ATL - Spot 1
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June 26, 2019Groningen Airport – Spotting Guide
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June 26, 2019Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on November 30, 2023
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by both passengers and number of total landings and take-offs. Located 7 miles south of downtown Atlanta, the airport has 5 runways and handles more than 100 million passengers every year. ATL is the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, as well as the focus city for Frontier Airliners, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines. While the majority of movements are Delta Air Lines, there are also international carriers such as KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airways, Korean Air, Aeromexico, etc.
There are also several cargo operators that serving Atlanta like Asiana, Cargolux, Cathay, China Airlines, EVAAir Cargo, FedEx, Korean, Qatar Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo and UPS. The cargo complex is located between the runways 09R/27L and 10/28.
Although Atlanta is the largest airport in the world and has five runways, it is never boring due to the high number of arrivals and departures. There are also no reports about problems with the airport secuirty or police.
Next to spot 3, the Renaissance Hotel is the Delta Flight museum located. The facility has many attractions and exhibitions. Aircraft on display like the Boeing 747, 757, Douglas DC-9, just to mention a few things.
Written by Yixin Chen, Brian T Richards (Spot 3), Andrew Cohen (Spot 8), Michael Johnson, Koos van der Heijden (Spot 10) and Achim Walther (Spot 5). Last Update: October 2019
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 08L/26R | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| 08R/26L | 3.048 m (9.999 ft) |
| 09L/27R | 3.780 m (12.390 ft) |
| 09R/27L | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| 10/28 | 2.700 m (9.000 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Concourse T, A, B, C | Delta, United (T), American (T). Southwest (C) |
| Concourse D | Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, American |
| Concourse E | Delta, Contour, Boutique Air, Southwest and foreign carriers (intl. flights) |
| Concourse F | Delta, Southwest and foreign carriers |
| Airport Chart |  |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not recommended to use. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is necessary for off-airport locations except the terminal spots. |
| Restrooms | Inside the terminal, good for the parking deck locations. Outside there are always some hotels and fast food chains nearby. |
| Drinks/Food | Inside the terminal, good for the parking deck locations. Outside there are always some fast food chains nearby. |
| Hotels | One of the most popular hotels for planespotters worldwide ist the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport. See infos at spot3 for more details. Otherwise there are two hotel zones. One is at the north of the airport whilst the second are is on the south-west corner of the field. |
| Season | The best season to visit ATL is winter, as several locations will be good for all day and the sun position is favorable. In summer, evening departures on Runway 9R/27L is very good. However, sun postion is too high during the day to get decent shots in summer. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | ATL airport has five runways, all in west-east direction. Most of the time ATL operates westbound, unless there’s wind in the opposite direction. Cargo operators tend to use the southern runways as these are closer to their facilities. |
| 08L/26R | Mainly used for landings. Usually half of the international arrivals land here. |
| 08R/26L | Mainly used for departures of domestic flights. |
| 09L/27R | Mainly used for departures. 90% of the international departures use this runway due to its proximity to the international terminal and because it is the longest one. |
| 09R/27L | Mainly used for landings. Usually another half of the international arrivals use this runway. |
| 10/28 | The far south runway. Mainly used for domestic arrivals. |
Domestic Terminal South Parking Garage - 27R departures, 09R arrivals and departures, taxiway
| WHERE | This locations is on the top floor (4th floor) of the Domestic Terminal South Parking Garage. From I-85, just follow the well-designed signage to Domestic Terminal South Parking and enter Daily Parking (not Economy or Hourly parking). Drive all the way up to the top floor and position yourself to runways 9L/27R and 9R/27L. If 27 is in use, it’s better to stay at the east end. If 9 is in use, better to stay at the west side for the line-ups and landings. |
| WHAT | If 27 is in use, you can get all departures as they rotate via 27R. You can also get some (not all) taxing aircrafts just landed from 27L. If 9 is in use, you can get landings from 9R, line-ups and departures at 9L. |
| TIME | Aircrafts on the runway are only good for May to July after 17:30. Good for night shots all year round. During summer, most Europe bound departures after 17:30 use 9L/27R for departure. |
| MISC. | Restrooms are inside the terminal. This is a known plane spotting location and there are no issues with security reported. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm for taxiing aircrafts. 100-400 for departing aircrafts. |
Domestic Terminal North Parking Garage - 08L arrivals and 26 departures
| WHERE | This locations is on the top floor (4th floor) of the Domestic Terminal North Parking Garage. From I-85, just follow the well-designed signage to Domestic Terminal North Parking and enter Daily Parking (not Economy or Hourly parking). Drive all the way up to the top floor and position yourself to runways 8L/26R and 8R/26L. |
| WHAT | All landings on 8L and departures on 26L. Taking ground pictures is not possible from here due to disturbing light poles and other objects. |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. However, heat haze is too severe for 8L landings during summer to make decent shots (alternative is spot #8). |
| MISC. | Restrooms are inside the terminal. Fast food chains available around the airport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-450mm |
Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel - 08L/26R movements, ramp
| WHERE | Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel is one of the most famost spotting hotels in the world. The hotel locates in the north of the airport, facing directly to Runways 8R/26L and 8L/26R, as well as the business jet ramp. Booking is required to spot here. Upon check-in, you should ask for a room facing south on higher floors. Our room was 1107 and it offered a great view of the airport. Check in time is after 4pm and they were very strict at enforcing that. All rooms facing south have a balcony where you can easily sit down and enjoy the traffic. |
| WHAT | All movements on 8L/26R as well as business jet ramp. |
| TIME | Good for mornings and evenings in summer. In winter it will be backlit all day long. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is in your hotel. There are also several restaurants close to the hotel. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm |
The Engineering Guy - 26R arrivals
| WHERE | This is location is to the east of the field. From I-75 southbound, take Exit 239 to the Old Dixie Highway. Drive along Old Dixie Highway for another 0.6 miles and you’ll see The Engineering Guy on your right. Park and spot the landings on its parking lot.
