Tucson International Airport (TUS/KTUS) is the second busiest in Arizona after Phoenix Sky Harbour and handled 3.6 Million passengers in 2018. The Airport has no based airline and is only connected to national destinations. The regular carriers are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Via Air. The airport is also served by DHL and Fedex.

The military part of the airfield operates USAF F-16 and some Iraqi AF F-16’s are based. The maintenance facilities of Raytheon and Bombardier are also on the airfield but their security staff has been known to ask photographers to leave if they venture too close. The Rolls Royce B747 is based here but obtaining photographs can be challenging due to the fence line and ground equipment.

Written by Patrick Weis, Bas Velders and Tim Ames. Last visited February 2019.

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Airline Variety
Photo Locations
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Airport Information
Runways
11L/29R	3.352 m (10.996 ft)
11R/29L	2.563 m (8.408 ft)
03/21	2.134 m (7,000 ft)
Airport Chart
Terminals
Concourse A	United, Sun Country, Southwest, Frontier
Concourse B	Delta, American, Alaska
Concourse C	Allegiant
Spotting Information
Ladder	At some spots helpful but not recommended. Usually you can photograph through the mesh or over the fence.
Car/Public Transport	Car is absolutely necessary to get around the airport. No public transport.
Restrooms	Nothing at the spots directly.
Drinks/Food	Plenty of fast food chains north of the terminal along E Valencia Rd
Hotels	Plenty of hotels north of the terminal along S Tucson Blvd and E Valencia Rd
Season	Try to avoid the summer as it gets really hot, which causes heat haze at some spots.
Runway Usage
11L/29R	Main runways for the airport and used in both directions.
11R/29L	Very narrow runway (23m) and mainly used by the local Aeroclub.
03/21	Alternative major runway to 11L/29R during strong crosswinds

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	Spot #1 – S Park Ave – Aproach 11L and stored Aircraft
WHERE	This spot is located at the side of S Park Ave next to the stored Aircrafts there. From there you can shoot all arrivals to Runways 11L in the afternoon. Park your car at the side of the road there is enough space.
WHAT	You only can take pictures of planes landing on runway 11L in the afternoon. Furthermore you can photograph the parked and stored aircraft on the Ascent Aviation ramp (see #5).
TIME	The best time is from 12:00 until sunset
MISC.	Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks. The security staff of Ascent may come out and ask to see identification.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #2 – Control Tower
WHERE	This spot is located is next to the ATC Tower at the end of S Plumer Ave. There are some unreserved parking spots where you can park for free. Shooting through the fence is easy and at some spots the fence is low enough to shoot over.
WHAT	All runway 11L/29R movements on the runway and taxiway. Fighter jets are already hazy on the runway early in the morning.
TIME	The best time is from sunrise until 10:00
MISC.	Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-400mm Many parked aircraft can be shot from here as well.

	Spot #3 – Fire Station – Departures & arrivals 11L/29R
WHERE	This spot is one of the better ones at TUS and often used by local spotters. From the terminal, take the first left (towards Air Cargo). Drive on this road until you reach the fire station. Park near the fence.
WHAT	All runway 11L/29 movements are visible from here. Even most military jets landing on 11L will use the runway exit in front of you.
TIME	The best time is in the early morning. Late in the morning, the sun wil be in front of you.
MISC.	There is nothing here, bring what you need. A small stepladder (2 steps) is recommended.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-200mm (taxiway) 300-400mm (runway)

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	Spot #4 – S Alvernon Way – Arrivals 29R
WHERE	There are almost no spots for shots of planes approaching the 29 runways. The only one worth a try is on South Alvernon Way. From the terminal, take the first left (towards Air Cargo). Then drive on East Los Reales Road and turn left onto South Alvernon Way. Park your car somewhere at a safe spot on the side of the road.
WHAT	Arrivals 29R
TIME	Afternoon
MISC.	There is nothing here.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-300mm

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	Spots #5 – Ramps and stored aircraft around the field
WHERE/WHAT	There are several ramps and parked aircraft around the perimeter and easy to photograph through the fence. Ascent Aviation/Flight School: similar to spot #1 you can photograph at the fence plenty of parked aircraft. Drive all the way along the Ascen Aviation hangars and and then turn left to get to the flight school. Several aircraft types are parked here, especially 737. Pima Community College – Aviation Technology Center: continue the road from #1 all the way till you reached a gate to the Aviation College. There are 3-4 stored 727 aircraft NASA hangar: before you drive to spot #1 you will pass the NASA hangar shortly before runway 11L approach to your left. Sometimes they pull out there C-20 N802NA. Cargo Ramp: this one is at the north side of the east of the terminal, close to spot #3. From the terminal continue on the E Airprot Dr till you see the ramp to your left. Here you can photograph the Rolls Royce 742 N787RR as well as the Sierra Pacific 737s and cargo aircraft.
TIME	Due to the different angles you can photograph the whole day so plan at least one day. Pictures at the cargo ramp are only possible in the early morning!
MISC.	Don´t stay too long at the fence and don´t use a huge ladder (2 steps are enough). Take the picture and then continue.
FOCAL LENGTH	From 10 (747) to 100mm