Palm Beach Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Palm Beach Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

May 10, 2022 - last modified on November 30, 2023

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI/KPBI) is a middle sized airport, with roughly 7 million passenger a year, at Florida‘s atlantic coast, serving the area of Palm Beach. This includes mostly passenger flights served by all major US mainline and low cost carriers. Air Canada and Bahamsair are the only international visitors and FedEx and UPS are responsible for some cargo movemetns. In addition you may also see some military action, transporters like C17s as well as C32/the AF1 if US governmental personnel is visiting the area. Furthermore, the area is also frequently visited by rich people and their private planes, which brings a lot of GA (mainly NetJets) traffic to PBI.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Matthew Calise and Arno Vesterholm. Last Update: 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10R/28L	980m x 23m
10L/28R	3050m x 46m
14/32	2113m x 43m
Terminals	There is one main terminal with three concourses
Concourse A	Bahamasair
Concourse B	Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Avelo, Southwest United
Concourse C	Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit
Spotting Information
Ladder	Actually not recommended though it might be useful sometimes. We recommend to shoot thru the mesh instead to avoid attention.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed as public transport is poor here. Spot 6 is the only location within walking distance from the terminal.
Drinks/Food	There are no highways with lots of restaurants around here, but mostly you will find a fast food restaurant and the time to go there.
Hotels	The Hilton next to spot 1 may offer nice views onto the approach plus also a good distance to all spots as base for the nights.
Season	Summer is hot, hazy and the light is worse. We recommend coming here in winter.
Security	In general spotting around PBI is pretty safe and calm and you should not be harassed by airport security or police. Please be also aware of following facts: 1. The police is quite harsh of endangering the streets safety, so if you are standing beside a street and you are visible to drivers, police may ask you to leave as you may distract drivers from keeping their attention onto the road traffic. 2. Do not hang around at the ramp/fence like spot #4 for ages to avoid attention as the companies may not like it at all and call the cops/safety. 3. Some police officers may react rude to our hobby as they suspect terrorism by photography of airplanes. Always stay polite and stay in car when a police officer stops for an ID check. Do not leave your car unless you are told to do so! The spots underneath are mostly safe but check the MISC box for further info. Spotterguide.net is not liable for any inconvenience and misbehaviour towards the police of fellow spotters.
Runway Usage
10L/28R	Major runway used in both directions.
10R/28L	Smallest runway and almost never in use. Only by small props.
14/32	Crosswind runway and seldomly in use. Only during harsh winds.

	Spot #1 – Hilton grass pitch – 28R arrivals + 28R line-up
WHERE	This spot is nothing more than the patch of grass next to the Hilton hotel, in between I95 and Australian Ave. Just get rid of your car in the nearby parking lot (do not use preserved/private spots obviously) and position yourself freely in the area here on the grass between the trees..

WHAT	Good for 28R arrivals, if you step up the side to the north a bit it’s good for 28R line-up as well as you see them earlier then. No ladder needed as the position is on a higher level than the runway.

TIME	In summer the sun will be in your back from later morning till mid/late afternoon. In winter all day long.

MISC.	In the hotel you will find a restaurants and thus restrooms. There are trees spending shadow. Keep away from the busy street a bit to avoid attention/issues with the police as you are said to disturb traffic.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

	Spot #2 – Public Viewing Park – 10L/28R and 14/32 movements + nearby ramp/taxiways
WHERE	This is the airport‘s official public viewing park at Perimeter Road South of the airport with a parking lot where you can easily park and see the action.

WHAT	Actually all 10L/28R movements, but best are 10L departures as the planes are already airborne. You can also spot 14/32 movements, which are rare though, plus bit of ground movements, too.

TIME	In summer the sun will be in your back from later morning till mid/late afternoon and in winter all day long for 10L/28R.

MISC.	Benches and trees for shadow. Taking pictures of ground action is often blurred by heat haze. No shops around.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm Departing aircraft = 250mm-300mm / Cessna on ground = 365mm

	Spot #3 – Perimeter Rd – 32 Arrivals
WHERE	Literally nothing more than the roadside of Perimeter Rd west of the axis of runway 32. You can get rid of your car by the nearby roadside or maybe in some of the parking lots. Wait in the car and only come here with your camera for taking pictures for a short time.

WHAT	This spot is good for 32 arrivals, however these are pretty rare.

TIME	Later morning/early noon till sunset.

MISC.	Please note, spotters have been stopped by the local police a few times in the past at this spot. Keep a low profile as you are close to a busy road and you may be seen as threat to the street’s safety as you could distract drivers. Stay in the car and keep your camera down as long as possible.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #4 – UBCP parking – GA ramp
WHERE	South of the field, there is this small US customs and border protection (UBCP) building with a U shaped parking lot. Come here quickly by car, get out, take your shot and leave! It is a “catch & go” spot as if you stay long you will attract unnecessary attention. So do not park here, just stop quickly. Also best on weekends as the lot is usually empty then.

WHAT	Good to catch biz jets that may be parked in front on the apron. It’s used to park overflow traffic from Atlantic/Gama and some locals.

TIME	Depends on the angel and how the plane is parked.

MISC.	Mostly you do not have an issue spotting thru the fence here unlike other GA ramps in the south. There are some spots west of this that offer nice ramp views, but are private property, one being Flight Safety for examples. They’ve called the cops and thrown spotters out several times, wouldn’t advise going there or any FBO parking lot to spot – no matter how good the shot is!

FOCAL LENGTH	18-100mm

	Spot #5 – Tulane Dr/Lindy Ln – 10L Movements + 28R Departures
WHERE	This spot is located at the junction/curve of Tulane Dr/Lindy Ln. There are “no parking signs” here, however, no one has ever given issues in the past years spotting there as this is a pretty remote area.

WHAT	Good for 10L arrivals. In addition you will also see 28R departures but mostly too high. If you stand on the roof of your car, line-ups prior 10L departure can be manageable.

TIME	In summer the sun will be in your back from later morning till mid/late afternoon. In winter all day long.

MISC.	Ground shots will be hazy in summer quickly. Don Cafe is just around the block where you can find food/restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #6 – Parking Garage – Apron + 10L/28R and 14/32 movements
WHERE	The last location is to be found on the 7th floor of the short term parking garage. Nothing special, easy to find, just follow the signs and then search your favourite location up here along the front.

WHAT	Aprons in front plus 14/32 and 10L/28R movements.

TIME	Depends on the angle. Good for night shots all year long and late summer afternoons.

MISC.	Only been approached by the DOA once at this spot, no issues taking photos here. Fee is $17 per day. Direct access to the terminal. $1 for every 20 minutes. Credit cards, cash, SunPass accepted.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm