Tweed New Haven Airport - Spotting Guide

Tweed New Haven Airport – Spotting Guide

April 15, 2024 - last modified on August 25, 2024

Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN/KHVN) is a public airport located by the shoreline of southern central Connecticut and besides Hartford-Bradley Airport the only other airport in the state, which offers regularly scheduled commercial flights. The airport (re)entered the spotlight in 2021 when ultra low cost carrier Avelo Airlines established its east coast base there to lure customers away from competitors at Providence (KPVD), Hartford (KBDL), Westchester (KHPN, LaGuardia (KLGA) and New York John F. Kennedy (KJFK). Avelo to date is the only airline with commercial service from/to Tweed Airport and operates several flights per day to connect the airport with several destinations mainly in Florida.

Tweed Airport also gets some business and general air traffic, NetJets and Flexjet are frequent visitors as well as private business aircraft. There is also a flight school based at the airport.

Over the next few years a new terminal is going to be built and the runway is planned to be extended.

Written by Thomas Okaty, photos provided by Jan Seba, Thomas Okaty and Alex TD. Last Update: August 2024

Rating
Movements
Variety
Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	1707 m (5,600 ft)
Terminals
Departures	There is only one Terminal, but the departures hall and arrivals hall have separate entrances/exits. All Avelo flights leave from here. The entrance is across from parking lot A.
Arrivals	All Avelo flights arrive here. The entrance is next to the rental car lot.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not recommended.
Car/Public Transport	The easiest way to get to and around the airport is by car, simply use one of the airport’s parking lots (A, B or C, charge per hour, lot C is free for the first hour). It is not recommended to park roadside in the residential area (several restrictions in place). Alternatively, bus route 206 connects the airport with downtown New Haven.
Drinks/Food	There is only a small bistro in the terminal, but otherwise there are no grocery stores, restaurants or fast food places in walking distance. More options are available a short drive east and north of the airport (next to I-95).
Hotels	As the airport is located in a residential area there are no hotels at or around the airport. The closest lodging options can be found in downtown New Haven.
Season	Best from March through October (daylight savings time), very small window for properly lit photos during late fall and winter.
Security	During our visit we didn’t encounter any issues, however, the residents living around the airport are not very fond of the airport’s existence, so avoid engaging with them.
Runway Usage
General Info	Due to its location close to the ocean the airport is exposed to consistently changing wind directions. If the wind is calm and traffic volume is low, then there is a chance that arriving traffic will land on runway 02 and departing aircraft will use runway 20.

	Spot #1 – Burr Street – departures, arrivals, taxiway and ramp
WHERE	The section on Burr Street between Stuyvesant Ave and Girard Ave provides an elevated position, however, the terminal buildings partially block the view on the ramp and the runway, hence just move along the sidewalk as needed for the desired shot. For runway 20 arrivals and departures you will need to time your shots as the light poles on parking lot A are in your line of sight. Ample parking is available roadside across the street, however, to avoid attracting attention it is generally recommended to park in one of the airport’s parking lots and to take the short walk to the location, especially when planning to stay for an extended period of time.

WHAT	Runway 20 departures and arrivals: all traffic Runway 02 departures: some lighter aircraft will already be fairly high Runway 02 arrivals: only aircraft using the last or second last runway exit

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing nearby, bring what you need. Restrooms are inside the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	B737 ramp: 100 mm B737 runway: 150 mm

	Spot #2 – Parking Lot C – all arrivals and departures
WHERE	Right at the fence parallel to the runway – after entering the parking lot make a left and head over to the section of the lot, which is located on the now decommissioned runway. We recommend to park near the fence and to stay in the car between taking photos to avoid attracting unnecessary (negative) attention. Check the airport’s website for parking fees.

WHAT	All arrivals and departures, and traffic on taxiway C.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing nearby, bring what you need. Photos have to be taken through the mesh of the fence, hence make sure to bring a lens with a smaller front diameter.

FOCAL LENGTH	B737: 80 mm

	Spot #3 – Dean St – runway 20 arrivals & departures, runway 02 heavy arrivals & departures, taxiway
WHERE	This spot is located near the southern end of Dean St. There is an unpaved area by the airport fence, where you can park, however, some parts are signposted as private parking. Here you are right in sight of the residential homes across the street, and generally the local residents are not very fond of the airport’s presence and its growth, hence this is more a shoot and run location. Keep a low profile and only get out of the car for taking a shot if hanging around for a bit longer. For taking photos of the traffic on the runway or the taxiway you will need to get yourself slightly elevated from the ground to clear the top of the fence (2-step ladder or standing on the edge of your car seat will be sufficient).

WHAT	All runway 02 arrivals and departures, heavier runway 20 arrivals, which will use the last or second last runway exit, and heavier departures. All taxiway movements.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset

MISC.	Nothing nearby, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	IAI 1125 Astra (taxiway): 350mm

	Spot #4 – Dodge Avenue – runway 20 arrivals
WHERE	Just before Dodge Ave makes a sharp right turn and continues towards the runway approach zone there is an open area (partially paved / gravel / grass), on which you can park. Pick your spot and shoot away.

WHAT	Runway 20 arrivals and heavier departures from runway 02.

TIME	From sunrise until noon

MISC.	Nothing nearby, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	About 50-250mm