Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Spotting Guide

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April 24, 2018

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April 27, 2018

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Spotting Guide

Published by Yixin at April 25, 2018 - last modified on December 03, 2018

Dallas/Fort Worth airport (DFW/KDFW) is one of the biggest (ones) in the US and handled more than 67 million passengers back in 2017. 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, Achim Walter and Philipp Wennrich. Last Visit/Update: October 2018


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	Airline Variety
	Photo Locations
	Weather

Airport Informations	Runways	17R/35L	17C/35C	17L/35R
		4085m x 60m	4085m x 46m	2591m x 46m
		concrete	concrete	concrete

		18R/36L	18L/36R
		4085m x 46m	4085m x 61m
		concrete	concrete

		13L/31R	13R/31L
		2743m x 60m	2835m x 46m
		concrete	concrete

	Terminals	Terminal A	Terminal C	Terminal E
		Eastern side	Eastern side	Eastern side
		American Airlines medium haul (MD80/737 – 777)	American Airlines mediumhaul (MD80/737 – 777)	Fee AA flights but mainly all other U.S. carriers like United, Spirit and Delta

		Terminal B	Terminal D	Cargo/Charter terminal
		Western side	Western side	North-Western end
		American Regional hoppers (E-Jets)	International and longhaul routes as well as foreign airlines (LH, QF, BA, EK, KE and similar)	All cargo flights as well as rare (mostly mil) charters like OAI just next to AA maintenance halls

Spotting Informations	Ladder	Not needed and not recommend to use!
	Car	Definetly recommended. There is no public transport.
	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	Around the airport there are a lot of 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	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)
	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.

	Spot #1 – 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

	Spot #2 – 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

	Spot #3 – 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

	Spot #4 – 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

	Spot #5 – 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

	Spot #6 – 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? On cloudy days, when there is no good contrast, this spot is better as there is a bright roof just below the arrivalpaths, which make the aircrafts shine a bit from below on side shots and then such grey shots look a bit better. Although the angle is a bit worser, we would recommend this on cludy days and apart from the photographeraspects, parking is allowed here, not as at the other spot, although it’s mostly tolerated there as well.

FOCAL LENGTH	120 – 400mm B738 = 185mm / A319 = 260mm

	Spot #7 – 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

	Spot #8 – 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:

	Spot #9 – Whataburger – 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. Park you car and stay here. It is also easy accessable from the highway 114.

WHAT	Best for all arrivals on runway 17C.

TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise till noon.

MISC.	Fast food store and fuel station available. There are also plenty of hotels in this corner. There are many lightpoles and powerlines that block the sight so its very tricky to take pictures from here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18 – 300 mm

	Spot #10 – 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