DFW-Spot1
John Glenn Columbus International Airport
April 24, 2018
Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
April 27, 2018Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on January 3, 2022
Dallas/Fort Worth airport (DFW/KDFW) is one of the biggest (ones) in the US and handled more than 75 million passengers back in 2019. DFW airport is located between the two big cities Dallas and Fort Worth, which are both located in Texas. Apart from this, Dallas/Fort Worth is the worlds 12th biggest airport and the biggest and most important American Airlines’ hub.
AA and its regional partner airlines are dominating the market in DFW with more than 80 percent! Followed by Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. Even to its size, the international market is of lesser importance. Most noticeable visitor is Qantas using the A380 on its route to Sydney. Furthermore its a busy cargo airport with operators from all over the world like Qatar, Cargolux, DHL, FedEx, UPS, Singapore and many many more.
Back in 1927 Dallas suggested to open an airport together, but Fort Worth rejected – that’s why both cities opened their own one (Dallas = Love Field and Fort Worth = Meacham Field). After WW II and some problems Fort Worth wasn’t able to compete anymore with Dallas’ Love Field airport although FW opened a new one (called “Greater Southwest International Airport”). But due to capacity problems in Love Field and troubles with the FAA, which didn’t want to pay for two airports anymore, Dallas and Fort Worth were forced to talk about a common airport again. Back in 1969 the construction works began and in the winter months of 1973/74 DFW was finally opened with the first concorde landing in the USA. Back in these days, Dallas/Fort Worth airport was the worlds biggest and most expensive airport all over the world. Back in 1979 American Airlines moved from New York to Fort Worth and opened their major hub in DFW, which was the biggest success in its history.
Written by Severin Hackenberger, Julian Mittnacht, Yixin Chen, Achim Walter and Philipp Wennrich. Last Update: January 2022
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
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| Weather | |
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 17R/35L | 4085m x 60m concrete |
| 17C/35C | 4085m x 46m concrete |
| 17L/35R | 2591m x 46m concrete |
| 18R/36L | 4085m x 46m concrete |
| 18L/36R | 4085m x 61m concrete |
| 13L/31R | 2743m x 60m concrete |
| 13R/31L | 2835m x 46m concrete |
| Charts |   |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal A (Eastern side) | American Airlines medium haul (737 – 777) |
| Terminal C (Eastern side) | American Airlines medium haul (737 – 777) |
| Terminal E (Eastern side) | Few AA flights but mainly all other U.S. carriers like United, Spirit and Delta |
| Terminal B (Western side) | American Regional hoppers (E-Jets) |
| Terminal D (Western side) | International and longhaul routes as well as foreign airlines (LH, QF, BA, EK, KE and similar) |
| Cargo/Charter terminal (North-Western end) | All cargo flights as well as rare (mostly mil) charters like OAI just next to AA maintenance halls |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed and not recommend to use! |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is definetly recommended. There is no public transport around the field. |
| Restrooms | Around the airport there is a huge offer of hotels, restaurants, shops and similar, where restrooms can be found. |
| Drinks/Food | Around the airport there is a huge offer of hotels, restaurants, shops and similar, where food can be found and grabed. |
| Hotels | The best hotel for taking pictures is the Hyatt on the top of terminal D. Select a room facing westwards or go on the roof to the pool deck to get an outstanding view of the action. Around the airport there are a lot of more hotels/motels. |
| Season | The winter months might be better than the summer days due to heat haze and better weather/smoother light. In summer you have longer days and a beautiful evening light, especially at Founders Plaza. |
| Runway Usage | |
| Western Runways | Prefered by flights, their gate is assigned at the western concourses B and D and the western cargo ramp. That means all international flights arr/dep here as well as UPS, NipponCargo, Eva Cargo, DHL etc. During peak hours it seems they sort the flights after the direction where they coming or going to. |
| Eastern Runway | Prefered by flights, their gate is assigned at the eastern concourses A, C and E and the eastern cargo ramp (FedEx and ATI are based). During peak hours it seems they sort the flights after the direction where they coming or going to. |
| 17R/35L | used in both directions mainly for departures |
| 17C/35C | used in both directions mainly for arrivals |
| 17L/35R | used in both directions mainly for arrivals |
| 18R/36L | used in both directions mainly for arrivals |
| 18L/36R | used in both directions mainly for departures |
| 13L/31R | in use during peak hours mainly 31R for arrivals (northern winds) and 13L for departures (southern winds) |
