PHX-Spot1
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January 1, 2013
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January 2, 2013Phoenix Sky Harbor Spotting Guide
at - last modified on June 18, 2019
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport is located 5 km southeast of the central business district in Arizona and served appr. 43,9 Mio passengers in 2017. Its a hub for American Airlines and Southwest airlines. At least 80 percent of the the traffic is generated by these two carriers. So don’t expect a wide variety of airlines at this airport. But keep in mind that both airlines painted many aircraft in a special livery and the chance to get one of these planes is very high. International carriers are a rare sight at PHX. Only British Airways with a 744, Condor with 763, Air Canada (Rouge), WestJet and Volaris serving the airport. Regular cargo flights are opreated by UPS, FedEx, DHL and PrimeAir. The Arizona Air National Guard has a base located in the southern part of PHX.
The chance to have a cloudy and rainy day in Phoenix is pretty low and during the summer month its getting very hot there.’
Security note: there are no reported issues in taking photos from one of the parking garages. Those are well known spotting locations and our hobby is tolerated by the airport security.
Written by Julian Mittnacht & Jan Seba / Last Update June 2019
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| Airport Information | Runways | 08/26 | 07L/25R | 07R/25L |
| 3.502 m (11.489 ft) | 3.139 m (10.300 ft) | 2.377 m ( 7.800 ft) | ||
| Terminals | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | |
| Mainly United | Mainly Delta | American (North Piers) Southwest Airlines (South) | ||
| Spotting Information | Ladder | Not required | ||
| Car | Not required for parking garage spots | |||
| Restrooms | inside the Terminal/Restaurants around the airport | |||
| Drinks/Food | inside Terminal/ around the airport | |||
| Hotel | a Hilton, Sleep Inn & Courtyard are located southeast of the airport (use priceline.com for best deals) | |||
| Season | try to avoid the summer month as it will be very hot and cause heat distortion at some spots. | |||
| Runway Usage | 08/26 | This runway is mainly used for arrivals for the whole day. No matter if 08 or 26 is in use | ||
| 07L/25R | Mainly used for departures the whole day in both directions. | |||
| 07R/25L | Mainly used for arrivals in both directions. Preferred runway for cargo, military and general aviation flights. | |||
| General Ino | Usually from morning until noon the western runways 07/08 are active. Then they switch to the other side for the rest of the day. | |||
 | Spot #1 – Terminal 4 Parking Garage – 26 arrivals, bridges Sierra, Tango,Romeo |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Its located on the top of the Parking Garage of Terminal 4. You don’t need a car to get there if you arrive at the airport by plane or just use one of the public transportations. There is also a free shuttle bus who connects the terminals. Keep in mind parking is not for free at this spot. |
| WHAT | There are two positions at the parking garage. One is on the west side of the garage, the other one on the east side. West: At this location, you get all the traffic which use RWY 26 for landing and you can make pictures from planes who exit this RWY when 08 is in use for arrivals. In the morning you can also make pictures from aircraft use the bridge (taxiway Sierra and Tango), which is located between Terminal 4 and Terminal 3, and connects the northern and southern part of the airport. This spot is also perfect for close up shots of the aircraft parked at the American gate as well as night shots. The southern part of the parking garage is also good for ramp pictures of the Southwest Airlines aircraft, but it depends on the sun direction. For 25L arrivals its only good in the summer evenings. East: This one is on the opposite side of the spot mentioned above and is perfect if you wanna take pictures from aircraft passing using the bridge/taxiway Romeo to get to the southern runways. Best time is from afternoon until evening. |
| TIME | You can be there the whole day because the sun is behind you. Only in the summer month you have to move to the southern side of the terminals in the late evening hours. If the sun is down you can make stunning pictures of arriving aircraft when RWY25R is in use. |
| MISC. | Its very easy there to survive. The Terminal is located just behind you and you only need the lift to get access to all the stuff you need for a long visit. Only the seating accommodation is very low if you don’t have a car. Please keep in mind that it gets very hot in the summer month in Phoenix and you should take care of your skin. You can use a lower level if you want to stay in the shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400 mm (west), 150-300 (east) |
SAMPLE PICTURES WEST SIDE:
SAMPLE PICTURES EAST SIDE:
 | Spot #2 – Terminal 3 Parking Garage – 08/26 arrivals and departures, taxiway Sierra & Tango |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Its located on the top of the Parking Garage of Terminal 3. You don’t need a car to get there if you arrive at the airport by plane or use one of the public transportations. There is also a free shuttle bus who connects the terminals. Keep in mind parking is not for free at this spot |
| WHAT | This is an alternative to spot 1 if RWY08/26 is in use. As the terminal is located in the middle of the airport, you only get shots from planes on the ground using the taxiways. In the evening you can also make pictures from aircraft use the bridge (taxiway Sierre and Tango), which is located between Terminal 4 and Terminal 3, and connects the northern and southern part of the airport. |
| TIME | You can be there the whole day because the sun is behind you. Only in the summer month you have to move to the opposite site of the terminals in the late evening hours. But I recommend this spot only in the evening to get the aircraft that using the bridge. |
