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December 14, 2021Manchester-Boston Regional Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on February 27, 2023
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT/KMHT) is the third largest cargo airport in New England as well as the largest passenger airport in New Hampshire. Founded by the city of Manchester in 1927 the airport has taken on many different roles for the State of New Hampshire and the United States of America. During the early years of the Airport it acted as an Air Base during World War II housing 6,000 troops at its peak. The airport was eventually turned back to the city as commercial operations pick up. The airport has taken on many expansions and renovations with terminals and runways. In 2006 the airport’s name was changed to Manchster-Boston Regional Airport to more represent the region.
Now in its current state, MHT is the gateway to the Granite State with flights from Southwest Airlines using 737s, United Airlines operating as United Express using CRJ-200s and CRJ-550s, American Airlines operating as American Eagle using E145s,CRJ-700s,CRJ-900s,E170s and E175s, and the airport’s newest edition Spirit Airlines using the A320 family of aircraft. arriving and departing daily.
Freight carries UPS and FedEx both use MHT to deliver packages to the region. Both airlines use a variety of aircraft from 757s, A300s, 767, DC-10s, MD-11s depending on the season. UPS specifically uses Manchster as its northern New England hub with KMHT based Wiggins Airways bringing packages to their final destinations in Maine and Vermont. The morning cargo rush at MHT makes morning trips to the airport worth a visit especially with runways 17/35 in use. KMHT has also announced that they are building a new cargo ramp and building with the new tenant to be announced soon. Also keep your eye out for military aircraft like C-130s and KC-46s preforming touch and goes every so often at the airport!
Written by local spotter Alex H. (Follow him on Instagram). Last change: February 2023 (Spot 7 added)
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06/24 | 2.332 m (7.650ft) Asphalt |
| 17/35 | 2.819 m (9.250ft) Aspahlt |
| Terminals | |
| Main Terminal | Southwest, Spirit, United, American |
| East Ramp | Private Aircraft, Wiggins Airways |
| Cargo Ramp | UPS, FedEx, Wiggins Airways |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed at any of the locations mentioned below. Could be helpful at #1 if overcrowded. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is needed for all spots as there is no public transport around.. |
| Drinks/Food | D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches located at Triangle Plaza, Dunkin’ and Subway located on Harvey Rd, Many other resturants scattered along Brown Ave and South WIllow St |
| Hotels | SpringHill Suites and Homewood Suites both located on Perimeter Rd. No direct view of airport. |
| Season | All year, but it can get very cold during the winter, -10C to -20C is not unusual. |
| Security | Follow posted sinage. No problems with police or security. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | It totally depends on the wind direction which runway is active. No parallel operation of the two runways. |
| 06/24 | Used for arrvials and departures depending on the wind direction. |
| 17/35 | Used for arrvials and departures depending on the wind direction. |
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Spot #1 – Aviation Museum – 17/35 movements, taxiways |
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| WHERE | The parking lot of the Aviation Museam is one of the most popular place for spotters who frequently visit MHT. From Harvey Rd turn into Navigator Rd and follow the signs to the nuseum. When pulling into the lot, a row of 16 spots are the the best place to be since you are at the front row of the parking lot. Taxiway Hotel is dirctly in from of you when you park there. The lot is elevated and you can shot over the fence from here. There is a rock located at the north end of the parking lot which is your best bet if not able to get a front row. If you have a small step latter and are not able to get to the corner spot use it here to take pictures over the fence. |
| WHAT | When 17/35 are active both Arrival and Departure are visable from this location as well as aircraft using 24 some may Taxi across 17/35 directly in front of the parking lot. Taxiways E,H,F, and the east ramp. |
| TIME | Sunrise to noon during summer, sunrise to 11:00AM in winter |
| MISC. | The museum is open on Friday and Saturday 10PM to 4PM and Sunday 1PM-4PM. Check website and Facebook for hours and more info. Also PLEASE anything you bring into the lot (Trash) please take with you as the lot does not have trash cans. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-150mm on Taxiway, 70-200 for Runway Osprey = 150mm; Hercules = 100mm |
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Spot #2 – Trail Parking – 35 arrivals and departures, 17 departures |
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| WHERE | This spot is located along Harvey road. Walk up the side of the road and use some of the boulders to get a slightly better angle over the fence. This will give you a view down to the threshold of runway 35. Parking will be a nuisance, there are “no parking” signs everywhere around the spot. |
| WHAT | From here you can photograph 35 arrvials line ups and heavy 17 departures. |
| TIME | Sunrise to noon during summer, sunrise to 11:00AM in winter |
| MISC. | Make sure to follow posted sinage as rules often change with times you are allowed in the lot. For the most part the day time will be ok. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
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Spot #3 – Excutive Health and Sports Center – 06 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spotting location is in the parking lot of the sports center which is located at Airport Rd, shortly before the Terminal entrance. On the west side of the lot it is good for photos of aircraft landing on runway 06. When you move to the other end of the parking lot in front of the bridge you are able to get another very popular MHT shot with aircraft traveling over the Taxiway Mike bridge. |
| WHAT | From this location you can see runway 06, and taxiways M, M1 |
| TIME | Sunrise to afternoon during summer, all day in winter |
| MISC. | This is a open gym so be carfeul of cars driving through the parking lots as you take photos. Even it is private property the owners don’t have a problem with planespotters. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-100 for landing Runway 6, 55-200 for Taxiway depending Taxiway: CRJ = 110mm; 752 = 60mm Runway: 737 = 60mm; CRJ700 = 80mm |
