Published byJanat
- last modified on March 21, 2022
Auckland is by far the largest and busiest airport in New Zealand catering for over 19 million passengers in the year ended October 2017. Located in Mangere on the edge of the Manukau Harbour more than half of the airport’s perimeter is only accessible by boat, making spotting at this airport rather difficult with only a few good acessible locations. It is the main hub of Air New Zealand and Jetstar, who also base their NZ domestic operations from the airport. It has two separate terminals, (the individual former Air New Zealand and Qantas domestic terminals having been linked together as one domestic terminal), and a single runway capable of 45 movements per hour. Construction of a second runway, for commuter operations, was begun in 2007 but has been placed on hold. This may however be picked up again as there are recent plans to built a new northerly runway of approx. 2,000m length.
The domestic traffic is mainly dominated by Air New Zealand, which mostly sees A320 operation. Also you will see a great deal of Air New Zealand Link, which visits the airport with its entire fleet. Jetstar also has a local operation with A320s and Dash 8 turboprops. Great Barrier Airlines and FlyMySky operate local services, mainly to Great Barrier Island, using Cessna Caravans and Islanders. Air Chathams still use CV-580s to the Chatham Islands and they also fly the Saab 340 and other aircraft on charter demand.
The international traffic is by far the most interesting in the country and includes the Air New Zealand widebody fleet, some A320s and also the new A321N fleet which doesn’t currently operate regularly from other New Zealand airports. Other international operators include AirAsia X, Aircalin, Air China, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Vanuatu, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, Emirates, Fiji Airways, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Korean Air, LATAM Chile, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Samoa Airways, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Virgin Australia. Traffic can be slow at times, however most international carriers are spread out throughout the day, so you will also see heavy operations in the afternoon and evening.
Written by Richard Stretton, Jan Seba, Marcus and Yang Qize (last Update March 2019)
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Airport Information
Runways
05L/23R
3.108 m (10.197 ft)
05R/23L
3.635 m (11.926 ft)
Terminals
Two terminals splitted in between domestic and international
Spotting Information
Ladder
Not needed at all for any spot.
Car/Public Transport
Car is not necessary, but recommended unless you plan to use only the Terminal locations.
Restrooms
Not at Puhinui Rd but at nearby McDonalds and in terminals
Drinks/Food
Supermarket, restaurants & gas stations at the airport
Hotels
Novotel by the International Terminal, (quite expensive but with views of the runway); Ibis Budget, slightly further out, (much cheaper but with no runway views).
Season
Best weather is in September-April but winter is mild by UK or German standards and the light conditions are best in Autumn & Spring, as the sun will not be as high.
Runway Usage
05L/23R
Main taxiway to 05R to close to be used as a runway, and only used when 05R is closed for repairs.
05R/23L
Used for all arrivals and departures in both directions.
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A pair of official viewing areas are available with parking on either side of Puhinui Road after the end of the main runway. The two areas are at different levels due to the land profile. The area in the north provides a better angle but is only accessible coming from the airport due to a barrier in the middle of the road. There are some benches available but most people simply sit in their cars to watch.
Update April 2021: Constructions works are completed and the location is available again.
WHAT
Great for spotting all traffic when wind is coming from the west/south-west and 23L is in use as landing aircraft come past at perfect height. With a suitable long-lens, traffic lining up can also be photographed when 23L is in use. However the heat haze during the day will be strong and this may only be possible in the early morning. For line-up shots you can walk 200 meters along the road towards the bridge. So heat haze will be not such a big issue as you are closer to the action (see ATR or EVA in line up). If 05R is in use it can be frustrating as most landing traffic leaves the runway too far for photography and a lot of departing traffic is too high by the time it passes this spot.
TIME
The best time to use this spot is during the day from late morning until afternoon. In the morning however line-up on RWY 23L will have best light conditions.
MISC.
There are no facilities here at all though closer to the airport (probably about 2km away) there is a McDonalds and beyond that, the terminals. Also on the road towards the city there is a shopping centre including a Countdown supermarket.
FOCAL LENGTH
Approx. 190mm for an A320 and 100mm for a B773. The Thai B772 on lineup was roughly 200mm.
Just drive along Laurence Stevens Drive and turn into Hape Drive. Then turn left towards the Air Chathams ramp where you can take pictures from multiple locations along the fence. Do not forget to drive all the way east towards the marked location.
WHAT
Views of Air Chathams Convairs plus some biz jets and other aircraft, which might be sitting on the ramp. If you are staying at Spot #1 through the day always have an eye on this location, as the ramp can be quite active and aircraft might be parked in different locations.
TIME
Generally all day, but best in the afternoon.
MISC.
Photos are taken through wire fencing. There are no facilities here at all though closer to the airport (probably about 1.5km away) there is a McDonalds and beyond that, the terminals. Also on the road towards the city there is a shopping centre including a Countdown supermarket.
