Just 50 km north of Miami is the third biggest airport in Florida. Almost 32 Mio. passengers used the facilities of Fort Lauderdale in 2022, which makes FLL a very busy airport. JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit are the major carriers and responsible for most of the traffic. Silver Airways also operates a hub with their ATR42/72.

International traffic has also grown more and more in the past with several new carriers electing to serve FLL. A handful of airlines from Canada, such as Air Transat, Sunwing, Westjet or Air Canada operate regular charter services, especially during the winter season (often with leased aircraft). This might be the main reason for many spotters to visit the airport, as this is one of the best places in the US to photograph these airlines. Furthermore airlines from Middle & South America are regular foreign visitors, like Avianca, AZUL, Copa Airlines, Volaris, etc.. Also some airlines from the Caribbean Sea are a common sight. Norse Atlantic is the only carrier from Europe.

Written by Julian Mittnacht, Maximilian Ono & Jan Seba, Bryan Wu. Last change: January 2026 – Spot 8 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10L/28R (North)	2.743 m (9.000 ft)
10R/28L (South)	2.438 m (8.000 ft)
Terminals
Terminal 1 (North)	United, Southwest, Allegiant
Terminal 2 (North)	Delta, Air Canada
Terminal 3 (West)	American, JetBlue
Terminal 4 (South)	Spirit, Middle & South American opterators
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary, but very helpful at spot #2.
Car/Public Transport	Car is necessary to reach all of the spots except #1.
Restrooms	There are plenty of hotels, gas stations and restaurants around the airport.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty of  gas stations and restaurants around the airport.
Hotels	The beach of Fort Lauderdale is not far away and you will find plenty of hotels there. But the closest hotels are in Dania Beach next to the I95
Season	There is no special season but its very hot in the summer and heat haze can be a problem at some positions. Incoming charterflights from Canada mainly on Saturday and Sunday and mainly in the winter season.
Runway Usage
10L/28R	This is the main runway in FLL and is used in both directions. It is mainly used by arrivals and departures to/from the North and all the legacy carriers. Airlines from Canada, like Air Canada, Sunwing or Air Transat also prefer to operate from here. Heavies like the AZUL A330 also use this runway. Southwest also prefers this runway as its closer to its terminal.
10R/28L	The newly opened southern runway is shorter in length and used less. The primary users are Spirit Airlines, JetBlue (mainly for flights from the South) and some of the Carribean and Southern American airlines. Though there is no guarantee that they operate from this RWY, for example Carribean Airlines has been seen to land on both RWYs.

	Spot #1 – Hibiscus Garage – 10L Departures, 28R Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	As the name implies, this spot is located on the top of the Hibiscus Parking garage. Its easy to reach this place as you have just to follow the yellow signs to Terminal 1 parking. Use the elevator or the car ramp to reach the top level. Find a place to stay between the gap of Terminal 1 and 2.
WHAT	The garage is located between Terminal 1 and 2 and offers a perfect view of the northern ramp action, as well as all movings of the main runway 10L/28R. Arrivings on 10L are possible too but usually aircraft exit the runway earlier. 28R arrivals are better as the planes are sill in the air and you can shot them shortly before the touch down zone. Also 10L departures are perfect at this spot is pretty high and you will have the perfect angle from here.
TIME	Great spot for almost the whole day. Backlit is possible within the summer months.
MISC.	All essential facilities are inside Terminal 1 or 2. Keep in mind its very hot there in the summer so bring  water and sun protection with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400 mm

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	Spot #2 – Official Viewing Area North RWY – 10L Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	This is an official viewing area which is close to the threshold of 10L and the I-95. The spot is only reachable by car and is at the dead end of 39th street. From the I-95 leave at the Exit Griffin Road West and turn onto the Anglers Avenue and from there onto the 42nd Street. Take the first left into the Western Perimeter Rd and then the second right into the 39th street. There is a large parking lot at the location, where you can leave your car.
WHAT	This spot is good for all RWY 10L Traffic: Departures, Arrivals and also taxiing aircraft to the RWY. For arrivals the fence will never be visible in the image frame and departures should also work out if you are close to 6ft tall. The taxiway Charlie is located between the fence and the runway. Generally this is good when shooting taxiing aircraft, but they sometimes pass the location very rapidly, making it hard to get a good shot. This is also due to the close proximity, which will be a problem for larger aircraft. The outbound traffic can be problematic during departure peak times, when there are several aircraft waiting infront of you. They may obstruct your view but more problematically they can cause heat haze. A ladder would come in very handy for taxiing aircraft, as you can vary your position better and are also higher to avoid the fence for shots on the taxiway. When using a ladder, do not place it right next to the fence, as airport authorities do not like seeing this. For continious use of a ladder make sure to place it other side of the road closer to the parking lot.
TIME	In winter, this spot is good for the whole day.
MISC.	Airport authorities have placed a large speaker broadcasting ATC communication at this location. There are no facilities or food stores at this location, so prepare yourself. The area is very crowded on sunny and warm days.
FOCAL LENGTH	Around 150mm for A320/B738s on the RWY. Less than 40mm for A320/B738 on the TWY.

