Denver Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Denver Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

September 7, 2020 - last modified on November 30, 2023

Denver International Airport, with almost 70 mio passengers the fifth busiest airport in the USA and #16 worldwide. DIA was opened in 1995 and replaced the former Stapelton airport. With six runways on almost 35000 acres, the areal of the airport is enourmous and has plenty of room for expansions. The high amount of passengers is caused by United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. All three carriers use DIA as a hub. Even the passangers numbers are so high, international carriers are a rare sight. Lufthansa, Icelandair, Norwegian, Edelweiss (charter) and British Airways are the only airlines from Europe. Asian or UAE carriers are scarce commodity.

Cargo terminal receives traffic that takes the form of UPS, FedEx and Prime Air 767s. UPS and FedEx MD-11F, A300F, and 757F also fly here. During the Christmas season, there are sometimes UPS 747-400 aircraft. Once a day, DHL sends a 737-400 and 767-200F. These usually fly in at extreme hours of the day, usually very early.

Written by Tyler Chan (Follow him on Instagram). Pictures provided by Watts Brooks, Yixin Chen and Caleb Fleming. Last August 2020.

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
07/25 South	3.658 m (12.000 ft) Concrete
08/26 North	3.658 m (12.000 ft) Concrete
16L/34R Western	3.658 m (12.000 ft) Concrete
16R/34L Western	4.877 m (16.000 ft) Concrete
17L/35R Eastern	3.658 m (12.000 ft) Concrete
17R/35L Eastern	3.658 m (12.000 ft) Concrete
Terminals
Concourse A	United, American, JetBlue, Frontier, all international arrivals, small Denver Air Connection feeder flights to rural airports.
Concourse B	United/United Express only
Concourse C	Southwest, Spirit, Alaska, among others.
Airport Chart
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not neeeded
Car/Public Transport	Car is needed for almost all of the locations. You can take the RTD Train from Downtown to the airport and access the West Garage and East Garage spots. Any other spots require a car.
Restrooms	Public restrooms are located at the East side of the airport, in the Final Approach. No other restrooms can be accessed without going into the main terminal.
Drinks/Food	Food can be purchased inside the terminals or at the Final Approach. There are several convience stores and restaurants located West of the airport.
Hotels	The closest one is located directly on airport grounds, the Westin. Other hotels are West of the airport, about 10-15 minutes of driving away.
Season	Colorado has plenty of sunshine, but afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in the summer, combined with high wind speeds due to the openness of the area. Bring a coat. Winters usually average around 20-40 Fahrenheit.
Security	We recommend to drop a mail to Media@FlyDenver.com or leave a voice mail at 303 342 2250 with a description of your car and let them know that you are out for spotting. But usually spotters do not experience harassment by security. It should be known that spotting at 114th Avenue may prompt airport security to request your departure.
Runway Usage
General Info	The runways are set up in a pinwheel configuration to allow use in any wind direction. Almost all landings occur on 16/34 and 17/35 Takeoffs usually happen on 34L, 25, and 08. Occasionally, 17R is also used.
07/25	25 is used often for departures to the West. 07 is rarely used for departures or landings of any kind. Heavies are rare on this runway.
08/26	08 is frequently used for departures to the East. Heavies will occasionally use this runway for departure during the summer. Departures or landings of any kind on 26 are rare.
16L/34R	Used for predominatly landings.
16R/34L	16R is used for landings, while 34L is mostly used for departures. Heavies prefer to use this runway when landing from the North due to its longer length.
17L/35R	17L is used occasionally for takeoffs, but landings here are rare. 35R is used for landings. Most heavies land on this runway when landing from the south.
17R/35L	Used for predominatly landings, occasional takeoffs on 17R.

	Spot #1 – West Garage – 34R arrivals, taxiway G, Concourse A
WHERE	Follow the signs on Pena Blvd and navigate to the West Garage. There are several levels of the garage, drive/walk to the highest open level. For rain, spot one level down. Public transport is an option to get to this spot. FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Union Station in downtown Denver, take the RTD A line to its terminus at Denver Airport station. Take the escalator up and walk into the terminal. From there, go left and exit out into the dropoff/pickup area. Cross using the crosswalks, carefully. Road traffic is heavy here. Once in the garage, navigate to the top level and walk to the most Westerly point. The best area to spot is on the Northwest corner, which has stairs and a raised concrete flat surface to place things on.

