PHX-Spot 1 North
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January 2, 2013Phoenix Sky Harbor Spotting Guide
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- last modified on March 21, 2022
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport is located 5 km southeast of the central business district in Arizona and served more than 45 Mio passengers in 2019. 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.’
Written by Jake M. Youngs. Last Update: October 2021
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 08/26 | 3.502 m (11.489 ft) |
| 07L/25R | 3.139 m (10.300 ft) |
| 07R/25L | 2.377 m ( 7.800 ft) |
| Terminals | 3.208 m (10.526 ft) |
| Terminal 3 | Delta, Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue, Boutique use the south gates. Gates F1-4 are common use. United, Alaska, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines and Contour use the north concourse. |
| Terminal 4 | Southwest Airlines used the C,D concourses on the South side. American, British Airways, Volaris and Westjet use the A and B concourses on the northside. Gates B26-28 are used for international flights. |
| Swift Aviation | Swift Aviation is used by JetSuite X (JSX) on the south side of the airport. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not required for any spots, however may be preferred for spot 8. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is not required to access any of the parking garages, however a car is recommended for all spots. |
| Restrooms | Inside the Terminal/Restaurants around the airport |
| Drinks/Food | Inside the Terminal and around the airport there are supermarkets and fast food restaurants |
| Hotels | Crowne Plaza Hotel, Has direct access to the airport via the skytrain. Otherwise there are plenty of hotels around the airport. |
| Security | Try to avoid the summer month as it will be very hot and cause heat distortion at some spots. Winter season is usually better as airlines bring larger aircraft into Phoenix in the cooler weather. Noteable Delta A330’s, 767’s and American 777’s and 787’s. |
| Season | 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. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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Spot #1 – Terminal 4 Parking Garage – 26/25 arrivals, bridges Sierra, Tango, Romeo, AA and WN Ramps |
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| WHERE | Its located on Level 6 or higher 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. Once there you have three choices to go (see below). |
| WHAT | There are three main positions at the parking garage as followed. North Side (AA Gates): In addition to being used for spotting Runway 26 landings, this spot can also be used for Runway 8 rollouts and is also good for capturing North Concourse activities. West Side (Bridge): From here you make pictures from aircraft using 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. Furthermore a small part of the Southwest ramp is possible. Southeast Corner (WN Gates): The southeastern part of the parking garage is good for ramp pictures of Southwest Airlines, but it depends on the sun direction. For 25L arrivals its only good in the summer evenings. |
| 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. North Side: runway is good for whole day except summer evenings. Ramp depends on the angle of the aircraft. Night shots are possible too. West Side: sunrise until early noon. Southeast Corner: backlit the whole day for the runway except summer evenings. Ramp depends on the angle of the aircraft. Night shots are possible.Be aware of heat distortion on the runway! |
| MISC. | Food and Drink are accessible on Level 3 of the terminal, along with restrooms. Trash cans and Drinking fountains can be found in all elevator rooms. There is no seating at this spot, except for what is found inside the terminal. Due to Summer heat, Level 6 & 7 are recommended during the summer (on the top level you will get burned). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway North: 737= 350; ERJ = 500mm Ramp/Taxiway: 50-200mm |
SAMPLE PICTURES NORTH SIDE:
SAMPLE PICTURES WEST SIDE:
SAMPLE PICTURES SOUTHEAST SIDE:
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Spot #2 – Terminal 3 Parking Garage – 08/26 arrivals and departures, taxiway Sierra & Tango |
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| WHERE | Its at 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. Level 6 & 8 recommended. Level 6 puts you side on with aircraft, level 8 is more of a top down shot. Level 7 cannot be used due to a fence blocking the view. Once there you have two choices to go (see below). |
| WHAT | These are the two main positions: Northeast: Visibility of a portion of Runway 8/26 and 7L/25R. Mainly used for shots of aircraft crossing the S & T bridges. Be aware of lightpoles on the north side of the bridges. These lightpoles should not effect your shots if you’re shooting aircraft directly in front of you on the bridge. This spot is also good for capturing the United Airlines gates and hard stand area, particularly at night when long exposures can be captured. South: Gives you a head on shot with aircraft exiting the Runway via taxiway E8 on the southside of the airport. Gives you a shot of the Common-use gates on the south side of Terminal 3. Be aware of all the lightpoles and firestation when using this spot. You will need to be in a specific area for it to work. This spot can also be used to spot aircraft departing on the south complex. |
| TIME | You can be there the whole day: North Side: runway is good for whole day except summer evenings. Best used from noon to sunset for bridge shots, and anytime of day or night for the United gates. South Side: backlit the whole day for the runway except summer evenings. Exit shots from noon to sunset.Be aware of heat distortion on the runway! |
| MISC. | Food, Drink, and bathrooms can be found inside Terminal 3 on Level 1 and 4. These can be accessed by taking an elevator or stairs down to the lower levels. 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 | Runway: 737 = around 300mm; Delta A330 = 260mm Bridge: 737 = around 100mm |
SAMPLE PICTURES NORTHEAST SIDE:
SAMPLE PICTURES SOUTH SIDE:
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Spot #3 – West Economy Parking Garage – 08 arrivals and departures |
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| 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. Park on the bottom level of the West Economy Garage and walk up one of multiple sets of stairs. Level 2 is employee parking only, hence why you’ll park on level 1. |
