BDL/KBDL is the second-largest as well as the second-busiest airport in New England behind Boston Logan International. It is located about halfway between Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA (and also about halfway between JFK and BOS). Considering that this is a rather small airport compared to its big neighbors in New York and Boston it still sees quite some volume and variety of traffic (passenger, cargo, military, general aviation).
Passenger traffic is usually a bit heavier during the winter time when New Englanders try to escape from the cold. Bradley is linked to almost every major hub in the USA and it is served by most of the major US based carriers. Most frequent visitors are Delta, American, United, Southwest and JetBlue. Additionally, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines offer several routes as well (some seasonal). Currently BDL has just a few international connections, including only one intercontinental flight: several times daily service from/to Toronto and Montreal with Air Canada Express (operated by Air Georgian or Jazz), a seasonal connection to Cancun is offered by Delta, and Aer Lingus sends a B757-200 from Dublin four times a week.
Depending on schedule, which can vary quite a bit, it is possible to catch some cargo aircraft: FedEx as well as UPS each have often two flights a day coming in. FedEx occasionally sends its “Grande Dame” DC-10 to Bradley (usually late afternoon, early evening), but regulars are B767F and A300F. UPS uses B757F, B767 and/or A300. Due to its proximity to UTC (especially Pratt & Whitney) occasionally visits by special cargo aircraft/airlines (e. g. Antonov) and test aircraft (e. g. A320neo in Airbus livery) can be observed. Besides all the commercial traffic there are also military movements as the Connecticut Air National Guard is based at Bradley. Also, when BOS and/or JFK have been shut down due to bad weather, flights are often being diverted to BDL.
The vicinity of the airport – as it is the case with most airports in the US – is frequently patrolled by law enforcement representatives. So always carry ID, always stay calm and never argue when being approached/checked by police!
Written by Thomas Okaty (local spotter) and Clive Grant (Spot #9)
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| Airport Information |
| Runways |
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| 01/19 |
2.899m (9510ft) |
| 06/24 |
2.087m (6847ft) |
| 15/33 |
1.301m (4268ft) |
| Terminals |
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| Terminal A |
Used for all flights |
| Terminal B |
new terminal planned |
| Spotting Information |
| Ladder |
Not required at the listed locations, but also not recommended (for obvious reasons). |
| Car/Public Transport |
Car is absolutely necessary, unless some exercise is desired. In that case, most of the spots can also be reached by bicycle. However, use extra caution because there are no bike paths and drivers in the US are not used to share major roads with cyclists. |
| Restrooms |
In the restaurants along Route 75 (east of the airport), and at the gas station on Route 20 (southwest of the airport). |
| Drinks/Food |
Several restaurants and fast food places are located along Route 75 east of the airport. |
| Hotels |
Several lodging options are located along Route 75 east of the airport. |
| Season |
All year, but traffic is slightly heavier during the winter time. It can get very cold during the winter, -10C to -20C is not unusual. |
| Runway Usage |
| 01/19 |
no info |
| 06/24 |
Used in both directions. Gets the majority of traffic throughout the year. |
| 15/33 |
Used for landings and take-offs. Due to the usual wind direction pattern 15 is rarely in use. |
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Spot #1 – Route 20 – 6 Arrivals / 24 Departures |
| WHERE |
Parking is a bit of an issue at this spot. There are a few options, but all are not great. Either try roadside on Larch Drive (off of Route 20/Rainbow Rd), downside is that this could raise some negative attention from the residents there, or use the parking lot of an abandoned home on the northern side of Route 20 right next to the airport fence. When parked on Larch Drive, then walk along Route 20 eastbound towards the runway approach zone until you get to an open field. Position yourself in decent distance from the road (to avoid distracting traffic) as well as from the private homes. However, be aware of the fact that you are now on state property and that you can easily be seen from the road, hence you potentially attract attention by law enforcement. When parked at the abandoned home (although abandoned this is still a private property), simply stay in or next to your car and just take a few steps towards the runway approach zone every time when a plane is arriving or climbing out. |
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| WHAT |
All runway 6 arrivals. When 6 and 33 are operative at the same time, then it can be hit or miss as because there is no specific rule for the assignment of each runway. 24 departures are difficult to catch as smaller planes (Embraer, CRJ’s) and not fully loaded mid-size planes (B737, B757) will already have reached quite some altitude. |
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| TIME |
Mid-afternoon until sunset. |
