Birmingham Shuttlesworth Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Birmingham Shuttlesworth Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

January 8, 2021 - last modified on November 30, 2023

The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is with 3 Mio passengers the largest airport in the state of Alabama by passenger movements. It is home to Stewart Industries, a contractor who leases their 180 acre maintenance facility to Delta Airlines. The 117th Air Refueling Wing is also located at this airport and operates their fleet of KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft on a daily basis. Delta, Southwest, United, and American are the main carriers at the airport serving cities across the United States as well as regular cargo flights by FedEx and UPS.

Written by Jay Robinson and Olivier Boyer (Spot 7). Last Update: October 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
06/24	3.660 m (12.007 ft) Asphalt
18/36	2.164 m (7.099 ft) Aspahlt
Terminals	Only one terminal- From left to right, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed- You may need one at Spot 3
Car/Public Transport	Car is a must except for #1. Very long, dangerous roads to walk on. Public transport is almost nonexistent.
Restrooms	Nothing close except #1. There are several gas stations or fast food restaurants along HWY11.
Drinks/Food	Very desolate and not anything close. Food is inside secure area in the terminal or at HWY11.
Hotels	Ramada by Whyndham and the Holiday Inn are the closest next to the airport access road. Most others are downtown
Season	Spotting is consistent year-round- Summer is usually peak season for most airlines here.
Security	Birmingham Police usually give you no trouble but the Birmingham Airport Operations usually will confront you. They will ask you what you are doing and mostly dont have a problem unless you aren’t in a restricted are.
Runway Usage
06/24	06 usually used in the mornings and early afternoon. Used in evening if winds prevail towards it. 24 then used in the afternoons and evenings, or if winds prevail towards it.
18/36	Only used for light GA traffic or smaller bizjets.

	Spot #1 – Parking Deck – All movements
WHERE	Drive up to terminal and follow the hourly parking sign. Get parking ticket ($1 USD an hour to park) and drive into the deck. Take a immediate left and drive around. Then you will find another set of gates towards an “exit” go through these gates and take another left. Drive around the deck again until you find an exit that lead to the spiral that goes to the top floor. Drive to the top and you will have an amazing view of the entire airport and movements on both runways. Alternately, you can be dropped off at the terminal and take an elevator to the top floor.

WHAT	The entire airfield and Stewart Industries, where currently much of Delta’s heavy fleet is parked. A great location for departures in the morning.

TIME	Early morning to early afternoon. After the sun goes over the top, go to Spot 5. Heat haze isnt a problem for departures however landing traffic can suffer from this.

MISC.	All you need is within the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	From 200-400mm E175=300mm

	Spot #2 – Stewart Industries – Maintenance ramp
WHERE	Use the terminal access road but turn into 18th Alley / 50th St. N and drive almost until the end. Stop your car at the side of the road when you see the hangars to your right.Jump out, take the photos and continue. The road is not very busy so stopping is no problem.

WHAT	The parked Delta airplanes, and Delta’s new maintenance facility can been seen from this location.

TIME	Morning Time is Preferable because of direction of light

MISC.	Be a little cautious here of security while hanging around here for long periods of time. No ladder needed as the road is on a higher level as the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm

	Spot #3 – Crash Gate – Taxiway A and 24 arrivals
WHERE	The location is at the end of the 69th St N at crash gate 4, next to taxiway A. It is on the northeastern corner of the airport next to the GA ramps. Park at the side of the road without blocking the gate.

WHAT	Walk up to the gate and snap some great photos of taxiing planes which will be only 10-15 feet away from you and landing photos of aircraft on 24. A ladder is recommend for the taxiway, arrivals not needed, but we recommend to shoot through the mesh.

TIME	Early morning to early afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	Taxiway is very very close so full frame down to 10mm Runway 150-200mm for the standard stuff

	Spot #4 – East Lake Blvd – 24 arrivals
WHERE	Drive up the Runway Dr from the previous spot until the intersection of East Lake Blvd for morning lightning. Park at the corner on the side of the road and get up on the hill and watch out for your preferred position. When the sun is on the other side get on E Lake Blvd and turn right into the 12th Ave N and then turn off on 86th St and find your preferred positions at this abandoned road.

WHAT	Arrivals of Runway 24 only

TIME	Two points that cover the whole day.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

	Spot #5 – NCP Solutions Parking Lot – 06 and 24 departures
WHERE	On the opposite side of there terminal go down on East Lake Blvd and drive up the NCP Solutions driveway. Pull into parking lot and you will have an amazing view of the entire airport.

WHAT	Departures on 06 and 24.

TIME	Afternoon/Evening time in the summer is best.

MISC.	Note that this is private property but employees are used to people coming up to look at the planes. Be courteous to those there.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm

	Spot #6 – Air Cargo Road – 06 arrivals
WHERE	Drive on East Lake Rd. and take an exit onto Air Cargo Rd. Park on South Side for Morning Lighting and the North side for Afternoon/Evening lighting. Spot is not accessible from the terminal! Park at the side of the road which is not that busy.

WHAT	06 Arrivals and Taxiing planes lining up on 06 (limited angle)

TIME	Two points that cover the whole day.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

	Spot #7 – Museums Outdoor Collection – 06 departures, display
WHERE	The spot is at the fence of the outdoor collection of the “Southern Museum of Flight”. You don`t have to access the area and can outside at the sidewalk. The collection is shortly before spot #3 at 68th St N. Park on the side of road next to the gate.

WHAT	Best for heavy departures, especially the based KC-135. The aircraft on display can be photographed through and above the fence.

TIME	For the departures the best light conditions are from sunrise until early noon.

MISC.	The museum itself is just around the corner. More infos on their website.

FOCAL LENGTH	KC-135 = 400mm;