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April 8, 2019Portland Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on July 15, 2024
Portland Internation Airport (PDX/KPDX) is the biggest airport in the state of Oregon with around 20 Million passengers per year and pretty easy for planespotting. Most locations are accessible even by foot and you will get the majority of traffic from there. The traffic is dominated by Alaska Airlines and their subsidary Horizon Air which uses PDX as a secondary hub.
Otherwise the common US carriers like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Spirit, WestJet Encore and Hawaiian Airlines serving the airport. From Europe Icelandair, British Airways & Condor offering seasonal flights during the summer season. FedEx, UPS, DHL, Cathay Pacific (sometimes opb Atlas Air) and Amazon Air are the cargo operators. Sometimes Boeing testflight will do low approaches and there is also a big paintshop at PDX where Boeing sent some of the aircraft for painting. Even more there is some military traffic because of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Written by Andreas Fietz and Quentin Wolfgang Larsen. Last Update July 2024 – Spot 1
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 10L/28R | 2.995 m (9.825 ft) asphalt |
| 10R/28L | 3.353 m (11.000 ft) asphalt |
| 03/21 | 1.829 m (6.000 ft) concrete |
| Terminals | |
| SouthTerminal (A/B/C) | Southwest, Alaska, Horizon, American, JetBlue |
| North Terminal (D/E) | United, Spirit, Frontier, Delta, Air Canada, International Flights |
| Airport Chart |  |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | A few steps are useful for spot #3. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommended for spot #2 and specially #4. But you can access spots #1 and #5 directly from the tram “MAX Red Line” and also the spots #2 and #3 with a short walk from the Mt Hood Ave MAX station. |
| Restrooms | Not available at the locations but hotels and restaurants are not far from all positions except #4. |
| Drinks/Food | Not available at the locations but hotels and restaurants are not far from all positions except #4. |
| Hotels | There are several in the area of spot 3 and a few south of spot 2. The Sheraton have rooms with a view to taxiway and runway 28R (see spot 3). |
| Season | Sunny days are rare in winter, common in summer (june to september), but ground shots give you lots of heat distortion around mid day. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Planes uses both of the long runways and there is no preferred landing direction (depends on the wind). If 10 is active most arrivals are on the southern runway and the departures on the northern. If 28 is active it is 50/50 runway usage. Cargo usually always use the southern runway and biz flights the northern. |
| 10L/28R | Used for arrivals and departures. 28R will see United, Delta, General Aviation/Private and some Alaska and Southwest flights. Frontier, Spirit, Hawaiian and Air Canada will split between the two runways with a semi favor to 28R. |
| 10R/28L | Used for arrivals and departures. 28L will have 95% of cargo, Horizion, AA and most of the Alaska and some Southwest. 10R mainly for all arrivals. |
| 03/21 | Is often used by ameriflight and FedEx feeders for arrivals in the afternoon. It’s also the crosswind runway for anything smaller than a A321 if the crosswind gets to that point. |
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Spot #1 – Short Term Parking Garage |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is Portlands most popular spotting location and it is on the top (Level 7) of the short term parking deck. Just follow the signs when driving to the main terminal. If you need shade you can walk over to the long term parking on the same level which is covered. |
| WHAT | Full view of the north runway (10L/28R) and taxiway (and some gate positions) with a great view and the Columbia River in the background. You can go also on the southern side of the parking deck and then you have a partial view of the south runway (10R/28L) but mostly with backlit (see MRJ sample pic below).
