Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont (IATA: SDU, ICAO: SBRJ) is the 7th biggest airport of Brazil. In 2019, the airport welcomed 9.1 million passengers. The airport is nicely situated near the city centre of Rio de Janeiro and close to some of the tourist attractions and landmarks. From the south side of the airport you have a view of the spectacular Sugar Loaf and further away: Cristo Redentor.

The airport is dominated by four airlines: LATAM, GOL and Azul. The biggest aircraft you will see here are Airbus A319 or Boeing 737-800. Besides the commercial traffic you will see lots of private aircraft and occasionally some military aircraft.

You won’t have any problems here taking pictures. The police and security are used to people come and watch the aircraft.

Written by Ediney Ribeiro. Last Update July 2021.

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Airport Information
Runways
02R/20L	1.320 m (4,331 ft)
02L/20R	1.260 m (4,134 ft)
Terminals	One Terminal for all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Car is not needed. Spots are within walking distance from the terminal except 6 and 7.
Restrooms	Inside theTerminal but public restrooms offered at 6 and 7 as well.
Drinks/Food	Snacks and Drinks are offered directly at every location.
Hotels	Ibis and Novotell nearby the Terminal (via the skybridge).
Season	No special season.
Runway Usage
02R/20L	Main runway.
02L/20R	No Info (Rarely used).

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	Spot #1 – Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha
WHERE	When coming from the terminal, go south towards Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha. Just stay near the end of the fence at the checkpoint and you’ll be all right. There is a fence but you can easily put your camera in between the top of the mesh and the barbed wire or step on some stones next to the water where the fence is lower (see link below).
WHAT	All operations are visible from this spot. For 02R operations, this spot is ideal. When runway 20L is in use, the smaller arriving aircraft tend to leave the runway early. All the bigger aircraft will exit on the other end of the runway.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	There is nothing to eat, there is no restrooms and there is no shade! Spotters are a known sight here and you should have no trouble with the security guard.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-100mm

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	Spot #2 – Stone pier
WHERE	This location is very close to location 01, but has a little different views with the sea in the background, making the photo very beautiful. It is a pier about 300 meters long, well frequented by people who go hiking.
WHAT	Best for landings on runway 02, but it is also possible to take off on runway 20, the photos are beautiful for the landscape in the background, the sea and the mountains, but it is possible to take close-up photos.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	very frequented place, especially on weekends, has some shadows and you are very close to a mall at the airport. Security here must also be observed, as in any other place in Rio, always stay alert and if possible go accompanied.
FOCAL LENGTH	Here you can use up to 500mm in close-up photos, but when the aircraft is closer, from 150 to 200mm, executive jets are always more.

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	Spot #3 – Observation Hall
WHERE	This is a new spotting location at this airport. It is a glassed observation area inside the airport on the top floor next to some restaurants. To get here after entering the terminal, use the escalators to the top floor, where there are some restaurants you will immediatly see the place. It is also possible to take pictures at the restaurants.
WHAT	Aircraft landings, take-offs and taxiing.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	You are inside the terminal, so everything you need is here, enjoy!
FOCAL LENGTH	It will depend on the aircraft, executives up to 250-300mm, A320/737 around 110 to 180mm

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	Spot #4 – Terminal Arrivals Hall
WHERE	On the arrival hall of the terminal is a public area (landside) with a glass facade near the information counter. It is possible to take some pictures, however the view is partially obstructed by the gates.
WHAT	All operations are visible from this spot.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	Everything you need is in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	Taxiing aircraft: 50-150mm. Aircraft on the runway: 200-300mm

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	Spot #5 –  Marechal Âncora Square
WHERE	From the terminal walk/drive approximate thousand meters northwards until you see on the right side a square/park with trees and restaurants by the sea. It is a pleasant place with an excellent view of the approaches and takeoffs.
WHAT	Best for shooting 20 landings, but it’s also possible to photograph 02 takeoffs.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	Always keep in mind that the city of Rio de Janeiro requires safety precautions, but nothing exaggerated, keep a calm profile, keep your camera whenever you finish a photo and if possible don’t go alone, I was there alone and nothing happened to me, but it’s good to keep your guard up at all times. There are many trees and a restaurant nearby, where you can buy food and restrooms.
FOCAL LENGTH	Over 250mm for 737/320 and 400 for executives.

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	Spot #6 – Flamenco Beach – 02 arrivals
WHERE	This place is a well-known beach in Rio, called Praia do Flamengo and it is even in walking distance form the terminal by walking down along the marina. Find you prefered postion, either on direclty on the beach or in the nearby parks under the trees.
WHAT	Landings on runway 02 are the best to see here. The view is very interesting, from the curves that the aircraft make near the sugar loaf for landing on runway 02, as well as the landings, and also takeoffs are always a show by themselves, with the beautiful Guanabara bay and the Sugarloaf Mountain in the background.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	You will be in a very busy place, especially on weekends, find a place to stay with lots of shade and places to put a chair, and enjoy the wonderful view and the sun, always present here. There are few restrooms, plenty of shade and things to buy to drink and eat. Security here is quiet, but always pay attention to your equipment.
FOCAL LENGTH	Airplanes tend to turn in front of the sugar loaf, so you need 400 to 500mm for an A320, and when the plane is closer 200mm is enough.

	Spot #7 – Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf)
WHERE	This place is on top of the sugar loaf, one of the most popular tourist spots in Rio. You have to take the cable car to go up there and there is a square from which you can see a good part of the city of Rio de Janeiro and the airport of course. If runway 02 is active for landings, the views are always spectacular with the planes turning to land at the airport.
WHAT	Spectacular 02 landings and overlook of the airport.
TIME	The best times here are in the summer morning before noon, after that the sun is usually contrary.
MISC.	You will be at one of the biggest attractions in Rio, so everything you need is here, shade, food and drinks. A safe place.
FOCAL LENGTH	250-500mm

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