forest Park/Farmers Market. Drive along the northbound frontage road, until you reach Lake Mirror Rd. Right turn into Lake Mirror Rd, the ranch and gun shop is on your left. Position yourself in the parking lot. Address: 285 Lake Mirror Rd, Forest Park, GA 30297 |
| WHAT | All landings on 27L. |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | There are fast food restaurants if you continue to drive eastbound on Lake Mirror Rd until you reach Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm |
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Spot #7 – International Hourly Parking Garage |
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| WHERE | On the east side of the airport. From I-75, follow the well-designed signage to International Hourly Parking. Drive all the way up to the top (6th) floor. Position yourself at the northwest corner. Facing west/northwest you can get 8L departures and taxiing aircrafts for 26 departure and 8L depart |
| WHAT | 8L departures and taxiing aircrafts for 26L departure |
| TIME | 8L departures are good all day long in winter, and 11:30-16:30 in summer. Taxiing aircrafts are only good in the mornings all year round. |
| MISC. | Restrooms in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Taxiing aircrafts 70-300mm. 8L departures 100-400mm |
We currently can’t provide sample pictures from this location yet. If you have some pictures from this location, please do not hesitate to share with us!
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Spot #8 – Georgia International Convention Center |
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| WHERE | The location itself is on the sidewalk next to the huge sign at the driveway to the Georgia International Convention Center. It`s a good alternative to spot #2 as you are closer to the action. Do not park at the convention center as it is for events only. Instead, drive up the hill and park at the Marriott ($20 for three hours) then walk back down towards Camp Creek Parkway. During the week you might get lucky and be able to park for free at the BMW training center which is the building just behind the marked location but there’s a chance you’ll be asked to move. The angle from the BMW parking lot is also slightly better (see last three sample photos below). |
| WHAT | Great for 8L arrivals |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Food and Restrooms within the nearby hotels. Some tress are spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Challenger = 250mm; A346 = 100mm |
Taken from the road/junction
Taken from the BMW parking lot
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Spot #9 – Airport Park-Ride Garage – 26 L/R arrivals |
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| WHERE | Another good opportunity to catch the arrivals on runways 26, if you don’t mind to pay some dollars for a parking fee, is on the top level of the “Airport Park-Ride” garage. Take the road to the international terminal and once on the access road just follow the signs to the garage. It is a bit before the terminal itself and the big Delta Airlines maintenance hangars. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 26 L/R as well as line up for 26L but part of the wheels are cut off at 90 degree. |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Closest facilities are within the terminal complex. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Challenger = 250mm; A346 = 100mm |
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Spot #10 – Comfort Suites – 28 arrivals |
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| WHERE | The spot is located on the Clark Howel Hwy just where the Comfort Suites hotel is. Easy to park opposite of the hotel where are some shops located which were closed on Saturday. Just walk onto the gras on the other side of the street where the hotel is. Easiest option is of course to stay in the hotel if you don’t have a car. |
| WHAT | Great for 28 arrivals (mainly domestic). |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Couple of hotels in that corner. A subway restaurant and a gas station is a bit further down the road. Some tress are spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 748 = 140mm; 738 = 220mm |
7 Comments
I’m going to be visiting Atlanta airport for the first time in a couple weeks and I would like to do some planespotting but my major concern is airport security. Does anyone have an idea who to contact about getting written permission that I can plane spot at the garages.
I am not sure if you can get a permisson like at Boston or JFK. During our stays we had no problems with security at the garage.
-Julian
I grew up in Atlanta around aviation and I miss the days of World Airways and Omni up at North Cargo. However, I recently got pretty heavy into planespotting and am hoping to go scout some of these locations soon (free parking preferred) with my motorcycle. Any advice on the best spot when using a 150-300 (Sigma) lens? Approach or departure is fine. Currently running a Nikon D7500 and recently started using a tripod since this lens does not have VC/VR. I would prefer to catch some of the heavies, but I can reposition as needed (especially viable with the motorcycle) since I monitor FlightRadar24 often. Thanks for any and all advice and happy spotting!
I spent the most of the daylight hours on Sunday 1-5-2020 at ATL taking photos at spot #6 on your guide for arrivals on runway 27L. During the 7.5 hours I was there, my guess is about 200 aircraft came in, with the expected heavy ratio of about 85% Delta/Delta Connection. The rest was a mix of Southwest, Spirit, American/American Eagle, United Express, and a few JetBlue. Only nine heavies came my way this day, four Delta 767’s, a KLM 787-9, Virgin Atlantic 340-600, Air France 777-300, Lufthansa 330-300, and a Qatar 777-200. Using my Sigma 150-600 mm lens, I was too close for straight on profile shots of these heavies, but was able to easy get the oblique angles. 170-180 mm is good for the A321 & 737-9 types, 200 mm for A320 & 737-7’s, all the way up to 250mm for the Delta Connection CRJ-200’s. Runway 28 saw only sporadic use during the day during peak arrival times.
Did not have problems with anyone while using the gun range parking lot, no one even wandered over to ask me about my activity. A caution about the grass areas next to the lot for fire ants. Their mounds are obvious with some right on the edge of the pavement/gravel of the parking lot. Step with caution if you move onto the grass for a photo, and if you set equipment down on the grass, check for them when you pick it up. For those who never tangled with a fire ant, it’s similar to sting from a bee or a wasp.
I DO NOT recommend using the near by fast food restaurants on Forest Parkway at Old Dixie Road. One had garbage all over the parking lot & the floors inside were dirty. Another had the worst bathroom I’ve ever seen in a fast food restaurant. Obviously not cleaned for several days, with what looked like a puddle of watery vomit on the floor. I half expected to see a heroin addict having an overdose in the toilet stall, thank God no. And no, I did not get any food from these places.
For those not familiar with the area, give yourself extra time to get in position for spot #6 if your trying for a specific photo op. The streets in the area can be a confusing combination of highway ramps, business parks, RXR crossings until you get used to the area.
I spent the night at the Comfort Suites mentioned for spot #10. Building and room were nice and clean, great room for the price, staff very friendly and helpful, took advantage of the free breakfast bar in the morning, went back an hour later for more food. Only minor issue was the narrow parking spaces in the lot. I did not do any spotting here.
Spent about an hour at spot #9 the next morning. The info here on the Spotterguide is good for this location. The few photos I took of inbound traffic onto runway 26R were heat distorted with temps only in the 40’s. Did enjoy the non-stop show of the line up and departures. Finished my day getting stuck in a famous Atlanta I-285 traffic jam trying to leave town. Had a great time, would like to have had more time to better explore the area.
I’d really like to spot KE’s 748 departing when I go to Atlanta next week. Which of the places listed would be best for that?
Your best bet is going to be the South Terminal Parking deck. The 748 will likely depart on 9L/27R depending on the pattern when you visit. This is “Spot 1” on this guide.
Thank you. Would this spot be backlit on a winter morning?