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| MISC. |
Restrooms, drinks and snacks are available at the nearby gas station. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-130mm for arrivals, 200mm for departures |
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Spot #2 – Hemlock/E Granby Road – 6 Arrivals / 24 Departures |
| WHERE |
Park your car in the corner of the two roads (on the dirt/gravel area) and stay next to your vehicle while taking your shots. Keep in mind that this is state property and not an official/public parking lot. |
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| WHAT |
All runway 6 arrivals. When 6 and 33 are operative at the same time, then it can be hit or miss as because there is no specific rule for the assignment of each runway. Smaller planes (Embraer, CRJ’s) and not fully loaded mid-size planes (B737, B757) departing from 24 will already be fairly high. |
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| TIME |
Sunrise until mid-afternoon. Switch to spot #1 once you get backlit pictures. |
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| MISC. |
Restrooms, drinks and snacks are available at the gas station near spot #1. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-130mm for arrivals, 200mm for departures |
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Spot #3 – Ruby Tuesday – 33 Arrivals |
| WHERE |
Right on Route 75. Park your car in the restaurant’s parking lot, but keep in mind that this is a private property. |
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| WHAT |
All runway 33 arrivals. It gets tricky when 33 and 24 are both operative as ATC often splits the volume, meaning traffic from the South could be advised to use 24 and traffic from the North or West might be directed to land on 33. |
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| TIME |
10am until sunset. |
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| MISC. |
Several fast food places, restaurants and gas stations can be found in walking distance along Route 75. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
752 = 175mm; A320 = 200mm |
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Spot #4 – Light Lane – 33 Arrivals / 15 Departures |
| WHERE |
Park your car in the parking lot of Bradley Bowl, then walk to the spot. Be careful crossing Route 75! This is a 4-lane road and there are no designated pedestrian crossings and no sidewalks. Position yourself on the dirt area behind the crash barrier along the east side of Light Lane. |
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| WHAT |
Similar to spot #3 you will get all 33 arrivals, just at a different angle. You can also catch 15 departures, although smaller planes will already be quite high. |
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| TIME |
10am until sunset. |
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| MISC. |
Several fast food places and restaurants can be found along Route 75. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-300 |
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Spot #5 – 1160 South Street (Route 75) – 24 Arrivals |
| WHERE |
This spot is recommended to be used only on weekends as it is on a private business property. On a weekend, you can park your car in their parking lot, but remain close to your car and don’t position yourself too close to the road, so you don’t distract drivers (and that way attract attention by the police). |
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| WHAT |
All runway 24 arrivals. It gets tricky when 24 and 33 are both operative as ATC often splits the volume, meaning traffic from the South could be advised to use 24 and traffic from the North or West might be directed to land on 33. |
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| TIME |
Sunrise until mid-afternoon. |
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| MISC. |
No facilities close by. Take Route 75 southbound towards spot #3, you will find everything there. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-300 |
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Spot #6 – Cul-de-Sac Marketing Drive – 24 Arrivals |
| WHERE |
Take Route 75 northbound along the eastern side of the airport towards Suffield, then turn right onto Marketing Drive. Park your car roadside anywhere close to the cul-de-sac at the end of Marketing Drive, but not in the cul-de-sac as sometimes trucks use it (especially on weekdays) to turn around. On the weekend, you can use the parking lot of the business located there, but keep in mind that this is private property. |
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| WHAT |
All runway 24 arrivals. It gets tricky when 24 and 33 are both operative as ATC often splits the volume, meaning traffic from the South could be advised to use 24 and traffic from the North or West might be directed to land on 33. |
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| TIME |
Sunrise until mid-afternoon. Switch to spot #7 once you get backlit pictures. |
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| MISC. |
No facilities close by. Take Route 75 southbound towards spot #3, you will find everything there. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-300 |
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Sample pics follow soon!
