In 2023, 14.5 mio passengers used the airport of the city of St. Louis, Missouri. It was build in 1920 and used to be a major hub for TWA, while now it is a major hub for Southwest. Expect to see a lot of 737 variants when you are spotting here. While there are other airlines such as American, Delta, and United airlines that do operate here, Southwest makes up for a major portion of the operations. Lufthansa is the only carrier that operates a trans-atlantic flight out of Lambert to their hub in Frankfurt.

Written by Akshaj Goel and Achim Walther (Spot 2). Last Update: August 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
6/24	2,317m (7,603ft) Concrete
11/29	2,743m (9,000ft) Concrete
12L/30R	2,747m (9,013ft) Concrete
12R/30L	3,358m (11,020ft) Concrete
Terminals
Terminal 1	Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, United, Charters
Terminal 2	Southwest, Lufthansa
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed
Car/Public Transport	Car is absolutely needed. There is no public transport around the airport. Only spot 2 can be reached from one of the nearby hotels.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty of supermarkets and fast food options south of the airport terminals.
Hotels	Lots of hotels near by, you can find a good amount within a 5-10 mile radius. The Renaissance STL Airport might offer some options for 30L/R movements.
Season	Every season but winter is good, the winters tend to get very cold in the St. Louis area
Security	Make sure to check the description of the spot to make sure you don’t have any issues with the police.
Runway Usage
General Info	St. Louis Lambert International Airport offers 4 total runways, 3 of which are parallel and 1 for crosswinds.
6/24	Rarely used, only for crosswind scenarios
11/29	Used for 11 arrivals and 29 departures. Generally used by Delta, United, and American as it is closer to their terminal. Sometimes used for all airlines if weather poses issues.
12L/30R	Used in both directions. Every airline uses this runway
12R/30L	Used in both directions. Every airline uses this runway

	Spot #1 – Cell Phone Lot – 29 line-ups, 06 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in the T1 Cell Phone Lot. Access is from the terminal 1 via the Lambert Intl. Blvd. Park in any of the westernly facing parking spots for the best view. It is recommended to open you car door and stand on the frame of the car in order to see above the fence.
WHAT	Overlooks runway 11/29 and 6/24 but best for aircraft lining-up on runway 29. 06 arrivals are perfect as well but almost never happens. If in the rare scenario they are using runway 29 for arrivals, you will get head on shots and belly shots.
TIME	For shots of aircraft lining up on 29, sunrise to noon. For shots of runway 6 arrivals, sunrise to noon.
MISC.	Close to the terminal. DO NOT take a ladder and set a ladder up at this spot as you WILL be confronted by police on what you are doing.
FOCAL LENGTH	Unkown

No photos available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you can provide some samples.

	Spot #2 – Washington Park Cemetery
WHERE	The location is on a path within the Washington Park Cemetery where you can stay. The path is on the northern boundary of the cemetery, close to the I70.  There are several access points to the cemetery from James S. McDonnell Blvd and Natural Bridge Rd. Parking space is at one of the shops around or you can drive directly on the cemetery.
WHAT	Good for landings on 30R and departures on 12L. For landings on 30R you should walk down the way in direction to Dwight D. Eisenhower Hwy and go up to the end. There’s a small ramp where you get a good angle. But be aware. You see the planes very late and have eonly a small window for taking the picture. For starts on 12L a postion near the antenna mast should be good.
TIME	Noon until sunset. Backlit in the (summer) mornings.
MISC.	Even the cemetry is no more active since 1985 please be respectfully to this place and the workers how try to restorate it and take all your stuff back with you. Depending on your postion you might get some shadow by the trees. On Natural Bridge Rd are a lot of hotels and Fastfood chains.
FOCAL LENGTH	738 = 350mm

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	Spot #3 – Cell Phone Lot – 12R Departures
WHERE	From Terminal 2 just continue east on Air Cargo road to the T2 Cell Phone Lot. Park anywhere on the southern end of the lot.
WHAT	Best for runway 12R departures.
TIME	Noon until sunset. Backlit in the (summer) mornings.
MISC.	Close to the terminal. Do not attract attention to yourself. Sit in your car till you know an aircraft is about to take off and then get out of your car.
FOCAL LENGTH	Unkown

No photos available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you can provide some samples.