FOCAL LENGTH
Mainly below 50mm, however the Jetstream and F27 are further in the field at 150-200mm.
At the northern end of Laurence Stevens Drive in the car park of the DHL facility.
WHAT
Views of Air New Zealand engineering facility where there are usually one or two heavies and small aircraft.
TIME
Best in the morning. Photos through or over the wire fence.
MISC.
There are no facilities here at all though closer to the airport (probably about 1km away) there is a McDonalds and beyond that the terminals. Also on the road towards the city there is a shopping centre including a Countdown supermarket.
Spot #4 – Domestic Terminal – Airworks and Prop Ramp
WHERE
Outside at the southern end of the domestic terminal. There is a wire fence between the public and the ramp.
WHAT
Views of the gates used by Air New Zealand Link operators and the local Great Barrier Island airlines as well as Airworks ramp often populated by the postal service 737. With care, it’s also possible to take photos of traffic on the taxiway or even on the runway, but on hot days heat haze is likely to be a problem.
TIME
Ok all day but best in the morning.
MISC.
Photos have to be taken through wire fencing. Plenty of food, drink and facilities in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH
50-100mm for traffic on the ramp. Up to 300mm for traffic on the runway or parallel taxiway; anything requiring a greater focal length is likely to suffer badly from heat haze on hot days.
Just outside the domestic terminal is the three storey parking garage, which offers good views from the top floor. You can use either the east or west side of the garage depending on your preference and runway operation.
WHAT
The top floor is just high enough to offer unrestricted views of the airport runway. However most taxiways will be obstructed by vents and posts. The spot is in the middle of the runway so can be used for both directions. If 05 is in operation some aircraft might already be in the air when they come into sight.
TIME
The best time to use this spot is during the day from late morning until afternoon. During the day you might experience heat haze at this location for aircraft still on the ground.
MISC.
Plenty of food, drink and facilities are available in the terminal. Security may ask you to leave and ask for a photo permit. If so request him for allowance to continue shooting from this spot while he calls the CCTV control room with his radio set.
In the domestic terminal go through security, (no boarding pass typically required), and turn left going up the escalators to the gates used by Air New Zealand domestic jet operations. N.B: There used to be an open air viewing terrace in the domestic terminal but this was replaced when Air New Zealand’s Koru Club was developed.
WHAT
Views of the gates used by Air New Zealand and Jetstar A320s. Views of the main runway and taxiways alongside it.
TIME
The best time to use this spot is during the day from late morning until afternoon.
MISC.
Plenty of food, drink and facilities are available in the terminal. Glass is often covered in fingerprints and there can be reflection issues. Also the glass tint may be an issue, however this can usually be corrected in most editing software.
If you are going to stay at the airport for one night or more, the Novotel offers some nice views.
WHAT
While booking at this hotel, you can request for an apron-facing room and spot from your room with the view of the international terminal gates and some remote stands. In addition, the corridor of the hotel has a glassed in view of Runway 23L/05R, some taxiways, and a couple of remote stands. Good for spotting when you want some rest and comfort in between the other locations.
TIME
All day, though lighting gets better in the afternoon. Night shots possible.
MISC.
Shooting from the room can be challenging as there are 2 glass layers. The location in the corridor also has somewhat thick glass, and heat haze is present during the day. Departure/arrival shots on the runway are technically possible, but photos may turn out soft or heat hazed.
At the dead end of Geoffrey Roberts Road you can park your car on the grass.
WHAT
All aircraft on the parallel taxiways can be photographed here. Pictures on the runway might possible as well, but heat haze will make these shots difficult. You can take pictures over the fence, if you 1,85 or taller. Or just shoot through the mesh.
TIME
The best time to use this spot is during the day from late morning until afternoon.
MISC.
Park your car on the grass and stay in your car until an aircraft is coming closer. Keep a very low profile and don’t stay too long close to the fence. Security don`t like spotters at this point.
FOCAL LENGTH
28 mm for A320 on the close taxiway, 70 mm on the rear taxiway
Coming from the airport pass the official spotter place (spot #1) and turn after 2 kms right into Prices Road. After 1 km you will find the entrance to Colin Dale Park, a race course. Park your car on the curbside.
WHAT
All approaching aircraft on runway 23L
TIME
The spot is only usable in the early morning hours.
MISC.
In case the park is open, you also move to the offical parking.
(18 votes, average: 4.28 out of 5)
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Stay away from spot 9. I went to this area and a couple of hours in I was threatened with arrest and trespass by airport security
It is indeed not the best place for planespotting. More like a shot and run spot.
-Julian
hey everyone, spot 1 is now open so feel free to go there from now on
Hi, nice to hear that and thanks for the info. Guide has been updated.
-Julian