Address: 1000 Tradeport Blvd #1011, Atlanta, GA 30354 |
| WHAT | All landings on 26R |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | There are fast food restaurants down south along the Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm |
Catalina - 26R arrivals
| WHERE | This is a alternative to #4 with a better angle but more distance. It is located on an open space next to a mexican restaurant named “Catalina”. To get there drive the US route 41 northbound until the road got two lanes, again. Short after this point you’ll see the restaurant and open space on the right. Park north of if and start spotting. Address: 4110 Old Dixie Rd, Hapeville, GA 30354, USA |
| WHAT | Best for RWY26R wich is more in use for landings than 26L which you can photograph from there too. |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | Food and toilet in the restaurant. There are also fast food restaurants down south along the Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | For 26R: 380mm for a 738; 250mm for A346 |
Range, Guns and Safes - 27L arrivals
| WHERE | On the east side of the airport. From I-75 northbound, take Exit 237 to Forest Park/Farmers Market. Drive along the northbound frontage road, until you reach Lake Mirror Rd. Right turn into Lake Mirror Rd, the ranch and gun shop is on your left. Position yourself in the parking lot. Address: 285 Lake Mirror Rd, Forest Park, GA 30297 |
| WHAT | All landings on 27L. |
| TIME | Good for all day long in winter. In summer good for 11:30 to 16:30, although sun position is quite high in summer. |
| MISC. | There are fast food restaurants if you continue to drive eastbound on Lake Mirror Rd until you reach Old Dixie Rd. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm |
International Hourly Parking Garage - 08R and 26R departures
| WHERE | On the east side of the airport. From I-75, follow the well-designed signage to International Hourly Parking. Drive all the way up to the top (6th) floor. Position yourself at the northwest corner. Facing west/northwest you can get 8L departures and taxiing aircrafts for 26 departure and 8L depart |
| WHAT | 8L departures and taxiing aircrafts for 26R departure |
| TIME | 8L departures are good all day long in winter, and 11:30-16:30 in summer. Taxiing aircrafts are only good in the mornings all year round. |
| MISC. | Restrooms in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Taxiing aircrafts 70-300mm. 8L departures 100-400mm |
We currently can’t provide sample pictures from this location yet. If you have some pictures from this location, please do not hesitate to share with us!
Georgia International Convention Center - 08L arrivals
| WHERE | The location itself is on the sidewalk next to the huge sign at the driveway to the Georgia International Convention Center. It`s a good alternative to spot #2 as you are closer to the action. Do not park at the convention center as it is for events only. Instead, drive up the hill and park at the Marriott ($20 for three hours) then walk back down towards Camp Creek Parkway. During the week you might get lucky and be able to park for free at the BMW training center which is the building just behind the marked location but there’s a chance you’ll be asked to move. The angle from the BMW parking lot is also slightly better (see last three sample photos below). |
| WHAT | Great for 8L arrivals |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Food and Restrooms within the nearby hotels. Some tress are spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Challenger = 250mm; A346 = 100mm |
Taken from the road/junction
Taken from the BMW parking lot
Airport Park-Ride Garage - 26R arrivals, 26L lineup
| WHERE | Another good opportunity to catch the arrivals on runways 26, if you don’t mind to pay some dollars for a parking fee, is on the top level of the “Airport Park-Ride” garage. Take the road to the international terminal and once on the access road just follow the signs to the garage. It is a bit before the terminal itself and the big Delta Airlines maintenance hangars. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 26 L/R as well as line up for 26L but part of the wheels are cut off at 90 degree. |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Closest facilities are within the terminal complex. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Challenger = 250mm; A346 = 100mm |
Comfort Suites - 28 arrivals
| WHERE | The spot is located on the Clark Howel Hwy just where the Comfort Suites hotel is. Easy to park opposite of the hotel where are some shops located which were closed on Saturday. Just walk onto the gras on the other side of the street where the hotel is. Easiest option is of course to stay in the hotel if you don’t have a car. |
| WHAT | Great for 28 arrivals (mainly domestic). |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Couple of hotels in that corner. A subway restaurant and a gas station is a bit further down the road. Some tress are spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 748 = 140mm; 738 = 220mm |
Airport Sign - 09R arrivals, 27R departures
