John Wayne/Orange County airport was first opened in November 1941. Today you can see John Wayne is still a busy airport with an average of 870 movements a day and over 11 Mio pax in 2025. Expect to see anything ranging from GA all the way up to 757-200 and A300 sized aircraft at one of the two runways SNA provide. The airport is served by all major US carriers with flights throughout the states. Air Canada and West Jet are the only international airlines providing flights to and from Canada. UPS and FedEx are the only cargo carriers at SNA with only a few daily flights.

GA can commonly be seen working patterns at this airport, and airliners are known to do short field takeoffs which makes for quite the show. You can also see museum aircraft flying around, such as the C-47 they have on hand.

Written by Jake M. Youngs, Grant Gladych, Tylor Nelson and Alex Crail. Last Update: May 2026 – Spot 7 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02L/20R	1.737m (5700 ft) Grooved Asphalt
02R/20L	880m (2886 ft) Grooved Asphalt
Terminals
Terminal A	Air Canada, American, Delta, Sun Country, Westjet
Terminal B	Alaska Airlines, United Airlines
Terminal C	Allegiant Air, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
Spotting Information
Ladder	At spot 4 a six foot ladder or truck bed equivilant.
Car/Public Transport	Cars are not required to get to any of the spotting locations, however they are preferred. There are multiple bus stops and Uber pickup zones scattered around the airport.
Drinks/Food	There are a couple or restaurants scattered around in various spots around the airport. You can also find vending machines in or near most spotting locations.
Hotels	Various locations around the airport. Hotels can typically be found within 2 miles of each spotting location.
Season	The weather tends to stay fair in Orange county. Heat haze doesnt become much of an issue unless your are photographing something at the opposite end of the airport.
Security	No notable security issues.
Runway Usage
General Info	20L/R are in use about 90% of the time. 02L/R movements are rare and only occur when the Santa Ana winds come.
02L/20R	The longer runway and typically used for airliner/jet traffic, as well as anything based on the north side of the field.
02R/20L	Is used for GA aircraft and some exec jets. You can see GA aircraft working the pattern using this runway pretty much all day, any given day of the week.

	Spot #1 – Parking Garage A
WHERE	Get to the terminal complex and drive to the A1 parking garage, next to Terminal A. Get to the northeast corner of the top level next to the fence. Of course you can easily walk from terminal to this place.
WHAT	Runways 20L/R are both visible from this spot, along with most of the north ramp, and some of the gates Delta uses.
TIME	This spot works sunrise to mid afternoon.
MISC.	Be aware you are shooting through the mesh at this spot so telephoto shots are preferred. Vending machines and restrooms are available inside the airport terminals. Parking fees
FOCAL LENGTH	A320/737 arrival = 200-300mm 757 taxiway = 200mm

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	Spot #2 – Executive park garage
WHERE	The spot is a bit off the airport limits, north of the interstate 405 within an office complex with a parking garage where you can shot from. Access to the complex is from Main St which can be reached from the terminal by driving northwards on MacArthur Blvd and turning left after crossing the I405. The closest nearby address is 32 Executive Park, Irvine, CA 92614
WHAT	Aircraft on final for 20L/R
TIME	This spot works from sunrise to mid-afternoon.
MISC.	It’s safe to assume restrooms and vending machines are inside nearby office buildings, but access has never been gained. Some fast-food chains can be found at Main St and Mac Arthur Blvd. Be aware that security has kicked spotters out of this spot after spending too much time there.
FOCAL LENGTH	737/A320=100mm

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	Spot #3 – Airport Loop Drive
WHERE	There is a nice place at a dead-end road next to a crash gate where you can watch the traffic landing on runway 20L/R. To get there you have to get to the west side of the airport. From the terminal drive northwards on MacArthur Rd and turn left into Main Rd after passing the I405. Take the next left into Red Hill Ave to pass the I405 again. Turn left at the next junction into Airport Loop Dr and drive till the end. Park your car on the side of the road without blocking the crash gate and start spotting. Closest nearby address is 3198-A2, Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
WHAT	Anything on short final to Runways 20L/R
TIME	Best used in the late afternoons.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. No ladder needed if you stand back from the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	A321 = 100mm; 737 = 120mm; PC-12 = 260mm

