St. John's Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

St. John’s Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

January 22, 2024 - last modified on January 22, 2024

St. John’s International Airport (YYT/CYYT) is the largest airport in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and is the gateway to many destinations around Canada. In addition to its Canadian destinations, it also features seasonal International routes. St. John’s International Airport opened in 1941 as an airbase for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the Royal Air Force (RAF), and US Army Air Corps during the war and was named Torbay Airport which was later changed to RCAF Aerodome – Torbay, Newfoundland.

Today, St. John’s International sees many domestic flights daily between large hubs like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax from airlines such as Air Canada, Westjet, PAL Airlines, Lynx Air, and more recently, Porter. St. John’s is also the Heliport used by the S-92 Helicopters owned by Cougar Helicopters to transit back and forth between the offshore oil rigs. The main types of aircraft seen at St. John’s are narrowbodies, however, St. John’s frequently sees diversions of many widebodies on Transatlantic Flights. Also, St. John’s is home to the United States Coast Guard Ice Patrol and the RCAF Air Reserve Flight Detachment. The airport also serves as a refuelling stop by many military planes from countries all over the world and freqeuntly sees many military aircraft types such as C-130s, A400Ms, KC-46A Pegasus Aerial Refuelling Aircraft, and C-40A/B/C Clippers. In addition to this, CYYT also hosts a small cargo section from Air Canada Cargo and Cargojet which brings many 767s to the airport.

Written by Karter King. Last Update: December 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	Closed
10/28	2.591m (8.502 ft) Asphalt
16/34	2.135m (7.005 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	Main Terminal – Used by all airlines which mostly includes Air Canada, Westjet, Porter, and PAL Airlines.
Spotting Information
Ladder	No ladder needed for any of the spots (all photos can be shot through the fence). If you wish to use a ladder, no more than 1-2 steps would be required.
Car/Public Transport	Spots 3, 4 and 5 are within walking distance from the terminal and the airport hotels.. Public transport is available to the Main Terminal. Car is needed to reach spots 1 and 2 as they are on the other side of the airfield.
Drinks/Food	Multiple restaurants and food options are nearby with a steakhouse, Tim Hortons, Subway, and convenience store.
Hotels	Nearest hotels are located about 400m from the Main Terminal with the Best Western and Holiday Inn Express being great options.
Season	The airport enjoys around the same level of movement year-round but winters can be harsh spotting season at YYT due to poor weather and cold temperatures.
Security	Airport Security is not bothered by spotters.
Runway Usage
General Info	The runways at YYT are setup in a crossroads pattern with them intersecting in a large X. The main runways used are RWY 10 and RWY 28.
10/28	The main runway in use at YYT. It is used for arrivals and departures depending on the wind direction.
16/34	The secondary runway in use at YYT. It is used for arrivals and departures when the wind does not permit for RWY 10/28 arrivals/departures.

	Spot #1 – PAL Aerospace Parking Lot – 28 movements, ramps
WHERE	The spot is located all along by the military and general-aviation side of the airport and can be accessed from Torbay Road. Once you arrive, there are multiple large parking lots for parking. For runway 28 movements stay on the northernmost parking lot. Photos are easily shot through the fence but would recommend a ladder for photographing aircraft lining up on RWY 28 due to tall grass (No more than 1-2 steps are needed). During the winter, it is possible to stand on snowbanks to achieve the same effect.

WHAT	From this spot, aircraft visible on approach to RWY 28 as well as lining up . Furthermore you can see aircraft taxiing on taxiway Bravo (B) and parking on one of the nearby ramps.

TIME	For runway: during winter all day long. Not the best in the summer it will be backlit in the morning hours and from afternoon on.

MISC.	There is nothing nearby this location so come prepared.

FOCAL LENGTH	Norlinor 732 = 70mm

	Spot #2 – Majors Path – 34 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located along Majors Path near the threshold of RWY 34. Once you arrive, there is a small gravel lot for parking. Position yourself as needed along the side of the road and sidewalk.

WHAT	From this spot, aircraft are visible on approach to RWY 34. Also, there are views of the Main Terminal Ramp and taxiway Delta (D) but unobstructed photos of aircraft are near impossible due to the elevated approach lights and heat haze.

TIME	Best time is in the morning hours and from afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	There is nothing nearby this location so come prepared.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #3 – Irving Aviation – 34 movements, taxiway
WHERE	This spot is located next to the main terminal and can be accessed from a turnoff on Airport Road. Photos can be shot through the fence as well as from the road above leading into the Irving Aviation parking lot.

WHAT	From this spot, aircraft are visible departing and approaching RWY 34. Views can be had of the Irving Aviation ramp as well as some gates of the Main Terminal. Taxiways E, F, and D are also visible. Be aware that the view gets completly blocked by parked aircraft (see Beluga pic)!

TIME	From afternoon on. In the morning it will be backlit.

MISC.	Food and washrooms are available nearby either in the terminal or at the restaurants and gas station.

FOCAL LENGTH	PAL Dash-8 = 140mm 767 Ramp = 10mm

	Spot #4 – Air Cargo Parking Lot – 16/34 movements, ,main ramp, taxiway
WHERE	This spot is one of the best available due to its unobstructed view of the majority of the airfield. This spot is located next to the ATC Tower and the Air Canada and Westjet Cargo buildings. It can be accessed from the World Parkway and then turning onto the Airport Service Road. There are multiple large parking lots available.

WHAT	From this spot, aircraft are visible arriving and departing on RWY 34 as well as aircraft arriving or departing RWY 16. Also, aircraft can be seen taxiing on taxiways G, C, H, and J. Also, this is one of the best locations for views of the Main Terminal Ramp.

TIME	From afternoon on. In the morning it will be backlit.

MISC.	Food and washrooms are available nearby either in the terminal or at the restaurants and gas station.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #5 – Cougar Helicopters – Ramp
WHERE	This spot is located near the airport hotels and can be accessed from Jetstream Avenue. There are multiple parking lots available.

WHAT	From this spot, helicopters are visible arriving and departing. There is not generally movements at this ramp after 8PM.

TIME	From afternoon on. In the morning it will be backlit.

MISC.	Food and washrooms are available nearby either in the terminal or at the restaurants and gas station.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm