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Los Angeles International Airport (view source)

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==Official Spotting Locations==
==Official Spotting Locations==
===Airplane Landing View Point===
At the corner of Sepulveda and Westchester, 10-15 minutes walk from the airport. Small grass area across the street from In-n-Out Burger from which all movements on the northern runways can be seen. The park doesn't have a formal name, but it labeled as "Airplane Landing View Point" on Google Maps. Limited photography as arrivals are almost directly overhead, and you are facing South. When a small aircraft (CRJ, ERJ, 737, A320) isn't blocked by the trees, a 55mm or smaller size lens can be used for a nice shot. However, walking to under the approach lights and jaywalking across Lincoln Blvd. can yield some very nice shots of inbound aircraft. Parking in this area is limited (for those driving to the spot) depending on the time of day if you park on the street, and can be sparse during lunch hours (11:00am - 2:30pm).
{{anetlink|1017460}}
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===Economy Parking Garage===
LAX opened a new economy parking garage in October 2021 with a plane spotting event, and publicity materials put out by the airport describe it as a "plane spotting paradise". The roof level in particular provides excellent views of aircraft landing on the northern runways. Regular parking rates apply for those coming to spot from this location, and upon opening only the lower levels of the garage were opened to cars, however the airport noted in response to questions on a Facebook posts that guests were welcome to park on the lower levels then proceed to the roof for spotting.


===Theme Building===
===Theme Building===
[[File:LAX Theme Building.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:LAX Theme Building.jpg|thumb]]
The LAX Theme Building is the iconic building in the middle of the LAX passenger terminal complex, shown in the photo at right. It hosts the Encounter Restaurant as well as an observation deck. Encounter Restaurant occupies the round portion of the building about halfway up. Windows provide views of the airport in all directions, though which parts you'll see depends on where you are seated. The observation deck is located on the roof of the restaurant.  It closed in 2001 and reopened in July 2010. It is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 5pm, and there is no charge to enter the observation deck. This location is may be poor for photography, except for airport overview shots, as it is distant from aircraft though it is good for spotters who just which to watch traffic or log tail numbers. The airport occasionally hosts "Sunday Morning Coffee" events at the observation deck for plane spotters, aviation enthusiasts, and the general public.
The LAX Theme Building is the iconic building in the middle of the LAX passenger terminal complex, shown in the photo at right. It hosts the Encounter Restaurant as well as an observation deck. Encounter Restaurant occupies the round portion of the building about halfway up. Windows provide views of the airport in all directions, though which parts you'll see depends on where you are seated. The observation deck is located on the roof of the restaurant.  It closed in 2001 and reopened in July 2010. It is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 5pm, and there is no charge to enter the observation deck. This location is may be poor for photography, except for airport overview shots, as it is distant from aircraft though it is good for spotters who just which to watch traffic or log tail numbers. The airport occasionally hosts "Sunday Morning Coffee" events at the observation deck for plane spotters, aviation enthusiasts, and the general public.
===Airfield Tours===
The airport offers an airfield tour on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, see the [https://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=766 LAX Community Relations web page].


==Other Spotting Locations==
==Other Spotting Locations==
===International Terminal===
The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) has a food court upstairs which is not in the secure area and overlooks the North-South taxiway affording close encounters with the heavies. Photography is possible through the glass but you need a 25-80mm zoom or similar, and reflections are a problem. In theory movements on both sets of runways can be logged here with suitable optics, but there have been instances of 'enthusiastic' spotters causing the customers to freak out and call security. Discretion and restraint are necessary if you intend spending any time here.


===Jim Clutter Park (Imperial Hill)===
===Jim Clutter Park (Imperial Hill)===
Line 23: Line 31:


===In-n-Out Burger===
===In-n-Out Burger===
At the corner of Sepulveda and Westchester, 10-15 minutes walk from the airport. Small grass area across the road from which all movements on the Northern runways can be seen. Limited photography as arrivals are almost directly overhead, and you are facing South. When a small aircraft (CRJ, ERJ, 737, A320) isn't blocked by the trees, a 55mm or smaller size lens can be used for a nice shot. However, walking to under the approach lights and jaywalking across Lincoln Blvd. can yield some very nice shots of inbound aircraft. Parking in this area is limited (for those driving to the spot) depending on the time of day if you park on the street, and can be sparse during lunch hours (11:00am - 2:30pm).
The Westchester location of the popular Southern California-based fast food burger chain is a well known location for spotting at LAX, though generally most spotting actually occurs at the park across the street (see [[#Airplane Landing View Point]]). It has some outdoor tables along 92nd Street that easily accommodate spotting while you eat.
{{anetlink|1017460}}
 
{{anetlink|1051796}}
===Vicksburg Avenue Bridge===
There is a multi-story car park with good views from the top floor. No photography signs are present, and you will likely be told to leave.
Passing over Sepulveda Boulevard and about 500 yards south of the In-N-Out Burger spotting location is the Vicksburg Avenue bridge. This location gives an amazing view of north side (Runways 24R & 24L) arrivals as the aircraft pass above the parking lots to the east of Sepulveda Boulevard. A 200mm or 300mm lens is perfect for this location. This location will give both classic arrival shots (1st Example Photo) taken at around 250mm though 200mm will do as well as profile shots (2nd Example Photo) taken at just over 100mm for heavies and just over 150mm for smaller aircraft. This location is less than a 5 minute walk from In-N-Out. To get here from In-N-Out, cross Sepulveda Boulevard at the crosswalk and walk south to the bridge. It is about 500 yards down. Under the bridge is always a cool and shady spot especially useful on hot summer days. Going up onto the bridge using the stairs on the south side of the bridge will also give good shots at about the same angle though you must cross to the north side of the bridge. This spot on the bridge also gives a glimpse of aircraft lined up on 24L and 24R (3rd Example Photo) This spot can be used year round and all day.
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===Proud Bird Restaurant===
===Proud Bird Restaurant===
Line 40: Line 51:
http://www.flightpath.us/
http://www.flightpath.us/


===Radisson Hotel===
===Dockweiler State Beach===
There is a lounge on the roof of the hotel, step outside and shoot from the rooftop. Please keep in mind this hotel is private property, so it is suggested that you only use this location if you are staying at the hotel or a paying customer of the lounge. Recent reports indicate that this location is only accessible after 5pm, when the lounge opens.
Along Vista Del Mar, there is a beach. On Vista Del Mar, there is parking along the streets and there are staircases that go down to the beach. You can watch takeoffs from both runways here either from your car, or down on the beach. You can stay as long as you want and since it is far enough from the airport, no one will yell at you for taking pictures. A good lens is suggested, and it may be busy in the summer.
 
===Westchester Parkway Bridge===
About 3/4 mile West of the In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda is a bridge over Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) that offers good views for aircraft arriving and departing on the 24s on the north side of the airport. During the winter, this spot is backlit with the sun to the south. The ideal time to utilize this location is summer evenings as aircraft use the 24s. When on this bridge you are very exposed to passing traffic and can make spotting in this location stressful or uneasy.
 
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==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==
===Westchester Boulevard===
In the same area as the In-n-Out. A bridge about 1/4 mile West provides good photos but anyone standing there is very visible. Two car parks either side of Sepulveda, one at ground level (E) the other a multi-story (W). None of these locations are very satisfactory for a long stay.


===Cargo Parking===
===Cargo Parking===
There are 2 parking lots off the first and second cargo roads respectively. These were good locations prior to September 11, 2001, but are now patrolled frequently by not-very-friendly LAWA police and spotters will be asked to leave. However, a two person operation could be useful. Some have reported good experiences driving through the cargo complex. A common method is to drive constantly, stopping only when no police are around.
There are 2 parking lots off the first and second cargo roads respectively. These were good locations prior to September 11, 2001, but are now patrolled frequently by not-very-friendly LAWA police and spotters will be asked to leave. However, a two person operation could be useful. Some have reported good experiences driving through the cargo complex. A common method is to drive constantly, stopping only when no police are around.
===The Parking Spot===
This is a multi-story car park with good views from the top floor, located behind In-n-Out Burger. No photography signs are present, and you will likely be told to leave.


==Spotting Locations Map==
==Spotting Locations Map==
Line 58: Line 75:
33.930934, -118.411578~Jim Clutter Park (Imperial Hill);
33.930934, -118.411578~Jim Clutter Park (Imperial Hill);
33.953644, -118.39674~In-n-Out Burger;
33.953644, -118.39674~In-n-Out Burger;
33.9534236, -118.3968158~Airplane Landing View Point;
33.935581, -118.377353~Proud Bird Restaurant;
33.935581, -118.377353~Proud Bird Restaurant;
33.931962, -118.405446~Flight Path Learning Center;
33.931962, -118.405446~Flight Path Learning Center;
33.946021, -118.395152~Raddison Hotel
33.936771, -118.44262~Dockweiler State Beach;
| zoom=14
33.949672, -118.395982~Vicksburg Avenue Bridge;
33.953769, -118.411776~Westchester Parkway Bridge;
33.950775, -118.390000~Economy Parking Garage
| zoom=13
| type=satellite
| type=satellite
}}
}}
Line 67: Line 88:
==Regular Traffic==
==Regular Traffic==


===Terminal 1===
In some cases, airlines operate their check-in counters in a different terminal; this table reflects the terminal where the aircraft park.
 
