London Luton Airport is an international airport located 45km North of the City of London, and just to the east of the City of Luton. It is the fifth biggest airport in the United Kingdom, with 16,5 Million Passangers in 2018.

London Luton has a single, 2162 metre long runway and visited mainly business jets  and low cost carriers. The airport is served by Blue Air, easyJet, El Al (Sometimes with Heavies), Ryanair, Sunexpress, TUI Airways, Vueling and Wizz Air in passanger service. Freight Services are provided by DHL and MNG Cargo.

With the single runway and more than 16 Mio. passengers the airport is an interesting target for planespotters. Sadly the traffic is dominated by the two low cost carriers easyJet and Wizz Air, so the variety of airline liveries is minor. But a pleasant change between these two carriers are the many many business jets flights, which making LTN more attractive.

Written by Patrick Weis, Sebastian Sowa and Peter Adams. Last Update: September 2024 – Spot 2+5+6 updated

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	2,162m (7,087ft)
Terminals	The airport has a single terminal serving all traffic.
Spotting Information
Ladder	At the perimeter fence positions 3 and 4 at the south and spot 6.
Car/Public Transport	For the spots at the south. At the terminals it’s better with public transport.
Restrooms	The major spots are next to the airport terminal and hotels where you will find toilets.
Drinks/Food	In the airport terminal with everything you need including a Burger King.
Hotels	Different hotels are located west of the airport terminal and are in walking distance to most locations. From the Holiday Inn you have a brilliant view of the ramp action.
Season	Best during the summer as the weather is more stable. More flights during the summer season.
Runway Usage
08/26	There is no preference for either easterly or westerly operations so the runway end in use will depend entirely on the wind direction.

	Spot #1 -Taxiway Fire Station
WHERE	From the terminal, walk southward through the tunnel and cross the street at the traffic lights. and walk up the street that goes upwards direction the fire station. As you can see on the sample below you are on a mound and from there it is no problem to clear the fence. By car just follow the signs to the terminal and park at the “Mid Stay” Parking lot which is just next to this spot. Maximum price is 32GBP for 24h. But in general you can use every parking garage at the terminal and walk to this location.
WHAT	All traffic on the taxiway. They use it in both directions, so you can get different angles. At the moment there are constructions for the new rail to the city and there are some barriers on the bridge.
TIME	from 13:00 till sunset.
MISC.	Nothing at this spot. Closest location is the Hotel on the other side of the street or the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-150mm

	Spot #2 – Terminal Car Park 1 – Taxiway
WHERE	This spot is located on the car park 1 next to the Terminal. Take the lift to the top level and walk to end. By car you could use the signs to this garage but after one parking burnt down a while ago one needs to reserve the parking early in advance so it is now impossible to drive in with your own car here quickly. So now you need to try other parking garages at the terminal and walk to this location. UPDATE JAN 2024: this location is available again
WHAT	You can shoot from here on both taxiways (east and west) to the terminal and onto the taxiway to the runway and runway movements itself.
TIME	Usually all day due to the different possibilities.
MISC.	Everything you need in the terminal. Some food and drink machines in the Car Park.
FOCAL LENGTH	28-400mm

	Spot #3 – Dane Street
WHERE	This location is only reachable by car. From the terminal, get on the A1081, then turn onto the B653 towards Wheathampstead (W’hampstead). After a few miles, turn left onto Chiltern Green Road. Turn the first left (still Chiltern Green Road) and another left on the end of the road. You can park your car on the small parking lot or alongside the road.
WHAT	In general all movements either on 26 or on 08 will pass by. Some bizjetz arrivals on 08 can use an earlier runway exit.
TIME	From ~ 09.00 till 16.00 in summer. Winter all day long.
MISC.	There is nothing nearby this location, so take what you need. A 4-step ladder is needed to photograph above the fence / between the barbed wire. More steps if you want to be above the barbed wire.
FOCAL LENGTH	Runway (EasyJet A319 & Polish AF E175): 80 – 100mm Lineup (EasyJet & Wizz Air A320): 200mm

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	Spot #4 – Someries Castle
WHERE	By car. From the terminal, get on the A1081, then turn onto the B653 towards Wheathampstead (W’hampstead). After a couple of kilometer take the next left where the sign to “Someries Castle” is. Follow this road till this sightseeing location and park there. From there you can walk to the perimeter fence. By foot from terminal follow road under bridge down past car park on left you come to a main road A1081 walk left behind the crash barriers until you find some stairs shortly before the street cross the railroads. Now it will take you to a walk through woods. Strong footware advised and follow track until you see the fence.
WHAT	In general all movements either on 26 or on 08 will pass by. Some bizjetz arrivals on 26 can use an earlier runway exit.
TIME	From ~ 09.00 till 16.00 in summer. Winter all day long.
MISC.	There is nothing nearby this location. Take everything with you. No rain Shelter nearby. A 4-step ladder is needed to photograph above the fence / between the barbed wire. More steps if you want to be above the barbed wire.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #5 – Apron
WHERE	From the Terminal follow the road under the bridge past the Holiday Inn Hotel. On the car park there is the first marked spot for shooting Bizjets on the ramp. For the further spots marked, follow the road arround the Hangars
WHAT	For Parked Bizjet arround the Airport and at some points also taxiing aircrafts
TIME	All day, depends on parking position.
MISC.	There is nothing nearby this locations. SEP 2024: Here you would need a ladder to shoot over the fence due to new “viewing blockers” along the fence. However, security passes by every few minutes and sends you away when using a ladder! So unluckily this spot seems to be unuseable now…
FOCAL LENGTH	10-200mm

	Spot #6 – Long Term Car Park
WHERE	Pretty easy to find from the terminal by following the signs to Luton’s Long Stay Car Park. Once inside place yourself with a 3-4 steps ladder along the fence on the lot. A shuttle bus runs to and from the terminal every 10 minutes.
WHAT	All aircrafts passing by on the nearby taxiway can be photographed. You are staying infront of the North and East Apron.
TIME	Best light is from sunrise until noon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Parking for the first hour is free of charge. You can check the rates here. SEP 2024: Here you would need a ladder to shoot over the fence due to new “viewing blockers” along the fence. However, security passes by every few minutes and sends you away when using a ladder! So unluckily this spot seems to be unuseable now…
FOCAL LENGTH	Around 70-80mm for an A320

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