A new terminal/pier is being built and totally blocks the view on the taxiway that is closest to the garage. Currently, has a few wires on top that might cover some wingtips/landing gear depending on the angle on the taxiway next to the runway (see samples below). Does not block the runway at all however! Covers up taxiway Kilo and might get in the way of Victor but not 10R/28L for exact areas. |
| TIME | 10L/28R: late morning until sunset 10R/28L: early morning during the summer, however, if 28L is operative for departures, then departing aircraft are perfectly lit when entering the runway at the threshold from late afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Restrooms and restaurants are available in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Northern Runway: AS 738 = 170mm, BA 787 = 120mm Southern Runway: A332=100mm; E175 taxiway = 120mm; E175 runway = 250mm |
Short Term Parking Northern View
Short Term Parking Southern View
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Spot #2 – 28L Approach |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a small “parking” area next to a control gate which is accessible from the NE Alderwood Rd at the crossover from NE 82nd way. Parking is for LSG employees only but give it a try and enjoy your hobby. If you have no car you can walk from the terminal or the MAX Mt. Hood Station for approximate 20-30 minutes on the sidewalks along the road. |
| WHAT | 28L arrivals only mainly used by Cargo, Military and Alaska Airlines flights. |
| TIME | Late morning to sunset. |
| MISC. | Hotels and resteraunts available nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Sheraton Hotel – 28R |
|---|---|
| WHERE | You have to drive on the NE Airport way Frontage Rd and exit at the hotels. Get on the payed parking lots at the Sheraton and Hampton Inn and look for an empty lot near the fence. There is a barrier now and you have to get a ticket. A ladder is useful but you can also spot with a small step like from the door of you car. You can also book a room at Sheraton in the upper level where you have a nice view on the taxiway and runway but the window cannot be open completly. |
| WHAT | Runway 28R arrivals and departures and taxiway shots and a view over the general aviation ramp from ground and hotel. |
| TIME | From late morning to sunset (From early moring shots to general aviation ramp are possible) |
| MISC. | Restrooms and resteraunts in the hotels. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-200mm |
 |
Spot #4 –10L/28R Sea Scout Base |
|---|---|
| WHERE | A bike path parallel to the Marine Drive on the north side of the airport next to the Columbia River offers a nice view over the airport. You can get on the Marine drive from NE Airport Way junction NE 122nd Ave. Parking is very limited here. but it’s possible to park at the crash gate near the 10L threshold and walk over the street to get on the bike lane. The location is on a dike and no ladder is needed as you are on a higher level than the fence. Watch out for fast trucks, cars and bikes! |
| WHAT | 10L/28R arrivals and departures |
| TIME | Early morning only. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby. Be aware of the bikers and don´t stay directly on their path! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
 |
Spot #5 – Bay Trail along Metropolitan Golf Course – 28L/28R arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | It’s on the parking of the target supermarket east of the terminal. From the NE Airport way drive to NE Mt Hood Ave to get on the area of the supermarket to your right. By foot take the tram to Mt. Hood Station and exit there. |
| WHAT | 28L arrivals only. |
| TIME | In the morning hours. |
| MISC. | Supermarket, restrooms and restaurants are available in the area. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-200mm |
 |
Spot #6 – Sunderland Ave – 10R Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located at the corner of NE Sunderland Avenue and NE 33rd Drive. We recommend to use a GPS system or app to find this location. There is a dirt area next to the road, where you can park your car.
During our visit we only spent a short amount of time at the spot and we did not encounter any problems with local authorities, however, if you stay an extended amount time we recommend to keep a low profile as a military facility (Oregon Army National Guard) is located near by. |
| WHAT | 10R arrivals only. |
| TIME | Late morning until sunset in winter, late morning until early evening in summer. |
| MISC. | Bring everything you need. No shade, no shelter. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
Hey, I am visiting Oregon Soon. Does it cost money to park at spot 3? I appreciate any info!
Spot # 2 (yellow paint hash area) was really good for me on a late May 2024 PDX visit. I’m not a pro but thought this location was excellent for the view possibilities along 28R (10L) across from the 2(k) remaining sign and the river view between the bridges & Mt Hood when visibility allows. I would add that walking regularly near the river and I-5 in Vancouver WA on the north side of the river is a convenient way for me to see PDX & Pearson (KVUO) planes fly by. Info here was very helpful, thanks for sharing everyone… just to bad Mo’s has to be in the secure area of the terminal – cioppino or chowder woulda been nice.
There are a LOT of great restaurants outside of security as well, and you can usually find a spot in short term parking.
Spot 6 is now blocked off due to homeless people living along 33rd. Might be able to park in ANG Parking lot, but wouldn’t risk it.
Does anyone know when the OR ANG F-15s usually take off and land?
I’ve had a single encounter when the F-15s were running, they didn’t depart or anything but they were running in the hangars. They have been doing evening-night ops lately though.
Monday through Friday take off around 7 land at around 10-11
Hi, there is some rental car garages going up by the 28L/10R parking garage view area, it obstructs any view from the touchdowns. Is there anywhere you can go to avoid that but still be on the garage next to 28L/10R?
Another great spot is the cell phone waiting lot right behind 28L, arrivals are great, over your head, and departures are okay, a little far away but nothing zoom on your camera can’t fix!
So a little update for spot one about the construction on the north side and what it blocks. Its a terminal which comes up and blocks the taxi way that is closest to the garage. Currently has a few wires on top that might cover some wingtips/landing gear depending on the angle on the taxiway next to the runway. Does not block the runway at all however. Covers up taxiway Kilo and might get in the way of Victor but not 10R/28L for exact areas.
Thanks for the info Quentin, I left a note in the guide.
-Julian