| WHERE | At the junction of Riverdale Rd and Terminal Pkwy and south of the park-ride lot of the airport there is a huge airport sign where you can stay to catch the movements. By car just follow the signs to Park-Ride Lot and walk the few meters from there. It is also reachable from the terminal if you use a free shuttle bus from the terminal. Furthermore there a dozen of hotels in walking distance. |
| WHAT | 09R arrivals and 27R heavy departures. |
| TIME | Good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. |
| MISC. | Fee for parking is $3.00/hour – $10.00/day maximum. There are a couple of hotels south of the location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 767 dep = 300mm |
Spot #12 - ATL West Parking Garage - 08L and 09R arrivals
| WHERE | The location is called ATL West Parking; it is a new parking deck that opened early during the summer 2021. This location is really good for arrivals when the airport is running East Ops and runways 8L and 9R are in use. The parking deck itself is very close to the Car Rental complex on the West side of the airport and is accessed by following the traffic signs on the airport property. Once there, proceed to the 7th level of the deck and set up shop. From the north side of the deck, you can catch all 8L arrivals with literally no obstructions. For 9R arrivals, you need to have a Peach Pass to access the southwest corner of the parking deck. Non Peach Pass holders can park on the NE corner and walk across the deck to get to the other side. The deck is also accessible via the sky train from the domestic terminal. |
| WHAT | Best for 08L arrivals. 09R are possible too but more far away then 08L. |
| TIME | 08L is good for all day all year long except mornings and evenings in summer. Best light conditions in winter. 09R is only possible in the early summer mornings and evenings Be aware of heat distortion in the summer months due to the huge distance. |
| MISC. | Parking is $3.00/hour- 1st – 3rd hour. $16.00/day after 3 hours. A few hotels are just around the corner. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B39M = 270mm; A330 = 220mm |
If I on the November go to 1# location (DOMESTIC TERMINAL SOUTH PARKING GARAGE), will it be backlit for a whole day?
When the sun is out, you cannot go there because it is backlit. You can go to the northern part Spot 2.
-Julian
i’m looking for a Spotter who lives in Atlanta interested in participating in the HAI HELI EXPO for free, and still earn some extra money, just to help our company with photos and videos during the fair. Some one intrested?
Charles Phillips park on west side of airport is great. At Riverdale Rd and Global connector; can see approaches on both runways. 9R is virtually overhead. Locals use the waste bins for trash, I was there for 2!hours and had no issues at all.
Spot #7 is not good. There are no good views at all. Maybe you get to see a plane in the air but you get similar shots from other locations.
Also the parking deck only goes up to level 5, not level 6.
There is an abandoned parking area just west of Porsche in Hapeville that you can walk up to the top of the hill and it’s outstanding for spotting. I watched incoming on the north runway and had a great view of the middle runway as well.
Where do you park to find this one?
Looks like it’s behind the Kimpton Overland Hotel – Atlanta Airport. If you find that, you should be able to find the parking lot.
Hello just loved to ask more questions about this spot
The “Airport Park-Ride” garage (No.9) often tend to be closed these days.
Also, the domestic Park-Ride Lot A and C (No.11) have been closed for a while.
Do you know why it’s closed? The last time I saw it open was when I was spotting on January 15.
Not sure. It was closed for a while now. I guess maybe it is because there are just very limited international flights and passengers in ATL now and very few people need that parking lot.
It is closed for good. They plan to build a taxiway extender in order to avoid congestion with arrivals and departures traffic. this makes spotting at Maynard point (L11) Almost impossible, as there is virtually no place to park because this is closed. there are hotels, but if you aren’t a guest you will be towed while trying to park there. For a while, I used to pull over by the side of the road there, but myself and many other spotters who did similarly were asked to park elsewhere and are exceedingly difficult because the spot is very exposed, and airport police patrol the area very often. Spotting IS 100% fine here, but parking makes it very difficult, and you cannot park at the airport decks because it is over 1h walk each way and there’s little to no sidewalks
Are there any issues with security for spot 4. (Alternate places to park?)
Note- I and my friend went to the Range location this morning (6), and after about 20 minutes, we were shown off by RGS staff because we did not have proper permits. if you don’t have a permit, then keep a low profile and stay in your car as much as possible if the store is open
Could you see 8L arrivals from the northwest parking garage as well as the 8R departures?
i meant northeast sorry
ugh spot 2
Note: Emirates SkyCargo and Singapore Cargo, as well as Aeromexico pax, has terminated ATL service.
Thanks for the hint, has been removed.
-Julian