| 13R/31L | in use during peak hours mainly 13R for arrivals (southern winds) and 31L for departures (northern winds) |
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Founders Plaza - 18 arrivals
| WHERE | This is the official spotting location for DFW airport, situated on the north side of the airport and next to RWY 18. It is accessable from the Airfield Dr wich connects the northern and southern spotting locations. Bu there are many directions to get there so please use a GPS. By public transport: use the shuttle bus from the terminals to the north remote parking and walk for approximate 5 minutes along the N Airfield Drive to the Plaza. But keep in mind there is no sidewalk! |
| WHAT | A great location for the 18R arrivals, which is one of the busiest runways and usually most intercont. flghts arrive here as well as the cargo operators. 18L, which is used for the departures, is possible but there can be a lot of heat haze! Parts of the UPS ramp are in sight too. |
| TIME | Great from afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There are benches and shadow to relax. Hotels and Restaurants are 2 kilometers away. Just follow the Mustand Dr. westwards. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Boeing 737-800 = 170mm, ERJ145 = 230mm, Boeing 777-200 = 110mm |
Skylink Gates B20-49
| WHERE | This spot is located inside the Skytrain station for Gates B20-49 at the north-western end of DFW’s terminal. The best position inside the station is the left corner, because there you’ll have a free view onto the rigth and left taxiway. The station can easily reached by escalators from the terminal and is signposted everywhere clearly. |
| WHAT | Good for all activities on the north-western apron, the opposite located cargo and maintance area and the nearby taxiway as well as activities on runway 18L/R and 36L/R. |
| TIME | Light on runway is good till midday, on the apron/taxiway it depends on the angle, but mostly better in the morning hours – evening isn’t that good (depending on month, too). |
| MISC. | Everything you need is inside the terminals.
A valid boarding pass is required to be able to get to this spot, which can be found after security check. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 300mm |
Airfield Dr - 36L arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is on the south, close to the fire training academy. Coming from spot #1 follow the W Airfield Dr southbound. After you have passed the training center and a flight school to your right you’ll see a street going downhill and on the left a gravel path. Just drive left into the path and park without blocking the way. |
| WHAT | Best for landing on 36L. |
| TIME | Great from afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 135 – 300mm |
Parking area - 36L Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is no exact position, rather the parking area here. You exact photopositon depends on your favorite angle. Parking area can only be entered from “SW Construction Drive” and this one only from ”S Airfield Drive”. Shortly after you have entered “SW Construction Drive” and made a slight right turn, you’ll see a big parking area on your right. Just enter this area and search your favourite position there.
Although you might think the parking is kinda private or looks strange, there are no signs or similar and we never had any issues here. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 36L. The ones onto 36R should be okay as well, but are very very rare, so we can’t test it yet. You can also see some Line-Ups, but those aren’t really spotable. |
| TIME | From sunrise till midday. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby and no ladder is needed here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~200 – 400mm A321 = 275mm |
Estate driveway - 35R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located by the roadside of “Block Drive” which leads you to an living Estate. Just search your favorite position along the roadside, where it’s difficult to park at due to some unclear parking restrictions. |
| WHAT | Arrivals onto runway 35R. |
| TIME | Good from late midday until sunset. |
| MISC. | Parking is difficult here as it’s not 100% clear, where it’s forbidden to stop exactly. No ladder needed and not recommended as you should keep a low profile here! No facilities nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100 – 300mm B738 = 160mm |
Company parking - 35R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located inside the parking area of a company, which is located south of “W Walnut Hill Lane”. Just enter this parking, best way from the just mentioned “W Walnut Hill Lane” and search your favourite position here, depending on your favorite angle. |
| WHAT | Arrivals onto runway 35R. |
| TIME | From sunrise till midday. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed and not recommended as you should keep a low profile here! No real food/drinks facilities nearby as a (fast food) restaurant or similar.