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	Spot #4 – Business Complex – Runway movements, taxiway, line-up
WHERE	Nice location off the end of the runway in a business complex. The location is similar to spot #5 but it serves as 20R departures and 2L arrivals. Just take Airway Ave S, and then turn in when GPS tells you to. Proceed to the back of the building, along the fence line and you can take photos there. Closest nearby address is 2960 Airway Ave b101, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. The fence is fairly tall, though not high compared to other fences around the airport. Definitely need a truck bed or ladder for ground & terminal shots, though most jets will be high enough up by the time they pass you if you don’t have access to a ladder or similar sort.
WHAT	Runway 20R action (departures & arrivals), runway 2L action (arrivals and departures), as well as taxiway(s) Bravo and Delta. 2L movements are rare and only occur when the Santa Ana winds come.
TIME	Best used in the late afternoons. In summer months it gets too hazy for terminal photos and other long range shots, but the haze is still fine for belly shots upward.
MISC.	No issues with security or police, just keep a low profile and be respectful to the employees who work there. It is private property and they could easily ask you to leave. There are also no food or restrooms close as it is an office building. Closest restrooms are in the Lyon Air Museum (~1 mile)
FOCAL LENGTH	70-400 depending on what you are shooting.

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	Spot #5 – Clinton Rd – 02L arrivals
WHERE	The spot is located at the turning around at the dead end of Clinton Rd, next to runway 02L threshold. Access is via Red Hill Ave. Once at the end, park by the road side and position yourself around this area.
WHAT	Runway 02L arrivals only (rare)
TIME	Best used in the late afternoons.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Some fast food restaurants and hotels are at the next bigger junction after the bridge crossing HWY73.
FOCAL LENGTH	Ramp:20-70mm Runway 737/A320 = 100mm

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	Spot #6 – Red Hill Ave Bridge – 20 Movements
WHERE	This is an amazing location standing on the sidewalk on the northeastern side of the Red Hill Ave Bridge. To get there from the airport you can either take the shuttle that services to Main St Parking: John Wayne Airport provides a shuttle that services to/from the Main St Parking lot (17971 Sky Park Cir, Irvine, CA 92614) that you can take after exiting the terminal. From there it’s about a quarter of a mile walk to this location. Or you can drive north on MacArthur and cross the I405 where you can make a left on Main St. Follow Main St until you approach Executive Circle. Make another left at the stoplight, then find desired parking close to the bridge and then walk out of the complex to the sidewalk and up the bridge.
WHAT	Runway 20L/R arrivals and departures holding short 20L/R. Plus you can also see T1 and T2 gate pushbacks and ground ops, but these are very far away and mostly hazy.
TIME	Best used in the late afternoons till sunset.
MISC.	Keep a low profile along the busy road here to avoid issues and police visits. Nothing around here. Heat haze is a huge issue here. That’s why the spot is only useable just before sunset in summer, in winter haze is fine mostly.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-500mm

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	Spot #7 – Parking Garage C
WHERE	On top of terminal C, this spot is located on the southernmost end of it where the fence ends. You enter the parking garage via the entrance on the arrivals level of the terminal, all the way at the end of the tunnel. There is a stairwell door that is unlocked on the east corner of the garage that can be used to access the top level. Parking is $4/hr with a maximum of $30/24hr.If you’re in the airport just follow signs for terminal C parking, or terminal parking and access from there.
WHAT	20L and 20R departures and arrivals, 2L/R arrivals, and taxiways Alpha & Charlie. View is limited to the south and west due to the terminal.
TIME	Sunrise and the early hours are best here, but the location can be used until mid afternoon. Heat haze is an issue from ~11:00am onward in the winter, ~9:30am in the summer. The asphalt radiates the heat, which makes for difficult photos when the sun gets high. This location is arguably the best spot around the airport to photograph at night given the low light level.
MISC.	Everything available inside the terminal. Because the top level of this garage is for valet only, most of the drivers will leave without questioning. Just keep a low profile and be respectful.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm

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