*Southwest Airlines (Boeing 737)
 
===Terminal 2===
 
*Aeromexico (Boeing 737-700)
**Aeromexico Connect (Embraer ERJ-145)
*Air Canada (Airbus A320, Embraer 190)
*Air China (Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-300)
*Air France (Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300)
*Alitalia (Boeing 777-200)
*Avianca (Boeing 767-200)
*Hawaiian Airlines (Airbus A330-200, Boeing 767-300)
*LACSA (Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Airbus A321)
*Sun Country Airlines (Boeing 737-800)
*TACA (Airbus A320, Airbus A321)
*Virgin Atlantic (Airbus A340-600)
*Volaris (Airbus A319)
*WestJet (Boeing 737-700)
 
===Terminal 3===
 
*Allegiant Air (McDonnall Douglas MD-80)
*Frontier Airlines (Airbus A319, Airbus A320)
*jetBlue Airways (Airbus A320)
*Spirit Airlines (Airbus A319)
*US Airways (Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Airbus A321)
**US Airways Express/Mesa Airlines (Bombardier CRJ-900)
*Virgin America (Airbus A319, Airbus A320)
*Virgin Australia (departures) (Boeing 777-300)
 
===Tom Bradley International Terminal===
 
*Aeroflot (Airbus A330-200)
*Air Berlin
*Air France (Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200)
*Air Tahiti Nui (Airbus A340-300)
*All Nippon Airways (Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300)
*Asiana Airlines (Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200)
*British Airways (Airbus A380-800)
*Cathay Pacific Airways (Boeing 777-300)
*China Airlines (Boeing 747-400)
*China Eastern Airlines (Airbus A330-200, Airbus A340-600)
*China Southern Airlines (Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200)
*Copa Airlines (arrivals) (Boeing 737-800)
*El Al Israel Airlines (Boeing 777-200)
*Emirates Airline (Airbus A380-800)
*EVA Air (Boeing 777-300)
*Fiji Airways (Airbus A330-200)
*Iberia Airlines (Airbus A340-200, Airbus A340-300)
*Japan Airlines (Boeing 777-300)
*KLM (Boeing 747-400)
*Korean Air (Airbus A380-800, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200)
*LAN Airlines (Boeing 767-300)
*LAN Peru (Boeing 767-300)
*Lufthansa (Airbus A340-600, Boeing 747-8i)
*Philippine Airlines (Airbus A340-300, Boeing 777-300)
*Qantas Airways (Airbus A330-200, Airbus A380-800, Boing 747-400)
*Saudi Arabian Airlines (Boeing 777-300)
*Singapore Airlines (Airbus A380-800)
*Swiss International Air Lines (Airbus A340-300)
*Thai Airways International (Boeing 777-200)
*Transaero Airlines (Boeing 777-200)
*Turkish Airlines (Boeing 777-300)
 
===Terminal 4===
 
*American Airlines (Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-200, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 777-200, McDonnell Douglas MD-80)
**American Eagle (Bombardier CRJ-700)
**American Eagle/SkyWest Airlines (Bombardier CRJ-200)
*Qantas Airways (Boeing 747)
 
===Terminal 5===
 
*Delta Air Lines (Airbus A320, Airbus A330-200, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 777-200, McDonnell Douglas MD-90)
**Delta Connection/SkyWest Airlines (Bombardier CRJ-200, Bombardier CRJ-700, Bombardier CRJ-900)
*Virgin Australia (arrivals) (Boeing 777-300)
 
===Terminal 6===
 
*Alaska Airlines (Boeing 737)
**Horizon Air (Bombardier Q400)
*Copa Airlines (departures) (Boeing 737-800)
*Great Lakes Airlines (Beech 1900)
*United Airlines
 
===Terminal 7===
 
*United Airlines (Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 767-400, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 787-8)
 