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Spot #7 – Route 75 – 24 Arrivals |
| WHERE |
This spot is in the same area as spot #6, hence park your car on Marketing Drive and walk up to the main road (Route 75). When you want to get a little different angle, then cross over to the other side of the road, but be careful while doing so as this is a 4-lane highway. Southbound drivers might struggle to see you as the sun is right in their faces. On the weekend, you can also park your car in the driveway of the business across from the Marketing Drive entrance. Same here, bear in mind that this is a private property. Also, don’t position yourself too close to the road to avoid distracting drivers on Route 75 southbound or northbound (depending on which side you are). |
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| WHAT |
All runway 24 arrivals. It gets tricky when 24 and 33 are both operative as ATC often splits the volume, meaning traffic from the South could be advised to use 24 and traffic from the North or West might be directed to land on 33. |
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| TIME |
Mid-afternoon until sunset. |
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| MISC. |
No facilities close by. Take Route 75 southbound towards spot #3, you will find everything there. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
70-200mm |
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Spot #8 – Kenny Roberts Memorial Dr – Rwy 24 Arrivals |
| WHERE |
This spot is located at a cul-de-sac of a small business park north of the airport. Coming from the airport follow highway 75 in northerly direction along the east side of the airport towards Suffield, then once you are past the airport turn left at the next light onto Spencer St and left again onto Kenny Roberts Memorial Dr. Follow the road all the way to the end, there is an open field to your left. It provides the same view as spot #7, but with a slightly different angle and there are no power lines in your field of view. Also, at this location you won’t be a distraction for traffic on highway 75 and you can park your car along the road. |
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| WHAT |
You can catch runway 24 arrivals from here. |
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| TIME |
Mid-afternoon until sunset. |
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| MISC. |
Bring everything you need. No restrooms. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
100-400mm |
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Spot #9 – Hotel to terminal walkway – Traffic taxiing west of the piers |
| WHERE |
Between the Sheraton Hartford Hotel/parking and the airport terminal there’s a full height glass walkway providing excellent views over the apron. |
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| WHAT |
All traffic taxiing or parking to the west of the piers. |
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| TIME |
From about 10am in the summer; 12 noon in the winter. |
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| MISC. |
Everything you need within the terminal. Of course, all photos are taken through glass, so care is needed to avoid reflections in your photos. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH |
Between about 35-300mm depending on the type and location of the traffic. |
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13 Comments
I don’t know if this is good, I googled it, but couldn’t you go on Park road as well because there’s a free park there.
HI, a friend and I want to go spotting in the afternoon during the week or weekend, what is the best spot to avoid any confrontations with police? I’d really prefer to not get arrested, and I might raise some suspicion because me and my friend are both under 18. Thanks for any help!
Hi Toby,
It’s difficult to recommend any spot as it depends which runway is in use. In general, on weekends all spots are good. If you have a car and park it at spot #2, then police might send you away or in the worst case give you ticket, but they won’t arrest you. All other spots are on private property.
My only general recommendation would be to rather go spotting on a weekend than on a weekday as then the businesses are closed. My preferred spots are #1, #3, #5 and #8.
Happy Spotting,
Thomas
Hello!
This is a warning to anyone who wants to spot here*****
**BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS**
Me and a friend went spotting here at BDL for a day and here is what happened.
Along perimeter road (and many other roads near the airport) there are signs saying no parking and on hills (or other popular spotting locations) there are signs saying “no trespassing”. We went to ask a cop if there was somewhere we would be allowed to stand (as runway 33 was in use). He told us how it was common for him to arrest spotters who stand on those hills but because we asked they were going to allow us for 15 minutes the next day…. this just started our troubles!
Hours later we were on top of the parking garage for 33 action when 5 TSA agents asked us what we were doing (and we told them); they said ok and left. shortly after we had a very aggressive cop grab me/ friend away from our car and searched us (very aggressive pat down) and as we were trying to tell them our purpose for being there they told us to delete all our pics (so we did). And we had no choice but to leave after 30m of being interrogated by these very rude/ aggressive officers.
What they told us anywhere near the fence / at the airport is on airport property and it is forbidden for pictures to be taken…….
This has been the worst spotting experience in our lives – to anyone reading this be very cautious that this does not happen to u
I have one more question. If I go to spot #9 walkway at the airport, where can I park to get to the walkway?
At the airport parking garage.
When I went, am I supposed to go inside the hotel to go to spot #9?
You can enter it from the hotel, parking or terminal. Its a sheltered walkway open to public.
-Julian
what is the recommend spot to go to at BDL to plane spot? i’m thinking of going there next weekend
Hi Vincent!
Your position for taking pictures totally depends on the light situation and the runway Usage, but spot #9 offers you a great view and anlge plus all needed stuff (like food or restrooms) are very close. We do recommend this spot very much although there might be problems with heat haze.
Regards, Severin
Okay, thank you!
who do i ask to spot planes at BDL airport
Hi Samuel,
Not sure if I understand your question correctly, there are no permits or anything like that if this is what you mean. Some of the spotting locations described in this guide are on private business property and/or near to the airport fence, so be prepared to be asked to leave by the owners and/or by police. So far I have only been asked once to leave. Police isn’t all over the place, but can show up once in a while and they don’t seem to tolerate spotting activities. I haven’t had any problems at the locations yet, which are on private business property, but mainly because I usually only go spotting there on the weekends or for something special coming in (meaning I will be there for only a few minutes). Please see the guide for further details on each spotting location.
Let me know in case you have further questions.
Happy Spotting!
Thomas