Newport News Williamsburg Intl. Airport (PHF/KPHF) is a small airport in Virginia, named Patrick Henry Field once explaining its code PHF. The airport nowadays has only few regular flights by American Eagle. However, there is also some general aviation and military traffic doing patterns (for example if Langley AFB gets too busy) due to the nearby big bases. Sometimes you also have bigger cargo and military charters like Omni 777s or even the Air Force One once in a while once POTUS comes into town.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Michael Ganoe Jr and Joe Waxman. Last Update: December 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	1990m / 6525ft
07/25	2440m / 8000ft
Terminals
T1	One terminal handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at the marked spots as they are off the fence or a bit elevated.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed here!
Drinks/Food	Around the airport are several shopping malls, restaurants and co.
Hotels	There are some hotels just south of spot 3-5.
Season	There is no real season here with more or less traffic, but around bank holidays it will be very quiet.
Security	Spotting is no issue here normally. But as you are not far from military air bases, always keep a low profile and an ID with you.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 02/20 is barely in use, mostly only by GA aircraft, runway 07/25 is used most of the time and especially by all the bigger, interesting aircraft according to the winds in both directions.

	Spot #1 – Baseball field – 25 arrivals
WHERE	Head for the McReynolds Athletic Complex (short: MAC) and position yourself north of the nearby Baseball field in the parking lot.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 25.
TIME	Late summer evenings.
MISC.	In the MAC you will find bathrooms, just outside the field is a Wendy’s and starbucks. The MAC closes at sunset, keep that in mind and do not leave too late!
FOCAL LENGTH	75-300mm

PHF-Spot1

PHF-Spot1

PHF-Spot1

	Spot #2 – MAC Parking – 25 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in the parking lot of the McReynolds Athletic Complex (short: MAC) south of the baseball field. You can position yourself freely wherever you want in here according your favourite angle.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 25.
TIME	From later morning till afternoon all year round.
MISC.	In the MAC you will find bathrooms, just outside the field is a Wendy’s and starbucks. The MAC closes at sunset, keep that in mind and do not leave too late!
FOCAL LENGTH	75-300mm

PHF-Spot2

PHF-Spot2

PHF-Spot2

PHF-Spot2

PHF-Spot2

PHF-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Providence Blvd – 07 Arrivals + 02 Arrivals + 25 Departures
WHERE	This spot can be found in the woods/bushes just off Providence Blvd southwest of the airport. You can park your car in the nearby streets by the roadside and then come back here to the fence and get into the woods. You have a free sight and are hidden for police passing by on the street.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 07 (e.g: AA Eagle E135) and 02 (e.g: Netjets Cessna 680) plus 25 departures (e.g: USAF C40).
TIME	From later morning till afternoon.
MISC.	Nothing directly here, but plenty accomodation in the area. You are a bit elevated, so no ladder needed to see over the fence onto the final approach. Stand in between the bushes to be hidden a bit and keep a low profile. Do not hang around at the fence here for too long!
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

PHF-Spot3

PHF-Spot3

PHF-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Walmart Parking – 07 Arrivals
WHERE	This location can be found in the parking lot between Walmart and Sam’s club. Access is possible via Jefferson Ave. Just park here somewhere and search your favorite angle.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 07.
TIME	Early morning till early afternoon then you can switch to spot 5 for the evening hours in summer months.
MISC.	Haze is a bigger issue here due to the nearby big halls, but everything you need is nearby in the shops. Keep a low profile here as you are visible for a lot of people and cars!
FOCAL LENGTH	75-300mm

PHF-Spot4

PHF-Spot4

PHF-Spot4

	Spot #5 – Lowe’s Parking – 07 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in another parking lot, but now head for the Lowe’s Garden Center north of the runway axis and position yourself freely wherever you want in here according your favorite angle.
WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 07.
TIME	On late summer evenings only.
MISC.	Everything you need is nearby in the shops. Keep a low profile here as you are visible for a lot of people and cars!
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

PHF-Spot5

PHF-Spot5