Why to prefer this spot to spot #7? |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 120 – 400mm B738 = 185mm / A319 = 260mm |
Roadside bulge - 35R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is on the south, close to the fire training academy. Coming from spot #1 follow the W Airfield Dr southbound. After you have passed the training center and a flight school to your right you’ll see a street going downhill and on the left a gravel path. Just drive left into the path and park without blocking the way. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 35R. |
| TIME | From sunrise till midday. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed and not recommended as you should keep a low profile here! No facilities nearby. Parking is officially forbidden here by the roadside, but honestly nobody cares. Take the risk at your own! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100 – 350mm MD80-90 = 165mm / B757 = 140mm / A319 = 205mm |
Harrington park roadside - 31R Arrivals
| WHERE | Just park your car inside the picnic parking called “WD Harringtom Park” which can be found along “Valley View Lane” on the eastern side. Then cross the street and go some meters up into north(west)ern direction to get to the spot, where we took the example shot from. Your exact position depends on your favourite angle. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 31R. |
| TIME | From early midday till sunset. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed and recommended. A restroom can be found at the mentioned parking. No facilities for food or drinks nearby. TAKE CARE, WHEN CROSSING THE STREET, ESPECIALLY AS THE STREET MAKES A CURVE ON A SMALL HILL, WHERE THE PARKING IS LOCATED! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 300mm B767 = 125mm |
The mentioned parking area, which is also marked on the map:
Parking Lot - 17C arrivals
| WHERE | Coming from spot #1 drive the North Airfield Road eastbound straight on. After a while you’ll see the Whataburger / Shell station on the left. You can spot from their parking lot (be aware of light poles and power lines disturbing the view) or you continue to the “unused” parking lot which is much better. Continue on Freeport Pkwy and turn left at the Marriott. Take the next left and drive till the end until you see an parking lot where you can spot from (parking is free of charge). The location is also easy accessible from the highway 114. |
| WHAT | Best for all arrivals on runway 17C. 17R are rare and too far. |
| TIME | Light conditions are good from sunrise till noon. |
| MISC. | Fast food store and fuel station available nearby. There are also plenty of hotels in this corner. T |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737 = 200 mm, CRJ700 = 250mm |
FedEx Cargo - 17L arrivals
| WHERE | Continue southwards from the previous spot on N Airfield Dr southwards until you have passed the Fed Ex buildings. Then turn left into a small parking lot of a warehouse as marked on the map. |
| WHAT | 17L arrivals only. |
| TIME | From late midday till sunset. |
| MISC. | Fast food store and fuel station available nearby. Keep in mind this is private property but we had no problems during our stays. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 773 = 180mm; A320/737 = 400mm |
Skylink Gates C20-39
| WHERE | This spot is located inside the Skylink station of the Gates C20-C39 and can only be entered after security check with an valid boarding pass. Once you reached the station, just search your favourite position along the glassfront of this station. |
| WHAT | All activities on runway 17L/35R and 17C/35C as well as some apron and taxiway actions. |
| TIME | From late midday till sunset. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed and useful. Restrooms, food and drinks can be found inside the terminal easily. A valid boarding pass is required to be able to get to this spot, which can be found after security check. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 400mm |
All example shots were taken from the position, which is marked red here:
Other direction:
Delta Cargo - 17R departures
| WHERE | Drive to the Delta Cargo facilities which are south of Terminal E. A car is needed to get there. The facility can be reached from the North Service Rd exit AERO DFW Commerce Center. At the end of this dead end road, next to the perimeter fence, there are a couple of lots which are not reserved for the stuff. From there you can photograph the departures. |
| WHAT | 17R departures only. |
| TIME | From late midday till sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Keep in mind this is private property so keep a low profile. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 772 = 160mm; A320 = 200mm |
2 Comments
The parking lot across Allflex USA on 14th St is a great alternative to the Whataburger parking lot for catching 17C arrivals.
Also the south eastern part of the Westin hotel’s parking lot you can quickly catch some arrivals on 17L.
DFW police have cracked down on Spot #3. I have been shooed from there after spotting for under an hour. The officer with whom I spoke directed me to Bear Creek Golf Club, which I have found as a pretty good alternate spot for 36L.