Tallinn Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Tallinn Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

June 27, 2020 - last modified on November 29, 2023

Tallinn International Airport is the largest and the main international airport in Estonia. It is named after Lennart Meri, the first president of post-Soviet independent Estonia. ICAO code is EETN, IATA code is TLL. The airport is located to the south from city of Tallinn neighbouring to Ulemiste Linnak from the north and lake Ulemiste from the west. After re-construction and expansion Tallinn airport has got the longest runway in Baltic states. Old terminal building featuring Soviet monumental architecture was used during Soviet era and is now kept as airport office building.

The new terminal has been constructed by 1980 Olympics and is the only terminal building at present time. It has been expanded and reconstructed several times and is now recognized as the coziest airport terminal in Europe. Its interiors include several recreation areas that have even a ping pong table and children playground. Estonian Air was the main airline based in Tallinn Airport till 2015. It was then replaced by Nordica that is now defunct.

Tallinn Airport despite not having official spotting locations is considered one of the most spotter-friendly airports. Current scheduled traffic is mainly presented by Air Baltic aircraft based in Tallinn, SmartLynx, Lufthansa, Belavia, SAS and several European LCC-s like Easyjet, Ryanair and Norwegian. Various unscheduled movements like military and civilian charters, business and cargo flights are of the main interest for spotters.

Written by Anna Zvereva (local spotter). Last update September 2022 (Spot 4A added)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3480 x 45 m
Terminals	One handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	May be useful for locations 3 and 7 but must be used with caution. Ladder is not permitted close to the fence.
Car/Public Transport	Car may be used on locations 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Public Transport is preferalbe. Airport is accessible by bus #2 and tram #4 from the city center (Viru Keskus mall). Bus #15 needs to be used for locations 5, 6 and 7.
Restrooms	Nothing available at the spots. Only in the airport terminal or the shopping mall.
Drinks/Food	Nothing available at the spots. Only in the airport terminal or the shopping mall.
Hotels	Ulemiste Hotell. There are no airport views from the hotel however it is located within walking distance from the terminal. Website: ylemistehotel.ee
Season	Best weather conditions and most dense traffic are in summer. Snow and bright sunny weather is more likely in February and March. November to January are mainly dark and gray.
Runway Usage
08/26	Used for all traffic. ILS Cat. II from both directions. No preferred direction.

Terminal Driveway Ramp and VIP Parking - 26 arrivals, 08 depatures

WHERE	Exit the terminal from the Departures exit, turn left. There will be a driveway ramp from which there is a good view on the southern apron, taxiways and runway threshold. You can also go down to the VIP parking right in front of the ramp and take photos through the fence.

WHAT	08 departures (taxiing to position) and 26 arrivals (vacating via taxiways C and B), final approach to 08, taxiing on the southern apron, start-up position from Stands 2 and 4.

TIME	From 12.00 till the sunset all year round. After 18.00 it is also good for arrivals to 08 (sky shots on final approach) in the summer.

MISC.	Restrooms and food are available in the terminal. VIP parking may be closed for short periods during special visits.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300 mm for aircraft on taxiways B, C, runway and approach. Wider angle (about 18-25 mm) may be required for startup positions close to the fence.

Pühamägi - 08 arrivals

WHERE	Get off the bus on “Pühamägi” stop (stop on request, bus 2), cross the motorway and stay on the side walk. You may move along the sidewalk towards the terminal building to have better view of taxiway B through the perimeter fence. Parking is not available at this location so it is better to park next to the terminal and walk the five minutes down to this location.

WHAT	Arrivals to rwy 08, departures from rwy 08 (aircraft on taxiway B seen through crash gate).

TIME	All day in the winter. From 9.00 until 17.00 in the summer.

MISC.	This location is within walking distance from the terminal, normally not more than 5 minutes. Restrooms and food are available in the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	30 – 300 mm depending on aircraft type. Approach path is rather close and usually does not need more than 200 mm. Taxiway traffic may require focal length up to 300 mm.

Kanali tee - All movements

WHERE	Get off the bus on “Kanali tee” stop (bus #2) and follow Kanali tee road straight. You will pass Schenker cargo terminal and cross Ulemiste channel. Follow the road until you see the airport. It will take about 20 minutes to get to the location. If you go by car you will need to turn from Tartu mnt. to Kanali tee and follow the road straight until you see the airport. Parking is available directly at the location roadside. Don’t block the crash gate!

WHAT	All movements on rwy 08-26 and main taxiway.

TIME	All day in the winter. From 9.00 until 17.00 in the summer.

MISC.	Location is about 100 meters from runway axis. The most convenient way to take photos is through crash gate bars. Ladder may be required but must be used with caution! It will give sufficient elevation over the fence if used from the road. No food/drinks, restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	18 – 300 mm.

Heaps - All movements

WHERE	Get off the bus on “Kanali tee” stop (bus 2) and follow Kanali tee road straight towards the airport. You will pass Schenker cargo terminal and Ulemiste channel. It will take about 20 minutes to get to the location. Pass barrier at spot 3 and proceed straight along the fence for about 200m to the the first (grass) heap in the field (4A). Another (gravel) heap pops up after another 200 meters (4B). If you go by car you will need to turn from Tartu mnt. to Kanali tee and follow the road straight until you see the airport. Park your car near the crash gate at spot 3 and then walk beyond the barrier.

WHAT	All movements on rwy 08-26 and main taxiway.

