Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (KBTV) is by far Vermont’s largest airport with approximately 688,000 total passengers in 2019. The airport sees daily traffic from multiple airlines including United, Delta, American, and Breeze. Common aircraft include A220, B737 and E175, as well as CRJ-700 and 900 operated by American, United, and Delta. There is daily service to many domestic locations, with some standout destinations being EWR, DCA, ORD, and ATL. Alongside these, seasonal destinations include DEN and TPA among others. Burlington also sees a large variety of private traffic, and weekday cargo visits such as a FedEx 757F.

BTV not only handles commercial and private traffic, but is also home to the Vermont Air National Guard. The 158th Fighter Wing has 20 F-35A aircraft based in Burlington. The Air Guard typically flies on weekdays. The military presence brings many interesting aircraft to the airport, including P-8 Poseidon, C-17 Globemaster, and very rarely a C-5 Galaxy.

Burlington is also home to BETA Technologies. BETA develops and manufactures their ALIA-250 and CX300 all-electric aircraft here at BTV. The company’s aircraft can often be seen flying around BTV and nearby PBG.

Commercial traffic uses runway 15/33. The much smaller 01/19 cannot handle larger aircraft, and is used by private traffic. Vermont Flight Academy and can often be seen performing touch and go on this runway. Burlington experiences largely south/west winds, often making 15 the active runway. This is ideal for spotting, as 33 arrivals/departures can be hard to capture.

It’s important to note that while “International” is in the name, Burlington has no regularly scheduled international flights. The airport used to have seasonal service to Toronto from Porter. Burlington is still equipped to process international travelers.

Written by Grady Martin. Last Update: March 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
15/33	2.536m (8.320 ft) Asphalt/concrete
01/19	1.253m (4.110 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One main terminal for all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not Needed
Car/Public Transport	Spot 1 is at the airport and Uber/taxi can be used to access, however spots 2 and 3 require a car.
Drinks/Food	Multiple restaurants and convenience stores are located just south of the airport along Williston Rd.
Hotels	There are no hotels at the airport, but there are multiple within a 10 minute drive.
Season	Good weather is common during Vermont summers, and expect hot weather during those months. During the winter dressing warm is necessary. Gloves, jacket, and hand warmers are all recommended.
Security	Burlington tends to give spotters no trouble, as long as you remain away from military property. Remain on the southern/west side of the airport, ideally in the spots listed, and you are unlikely to have any trouble.
Runway Usage
15/33	Major runway, used in both directions
01/19	Not known to be in use.

	Spot #1 – Garage – All Movements
WHERE	Enter the parking garage and make your way to the 5th level. On the garage’s 5th level, make your way to the northwest corner and park your car. A platform recently opened as part of an expansion at BTV. This platform provides similar views and is located across the walkway on the second floor and to the left.
WHAT	All movements. 01 arrivals are obscured on the garage but partially visible on the new platform. Excellent views of the entire airport, as well as being close to the main runway.
TIME	All year, all day. Aircraft to the east will be backlit early morning.
MISC.	While all movements can be seen, aircraft landing on runway 33 may be briefly obscured at the moment of touchdown by the control tower. This spot has access to a bathroom inside the main building. Note that parking is paid, however the first hour is free. The rate is $2/hr after that.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm (Longer focal lengths may be used for aircraft on final)

BTV-Spot1

BTV-Spot1

BTV-Spot1

BTV-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Dog Park – All 15 Movement, 33 Departures
WHERE	Located off Airport Parkway, put in directions for the South Burlington Dog Park. This spot is down a small road, and has a parking lot at the end. A grass area for walking follows along the airport fence for approximately 1000 feet. After parking, you can walk along this fence and find your desired location.
WHAT	15 arrivals/takeoffs, 33 departures. This spot is a park with approximately 1000ft of fence you can shoot through. Stay near the mowed grass areas in front of and east of the parking lot.
TIME	Ideal late morning and after. Early morning shots possible from the east end of the park.
MISC.	You must shoot through a fence at this location.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm (Wide angle for taxiing aircraft)

BTV-Spot2

BTV-Spot2

BTV-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Berard. Dr. – 15 Arrivals / 33 Departures
WHERE	Continue north along Airport Parkway (past the dog park) and turn into Berard Dr. Park along the south side of the road. Here you will be under the flight path.
WHAT	Only spot directly under aircraft. 15 arrivals and 33 departures only.
TIME	Good all day, excellent for morning arrivals. Walk south of the runway for late afternoon shots.
MISC.	Furthest spot from food/bathrooms. All movement besides 33 departures and 15 arrivals are obscured.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

BTV-Spot3

BTV-Spot3

BTV-Spot3