New York Stewart Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

New York Stewart Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

June 10, 2025 - last modified on May 6, 2025

New York Stewart International Airport (SWF/KSWF) is a civil/military airport located 60 miles north of NYC. As of 2023 there were around 40,000 aircraft movements per year, and about 300,000 passengers flown in and out. Breeze, Allegiant, and Play all fly to and from SWF. Fedex and UPS also hold regular routes. The airport has lots of general aviation movements as well as a private jet charter service based at the airport. The 105th airlift wing is based at Stewart and flies C17s in and out of Stewart regularly. As for helicopters there is a branch of NYPD helicopters based at the airport and UH72s are based at SWF. Foreign governments usually use SWF to park their aircraft during UN week, and many of the performers for Air Dot Show New York use the airport to house their aircraft before the show. Stewart Airfield was originally used as a military airfield to train cadets in the 1930s. The C5 Galaxy was based at the airport until 2011, being replaced by the C17. A Marine KC130 squadron was also based there until 2022.

Written by Luke Nitkinas. Last Update: March 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	3,602 m / 11,817 ft
16/34	1,830 m / 6,004 ft
Terminals	Only terminal, handles all commercial operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed but there are direct bus routes to the main terminal.
Drinks/Food	Some restaurants nearby in Newburgh
Hotels	There are a couple of hotels right next to spots 1 and 2.
Season	Any season is fine, however mid summer may be hazy
Security	Spotting is normally no issue at SWF, but as the airfield is used by both civilian and military aircraft it is important to stick to the general rules for miliatry airfields: Always try to keep a low profile (stow your camera at all times e.g.) and be aware of law enforcement. Police and USAF security forces may be uneasy of photographers around the base and it is very possible you will be asked to leave. In addition, always keep an ID with you in case you are getting checked: stay friendly, simply explain what you do here and cooperate
Runway Usage
09/27	Used in both directions for commercial and military flights.
16/34	Used in both directions for general aviation flights, however you can see C17s doing touch and goes on it.

	Spot #1 – Safe Haven Self Storage – 27 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at “Safe Haven Self Storage” (former Orange County Choppers HQ, well known from the TV Series American Chopper), which is accessible from NY-17K, just off of I-87. Drive until the roundabout and from there into the parking lot.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on runway 27.

TIME	10am-4pm during summer, and all day during winter.

MISC.	There are multiple fast food places and a Hampton Inn nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	400mm for F16 and 380mm for C130. (Beechcraft taken by @jerseyviper_)

	Spot #2 – Lowes – 27 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at a shopping center just off of NY-17K, which connects to I-87. Just find the preferred position on the parking lot of next to “Lowes”.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on runway 27.

TIME	10am-4pm during summer, and all day during winter.

MISC.	Restrooms available in the Lowes or Barnes and Nobles, and there are multiple fast food places nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	350mm for A320 and 400mm for A319.

	Spot #3 – Arpt Center Drive – 09 Movements and 27 Departures
WHERE	From the Terminal/Intl. Blvd get into the Arpt Center Drive. There is a building with a parking lot where you can park and spot from. The position is very far from the runway and the view is very limited due to the vegetation.

WHAT	Most movements on 27/9.

TIME	10am-4pm during summer, and all day during winter. Be aware of heat haze because of the distance.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. No ladder needed as the point is on a higher level than the runway.

FOCAL LENGTH	738 = 400mm; A330 = 300mm

	Spot #4 – International Blvd – 09 Arrivals
WHERE	Park on the small gravel space on the side of the Intl. Blvd road, right next to the 09 threshold. It is accessible by NY-747. The road goes through a lake and offers a free sight of the approach. For a clearer view walk the road a little bit further up from the gravel space.

WHAT	Planes landing on runway 09.

TIME	10am-4pm during summer, and all day during winter.

MISC.	Park on the gravel, no buildings nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	Unknown