| MISC. | Its very easy there to survive. The Terminal is located just behind you and you only need the lift to get access to all the stuff you need for a long visit. Only the seating accommodation is very low if you don’t have a car. Please keep in mind that it gets very hot in the summer month in Phoenix and you should take care of your skin. You can use a lower level if you want to stay in the shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-200 mm |
 | Spot #3 – Terminal 2 Parking Garage – 08 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Its located on the top of the Parking Garage of Terminal 2. You don’t need a car to get there if you arrive at the airport by plane or use one of the public transportations. There is also a free shuttle bus who connects the terminals. Keep in mind parking is not for free at this spot. |
| WHAT | The parking garage is not as high as the one on Terminal 3&4, so you are pretty low at this point. The advantage is that you are closer to RWY08/26 and the hold bay. You have less heat distortion here as you will get it on the other spots 1&2. This disadvantage is, that this one is only good for 08 arrivals and departures. You can miss some planes using 26 as they are already too high or exit the runway too early. There are also many light poles at this place so you have always be carful to find the right moment to take the picture. |
| TIME | You can stay there the whole day because the sun is behind you. Only in the summer you get backlit pictures in the evening. |
| MISC. | Its very easy there to survive as the terminal is behind you. Please keep in mind that it gets very hot in the summer month in Phoenix and you should take care of your skin. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
 | Spot #4 – Salt River – 07L/R depatures and 25L/R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Its located east of the cago ramps in an industrial zone. Drive to the end of the S 40th Street, next to the salt river. You can park your car directly here at the huge parking lot. There is a new trail that run along the salt river with a nice plattform who spends shadow and has som benches installed. |
| WHAT | Great location for all activties on the southern runways. 07L and 25R is mainly used for departures. Perfect for 07L rotations and 25R might be possible but heat is a big issue. Perfect for 25L as its the major runway for arrivals. Just a few may use 25R for their landing but once again be aware of heat distortion. Usually all cargo, general aviation and military flights use 07R/25L as it is the closest runway of the southern ramp. |
| TIME | You can be there the whole day because the sun is behind you. Only in the summer you get backlit pictures in the evening. |
| MISC. | There is absolutely nothing at this spot. The airport hotels and some fast food chains are quite close. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Deparuture 738=200mm |
 | Spot #5 – Cutter Aviation terminal |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is a known place for local spotters, but regarding to some reports you get sent away sometimes quite fast. Just park your car infront of the building and then search your favourite spot along the fence or visit the observation deck on the Cutter terminal which you can photograph the south ramp and the general aviation area from.The Official Website can be found here. |
| WHAT | From here you have a nice overview of the ramp infront and some activities behind this, if the view isn’t blocked. Night shots are also well possible here. |
| TIME | Depends on the angle the aircraft are parked inn. |
| MISC. | Some shops, hotels on the other side of freeway number 60. Unluckily you get sent away quite often fast, so this sot is no real position for long time spotting, rather for a short stop (just checking the ramp for example). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 40-200mm |
10 Comments
What sort of focal length is required for spot 4 by the Salt River? I’m hoping to photograph an Aeronaves TSM Convair 640 there soon but do not know if my 70-300mm lens (with a crop sensor) is quite enough reach.
Hi Matthew!
We don’t know it actually. Can you provide us some focal lenght information?
Thanks in advance, Severin
300mm is plenty! I use 200mm for airliners there.
Denis
Just letting everyone know that Cutter Aviations observation deck, though very nice, giving an awesome view of arrivals/departures for 7L/7R does not allow photography period. They will ask you to leave if you do. The Salt River spot is under construction for a bike path and they are also putting up a rest area with an nice overhang. Yes there is nothing around with regards to services but it is a great spot only getting better.
One additional location. Photographs are possible through the fence at the Cargo Terminal but is heavily dependent on where the aircraft are parked and whether there are any obstacles in the way. However, I wouldn’t loiter in this area for long.
With reference to Cutter Aviation, while visitors are allowed onto the Terrace, there is a no photographs policy.
Has anyone staked out any spots west of the parallel main runways to shoot arrivals? Looking at Google Maps, someplace south of Maricopa Freeway, on E. Watkins St. might be a good place. There are a number of industrial/warehouse buildings there where you could potentially get too approach shots with the sun at your back.
In short, yes. Photographs are possible from East Watkins Street, opposite Quality Distributors, although a prolonged stay may preciptate a visit from the Police. I understand the airport uses mixed mode runway operations, so the activity will tend to be one-sided.
Just wanted to know if you have had any issue with security or law enforcement while at sky harbor. I know photography is not a crime but I’m curious if you experienced any thing and how you handled it
Hi Lee, non of our members had any trouble with airport security during their stay. The locations on the parking garages are well known spotting locations by the authorities.
-Julian