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	Spot #3 – Anglers Ave – 10L arrivals
WHERE	The spot is an alternative to #2 and is located at Anglers Ave next to some car reapair stores. From spot 2 after you have left the I-95 continue northwards on the Anglers Ave until you see the last buildings before the approach path of RWY10L. Park your car on the shoulder or in one of the side roads.
WHAT?	Instead of spot #2 you see arrivals on 10L only! The advantage is that you don´t have problems with aircraft waiting on the taxiway for departure and may be in your frame if you shot an arrival at spot #2. Here you have a clear background and no other disturbing objects.
TIME?	In winter, this spot is good for the whole day.
MISC.	There are some restaurants and a gas station south of your location at Anglers Ave. There is a good chance that police will approach and ask you to leave and use the offical spots instead.
FOCAL LENGTH	738 = 150mm

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	Spot #4 – Official Viewing Area South RWY – 10R Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	Similar to spot #2, leave the I-95 at the Griffin Road, but head East here. After passing over a small bridge you can turn left at the first traffic lights. Continue on this small road for a few meters and then you will reach the huge parking lot for this location. If you don`t have a car the location is in walking distance to and from the airport’s train station, approximate 20-25 minutes.
WHAT?	Next to the parking lot is an elevated area with a handrail from where you can easily shoot over the fence for all RWY 10R movements. For RWY 28L movements, better use spot #5, as most of the departures will be too high here and arrivals will have already turned off the runway.
TIME?	In winter, this spot is good for the whole day.
MISC.	There are benches and lots of trees for shadow in the park.
FOCAL LENGTH	An A320 on the RWY is just over 100mm and on the TWY it is 170mm.

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	Spot #5 – Walkpath – 10R/28L Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	Use the driving route and parking lot as in spot #4. From there, you have to walk a few hundred metres along the asphalted path towards the east and along the RWY. There are always a few holes in the trees through which you could theoretically shoot, but keep on going until you get to a noticeably large and elevated area without trees, where you have a clean shot towards the RWY.
WHAT?	This spot is pretty much usable for all RWY 10R/28L movements, but as spot #4 is more convenient it makes more sonse to only go here for 28L.
TIME?	In winter, this spot is good for the whole day.
MISC.	There are benches and lots of trees for shadow in the park.
FOCAL LENGTH	Similar to Spot #3, just a few mm more due to slightly more distance.

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	Spot #6 – Terminal Drive – Runway/Taxiway/Ramp
WHERE	This spot is located at the drop off section, in between terminals 2 and 3. On the sidewalk along the road, there are seats available to view aircrafts. To get there by car, you can park your car any of the parking garages (most convenient to park at Palm Garage). Then by foot follow the signs to walk to Terminal 2. Walk into the terminal and up the stairs to the upper level. The spotting should be to the right, where the road turns. Public transport is available to get to this spotting location.
WHAT?	Best option for taxiways Bravo and Charlie, as well as Terminal 2/3 movements. All runway 10L/28R are possible too but due to the distance heat can be a problem.
TIME?	Amazing spot for almost the entire day. Backlit and heat haze may be possible during the summer.
MISC.	Everything you need such as food, drinks, and restrooms are available in the terminals. The location offers seating and shade. You should not encounter any issues with the police or security.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm

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	Spot #7 – Dania Beach Pier – Runway 28L Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at Dania Beach, southeast of the airport. From the airport follow Highway 1 south, then make a left onto Highway A1A (E Dania Beach Blvd). After crossing the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (Stranahan River) take the first exit, which leads right into the parking lot of Dania Beach Pier and Marina. For parking fees and payment methods check Dania Beach Parking.
WHAT?	Runway 28L arrivals.
TIME?	From sunrise to sunset in winter. Late morning to mid afternoon in summer.
MISC.	Great spot for combining spotting and hanging out at the beach for a few hours. Except for the restaurant at the pier no other food and drinks options, so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	G650: 320 mm ATR: 340 mm

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	Spot #8 – NE 7th Ave – 28R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found just off NE 7th Ave north of the LINK building. You can park your car east of the street below some small trees and then either shoot from here directly or walk back some meters and cross the street positiong yourself on a meadow offering a better angle.
WHAT?	Runway 28R arrivals.
TIME?	From sunrise to sunset in winter. Late morning to mid afternoon in summer.
MISC.	Nothing around here. Once standing on the meadow, keep a low profile.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

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