TIME	All day in the winter. From 9.00 until 17.00 in the summer.

MISC.	Location is about 200 meters from runway axis. The heaps give sufficient elevation above the fence for view to runway and main taxiway. No food/drinks or restrooms available.”

FOCAL LENGTH	55 – 300 mm

Spot 4A:

Spot 4B:

Field Next to Runway 26 - 26 arrivals

WHERE	Get off on “Raudbetooni” stop (bus 15), proceed along the fence, pass brightly colored Tu-134 and then turn right to the side road. Move on until you cross the approach path and get to the other side of runway. All walk normally takes about 20 minutes. By car use the same path as from the bus station and park directly at the location. Actually you can position yourself all around this area for your prefered angle. There are plenty of field roads.

WHAT	Approach sky shots to rwy 26

TIME	All day in the winter. From 9.00 until 17.00 in the summer.

MISC.	No food/drinks or restrooms available.

FOCAL LENGTH	30 – 200 mm depending on aircraft type. Approach path is rather close and usually does not need more than 200 mm.

CNG Gas Station - 26 arrivals

WHERE	Get off on “Raudbetooni” stop (bus 15) and move forward to the CNG gas station. There is direct access to the fence. If you arrive by car you can park at the gas station.

WHAT	Arrivals to runway 26 and traffic going along the main taxiway (twy A) towards taxiway G for departure.

TIME	Only available in the summer from early morning before 8.00 or evening after 18.00.

MISC.	The location is about 200 m from the runway axis and only about 50m from main taxiway. No food/drinks or restrooms available.

FOCAL LENGTH	15-100 mm for traffic on the taxiway and 100-200 mm for aircraft on the runway.

Crash Gate Next to Taxiway F - 26 arrivals, 08 arrivals

WHERE	Get off on “Ruunaoja” stop (bus 15), walk a little back to the crash gate just across Taxiway F. The spot is accessible by car that can be parked next to the crash gate.

WHAT	This location gives view to the traffic arriving to rwy 26 as well as moving along taxiway A. It is also possible to get traffic arriving to 08 as most of aircraft will vacate the runway via taxiway F or G.

TIME	Only available in the summer from early morning before 8.00 or evening after 18.00. Aircraft on taxiways F and G are well lit already after 12.00 and till sunset all year round.

MISC.	The location is about 200 m from the runway axis and only about 50m from main taxiway. No food/drinks or restrooms available.

FOCAL LENGTH	15-100 mm for traffic on the taxiway and 100-200 mm for aircraft on the runway.

Nordica Office & Magnetic MRO Hangar - All movements

WHERE	Exit the terminal from the tram stop side (left-most end of the building), pass the old terminals security checkpoint (gray building with pillars in Soviet style) and move further on along the fence until you reach Nordica office and Magnetic MRO hangar.

WHAT	From there you can take photos of everything that is parked on distant stands. There is also runway and main taxiway view from this location if not obstructed by an aircraft or equipment. Departures from runway 26 (already in the air) and arrivals to 08 may be observed from there too.

TIME	Only available in the summer from early morning before 8.00 or evening after 18.00. – for departures and arrivals to the runway and movements along the main taxiway; 12.00 till sunset all year round – for aircraft parked 90 degrees to the runway.

MISC.	Distance from runway is about 450m. Taking photos through the fence only. Using ladders is not recommended. Restrooms and food are available in the terminal that is within walking distance from this location.

FOCAL LENGTH	200 – 400 mm and more for traffic on the main taxiway and runway; 15-200 mm for aircraft on the ramp.

Fence Next to Old Terminal - Northern apron movements

WHERE	Exit the terminal from the tram stop side (left-most end of the building), pass the old terminals security checkpoint (gray building with pillars in Soviet style and go right to the fence. Some good views are also available from the fence next to the tram tracks and before the old terminal.

WHAT	Parked and taxiing aircraft as well as pushback – start-up action on the northern apron.

TIME	Only available in the summer from early morning before 8.00 or evening after 18.00. – for departures and arrivals to the runway and movements along the main taxiway; 12.00 till sunset all year round – for aircraft parked 90 degrees to the runway

MISC.	Taking photos is through the fence only. Do not use ladders. Restrooms and food are available in the terminal that is within walking distance from this location.

FOCAL LENGTH	15-100mm

Gallery - Northern apron movements

WHERE	Exit the terminal towards the tram stop near the R-Kiosk and stay in the glass gallery.

WHAT	Aircraft movements on the northern apron.

TIME	12.00 till sunset all year round.

MISC.	Glass is good and does not distort photos even at longer focal lengths. Restrooms and food are available in the terminal that is within walking distance from this location. You will be protected from the weather.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm for most of apron movements however up to 400 mm may be required for aircraft on distant parkings.

Northern heap - All runway, main taxiway

WHERE	Take bus 15 from Viru Keskus, get off on Kesk-Sõjamäe stop. From this stop go several meters back and turn left to Kesk-Sõjamäe street. Proceed till the end of the street about 400 meters, then turn left to Väike-Sõjamäe street and proceed about 200 meters more till the end of buildings on the right side. The location is the gravel heap on the right side which is just across Väike-Sõjamäe 5 building.

WHAT	All movements on rwy 08-26 and main taxiway.

TIME	18.00 till sunset

MISC.	“The heap gives sufficient elevation above the fence for view to runway and main taxiway. No food/drinks or restrooms available.”

FOCAL LENGTH	18 – 300 mm.