===Terminal 8===


*United Airlines
{| class="wikitable"
**United Express/SkyWest Airlines (Bombardier CRJ-200, Bombardier CRJ-700, Embraer EMB-120)
|-
|'''Airline'''
|'''Aircraft'''
|'''Terminal'''
|-
|Aeroflot Russian Airlines
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Aeromexico
|737-800, 787-8
|TBIT
|-
|Air Canada
|737 MAX 8, A220-300, A319, A320, A321, A330-300
|5, 6
|-
|Air China
|787-9, A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Air France
|777-200, 777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Air New Zealand
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Air Premia
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Air Tahiti Nui
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Alaska Airlines
|737-800, 737-900, 737 MAX 9, A320, A321, A321neo
|6
|-
|Allegiant Air
|A319, A320
|TBIT
|-
|All Nippon Airways
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|American Airlines
|737-800, 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-9, A319, A321, A321neo
|4, 5
|-
|American Eagle
|CRJ-700 (SkyWest), E175 (SkyWest)
|5
|-
|Asiana Airlines
|A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Austrian Airlines
|777-200
|TBIT
|-
|Avianca
|787-8, A330-200
|TBIT
|-
|Avianca Costa Rica
|A319
|TBIT
|-
|Avianca El Salvador
|A320
|TBIT
|-
|Boutique Air
|PC-12
|6
|-
|British Airways
|777-300ER, A380-800
|TBIT
|-
|Cathay Pacific Airways
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|China Airlines
|777-300ER, A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|China Southern Airlines
|777-200, A380-800
|TBIT
|-
|Copa Airlines
|737 MAX 9
|TBIT
|-
|Delta Air Lines
|737-800, 737-900, 757-200, 757-300, 767-400ER, A220-100, A320, A321, A350-900
|2, 3
|-
|Delta Connection
|E175 (SkyWest)
|2, 3
|-
|El Al Israel Airlines
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Emirates Airlines
|A380-800
|TBIT
|-
|EVA Air
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Fiji Airways
|A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Finnair
|A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Hawaiian Airlines
|A321neo, A330-200
|TBIT
|-
|Horizon Air
|E175
|6
|-
|Iberia
|A330-200
|TBIT
|-
|Japan Airlines
|777-300ER, 787-9
|TBIT
|-
|jetBlue Airways
|A320, A321, A321neo
|5, TBIT
|-
|KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
|777-200, 787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Korean Air
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|LATAM Airlines Peru
|767-300
|TBIT
|-
|Lufthansa
|747-8, A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Philippine Airlines
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Qantas Airways
|787-9, A330-200, A380-800
|TBIT
|-
|Qatar Airways
|A350-1000
|TBIT
|-
|Saudia
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Scandinavian Airlines
|A350-900
|TBIT
|-
|Singapore Airlines
|A350-900, 777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Southern Airways Express
|Cessna 208
|6
|-
|Southwest Airlines
|737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
|1, TBIT
|-
|Spirit Airlines
|A319, A320, A320neo, A321
|5, TBIT
|-
|Sun Country Airlines
|737-800
|TBIT
|-
|Swiss International Air Lines
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|Turkish Airlines
|777-300ER
|TBIT
|-
|United Airlines
|737-800, 737-900, 737 MAX 9, 757-200, 757-300, 767-300, 777-300ER, 787-8, 787-9, 787-10, A320
|7, 8
|-
|United Express
|CRJ-200 (SkyWest), CRJ-700 (SkyWest), E175 (SkyWest)
|7, 8
|-
|Virgin Atlantic Airways
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|VivaAerobús
|A320
|TBIT
|-
|Volaris
|A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo
|TBIT
|-
|Volaris Costa Rica
|A319
|TBIT
|-
|WestJet Airlines
|737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
|2
|-
|XiamenAir
|787-9
|TBIT
|-
|Zipair
|787-8
|TBIT
|}


===Cargo===
===Cargo===


*AeroUnion (Airbus A300)
*AeroUnion (Airbus A300, Boeing 767-300)
*Air China Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Air China Cargo (Boeing 777F)
*Airborne Express/DHL (Boeing 767-200)
*ABX Air Cargo/DHL (Boeing 767-200)
*Ameriflight (Beech 1900)
*Asiana Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Asiana Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Astar/DHL (Douglas DC-8)
*Atlas Air (Boeing 747-400, Boeing 747-8)
*Cargolux (Boeing 747-400)
*Cargolux (Boeing 747-400)
*Cathay Pacific Cargo (Boeing 747-8)
*Cathay Pacific Cargo (Boeing 747-8)
*China Airlines Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*China Airlines Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Emirates Sky Cargo (Boeing 777-300)
*China Cargo Airlines (Boeing 777-200)
*China Cargo Airlines (Boeing 777-200)
*EVA Air Cargo (McDonnell Douglas MD-11)
*EVA Air Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Kalitta Air (Boeing 747-200)
*Kalitta Air (Boeing 747-200, Boeing 747-400)
*Korean Air Cargo (Boeing 747-8)
*Korean Air Cargo (Boeing 747-8, Boeing 777-300)
*FedEx (Airbus A300-600, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, McDonnell Douglas MD-11)
*FedEx (Airbus A300-600, McDonnell Douglas MD-10, McDonnell Douglas MD-11, Boeing 767-300)
*Lufthansa Cargo (McDonnell Douglas MD-11)
*Lufthansa Cargo (Boeing 777-300)
*MAS Cargo (Boeing 767-300)
*MAS Cargo (Boeing 767-300)
*Nippon Cargo Airlines (Boeing 747-400)
*Nippon Cargo Airlines (Boeing 747-8)
*Polar Air Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Polar Air Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Qatar Air Cargo (Boeing 777-300)
*Singapore Airlines Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*Singapore Airlines Cargo (Boeing 747-400)
*United Parcel Service (Boeing 767-300)
*United Parcel Service (Boeing 767-300)
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