| 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 you have less heat distortion here as you will get it at the previous spots. This spot is best used for capturing aircraft touching down and rolling out on Runway 8. This spot can also be used for catching aircraft turning off of Runway 26 after finishing the rollout. You can see parts of the Terminal 3 activities but taking pictures is not possible because of perimeter fence. |
| 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. | Nearest Food, Drink, and bathrooms can be found inside Terminal 3 on Level 1 and 4. These can be accessed by either parking in the Terminal 3 garage, or walking to the Terminal 3 Sky Train Station and into the terminal. Keep in mind that it gets very hot in the summer month in Phoenix and you should take care of your skin |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737 = around 150mm |
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Spot #4 – East Economy Garage A – 26 arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is accessible via the Sky train from the terminals. You can park in any parking garage or directly at the East Economy Lot. Take an elevator or the stairs up to the top level of the garage for the best angle. |
| WHAT | Best used for capturing aircraft on short final to Runway 26. |
| 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. The aircraft are high enough off the ground so that heat haze isnt an issue. |
| MISC. | Nearest food can be accessed by taking the sky train to Terminal 4 or 3. Drinks and restrooms are available at the skytrain station, and vending machines are available in the ground level elevator room. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737/A320 = around 330mm A330 = 190mm |
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Spot #5 – Salt River 40th St – 25 arrivals and 07 departures |
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| 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 | Usually all cargo, general aviation and military flights use 07R/25L as it is the closest runway of the southern ramp. Best 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. Good for 07L heavy rotations, for all others use the next location. 25R line up might be possible but heat is a big issue. |
| 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 | Arrival 737 = 150-200mm |
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Spot #6 – Salt River 37th St – 07 departures |
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| WHERE | Park in the American Express Parking lot located at 3600 East University. There is a pathway with a fence near the parking lot. Walk around the fence and setup on the Rio Salado Bank Pathway. |
| WHAT | This spot is best for aircraft departing on runway 07L as they are not that high as on the previoius spot. 25L arrivals are possible too but we recommend the previous spot in that case as it`s to hazy here. |
| 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. | No food, drinks, restrooms, or seating available at this location. There are nearby restaurants available though. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Departures: A321=330mm; A220 = 400mm |
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Spot #7 – Cargo Ramp |
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| WHERE | This spot is located a little over 1 mile fdown Old Tower Road from 24th Street. Go past Swift and Cutter on your left, and look for the small parking lot to the west of South Cargo, right next to the airport Radar. |
| WHAT | This spot has very little visibility of runways and taxiways, however gives you visibility of South Cargo. This will enable you to get photographs of most cargo aircraft and on rare occasion, a military aircraft. |
| TIME | Anytime of the day or night works. There is almost always adquate lighting. Nighshots are possible as well. |
| MISC. | Food and drink are available at the nearby FBOs. Please keep in mind that you will need to shoot through the fence at this spot, and Swissport 10K fuel trucks can sometimes block the view of the ramp. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Any focal length from 20mm to 400mm work with this spot. |
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Spot #8 – Old Tower Road, Dirt lot – 07 arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is located immediately inside of the Old Tower Road just off of 24th Street. You can park your car on this dirt lot, or park at a nearby FBO and walk over. |
| WHAT | Best for 07R arrivals, 07L is less in use. 25R departures are possible but not the best angle. Parts of both FBO ramps are also visible from this spot but not for taking photos. |
| 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. | Food and drink are available at the nearby FBOs. There have been infrequent issues with both the Police and airport OPS. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrival 737 = around 200mm |
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Spot #9 – 40th Street & Air Lane |
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| WHERE | This spot is a pull off on the side of a road. You can shoot through the fence, however a 6 foot ladder or truck bed equivilant is preferred for this spot. |
| WHAT | This spot is pretty much only for aircraft landing on Runway 26. |
| TIME | The only time of day this spot works for pictures is later afternoon to evening. |
| MISC. | There are no food or drinks available at this location, however they can be found nearby. If you get too close to the fence, OPS may drive by and ask you to back away a few feet. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-200mm |
I will be traveling here for a day of plane spotting second week of October. Many of the locations have the note “You can be there the whole day because the sun is behind you. Only in the summer you get backlit pictures in the evening.” — Could anyone confirm which locations might be best when I will be visiting? Thank you
You can visit all spots all day long except spot 9 and the southern parts of the parking garages.
-Julian
I spotted at #4 on 17OCT19, fantastic spot! Newly created viewing platform, you can continue walking down the paved path for quite a distance to get a better city background on your shots
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
I mean, I called a few days after 9/11 and asked if spotting would still be allowed and they said of course so I dont see why, 20 years later, they would give you trouble over it…