Ontario International Airport (ONT/KONT) is one of the many airports in the metropolian aera of Los Angeles. The airport had 5.115 Million passengers in 2018 and is served mainly by Southwest Airlines besides the common US carriers. Volaris and China Airlines are the only foreign airlines. If you are in Los Angeles and you’ll planning some intense cargo spotting this is your place. Here UPS has his west coast hub at the airport and Fedex, Ameriflight and Amazon Prime Air serving several cities from there.

We highly recommend this airport in December, when during the Christmas Peek (like from 8 to 22 December) the activity is very very high. You can see even 50 cargo movements in 3 hours.

Written by Tombarelli Federico, Christian Preinl, Christian Wewerka and Patrick Weis. Last change: June 2025 (Spot 1 updated).

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08L/26R	3.718 m (12.197ft) Concrete
08R/26L	3.109 m (10.200ft) Concrete
Terminals
Terminal 2	Alaska, China Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, United, Volaris
Terminal 4	American, Southwest
Spotting Information
Ladder	It is recommended at Spots 2-4. The use of a ladder or car roof/pickup is tolerated but at least 10 feet away from the fence.
Car/Public Transport	You’ll need your car
Restrooms	Nothing directly at the locations expect a small burger store next to 1 and 2.
Drinks/Food	Nothing directly at the locations expect a small burger store next to 1 and 2. There are dozens of fast foods north of the terminals and along the I10.
Hotels	There are dozens of hotels north of the terminals and along the I10.
Season	The light conditions are perfect from October until March as the sun is always in the south and less issues with heat haze that pop up during the hot summer months.
Security	Spotting around the airport is tolerated by the airport authorities and the police and they will let you continue after a quick security check. Only the TSA don’t like to see spotters and will ask you to stop.
Runway Usage
08L/26R	All civil airplanes and the Prime Air/ABX as their terminal is next to the civil ones.
08R/26L	UPS, FedEx and whatever flies for them as their terminals are closer to this runway.

	Spot #1 – S Haven Ave – 26L/R arrivals
WHERE	This spot itself is located next to the S Haven Ave on a gravel track east of the airport. Do NOT enter the gravel track with your car as it is forbidden and scientists are doing some research on owls living there so people may pass by here regularly… Please respect this project, don’t chase any birds or whatever – behave properly! The best is to park you car at the daltile lot but only in designated spots since in others they will tow the vehicle away. Then either walk back here onto the field east of S Haven Ave (Option A) or position yourself with a ladder on the western side of S Haven Ave next to the fence and pole (Option B). Update June 2025: Construction has now begun both in front of and behind position 1A. It seems they are building a factory, which means we can no longer walk on the gravel ground in front. You can still stand on the south side of E La Salle St, but your view is restricted, especially on the east side where the factory building is quite tall, making it hard to see the planes. There will be a lot of dust during the construction process.
WHAT	Arrivals on runways 26L/R. If you are hunting something on the L you can go into Jurupa Street (the road behind you) to get a better angle. From Option B you can also see the southeastern UPS apron.
TIME	Light on this side is from 08:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MISC.	Nothing at the spot. A Burger store is not too far away.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm

Option A – the field:

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	Spot #2 – Platform – UPS Apron
WHERE	Located at the interscetion between S Haven Ave and Jurupa Street. You’ll see between the tress, near the corner of the wall something like a platform. It’s quite easy to climb and from there you’ll have a bit of view over the UPS apron. Park in front of Avocado Burger and cross the road. However, this is no real spot as there are high concrete walls all around. Rather just for a short lookout giving a nice overview…
WHAT	You can see some of the UPS apron parked aircraft, some shots are possible.
TIME	Early morning in summer, all day during winter
MISC.	We don’t know if this is a legal spot, you will bite and run anyway. You can see from the road which airplane is parked in front of this spot
FOCAL LENGTH	50mm for parked aicraft

No samples available from this location. Looks like this (pretty old photo but still the same view)

	Spot #3 – Airport Fence – All movements RWY 26 + nearby Taxiway
WHERE	Take Jurupa St and go wesbound. When you’ll see the control tower take the road (Tower road) to reach it. Than turn right and follow E Lowell Street to its end. Once you get to some concrete barriers in the front, turn left into an unnamed street. This will lead you past the FAA facility on the left up the airport fence – spot from here.
WHAT	Every movement in the airport. You can see all landings and take offs. For taxiway shots we recommend spot #4 because this position is too close.
TIME	Light on this side is from 08:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MISC.	Nothing at the spot. A Burger store is not too far away though. A small 1-2 step ladder is useful in order to be able to shoot comfortably here. Haze may be an issue on hot days.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm

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	Spot #4 – E Lowell St – All movements RWY 26 + nearby Taxiway
WHERE	Take Jurupa St and go wesbound. When you’ll see the control tower take the road (Tower road) to reach it. Than turn right and follow the fence on E Lowell St, here is your spot. Choose across the fence the spot you feel better. For this spot you’ll NEED a pick-up style vehicle. The fence is quite high and so you’ll need to stay up in wagon to avoid it. You are allowed to park on the street quite close to the fence (but not too close as you’ll be sent away);
WHAT	Every movement in the airport. You can see all landings and take offs. Based on runway usage and where companies has parking terminal you’ll see them on R or L. Remember that if an aicraft parks at FedEx you’ll get only on the runway on landing because their ramp is to your left, but you’ll get the taxi to departure. If something parks at UPS you’ll also get the taxi to the stand but you’ll get only the departure on the runway. If you are looking for some civilian departure this is your spot (sample Prime Air), otherwise if you are looking for some landings we suggest to use spot #1 as you can avoid the probably heat haze during the day.
TIME	Light on this side is from 08:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MISC.	Nothing at the spot. A Burger store is not too far away though.
FOCAL LENGTH	70mm 767-300/MD11 on taxiway 140mm 767/MD11 on runway L 250mm 767 on runway R

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	Spot #5 – Business Park – 8L/R arrivals
WHERE	The spot itself is between Mission Blvd and some business parks at a green stripe with some trees. Turn in one of the parking lots next to Mission Blvd and Mildred St and leave your car there. Parking might be prohibited so watch the signs. On weekends parking should be fine.
WHAT	Best for 08L arrivals. 08R arrivals are possible too but the angle is not the best.
TIME	Light on this side is from 08:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MISC.	Keep in mind that you might stand on private property and you will be request to leave the place.
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for the 757

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