Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD) is one of the most important airports at the east Coast of the United States. It is located in Virginia and 26 miles from Washington D.C, the capital of the United States. Comparing with two other two major airports KDCA and KBWI in Washington-Baltimore area, Dulles has the most international traffic with more than 22 million passengers a year and more than 125 destinations around the world. Located next to Dulles airport is the Udvar-Hazy Center, which has a lot of interesting collections like SR-71 Blackbird inside, it’s worth to have a visit.

Dulles is a hub of United Airlines which flies to Europe, Asia and South America. Almost all major Europe airlines like Lufthansa, Air France as well as Asian airlines like ANA, Air China service daily flights to Dulles. In this way, all kinds of heavies especially like United B767-400 can be observed every day. Also, because of its special location, VIP aircraft and Special Visitors like Amiri 747-400, Luftwaffe A310 and AN-124 can be seen all year round if you are lucky enough.

The airport authorities are pretty friendly to spotters, but there will still be chances be to approached by the airport police at garage 1&2 (location 2&3). Normally the police will just ask after a few questions but it’s advised to make a call to the airport authority at 703-572-2730 before coming to those two locations since it’s the airport property.

Written by Ruoyang Yan and Ruoyao Wang (Last update October 2019)

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Airport Information
Runways
01L/19R	2.865 m (9.400 ft) Concrete
01C/19C	3.505 m (11.500 ft) Concrete
01R/19L	3.505 m (11.500 ft) Concrete
12/30	3.201 m (10.501 ft) Concrete
Terminals
Concourse Z (Main Terminal)	Air Canada Express, Frontier
Concourses A and B	all non United Flights
Concourses C and D	only United and United Express
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary.
Car/Public Transport	Not necessary but recommended, all locations can be reached by bus but they’re not that convenient especially if you’re planning to depart from Downtown Washington DC.
Restrooms	All locations have restrooms located nearby except location 3 and 6.
Drinks/Food	There are shops nearby at all locations except location 3 and 6.
Hotels	Many hotels located around the airport and most of them provide shuttle bus from the terminals, the most convenient hotel is Washington Dulles Airport Marriott since it’s the closest one.
Season	All year round is fine, but in winter it gets dark pretty early (Around 4 – 5pm).
Runway Usage
01C/19C	Mainly be used for arrivals. In southern operation, domestic flights and almost all European airlines will land on 19C. But in northern operation, arrivals on 1C are mostly those coming from south and west while others are more likely to use 1R. ANA, Korean Air and cargos will mostly use 1C/19C regardless of direction of operations. During the peak in the early morning, 1C/19C may also be used for domestic departure.
01R/19L	Used for both arrivals and departure. During southern operation, arrivals coming from south and most international flights of United Airlines will use 19L while most European airlines will use 19C. In northern operation, traffic coming from north and east will use 1R in the morning as well as Ethopian, Emirates and SAA. In the afternoon almost all international arrivals will use on 1R.
01L/19R	Only be used during peak hours, at most time, there is no operation on this runway.
12/30	Only be used for departure. Arrivals will only happen when encountering strong NW wind during few days of a year. Most departure flights will use runway 30 in the morning.

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	Spot #1 – Sully Place Shopping Center – 1R Arrivals in The Morning
WHERE	If you’re driving, use VA-28N and exit at S/Sully Road. follow the direction of Sully Place Shopping Center, it’s a pretty market area so parking is always available. Step up to the sidewalk to avoid the overhead utility wires.  There are a few hidden old sprinkler heads in the grass between the lot & sidewalk, take care not to trip over them. You can also take Bus 652 to “Centreville Rd and Metrotech Dr” and walk for a short distance to there.
WHAT	This location is good for spotting arrivals on 1R during north operation. traffic come from north and east like Emirates, Ethiopian and South Africa will use 1R. You can move to the sidewalk for a better angle since there are trees and wires which may obstruct the planes.
TIME	From sunrise to noon all year round.
MISC.	Shops and restrooms are inside the market.
FOCAL LENGTH	200mm for B777/ A380, 300mm or longer for domestic flights and business jets.

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	Spot #2 – IAD Parking garage 2 – All movements on 1C/19C in The Morning
WHERE	Parking garage 2 in next to the main terminal of IAD, there is pathway connects the ticketing level of the terminal and the 3rd floor of garage 2. Use the elevators to the top level for a better angle. You can also take the parking lot shutter bus from the arrival level of terminal. (The parking fee is $6 / hour and $17 / day)
WHAT	This location is wonderful for spotting all operations happen on 1C/19C in the morning. During southern operation, most arrivals will use 19C. And during northern operation, arrivals are more likely to be those coming from south and west. ANA and Korean Air will mostly use 1C/19C. Sometimes in early morning (about 7am to 9am), 1C/19C may also be used for departures which you could get a pretty good angle, but after the peak, departures will move to 30.
TIME	From sunrise to noon all year round.
MISC.	Shops and restrooms are inside the terminal which is accessible by the pathway on the 3rd floor of the garage.
FOCAL LENGTH	250mm for B777/ A380, 400mm or longer for domestic flights and business jets on the runway. Shorter length is available for spotting the movements on the taxiways.

