PMI-Spot1
Phoenix Sky Harbor – Spotting Guide
January 1, 2013
Frankfurt Rhein/Main Airport – Spotting Guide
January 4, 2013Phoenix Sky Harbor – Spotting Guide
January 1, 2013Frankfurt Rhein/Main Airport – Spotting Guide
January 4, 2013Palma de Mallorca Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on July 19, 2024
Mallorca served almost 29 Mio passengers in 2018 and is a tourist mekka for Europeans especially from Germany, United Kingdom and Scandinavian Countries. Most traffic is during the peak season (May-September) especially during the weekend. The traffic is dominated by single aisle aircraft like the A320 family or Boeings 737 but heavies still flying to PMI with 332, 333, 752, 753, 763 & 787.
Biggest players at PMI are Ryanair, Iberia (Express, Nostrum), Vueling, easyJet, Air Europa and Eurowings plus the common charter carriers like Thomas Cook and TUI. Regular visitors from GERMANY are (Condor, Eurowings, Lauda, SunExpress, Lufthansa, TUIfly), from ENGLAND (British Airways, BA Cityflyer, easyJet, Jet2, TUI Airways), from SCANDINAVIAN countries (Danish Air Transport, Finnair, Norwegian, Scandinavian Airlines, Sunclass, Tuifly Nordic) but also a lot of others different companies like, Wizz Air, Neos, Brussels Airlines, Air France, Transavia, Alba Star, Volotea, etc.
Written by Gary Culpan, Jeremy Denton, Julian Mittnacht and Björn Düwel. Last change: July 2024 (Spot 11 updated)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06L/24R | 3.270 m (10.728 ft) |
| 06R/24L | 3.000 m (9.842 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Module A (west side) | non schengen flights |
| Module C (north side) | mainly Condor, EasyJet, Norwegian |
| Module D (east side) | mainly Ryanair, TUI, Vueling |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommend because there is no public transport. If you stay at one of the nearby hotels you can also rent a (e)bike to get to most of the locations. |
| Restrooms | Restaurants/Shopping mall around the airport |
| Drinks/Food | Everywhere around the airport. |
| Hotels | Dozens of hotels at Les Meravelles and Can Pastilla in all different prize categories. |
| Season | The charter season is from May to September, especially during Weekends. After that it gets pretty quiet. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 24R | Mainly used for departures as 24 L is used for arrivals |
| 24L | Mainly in use for arrivals as 24R is used for departures |
| 06R | Used for departures only. No arrivals! |
| 06L | Mainly in use for arrivals as they use 06R for departures |
Blue Bridge - Business Jet Ramp
| WHERE | From the spot 2, take the direction to the sea or airport terminal. Drive the long road until the first roundabout and take the first exit to your right. Then, you pass next to a petrol station called EPSO, continue strait until you reach another small roundabout which is close to airport fences where you can see the parked business jets. Drive 5 meters after the roundabout and park your car next to the road on the sand. Don’t stay to much of time here. |
| WHAT | You can enjoy a large view of the business jets ramp where you can take easily lots of pictures. |
| TIME | From 16:30 until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | Nothing at this spot and anyway, you won’t stay here longer than 10 minutes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depend how far the aircraft is and how big is he. But in my occasion, I used 170mm until 380mm. |
Son Oms Industrial Park - 06R Departures
| WHERE | To reach the spot you have to drive into the Son Oms industrial park and search for the ‘Carre Son Oms 4’. There are two buildings for taking pictures: The new one is more to the west and you can drive up with your car only from Monday to Friday however at weekend it is possible to climb above the gate and walk upstairs (but maybe it is not tolerated due to the gate). The old building east of the new one is accessible every day. You can drive up with your car to floor 1 and park it there. A fence limits the view to the runway but on the left side of the building you can take pictures clear of the fence and you can enjoy some shadow on hot days. Floor 2 is only availlable by an elevator and the owner of the parkingplace can send you off (private area). |
| WHAT | This place is only good if RWY06R is in use for departures. You can use the old building also when RWY24L is used for arrivals but 90% will exit the runway before they passed your position so you can just photograph them on the exit. Airlines who are using the Module D are within your reach. But photography is acceptable in the moring only as there will be too much heat haze during the day. |
| TIME | Best in in the morning hours until afternoon (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! There is a small café but its not open all the day. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
Mountains - 24L Arrivals
| WHERE | There are two options to stay. One is part way down the side of runway 24L in a lay-by just set back from the road to Sant Jordi (3A). Another one a small entrance to a farm road. Just stand here a bit back from the busy road (3B). Parking directly at both points is not possible and it is forbidden to park in the lay by!!! Police will fine you!. Try to find a gap in one of the nearby side roads or next to spot 4 with official parking lots. |
| WHAT | You will only see 24L arrivals from this place. Step ladders are needed if you want to avoid the fence at bottom of the frame. You get nice mountain backgrounds from here. Or from the parking position you won’t see the mountains backgrounds. |
