Richmond International Airport is a joint civil-military airfield located in the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is the 64th busiest airport in the United States, and the 3rd busiest in the state of Virginia. It is a major airport serving most of central Virginia. The airport is served by several airlines including American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, Breeze and various subsidiary carriers. With destinations as far west as California and Nevada, the airport has exponentially grown over the years. In 2021, more than 2 million travelers passed through the airport. In addition to passengers, the airport has an abundant cargo market with dedicated carriers including UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon Air, and so forth. Fiscal year 2021 brought more than 180 million pounds of cargo through the airfield and its cargo facilities. Beyond passenger and cargo carriers, the airfield houses a resident Army National Guard unit located next to runway 34 on the southeastern side of the facility.

Richmond’s airport opened in 1927 under the name of Richard Evelyn Byrd Flying Field in honor of Richard E. Byrd, the brother of former Virginia governor Harry F. Byrd. In 1950, the airport was renamed to the Richard E. Byrd Airport, and in 1984 it officially became Richmond International Airport. The airport has served infamous airlines to include Eastern Air Lines, Piedmont Airlines, USAir, and several smaller commuter carriers. Prior to the establishment of the current Army National Guard unit, the airfield held a resident Air National Guard unit under the 192nd Fighter Wing that operated both F-16C and F-16D aircraft.

During the weekdays, it is common for military aircraft stationed at surrounding military bases in the Mid-Atlantic region to visit Richmond and conduct practice approaches. These include C-130s, C-5s, C-17s, T-38s, and other military aircraft. Furthermore, Richmond is a common divert airfield for aircraft landing in the DC area, Tidewater region, and Northeast.

Written by Wesley Barbara. Last Update: December 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
16/34	2744 x 46 m | 9003 x 150 ft.
02/20	2014 x 46 m | 6607 x 150 ft.
Terminals
Concourse A	Allegiant, American, Breeze, Jetblue
Concourse A	Delta, Southwest, Spirit, United
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary
Car/Public Transport	Locations 1 and 2 are walkable from the terminal, however, a car is recommended for every other location.
Drinks/Food	Many resturants, gas stations, markets, etc. are located a few minutes drive away from the airport.
Hotels	Many hotels located around the airport with shuttels offered to the majority of them
Season	Year round; however, the summer can be toplit near the noon hours while the winter time can be rather tail lit for northern operations utilizing 34 and 02
Security	Security is generally a non-issue; however, if you are approached we recommend calmly explaining what you might be doing and handling the situation appropriately. Airport police are usually very accommodating.
Runway Usage
General Info	Generally, most aircraft (exluding general aviation and private jets) will mainly use runway 16/34, however, it is possible for regional jets to opt for the smaller runway being 02/20.
16/34	At 9003 feet, this runway is the longest on the airfield. For the most part, aircraft will use this runway for both arrivals and departures. The direction of operations will, of course, depend on the wind.
02/20	This is the smallest runway on the airfield. Generally, this runway will be utilized by smaller regional jets, private jets, and general aviation aircraft.

	Spot #1 – South Garage – Ramp Shots
WHERE	Located directly across from the terminal, the parking garage will be clearly visible. When navigating to the airport, follow signs for the Parking Garage (Hourly/Daily parking) off airport drive. The signs will specify the south garage.
WHAT	From this spot, you will be able to see aircraft parked/push-back/taxi into the ramp on the backside of Concourse A. Generally, it’s just regional jets which use the gates on this side.
TIME	Year round from mid-afternoon (2pm – 3pm) to sunset
MISC.	Parking garage parking is free for any vehicle parked for no more than 1 hour, however, parking fees will begin to add up after an hour. As well, it can be heat hazed over the summer. If you need a bathroom, the terminal is a quick walk and offers bathrooms and other facilities.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!

	Spot #2 – North Garage – 02 Departures, 20 Arrivals, Ramp Shots
WHERE	Located directly across from the terminal, the parking garage will be clearly visible. When navigating to the airport, follow signs for the Parking Garage (Hourly/Daily parking) off airport drive. The signs will specify the north garage.
WHAT	Aircraft taxiing on taxiway A, one of the main taxiways
TIME	Year round from mid-afternoon (2pm – 3pm) to sunset
MISC.	Parking garage parking is free for any vehicle parked for no more than 1 hour, however, parking fees will begin to add up after an hour. As well, it can be heat hazed over the summer. If you need a bathroom, the terminal is a quick walk and offers bathrooms and other facilities.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!