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	Spot #3 – IAD Parking garage 1 – Arrivals on 19L and Departure on 1R in The Afternoon
WHERE	Parking garage 1 is a separate building so it’s relatively farther from the terminal than garage 2. But it’s easy to find, just follow the direction of garage 1 and go to the top level to get a better angle. Garage 1 is also accessible by the parking lot shutter bus. (The parking fee is $6 / hour and $17 / day)
WHAT	This location is ideal for spotting arrivals on 19L and departure in 1R in the afternoon. During southern operation, international arrivals of United Airlines are more likely to use 19L, some other arrivals like European and Asian airlines may also land at 19L but they are most likely to use 19C. In northern operation, you can also spot 1R departure before sunset, keep in mind that 1R will mainly be used for arrivals in the early afternoon, departure will mostly happen in late afternoon until sunset. (Normally begining with Air China 77W and ending with Lufthansa 747). Also note that during summer, heat haze can be a problem so this location is more ideal during cooler weather.
TIME	From noon to sunset all year round.
MISC.	As I mentioned before, Parking garage 1 is separate from the terminal, please bring food you need and there is no restroom inside the garage.
FOCAL LENGTH	300 mm for B767/B777, 400mm or longer for domestic flights.

Photos for 19L arrival:

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Photos for 1R departure:

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	Spot #4 – Udvar-Hazy Center – 1R Arrivals in The Afternoon
WHERE	Udvar-Hazy Center is next to the IAD, you can follow the direction drive to the museum parking lot or take the Bus 983 from the terminal which is convenient. Parking fee is $15 and a 30-minute gracing period at any time of the day. Update on April 2021: The museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, the parking lot is closed either, please check the website for the status: https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
WHAT	It might be the most famous spotting location of IAD during northern operations. Most international arrivals will use 1R including heavies. aircraft flies low at this location so it’s easy to get nice pictures. You can move around the parking lot to find a better angle since sometime the trees may obstruct the planes.
TIME	From noon to sunset all year round.
MISC.	MacDonald and restrooms are inside the museum and the entry is for free.
FOCAL LENGTH	150 mm for B777/ B747/ A380, 250mm or longer for domestic flights and business jets.

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	Spot #5 – Fairfield Inn – 19L Arrivals in The Morning
WHERE	This location is at the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn. The address is 23000 Indian Creek Dr, Sterling, VA. It’s at the north side of the airport. To access it from Old Ox Rd, you can turn right into Pacific Blvd, and then turn right again into Indian Creek Dr. You can park your car in the Eastern side of the Fairfield Inn’s parking lot.
WHAT	At this location you can spot the morning arrivals of Runway 19L. International arrivals from Europe and Middle-East in the morning are likely to use this runway during southern operations. Some domestic flights can also be seen.
TIME	It is good from sunrise to noon all year round.
MISC.	Restroom is located inside Fairfield Inn. Foods are available nearby in the Cracker Barry Store.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-200mm

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	Spot #6 – Ambassed or Bible Church – 1C Arrivals in The Afternoon
WHERE	This location is at the parking lot of the Ambassador Bible Church. The address is 15100 Enterprise Ct, Chantilly, VA. It is in the south side of the airport. To access it from Lee Jackson Highway, you can turn left into Pleasant valley Rd, and then turn left again into Lafayette Center Dr. You can park your car in the parking lot of Ambassador Bible Church.
WHAT	At this location you can spot the afternoon arrivals of Runway 1C. The majority of the traffic here is domestic. Some of the international flights from Asia or South America will also use this runway. In some circumstances arrivals from Europe do use this runway but it is not a common scene as they are more likely to use 1R which can be spotted at location 4.
TIME	It is good from noon to sunset all year round.
MISC.	There aren’t any restrooms or stores nearby. Prepare your own food and water.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-200mm

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	Spot #7 – CiCi’s Pizza/ Costco Parking lot- 1R Arrivals in The Afternoon
WHERE	This location is at a street across the parking lot of the Costco, just follow the direction and park next to the CiCi’s Pizza which has been closed. It’s close to location 4 — Udvar-Hazy Center and what you spot are the same traffic here. However, in this location, you will have a better view as there is no tree which may obstruct the planes. Another advantage comparing with Udvar-Hazy Center is that you don’t need to pay for the 15 dollars parking fee here.
WHAT	In this location you can spot arrival in 1R during northern operations in the whole afternoon. Most international arrivals will use 1R including heavies.
TIME	It is good from noon to sunset all year round.
MISC.	Restroom is located inside Costco and there is shops nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-300mm

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	Spot #8 – Commerce Center
WHERE	Heading west, take route 606, then turn right on Commerce Center Ct. After turning right onto Commerce CC, take the first right which should take you down and into a parking lot. Park anywhere once in the lot, then proceed to the end and climb up the hill.
WHAT	Arrivals on rwy19C from 12:00 to sunset. Arrivals on rwy 19R from sunrise to 12:00.
TIME	All day depending on which runway you choose, see above on “what”. Avoid midday as the sun is on the top.
MISC.	With six months of going to this location, I have never experienced any problems with security/the police. This location is a business park, so sometimes the workers there will ask if you’ve caught anything interesting or if there is anything interesting coming in while driving in or out. I have never been “heckled” by the workers either. As mentioned before, this is a business park. There are probably restrooms inside some of the buildings there, but it is recommended to avoid this unless it is an emergency as constant restroom usage might give the business owners an unfavourable view of spotters and make them unwelcome visitors. Finally, if you are an experienced spotter, and you listen to ATC (KIAD-> North Arrival MULRR), you’ll be able to hear aircraft arriving from the north receive a runway ” expect runway __” (either by Chambersburg, PA or York, PA depending on how they are being vectored into the airport) This will provide you with ample time to make it to Garage 1 if the aircraft gets 19 L. Google directions from this spot to Garage 1, it takes around 8 minutes. It should be noted that you can see aircraft that are arriving on 19L from this spot, but to get a decent photograph, you should go to either of the Garages, preferably #1 as it is closer to 19L.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm

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