The Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR) is located about 3 miles north of downtown Medford and serves as the primary commercial gateway for the Rogue Valley, including Ashland and Grants Pass. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 1,335 feet and features a single 8,800-foot asphalt runway (14/32). The Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport began as Oregon’s first city-owned airfield, Newell Barber Field in 1920 before relocating to its current site in 1930. During World War II, the airport supported military training and operations, which helped expand its infrastructure. The airport gained international status in 1995 with a U.S. Customs office, but after it closed in 2003, it no longer had international service and retains the name from that designation.

Today, MFR supports over one million passengers annually and offers a modern terminal with passenger services, parking, and rental car facilities. The airport is planning another major expansion to handle growing passenger traffic. The project will expand the terminal with more gates, security space, and baggage areas, helping reduce congestion and support more flights in the future. MFR is served by Alaska, Delta, United, American and Allegiant, using regional and mainline aircraft (United only). The airport maintains strong connectivity to major hubs such as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Cargo operations are supported by carriers such as FedEx Feeder and Ameriflight, moving freight mostly through Portland.

During wildfire season, typically from July through October, the Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport serves as a key aerial firefighting hub and is the only designated Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) base in Oregon. The airport supports a wide range of firefighting aircraft, including large air tankers, VLATs such as DC-10s, lead planes, and helicopters, all operating on rapid-response missions across the region. This results in increased air traffic and priority movements, which can impact normal airline and general aviation operations. The presence of specialized retardant loading facilities and quick-turn capabilities makes MFR strategically important for wildfire suppression. Military activity is quite often, normally seeing a mix of US Air Force, US Navy and US Army aircraft.

Written by Abdeyan Padilla. Last Update: March 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
14/32	2,682m/8,800ft – Asphalt
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal handling all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is needed for all spots excluding spots 3, 4 and 5.
Car/Public Transport	Car is necessary for all spots, except spot 5, as the spotting locations are spread out.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty of resturants and convenience stores near most spots. Terminal includes a small resturant on the second level.
Hotels	There are 4 hotels that are near the airport, but no specific spotter hotels.
Season	Spotting is good all year. During the summer months, there is more traffic when the Tanker Bases open to fire fighting aircraft.
Security	Haven’t had an issue with airport enforcement/police. Just note, you MUST park at least 5 feet from all airport fences/gates. Do not put a ladder right up against the fence.
Runway Usage
14/32	Used depending according to the wind.

	Spot #1 – Runway Dr – 14 Arrivals/32 Departures
WHERE	This spot is good for arrivals on runway 14 and departures on runway 32. This spot is located at the end of Runway Dr. From the terminal, exit toward Biddle Road and head north. Turnright onto Table Rock Rd, then take a right onto Vilas Rd. Turn onto Runway Dr along the airport perimeter until you reach one of the gravel road and pull-off to the side near the fence line where you can park safely.
WHAT	Runway 14 arrivals and aircarft taxiing to the runway. Runway 32 departures are viewable but most aircraft will be quite high by the time they pass.
TIME	Best from sunrise to early afternoon. Backlit all day after this. Heat haze can be an issue during the summer months.
MISC.	No restrooms in the immediate area. Heavy aircarft mostly stay lower, including United 737s. Ladder needed to clear the fence here properly. 7-Eleven is down the road about half a mile.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm KC-46 = 146mm; CRJ-200 = 255mm

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	Spot #2 – International Way – VLAT Base Movements
WHERE	This spot is great to view movemnts on the VLAT ramp. This spot is located at the begining International Way. From Bullock Rd, head towards Crater Lake Hwy and head northeast. Turn left onto Coker Butte Rd, then countinue straight. Turn left onto International Way and there should be a gravel pull-off along the fence where you can park safely.
WHAT	VLAT Base movements.
TIME	Sunrise to early afternoon. Backlit all day after this.
MISC.	Bring everything you need here as there are no stores or restrooms nearby. Heat haze might be an issue during the summer months. Ladder needed to clear the fence here properly.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm DC-10 taxiing = 148mm; DC-10 departing = 278mm

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	Spot #3 – Buffalo Wild Wings Parking Lot – 32 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is good for arrivals on runway 32. This spot is located behind the Buffalo Wild Wings. From Bullock Rd, head towards Crater Lake Hwy and head East. Turn left onto Delta Waters Rd, then turn into the first left and head behind Buffalo Wild Wings next to the black fence.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 32.
TIME	Sunrise to early afternoon. Backlit all day after this.
MISC.	Restrooms can be found inside the stores. There are a few food offerings in this area.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm 737 = 188mm; S-2 = 400mm

	Spot #4 – Field – 32 Movements
WHERE	This spot is good for runway 32 arrivals and taxiing aircraft. This spot is located in a field off Bullock Rd. Way. From ther terminal, head towards the Bullock Rd exit and head ease. About 0.3 miles down there is a gravel pull-off to the right where you can park safely. Cross the road into the field and walk to the end.
WHAT	Runway 32 arrivals and aircraft taxiiing to the runway.
TIME	Late afternoon to sunset. Backlit from sunrise to late afternoon.
MISC.	Bring everything you need here as there are no stores or restrooms nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm A319 = 235mm; E175 taxiing = 220mm

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	Spot #5 – Terminal Observation Deck – 32 + Ramp Movements
WHERE	This spot is good for arrivals and depatures on runway 32 aswell as ramp movements. Located on the second level inside the terminal. Stairs are next to the ticketing counters and there is an elevator available.
WHAT	32 arrivals/departues, Ramp Movements and taxiing aircraft
TIME	Late afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	Heat haze can be an issue during the summer months. Everything you need is inside the terminal: sky House Bar and Grill offers food options.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm E175 landing = 200mm; E175 in gate = 100mm

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	Spot #6 – Tanker Base – 32 departues + Tanker Base Movements
WHERE	This spot is good for depatures on runway 32 aswell as tanker base movements. From the terminal, take the Biddle Rd exit and head north. Turn right onto Cirrus Dr then right onto Nebula Way. You can pull off to the side and park there.
WHAT	32 departues, Tanker Base Movements
TIME	Late afternoon – sunset. Tanker Base is backlit during the afternoon to about late afternoon. Morning and late afternoon are best for ramp movements or when tankers are parked.
MISC.	Ladder needed to clear the fence here properly. Bring everything you need here as there are no stores or restrooms nearby. Heat haze can be an issue during the summer months.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-400mm United E175 = 265mm; MD-87 = 115mm

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	Spot #7 – Red Hangars – 14 Movements
WHERE	This spot is good for arrivals on runway 14 aswell as aircraft taxiing to the runway. From the terminal, take the Biddle Rd exit and head north. Turn right onto Table Rock Rd. There is a mini storage on the right hand side and there is a small road. Drive all the way down until you see a small gravel way next to the fence, you can park there.
WHAT	14 Arrivals and aircraft taxiing towards 14 departure.
TIME	Late afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	Ladder needed to properly clear the fence here. Heat haze can happen during the warmer months. Bring everything you need here as there are no stores or restrooms nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm ATR 72 landing = 200mm; 737 taxiing= 100mm

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