	Spot #3 – Gravel Road between FSDO and Heloair – 34 Departures
WHERE	Proceed on S Airport Dr. to Huntsman road and then make a right heading toward clarkson road. Pull into the gravel road between Heloair and the FSDO (FAA) building.
WHAT	All aircraft departing 34
TIME	Year round from afternoon to sunset
MISC.	We recommend to avoid sitting here for extended periods of time
FOCAL LENGTH	400mm for 767 | 600mm for 737

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	Spot #4 – Richmond Jet Center – Ramp Shots
WHERE	Proceed on S Airport Dr. to Huntsman road and the Richmond Jet Center FBO
WHAT	All aircraft parked at the FBO
TIME	Late afternoon to night (backlit during winter)
MISC.	We recommend limiting your time near the fence. Do not stand around for awhile, get your shot and leave the area. As well, shots will have to be made through a fence so please be mindful of what size lens you use or if you need a tripod.
FOCAL LENGTH	No more than 100mm

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	Spot #5 – Hill at Richmond Jet Center – 16/20 Arrivals and 34/02 Departures
WHERE	Proceed on S Airport Dr. to Huntsman road and the Richmond Jet Center FBO. When you arrive in the parking lot, proceed to the end of the parking lot closest to the runway. You may park in any space, however, we recommend you stay around your vehicle. We recommend against hanging out on the hill (i.e. wait for the aircraft to get on final before going out on the hill, get your shots, and return to your vehicle.
WHAT	16/20 arrivals and 34/02 departures
TIME	Year round from afternoon to sunset
MISC.	This spot is the best location for 16/20 arrivals at RIC. As far as departures go, 34 will be a belly shot while 02 will be a side shot. There are bathrooms located at the gas stations across the street.
FOCAL LENGTH	Landing 16 ~ 100mm for 737 | Landing 20 ~ 300mm for CRJ and 175mm for 757

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	Spot #6 – Extra Space Storage – 16 Arrivals
WHERE	Navigate to Audubon Drive and park to the rear of the storage facility. When the aircraft is on final, walk along the side of the storage facility and choose your spot.
WHAT	16 arrivals
TIME	Morning to noon year round
MISC.	Numerous gas stations and areas to eat located around the spot
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for 737/A320

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	Spot #7 – Hill at East Side Lane – 20 Arrivals
WHERE	Navigate to spot #8, park, and walk over to the hill off east side lane closer to Williamsburg Rd
WHAT	Aircraft landing on 20
TIME	Summer: Morning to 1pm and Winter: Morning to noon
MISC.	Since you are not parking directly at the spot, ensure you give yourself proper time to park and walk over to the area.
FOCAL LENGTH	70mm for 767 ~ nothing too powerful as the aircraft are right in front of you

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	Spot #8 – East Side Lane – 16/20 Departures
WHERE	Park on the dead-end road located exactly where the spot #8 pin is
WHAT	Aircraft departing on 34
TIME	Summer: morning to 11am/12pm and Winter: morning to 10am
MISC.	In the winter time, the light is very tail lit for departing aircraft so keep this in mind. As well, the parking spot is county property, however, you may still be approached by airport police. If approached, inform them of what you are doing and there should be no problems.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm (170mm for A124)

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	Spot #9 – Gravel Lot – 34 Arrivals
WHERE	Gravel lot located near the corner of Portugee Rd and Beulah Rd
WHAT	All 34 arrivals
TIME	Summer: morning to 11am/12pm and Winter: morning to 10am
MISC.	This spot is better in the summer as the light in the winter is extremely tail lit
FOCAL LENGTH	200mm for 737

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!

	Spot #10 – Go Jet Maintenance – 02 Arrivals
WHERE	Go Jet Maintenance hangar off Portugee road near the million air FBO
WHAT	All aircraft landing 02
TIME	Summer: mid-afternoon to sunset | Winter: late afternoon (mostly tail light)
MISC.	Do not stand around here, get your shots and leave
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm to 300mm

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!

	Spot #11 – Million Air Richmond – Ramp
WHERE	Million Air Richmond FBO on the southeast side of the airfield near 02
WHAT	Any aircraft parked on the million air ramp
TIME	Summer: afternoon to sunset | Winter: all day
MISC.	Do not stand around here, get your shots and leave
FOCAL LENGTH	No more than 150mm (need to fit camera lens through fence)

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!

	Spot #12 – Cargo Ramp – Ramp Shots
WHERE	Located next to the Piedmont maintenance hangar on Fox Road
WHAT	Aircraft parked on the cargo apron
TIME	Summer: late afternoon (backlit in winter)
MISC.	Do not stand around here, get your shots and leave
FOCAL LENGTH	No more than 200mm (need to fit camera lens through fence)

Unfortunately we cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so please do not hesitate to contact us!