Vancouver International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: Canada | Region: British Columbia |
| Location | Richmond, BC |
| IATA code | YVR |
| ICAO code | CYVR |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.yvr.ca |
| Overview map | [1] |
| Communications | |
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| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
Official Spotting Locations
Russ Baker Way
The only official location is a park off Russ Baker Way under the apporach to 26L. This runway is primarily used for airline departures and private aircraft. All movements can be logged from here with decent optics, but photography is limited.
To the north of this place is the Institute of Technology in which you can log WestJets' B-737-200 C-GWJT.
Other Spotting Locations
Templeton Street
Left at the second traffic light from the airport (15-20 minutes walk). Faces North. Unofficial but popular location beside the approach to 26R, you will see many cars parked on a dirt track beside the road. All 26R movements can be logged and good photos can be had although the subjects are a bit high and the smaller types (Dash-8 etc.) will require a long lens (about 400mm on a fullformat sensor).
You won't be able to log the takeoffs (always use 26L) and some landings (some of those parking at the south terminal + the freighters). The "Templeton" stop of the Canada-Line SkyTrain is right next to this location.
"Avis" Lot
The most desirable location, if you want to take pictures and have the coastal mountains as the background. This is the first turn left out of the airport by the blast screens. Excellent photos over the fence and all 08L/26R movements can be seen. However (there had to be one didn't there ?), the businesses on this road are private property and not very tolerant. You can get lucky and be left alone for hours or be unlucky and thrown out immediately. Worth the gamble though.
Requires a ladder due to the fence.
South Terminal
This is on the other (South) side of the airport from the main terminal and there is a parking lot which overlooks the ramp and the rather distant 08R/26L runway. Good for logging as everything at Vancouver passes this location sooner or later, and there are reasonable photographic opportunities through the fence.
Floatplanes come and go on the Fraser River to the S. of the small terminal, and most of the aircraft parked on the ramps can be logged and some photographed by walking around.
Ferguson Road
When arrivals are on 08L, a long drive from the airport via Templeton Road (above) will eventually lead to a small gravel pull-off at the seashore and close to the threshold. All arrivals as well as those using runway 12 can be logged and photographed although the location faces South and so is best in the early morning/late evening in the summer. Also along Ferguson Road past the UPS facility there is a raised hill area. Good to photograph on sunny summer evenings when the airport is landing west.
Main Terminal
Only ticketed passengers are allowed on the concourses. There are two 'public' locations from which the action can be watched, but not satisfactorily photographed. On the main floor by the entrance to the C gates are a few chairs facing the window. In the basement food court there are tables and chairs with a somewhat constricted view. Neither is ideal but could be a refuge on a (frequent) rainy day.
Locations to Avoid
Multi-storey car park
Anyone spotting from the top floor is visible to the control tower, with predictable results.
Regular Traffic
Wide range of North American and Asian airlines. Fewer European carriers - BA, KL and LH year-round, others during the summer. Situation changes frequently, refer to the airport's website for the latest list.