WHAT	34R landings, and aircraft taxiing in/out of the south side Concourse A. North Concourse A was previously visible, but is no longer visible due to a fence and engineering works for an expansion project (see BA sample). Departures on taxiway G to 25 can also be seen.

TIME	For 34R landings, the morning before noon provides the most optimal conditions. After that, all shots are top or backlit. Heat haze can be a problem when observing taxiing aircraft from afar.

MISC.	For facilities, you must walk back inside the terminal. Within are restrooms and kiosks where one can purchase snacks. Most restaurants are out of commission due to an ongoing renovation project, but a Subway sandwich restaurant is accessible. Aircraft taxiing in/out of Concourse A are obstructed by a fence reaching to about the height of the landing gear of passing aircraft. Do not bring a ladder as it attracts attention, is very dangerous (the fall over the concrete wall is about 5 stories and will be fatal, high wind speeds can knock one over). Police and airport security are not known to harass anyone at this spot, but be courteous to anyone you encounter here.

FOCAL LENGTH	200 is good for aircraft taxiing in/out of Concourse A. 300+ is needed for 34R landings and distant taxiing aircraft.

	Spot #2 – East Garage – 17R landings, Concourse A
WHERE	Follow the signs on Pena Blvd and navigate to the East Garage. There are several levels of the garage, drive/walk to the highest open level. For rain, spot one level down. Public transport is an option to get to this spot. FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Union Station in downtown Denver, take the RTD A line to its terminus at Denver Airport station. Take the escalator up and walk into the terminal. From there, go right and exit out into the dropoff/pickup area. Cross using the crosswalks, carefully. Road traffic is heavy here. Once in the garage, navigate to the top level and walk to the most Easterly point. The best area to spot is on the Northeast corner, which has stairs and a raised concrete flat surface to place things on.

WHAT	Concourse A ramp (partially blocked by a fence, see sample pictures), 17R landings

TIME	Best lighting occurs in the afternoon.

MISC.	For facilities, you must walk back inside the terminal. Within are restrooms and kiosks where one can purchase snacks. Most restaurants are out of commission due to an ongoing renovation project, but a Subway sandwich restaurant is accessible. Aircraft taxiing in/out of concourse A at this spot can be observed without a fence for a short period. Poles are frequent, shoot between them. Do not bring a ladder as it attracts attention, is very dangerous (the fall over the concrete wall is about 5 stories and will be fatal, high wind speeds can knock one over). Police and airport security are not known to harass anyone at this spot, but be courteous to anyone you encounter here.

FOCAL LENGTH	100 for taxiing aircraft, 300-400 for landing aircraft

	Spot #3 – Cellphone Waiting Lot – 25 departures, 07 arrivals
WHERE	From Peña Eastbound: Exit right onto Gun Club road. At the end of the off-ramp, turn left and pass under the highway. Turn left on the first road (77th Avenue) and park at the parking lot adjacent to the building. Walk (be mindful of cars!) to the vacant field Northeast of the previously mentioned parking lot and position as desired within the field.

WHAT	25 departures, 07 landings (rare)

TIME	Spot is good all day, but may experience issues with being toplit around noon.

MISC.	Facilities include the Final Approach building nearby. Within this building are several fast-food restaurants and restrooms. If one walks further West, there is a gas station with a convienence store.

FOCAL LENGTH	Departures are very close, and nothing more than 150-200mm is needed.

	Spot #4 – Snow Removal Lot – Cargo Ramp, 35L arrivals
WHERE	Take Pena Blvd down to Jackson Gap Ave and continue along that road until you see a lot that over looks the cargo ramp and park in that lot

WHAT	Cargo Ramp shots and 35L landings

TIME	Afternoon and Evening offers the best light

MISC.	For facilites you are gonna have to drive back to Final Approach for Food, Restrooms, or Gas.