| TIME | From early morning hours until 14:45 (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | The road is busy and a lot of coaches come past very fast so you have to be careful at the side of the road and bring with you what you need (drinks & foods) from the petrol station (see on the map). It could be a problem if it’s really hot or you may be afraid how close we are from the roads, the cars and buses so in case, you can just seat in your car or next to it and takes pictures from there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 140mm = 321 / 170mm = 190 / 210mm = Legacy / 380mm = Cessna Citation |
Spot 3A:
Spot 3B:
Sant Jordi - 24L Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located along the Sant Jordi Road. If you follow the road from spot #2 northwards you will come to the next roundabout. Take the first exit and you will enter the ‘Carrer Sant Jordi’. Park your car on the right side next to the windmill. Here you can stay until the afternoon. |
| WHAT | Its an alternative to spot 3 for 24L arrivals but the angle is different here and not so good. The advantage is that you don´t stand so close to the road and its more “comfortable” here. |
| TIME | From earyl morning until ~14:30 (in the summer) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot. Have a look around and you will find benches and some trees who spend some shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
Sant Jordi - Landings afternoon runway 24L
| WHERE | From spot 4, continue until the first roundabout then take the third exit for about few meters, next to a small way on the right. Park your car next to the road and stay close to it. |
| WHAT | Only landings on runway 24L. |
| TIME | From ~16:30 until the end of the day (in the summer) |
| MISC. | Nothing next to this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 170mm = 320/738 / 210mm = ATR-72 / 380mm = Cessna Citation |
Dirt Mound - 24R Departures,06L Arrivals
| WHERE | To get to this place you have to drive to the opposite site of the mentioned spots above. Its one of the most famous spots in Mallorca and is visited by locals as well. The area is not the best because some kind of a ghetto is close to the spot. But you don’t need to worry if you stay there!! If you start at spot 5, just follow the ‘Carrer son Fangós’ for 2 km until you will see a big ‘Carrefour’ supermarket on the right side. Inside you will find Restrooms and Fast Food locations as well. Turn the next left and you will come to a roundabout immediately. Take the first exit to ‘Son Ferriol’. Take the next exit and you will be in the next roundabout. But there is only one exit you can take and you will drive into the ‘Ctra. Llucmajor’. Now you follow this route all way down until you will reach the perimeter fence. On the left side you will find a very long dirt hill. Park your car along the road and climb up the hill between the bushes to overlook the airport area.
As of 2023, the spot became unsafe, especially when the sun starts to set.The nearby Son Banya shanty town is the islands biggest hot-spot for cocaine and a few locals and police have been violently attacked as the local government have been trying to remove it but it is still there. It’s especially note worthy now as locals have been arrested recently for attacking people. It is a no go for anyone walking on foot as you walk right past the shanty town. |
| WHAT | Nice place because its in the middle of to the runway so you get all 06L/24R movements. You can get some great rotating shots if they us 24R for departures. |
| TIME | From 17:00 until the end of the day (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! Make a stop at the supermarket (FAN Shopping Center) where you will find restrooms as well. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 95mm = 738 / 140mm = ATR72 / 210mm = Saab 340 |
Son Fangos - 06L arrivals
| WHERE | When coming from the MA-19, take the exit No. 6 and leave the first roundabout in direction of the FAN shopping center. After only some meters, leave the second roundabout to the right (do not enter the parking of the shopping center), and follow the road leading around the shopping center. Approximately 50 meters after leaving the shopping center behind you, turn into a dead end road to the left. Follow the road until the end. You can park your car wherever you like. There are public buses stopping at the shopping center, it is a ~ 10 minute from there walk to this position. |
| WHAT | 06L arrivals only. |
| TIME | From around 17:00 until the end of the day (depends on the time of the year). |
| MISC. | Everythings you need (restrooms and plenty of shops) can be found in the nearby FAN Shopping Center). It is a ~ 10 minute walk to get there from this position. There is no shadow, but you can stay in your car when not taking photos. No ladder is needed as the planes are still high enough so the fence will not disturb you. WARNING: there are very aggressive dogs that are belonging to the adjacent property. Be aware and stay close to your car! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 260mm = Phenom / 105mm = B738 / 75mm = B763 |
Beach - 06L Arrivals
| WHERE | I can´t really tell you how to get there. Its pretty easy to find the spot because you will see the aircraft lining up over the oceans. Just park your car at the ‘Carrer Prol Denton’ (parking slot is marked on the map) and walk down to the water (don’t forget your swimming trunk). An alternative is to stay on the road as you are a little bit higher but you are further away from the action and need a longer focal length. |
| WHAT | You will only see 06L arrivals from the ocean at this place. |
| TIME | Best in in the morning hours until afternoon (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | You should find restrooms and restaurants pretty close to this location. There is now shadow on the beach but you can easily jump into the water to cool down. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300 mm |