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Spot #4 – Perimeter Road Parking – 06 Arrivals, 24 Departures |
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| WHERE | Located behind the office building is a large parking lot that spans a third of runway 06/24. When in this lot you are able to go to the end as as well as near the wooded area on the east end of the lot depensing on the plane. Smaller planes will rotate quicker as larger ones will take a little longer. The safest places is near the west end of the lot. This will allow you to catch larger planes and smaller planes even though they will be higher. You can also walk up to the fence line and shoot through the fence to arrivals on runway 06 as well as going to the small grass patch at the end of the parking lot and watching them there. |
| WHAT | From this parking lot you can see runway 06/24. |
| TIME | Late afternoon to sunset in summer, not usable in winter. |
| MISC. | Be safe walking and driving in this lot as some employees will drive quick when leaving work. Even it is private property the owners don’t have a problem with planespotters. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm A320 = 150mm; A300 = 60mm |
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Spot #5 – Goffs Falls Rd – 17 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | When traveling on Goffs Falls Rd there is a dirt/ paved parking lot that you are able to park at. If the sun is at your back you do not have to move much in order to get shots of aircraft using 17. If you spot before noon (or the sun is not at your back when you park) and are able to use the walkway on the side of the Goffs Falls Road and walk till you reach the enterance to the USPS office. |
| WHAT | Runway 17 Arrival only. Takeoffs on 35 are tough since most planes will be very high once they reach this point. |
| TIME | All Day, just switch to the other side. |
| MISC. | Be careful walking on the sidewalk as it is a main road. Also watch for high grass in the field between the parking lot and post office as ticks have been found. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm Hercules = 100mm; Gulf = 80mm |
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Spot #6 – Triangle Plaza – 24 Arrivals, 6 Departures |
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| WHERE | Triangle Plaza is alother great spot at MHT next to the threshold of runway 24. With the parking lot located just above the tree line you are able to see directly on the runway when you stand up on the berm. By parking anywhere in the lot you are able to walk right up the end start of runway 24. |
| WHAT | This sport allows you to catch 24 arrvials as well as departires with planes holding short as well as drecrly facing you as they turn to takeoff. Departures are possible for runway 6 at this loaction but the smaller the plane the higher they will be. 737/A320s and larger are normally catcable here. With most planes that land on Runway 6 turn off at Juliet 1 meanring you will be able to catch them turn off. |
| TIME | Noon to sunset in the summer (depends on the angle). Only usable for last hours of light in Winter for the line up, no light for the runway. |
| MISC. | Food is available at D’Angelos. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-200mm CRJ900 = 60mm; Hercules taxiway = 130mm; 737 line up = 100mm |
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Spot #7 – Parking Garage – All Movements |
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| WHERE | This location is good for most of the day and has many different angles for all runways. The two main areas where you can stand are in the center of the garage where the guard rail is lower and you are able to shoot through and see both runways. From the east side of the garage, you are also able to see some terminal movements. To get to the garage drive under the MHT bridge make sure to enter the garage’s first entrance (you can park in the short-term lot but you will have to walk up all the flights of stairs) and drive to the top level. |
| WHAT | From this spot, you can see all runways and Taxiways. |
| TIME | Usually all day, depends on which runway is active. |
| MISC. | Bathrooms and Food inside the terminal. The garage is $3 for each half hour up to the daily maximum of $14 a day. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | United E170 = 380mm; Spirit A20N = 220mm |
Worth noting, construction is currently underway near spot 2, so the parking lot is more or less shut down. People will still park beyond the “no parking” area, but almost the entire lot is not open.
UPDATE: construction is finished, but they put boulders up around most of the former parking lot. Seems like they’re trying to block access, but people will try, I’m sure.
Hi Lukas, you meant parking at the location is still not possible because of the boulders. But spotting itself is possible?
-Julian
Yes, exactly. Parking will be a nuisance, there are “no parking” signs everywhere around the spot, but spotting is still more than possible. Can probably use some of the boulders to get a slightly better angle over the fence too.
About 7:15 am something just flew in or out. I could only hear it. Sounded like a smallish jet, but I got alarmed because it had a loud whine in the engine! It went over extremely quickly so most likely taking off toward the east. Anyone know what that was?? Thanks!
There’s a spot off Delta Dr. that I like to sit at sometimes that’s right at the end of 35. When the wind is right, and it’s most often used, the aircraft will literally be landing directly on top of you. It’s a great spot, and when the departure is on 17, they come right at you. Not great for 6/24, but 17/35 is awesome. You can also get decent shots of the GA ramp. Look for McGuire Pet Cemetery, that’s the spot.
Hi Lukas, I am aware of this photo point but I was told it is actually off limits as the street to/from the cemetery is blocked. Is this still the case?
-Julian
Not to my knowledge, no. There are Jersey barriers set up at the end of the short road leading up to the cemetery, but there’s nothing saying you can be up there. The “No Trespassing” signs are there, yes, but I’ve seen a couple of LPD cruisers go by and I’ve never been bothered by them.
I was asked to leave by Londonderry Police 1 minute after I got there, I would not suggest it.
You must’ve gotten a cop who had nothing better to do…or I’ve just gotten lucky, the couple times I’ve seen cruisers they’ve not noticed me or just ignored me.
Interesting.