	Spot #4 – James S. McDonnell Blvd – 30R Arrivals
WHERE	From the previous location continue east and stop where the road starts to turn, pull over anywhere next to the guardrail. Make sure to only stay at this spot for 5-10 minutes to avoid having the police come and talk to you. Better to park in the cell phone lot and head to this point when something special is inbound. Spot 2 is a safer option.
WHAT	Best for runway 30R arrivals.
TIME	Noon until sunset. Backlit in the (summer) mornings.
MISC.	Close to the terminal. Do not stay at this spot for more than 5-10 minutes in order to avoid an interaction with the local pd.
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 – 200mm A320 – 220mm

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	Spot #5 – Berkley Ave – 30R Arrivals
WHERE	Pull over on the right side of Berkley Ave which is right next to Exit 8 of I170. You will have a small window to get some shots due to the high volume of trees. Make sure to get out of your car a little early to make sure you are able to get some shots.
WHAT	Best for runway 30R arrivals from sunrise to noon
TIME	Summer mornings only.
MISC.	Just a small connection road and no amenities nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	A330 – 200mm B737 – 250-300mm

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	Spot #6 – Springdale Ave – 30L/R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located just before the second entrance to the Amazon warehouse at Springdale Ave. Park a couple feet before the fire hydrant by the roadside.
WHAT	Best for runway 30R arrivals.  30L arrivals will be a head on/belly shot.
TIME	Noon to sunset
MISC.	No amenities nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 – 200mm A319 – 250mm

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	Spot #7 – Parking Lot – 12R/12L Arrivals
WHERE	At the north end of the GoJet airlines building is a parking lot where you can spot from. Access by car from I270/I70 via Highway 67 and Banshee Rd. Once there pull up all the way to the last parking spots where ur car is facing the curb and overlooking Banshee Rd.
WHAT	Best for runway 12L/R arrivals.
TIME	Noon until sunset. Backlit in the (summer) mornings.
MISC.	This is an office building parking lot so keep a low profile. We personally have never had any issues with this spot
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 – 150-200mm

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	Spot #8 – Navaid Rd – 11 Arrivals/29 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located at an abandoned parking lot at the west end of Navaid Rd. Just continue westward from the previous spot for a few hundred meters. Position is elevated so no ladder is needed.
WHAT	All movements on runway 11/29
TIME	Summer mornings only.
MISC.	Absolutely no amenities nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 – 150-180mm

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	Spot #9 – Berry Hill Golf Course – 12L/12R Arrivals
WHERE	At the westernmost corner of the airport is the “Berry Hill Golf Course”. Access by car from I270/I70 via Highway 67. Once there turn into the parking  lot. You can park anywhere within and walk to the covered picnic bench area where you can spot from.
WHAT	Best for 12L arrivals. 12R arrivals you will get a head on/belly shot
TIME	Noon until sunset. Backlit in the (summer) mornings.
MISC.	There are some benches and shade. Make sure to go when they are open when you go as they close and lock the gates to the parking lot after hours.
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 – 220-240mm

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	Spot #10 – BMAC – 11 Arrivals
WHERE	There is a huge baseball court pretty far from the airport. Access is via highway I270 and HWY370. The spot itself is located at the parks parking lot. When you enter, park at the first parking lots to your left and park there. This will give you the best possible angle for arriving aircraft.
WHAT	Best for 11 arrivals
TIME	Sunrise to noon
MISC.	Try to avoid this spot when there are sports activities.
FOCAL LENGTH	Unknown

No photos available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you can provide some samples.