Philadelphia Airport (IATA: PHL ; OACI : KPHL) is one of the biggest airports on the US East-coast and handled over 31mio passengers in 2019. The airport is used by American Airlines, as a major hub, connecting the USA with international destinations, mainly in Europe and South America.  The traffic is dominated by AA and its regional partners, who are responsible for at least 2/3 of all movements. As for the regional traffic, you will see several different airlines, with types like the E70/E75, CRJ200, CRJ900. Otherwise it’s mostly A320family aircraft.

Other important carriers are Southwest, Spirit, Frontier and Delta Airlines. International airlines are a rare sight with Air Canada to Toronto,  Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Qatar to Doha and British Airways to London Heathrow. Furthermore UPS uses Philly as a major east coast cargo hub.

Written by Bryan, Wilson Kuang, Jan Seba and Martin Rogosz. Last Update: June 2024 – new spot 6 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09L/27R	2.896 m (9.500 ft)
09R/27L	3.202 m (10.506 ft)
08/26	1.524 m (5.000 ft)
17/35	1.981 m (6.500 ft)
Terminals
Concourse A (intl.)	All international flights except Canada and some AA domestic flights
Concourse B	American Airlines
Concourse C	American Airlines
Concourse D	Air Canada, Alaska, Delta, United
Concourse E	Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit.
Concourse F (regional)	American Eagle
Spotting Information
Ladder	No need at any location
Car/Public Transport	Car is absolutely necessary.
Restrooms	Within the Terminals, Hotels or the Penrose Plaza Shopping Center
Drinks/Food	There is a huge Shopping Center northwards of the airport with lots of fast food restaurants and a supermarket (tagged on the map)
Hotels	There are plenty of hotels within the airport area in all price categories.
Season	Best sun position between September and March. But better weather of course during the summer months.
Security	Spotting in general is tolerated at PHL by the local police, as long as you stay away from the airport perimeter fence. Never park next to it and when spotting also try to stay away from it and you will not run into any trouble during your stay.
Runway Usage
09L/27R	When the wind blows from the East, 09L is the main runway for the departures. If the wind blows from the West, 27R is the main runway for the arrivals.
09R/27L	When the wind comes from the East, 09R is the main runway from the arrivals. If the wind comes from the West, 27L is the main ruwnay for the deparutres.
08/26	Not really in use.
17/35	The only crosswind runway is used during peak hours by AA regional flights (CRJ, E-Jets) for arrivals. If the wind blows from the west and 27 is the main direction they use 35. Wind from the east and 09 is the main runway, they use 17 for arrivals.

	Spot #1 – Fire Fighting Area – 27L Departures (09R arrivals)
WHERE	Its pretty easy to find all locations in PHL as they are all located on the same road which is leading around the whole airport area. The road is called Fort Mifflin Road and the spot is situated next to the fire fighting training facilities. There is a flat area where you can park your car. Spotting can be done directly from the parking area or from the side side of the road, which is recommended as you have more room to move around and position yourself between the lamp posts.
WHAT	This spot is perfect for the 27L departures of all kind of aicrafts. Regular aircraft are not too high and the smaller props don´t use the whole runway length, so they are at a perfect height to take a picture. Only fo heavies like the Qatar B777, or some US Airways A330 it is advisable to move a bit more westward, because otherwise they would be too low. Some of the smaller aircraft bank to the left immediately after takeoff, which allows for some very nice shots. For 09R arrivals you can park your car here and walk aprroximate 800 meters westwards to find an acceptable photoposition.
TIME	In the winter the spot is good for almost the whole day! In the summer its okay for just a few hours starting in the late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	Here is absolutely nothing nearby. Bring the stuff you need with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for an A330 and 230mm for an A320. A small Dash 8-100 is a little over 400mm (unless it’s banking towards you).