Air Europa hangars - 24R Departures
| WHERE | This location is pretty close to the terminals and is next to the Air Europa hangar. If you start at the terminal, don’t use the freeway that leads to Palma. Try to get into the ‘Carrer son Fangós’. You will pass the ‘Park&Fly facilities on the right side and after that make a right turn into a dead end road which leads to the employee parking. Don’t enter these parking areas and stay on the road. You can only park at the right side of the street just before the gateways for a very short time. The other side of the street is a yellow stroke area.The Police doesn’t care if you stay close to your car. The road is not very busy, so you don’t get bothered. |
| WHAT | Only okay for 24R Departures. You will see the aircraft rotating pretty late so always be prepared to make a picture. |
| TIME | From early morning hours until 14:45 (depends on the time of the year) |
| MISC. | There are no restrooms or shops around this spot! You can go to the terminal to find the facilities. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 210mm = 753 / 290mm = 321 / 340mm = 320 / 420mm = ATR72 |
Business Jets ramp
| WHERE | From the spot 9, continue on the same road until the first roundabout. Take the first exit to your right then first on the left, again first on the left and finally take the far end entry. The first two ones are for AVIS (NO GO to enter) & Hertz cars (partially OK, ask a permission). Don’t stay to much of time here. |
| WHAT | You can take easily shot through the fence of a few business jets in front of you that you can’t take from spot 9. |
| TIME | From 16:30 until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | Nothing at this spot and anyway, you won’t stay here longer than 5-10 minutes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18mm to 100mm |
Camino Sant Jordi - 24L arrivals afternoon
| WHERE | Be aware that the mounds are on private property as they belong to the race track. Owners might be not happy and will send you away. Do not park directly at the race tracks!!! Do not go there in big groups!!! They will send you away. Spot is fine when there are no activities on the race tracks.
From Spot #5, head northwest and take the very next left onto Camino Sant Jordi. Initially on the left there are double or even triple fences, so you need to go along to where the paved road ends and it becomes a gravel track and then a dirt track. From the point where the single fence begins up until the lorry park you can choose your preferred spot. There are some dirt mounds from a race track where you can climb up to clear the fence. Otherwise you need a ladder or have to shot through the fence. Parking is possible where the trucks circulate (next to the small fenced removed controlled car track). Do not park directly at the mounds of the tracks. |
| WHAT | Traffic landing on Runway 24L. |
| TIME | From about 16:30 until the end of the day (in the summer). |
| MISC. | There are no facilities here, so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ATR72: 210mm; A330-200: 130mm. |
coming in september 24 any do’s and donts?
Keep in mind that spot #11 is located at a private property.
Spot 11 : on september 8th, we have been sent off by 2 guys from the place. A young one was very agressive, shouting a lot; and an older one said to be the owner of the rally track field beyond the spot. So, the small mounts seems to be a private property as well as the road even if there is no sign.
We were about 10 spotters, all 5 cars parked in decent places.
Hi Patrick, maybe you were just too much for them 🙂
I left a note anyway to be careful.
-Julian
Spot 6 (Son Banya) it’s as always. More or less dangerous than in 2022 or 2015 or 2000… I think it is more dangerous the road that leads to the spot than the location itself
Would anyone have the registrations please of the fire practice airframe and a stored Avianca 330? And 2 all white aircraft next to it …seen 11th july
oe-ibm
What about the security around the dirt mound ? Still a safe place to spot ?
A couple of notes re the beach, afternoon arrivals can be photographed by walking along the coastal foot/cycle path to the point marked view point on the map. Also 24R departures can be easily viewed from either location though will be quite high, so the angle for photography wouldn’t be good. However, walking back towards Can Pastilla and round to the area near the Purobrach Palma Beach Club and sitting on the wall or beach, photographs can be had of departing aircraft, but a good long lens 300-600mm will be needed to fill the frame. Also, a lot of people used to use the waste land between the beach and motorway. This is not a bad spot, but be aware, there are some very unsavoury goings on in this area so be careful. I was there bird watching a few years back and got propositioned, and talking to a friend who lives overlooking the waste ground, this a very common occurrence.
Anyone been to spot 7 recently? Are the dogs still there/bad ?
Going up without a car.
Went to the point marked with red triangle (mound 1/2 way along 06R / 24L) last week. Parked car on small road leading to a house, by electric box off roundabout (opposite side of road to track) and walked down track to mound. Gate blocking track is easily walked round, 2nd fence a little more difficult due to two wires holding fence up, but no real problems. Passed by vehicles on inside of fence, but not bothered by them. Several other enthusiasts joined me on most days.
Hi David, we are a bit unsure if this is private property or not. Was the second fence directly at the mound? The gate at the roundabout is there that people can’t no longer drive down there to empty their trash on the mound.
2 x Eurofighters arrived today anyone get serials