FOCAL LENGTH	75-300 for taxiway shots and cargo ramp shots. 300+ for landing shots on 35L

	Spot #5 – Mt. Elbert Lot – 35L arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located adjacent to the Mt. Elbert parking lot. A car is needed for this spot. Directions from Peña Eastbound: Take the Jackson Gap Exit and turn right after the off-ramp. Jackson Gap street turns into 71st Avenue. Take 71st Avenue until you reach Robertsdale street. Turn right on Robertsdale street and continue around the perimeter of the Mt. Elbert Lot fence. During this period, Robertsdale St. turns into 68th Avenue. Follow until you reach Valley Head street and turn left. Pass the two buildings on your right. After having done so, there is a dirt pulloff where you can park your car.

WHAT	35L landings. 34R and 35R landings are visible, but very distant.

TIME	This spot is best after noon, when the sunlight is coming from the West. Coming early in the morning or before noon will make for back or top-lit shots. This spot is good year round, with minimal to no heat haze.

MISC.	There are no facilities here. There is a police precinct nearby, but spotters have not been stopped or questioned by police in the past.

FOCAL LENGTH	150-200mm is plenty for this spot.

	Spot #6 – 56th Avenue – 35L/35R landings
WHERE	Car is required for this spot. Directions from Peña Eastbound: Take the Jackson Gap Exit and turn right after the off-ramp. Jackson Gap street turns into 71st Avenue. Take 71st Avenue until you reach Robertsdale street. Turn right on Robertsdale street and continue around the perimeter of the Mt. Elbert Lot fence. During this period, Robertsdale St. turns into 68th Avenue. Follow until you reach Valley Head street and turn right. Follow Valley Head street until it ends. Once it ends, turn left onto 56th Avenue and position yourself as desired. A small dirt shoulder follows the length of the road on both sides. Use this to park your car.

WHAT	35L and 35R landings are visible, but they are higher.

TIME	Usuable during the entire day, but top-lit around noon. When the spot begins to become backlit, position yourself on the other side of the approach path. Heat haze can be an issue on particularly hot days.

MISC.	There are no facilities here. This area is not part of Denver county, but rather the adjacent Adams County. Spotters have been stopped by police, but they are quite friendly. Be cooperative, describe your activities, and present an ID if asked.

FOCAL LENGTH	300 is the approximate minimum for fully framed shots. Anything less and your shot may be a tad distant.

	Spot #7 – E96th Ave – 26 arrivals
WHERE	Take 56th Ave down to Imboden Rd where you will take a left and follow that down to E96th Ave which will take you down to a deadend which is where the spot is.

WHAT	26 arrivals

TIME	Best lighting occurs mid afternoon

MISC.	No food or restrooms nearby nor gas stations. Heat Haze will occur when its warmer out.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400 is good for landings

	Spot #8 – E 120th Ave – 16L/16R Arrivals
WHERE	You can park on the side of the road all along E 120th and E 114th. A car is required to get there. Police checks E 114th Ave but not E 120th.

WHAT	16L and 16R arrivals, however you cannot get both from the same spot, area where both sides can be seen easily is a no stopping area.

TIME	Best during mid morning or mid afternoon depending on which side you are spotting on.

MISC.	No facilities, police are somewhat common. Most will leave you be after asking about what you’re doing, but results may vary.

FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the aircraft, you’ll need 300-400mm

	Spot #9 – Airside terminal area
WHERE	This spot is actually not an exact spot rather anywhere in the three concourses along the glass walls. The airside waiting area is quite good for spotting Denver that#s why we think it is worth to be mentioned.

WHAT	Terminal activities and the nearby taxiways totally depend on where exactly you stand.

TIME	Summer: northern side is good from late morning – late afternoon and southern direction is good in the early morning or late evening ———— Winter: Northern side all day and southern side not at all.

MISC.	Everything is inside the terminal. Windows a bit tinted and haze may occure due to nearby APUs, but not that bad except on hot summer days of course.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-400