PHL-Spot1

PHL-Spot1

PHL-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Sunoco Incorporated – 27R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at the Fort Mifflin road too, just next to the entrance of this historical landmark. Park your car on the shoulder of the street just as tagged on the map but not on the airports perimeter side. You can walk along the road, which is not frequent in use, to find you preferred photo position. You can also move back onto the grass area to get a bit more distance between you and the approach path.
WHAT	Here you get all 27R arrivals.
TIME	In the winter the spot is good for almost the whole day! In the summer its okay for just a few hours starting in the late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	Here is absolutely nothing nearby. Bring the stuff you need with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	80mm for an A330 and 120mm for an A320.

PHL-Spot2

PHL-Spot2

PHL-Spot2

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PHL-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Fort Mifflin – Arrivals rwy 27R Belly shots
WHERE	Located right before the entrance to Fort Mifflin. The best way to get here is by car, where you can park off the road. Spotting can be done by the pond, or you can walk towards the road by the fields to get different angles. You can also go inside of the museum. Spotting can be done on the wall that surrounds Fort Mifflin. The workers there will tell you how to get on the wall.
WHAT	From here you are able to get head on shots of aircraft on final for 27L.
TIME	Afternoon to sunset, from late summer to winter. Other months may be backlit.
MISC.	Museum nearby, but tickets are required to enter (8 USD per person). Be mindful of where you park, as it is an entrance to a museum.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-200mm. United 777-300ER 75mm, American 737-800 160mm, American A321 200mm

PHL-Spot3

PHL-Spot3

PHL-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Garage E/F – 09L/27R movements
WHERE	Get on the top level of the parking garage for the terminals E and F either by car or by foot from inside the terminal. From the uppermost floor you have a nice view of the action. Due to the huge distance this location is not the best place for photography and just for watching the movements.
WHAT	From here you are able to see the ramps of terminal D,E,F and the runway 09L/27R movements. The cargo ramp is visible in the far distance.
TIME	You are facing the sun for almost the whole year. Only in the late high summer months you can photograph some movements without backlit.
MISC.	Everything you need is inside the terminals. Maximum parking fee is 24 USD/day.
FOCAL LENGTH	Not really known but at least 400mm

Copyright Wilson Kuang

Copyright Wilson Kuang

Copyright Wilson Kuang

	#Spot 5 – Red Bank Battlefield Park – 27L/R arrivals
WHERE	This spot is across the Delaware River so you need to cross the state and can be reached from the Interstate 295. Once there. park in the official lot and walk to the waterfront.
WHAT	From here you are able to see the Arrival of 27R.
TIME	In the winter the spot is good for almost the whole day! In the summer it’s okay for just a few hours starting in the late morning until afternoon. Heat distortion is a problem due to the distance.
MISC.	Remember to bring food and drink with you. There are seats and a restroom in the park.
FOCAL LENGTH	500mm for A321, 400mm for A359

PHL-Spot 5

PHL-Spot 5

PHL-Spot 5

	Spot #6 – Fort Mifflin Rd – 35 arrivals
WHERE	The spot is by the roadside at Ft. Mifflin Rd, between spots 2 and 7. Park on the opposite side of the airport fence.
WHAT	From here you are able to see the arrivals on 35. Only used by regional and GA aircraft.
TIME	From sunrise until early noon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Remember to bring food and drink with you. Do not park on the main road!
FOCAL LENGTH	70-80mm for ERJ/CRJ

PHL-Spot6

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	#Spot 7 – Crash Gate – 27L arrivals
WHERE	Another location along the Ft. Mifflin Rd. It is next to a crash get and the fire station on the side of the road. Park on the opposite side by the roadside. There is an entrance to some kind of construction just behind so be sure not to block the road.
WHAT	From here you are able to see the Arrival of 27L (less frequent in use).
TIME	In the winter the spot is good for almost the whole day! In the summer its okay for just a few hours starting in the late morning until afternoon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Remember to bring food and drink with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	160mm for A321, 220mm for CRJ900/E170

PHL-Spot7

PHL-Spot7

PHL-Spot7