Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Texas |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | |
| Location | DFW Airport, Texas |
| IATA code | DFW |
| ICAO code | KDFW |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.dfwairport.com |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
Official Spotting Locations
Founders Plaza
By runway 35C. When DFW is in a North operation, which is only about 20% of the time, the aircraft landing on 35C touchdown really close to this area. The problem with photography is that this area is east of the landing runway 35C and takeoff runway 35L so they quickly become backlit. There's actually better success doing photography from here on a day where there is a Southbound operation. Aircraft landing on 17L, which is a mile east of this area, taxi right in front of the plaza. The taxiway "ER" goes right in front of Founder's Plaza, and it is just north of the plaza so lighting is usually good.
This taxiway is not used very much however, and waiting times between aircraft can be quite long. 17L is only an overflow runway, so, during the valleys between the peaks, it can be a long wait. When it is being used, you'll see quite a few. The other day I got to see AA49 a 763 from CDG taxi by.
They will taxi by and frequently have to hold short of 17C and 17R so they stop pretty close. Many pictures from DFW on Airlines.net are taken from here.
I recommend bringing something to stand on, to get above the fence line, though there are other ways of doing it.
Other Spotting Locations
American Eagle Hangar Parking Lot
It's a view of 18 R and L, closer to 18R which is the arrivals runway. You are west of the runway so afternoon light is best.
On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower. If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar. There's no security check going here. I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on. There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.
Locations to Avoid
Location
Regular Traffic
It gets all American Airlines aircraft except the A300. It gets all American Eagle except the ATR 72. International heavies are British Airways 777-200 GE90 (1 daily), Lufthansa A340(1 daily), Korean 777 (3 x week), ATA L1011s and North American 767s for troop transports. Aeromexico 737-700s for charters. Lots of cargo, including a UPS hub that has 727s all the way up to 747s, lots of equipment types. Lots of Asian cargo including Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Air China, China Airlines, EVA, Air France, Southern Air, Kitty Hawk.
Other airlines served: United narrowbodies up to 757 United Express Embraer 170s Northwest DC9 and A320s Pinnacle CRJs USAirways and America West 737s and A320s USAir express on Mesa CRJ900 Mesa Beech 1900Ds Continental 737s Continental Express ERJs Delta 737-200 through 767-300 Delta Connection all types up through Shuttlecraft EMB170s
If I remember more I'll post it
Facilities and Transportation
To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive. Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12. I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.
The only other good location is the Skylink train, which is inside security. It makes a full loop 50' above the ramp. This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.
If you like the view from there, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW." This is a lounge run by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access. This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too. The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too. It's a great view if you have money to burn! They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.
Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114. It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel. It has a great view. The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.