Omaha Eppley Airport - Spotting Guide

Omaha Eppley Airport – Spotting Guide

February 16, 2021 - last modified on November 30, 2023

Omaha Eppley Airport (OMA/KOMA) is a public use airport located 3 miles northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The airport is overseen by the Omaha Airport Authority and serves Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. The airport has 3 runways: 14R/32L (9,502’/2,896m), 14L/32R (8,501’/2,591m), and 18/36 (8,254’/2,485m). In 2019, the airport saw 5,023,668 passengers and 98,571 aircraft movements. The airport has one main terminal consisting of a South Terminal and North Terminal. Every may the city of Omaha hosts the Berkshire Hathaway conference brining many different aircraft into the airport. This usually includes hundreds of private jets including many large and special aircraft. Additionally, many airlines will increase their service and aircraft with airlines like Delta bringing the 757 for this weekend.

As of December 2020 the airlines and destinations are as follows: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. The airport also has a large cargo operation with Ameriflight, AirNet Express, DHL, FedEx, and UPS all operating multiple flights a day at the airport.

Written by Sam Thomas. Last Update: 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
14R/32L	9,502 ft / 2,896 m
14L/32R	8,501 ft / 2,591 m
18/36	8,254 ft / 2,485 m
Terminals
South Terminal	Gates A1 through A10 & baggage claim 1-3. Serves Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
North Terminal	Gates B11 through B20 & baggage claim 4-6. Serves Allegiant Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, and United Airlines.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Car needed for all spotting locations.
Restrooms	There are restrooms located in the airport terminal and gas stations located near the airport.
Drinks/Food	There is a coffee shop, gift shop, and a few restraunts located in the terminal pre security. There is also a few gast stations and fast food restraunts located in a close proximity to the airport.
Hotels	There are a few hotels located near the airport.
Season	There is no bad time of year for spotting at the airport. The summer and winter months produce the best lighting.
Security	The airport police is very active around the airport and parking structure. I reccomend contacting the airport prior if you plan to spot on the garage to avoid any issues. They have always allowed photography and had no issue when I contacted ahead of time.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runways 14L/32R and 14R/32L are parallel runways with runway 18/36 intersecting them in the center. There is not a particular pattern followed by the airport regarding arrivals and departures.

	Spot #1 – Parking Garage – All runway & taxiway movements
WHERE	This spot is on the top floor of the main parking garage for the Omaha airport. Follow the signs for short term parking and then drive to the top of the parking garage where you can position yourself then along the eastern front.

WHAT	This spot is good for viewing all runway and taxiway movements.

TIME	This spot is ideal for afternoon and evening departures. Photos will be backlit in the morning during all times of the year.

MISC.	There are food, drinks, restrooms, and a large food court area with seating located in the terminal connected to the parking garage. There is a fee associated with the garage that is an hourly rate. Police is very active in this area and it is best to contact the airport before spotting to avoid any issues being asked to leave. Additionally, there was recently an addition built to the garage in the northwest that would be good for spotting the movements on runway 14R/32L & 14L/32R. I have not been able to use that spot yet but looking forward to it now that it has been completed!

FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm

View from the entrance in the south:

	Spot #2 – E Hartman Ct & Lockhead Ct – Private Aircraft Apron
WHERE	This spot is located on the road directly next to the privte aircraft apron. You can shoot from all the streets around the apron here, but just quickly pull your vehicle to the side of the road to get a quick shot of the aircraft parked in the area. Then leave directly again!

WHAT	The private aircraft apron is located at this area. This is where they will park the larger private aircraft and overflow if needed.

TIME	This spot is ideal in the afternoon and evening.

MISC.	There is nothing located by the area. You will want to quickly take your photo of the aircraft and continue to drive. Avoid spending any extended amount of time at this location as it is next to a busy road and will likely draw much attention leading to police visits.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm B737BBJ = 110mm