Airports

Berlin Brandenburg Airport

since 2020

The capital airport with a long backstory: two parallel runways on Berlin’s southern edge, plenty of European traffic with low-cost and network airlines, a handful of long-haul routes, the German government’s Flugbereitschaft – and an observation deck right above the apron.

Berlin Tegel Airport

since 1948

Historic airport in the north of Berlin: built in 1948 during the Airlift, from 1974 with the famous hexagonal terminal, for decades the Allies’ gateway to West Berlin and home of Air Berlin – until the last scheduled flight on November 8, 2020.

Berlin Tempelhof Airport

since 1923

Historic city airport in the middle of Berlin: opened in 1923, home of Deutsche Luft Hansa, scene of the 1948/49 Airlift and, with Ernst Sagebiel’s huge curved building, an architectural monument – closed on October 30, 2008, today Tempelhofer Feld.

Bremen Airport

since 1913

Small, close to the city and with a neighbor other airports would envy: right next to the runway, Airbus builds flaps and fits out wings, and the Beluga XL is a regular guest. Add hub feeders, Turkey traffic, Ryanair – and an observation deck the tram takes you to right at the door.

Cologne Bonn Airport

since 1950

Eurowings and leisure aircraft by day, the UPS and FedEx freighters in the evening, the government jets of the Flugbereitschaft in the west: Cologne Bonn is not a passenger hub, but one of Germany’s most varied airports – with a train station under the terminals and a free rooftop deck.

Dortmund Airport

since 1926

A compact low-cost airport in the east of the Ruhr region: a single 2,000-meter runway, a terminal with a free observation deck and a schedule shaped by Wizz Air with connections to Central and Eastern Europe. In 2026 the airport celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Dresden Airport

since 1935

A small commercial airport with a big industrial history: in Dresden-Klotzsche the first German jet airliner flew in 1958, and today Elbe Flugzeugwerke converts Airbus passenger jets into freighters here. Add Lufthansa feeders, Swiss, leisure airlines and a free viewing platform in the terminal.

Düsseldorf Airport

since 1927

North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest airport and home of Eurowings: two closely spaced runways in the north of the city, three terminals under one roof, strict capacity rules – and for spotters, a situation that has changed noticeably since the pandemic.

Erfurt-Weimar Airport

since 1935

Thuringia’s only commercial airport: a 2,600-meter runway in Bindersleben, a compact terminal with an observation deck and a schedule made up almost entirely of vacation destinations. Small, quiet and on the tram line – but with so few movements, you need to plan carefully.

Frankfurt Airport

since 1936

Germany’s largest airport and Lufthansa’s home hub: four runways, two passenger terminals and a traffic mix from regional jets to widebody freighters.

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport

since 1993

From a US Air Force fighter base to a low-cost pioneer and cargo airport: Hahn sits in the middle of the Hunsrück, a good 120 kilometers from Frankfurt, has a 3,800-meter runway and an eventful history of insolvency and several changes of ownership.

Friedrichshafen Airport

since 1928

Germany’s southernmost commercial airport is small but steeped in history: the field began as an airship harbor of the Zeppelin era, Dornier built aircraft here, and every April the AERO turns Bodensee-Airport into a meeting point of general aviation. Plus leisure airlines, Dash 8s to Berlin and Hamburg and a Zeppelin NT on the doorstep.

Hamburg Airport

since 1911

In the middle of the city, in the same place since 1911, with two runways that cross: Hamburg is not a hub, but an airport with plenty of European traffic, Emirates long-haul, Lufthansa Technik next door – and the Affenfelsen as its best-known spotting spot.

Hannover Airport

since 1952

Lower Saxony’s gateway to the world is in Langenhagen: two parallel runways, a compact terminal with an S-Bahn stop, TUIfly as the home airline and no general night curfew. For spotters a relaxed airport with leisure carriers, feeders of the big network airlines and nighttime freight traffic.

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport

since 1997

From the Cold War to a low-cost airport: where Canadian Starfighters and Hornets took off until 1993, Ryanair, Wizz Air and leisure airlines fly today. FKB is the second-largest airport in Baden-Württemberg – compact, easy to survey and with a long runway in the Upper Rhine Plain.

Leipzig/Halle Airport

since 1927

A small holiday airport by day, one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs by night: Leipzig/Halle is DHL’s European hub, home of the AeroLogic 777F and base of the Antonov An-124 – an airport where spotters plan by different rules than elsewhere.

Lübeck Airport

since 1917

A flying school in the First World War, a Luftwaffe air base, an RAF base during the Berlin Airlift, then “Hamburg-Lübeck” for Ryanair, two insolvencies and a whole series of ownership changes: the small airport in Blankensee has seen more than many big ones – and since 2025 Ryanair flies again.

Memmingen Airport

since 2007

From fighter-bomber air base to, by its own account, southern Germany’s most important low-cost airport: where Luftwaffe Starfighters and Tornados took off until 2002, Ryanair Boeing 737s and Wizz Air Airbus jets now taxi. FMM sits right at the A7/A96 motorway interchange, belongs to entrepreneurs from the region – and counted about 3.7 million passengers in 2025.

Munich Airport

since 1992

Germany’s second-largest airport and Lufthansa’s second hub: two parallel 4,000-meter runways in the Erdinger Moos, a Terminal 2 just for Lufthansa and Star Alliance – and, with the visitors’ park, one of the most convenient spotting places in the country.

Münster/Osnabrück Airport

since 1966

Regional airport between the Münsterland and the Osnabrück region: a 2,170-meter runway in Greven, leisure flights to Antalya, Mallorca and Crete, the Lufthansa connection to Munich and an observation deck in the terminal – manageable, but with plenty of variety during the holidays.

Nuremberg Airport

since 1955

Bavaria’s second-largest airport with just one runway but plenty of charm: leisure flights, low-cost airlines and feeders to the hubs, a free observation deck with the sun at your back – and the subway runs right up to the terminal.

Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport

since 1969

From Lufthansa feeder to leisure airport: Paderborn/Lippstadt filed for insolvency under self-administration in 2020, lost its last hub connections by 2025 and now relies on holiday flights to the south. For spotters that means little traffic, but a colorful mix of leisure and low-cost airlines – and historic aircraft in the Quax hangar.

Rostock-Laage Airport

since 1984

A military airfield with a civilian terminal: at Laage the Luftwaffe trains all of its Eurofighter pilots, while next door holiday jets depart for Antalya and Crete. For spotters, RLG is a rare mix of light scheduled traffic and plenty of fighter jet noise.

Saarbrücken Airport

since 1967

Small, high up and technically more interesting than the passenger numbers suggest: Saarbrücken Airport sits on a hilltop at Ensheim, with a runway of almost two kilometers surrounded by terrain that drops away, an arrestor bed at the west end and a tower that has stood in Leipzig since 2018.

Stuttgart Airport

since 1939

A single runway on the Filder plain, almost 9.6 million passengers a year and a free terrace in the middle of the terminal: Stuttgart is not a hub, but a relaxed airport for spotters – with Eurowings, leisure airlines and more surprises than you’d think.

Sylt Airport

Germany’s northernmost commercial airport, with scheduled flights since 1919: two runways near Tinnum, seasonal traffic from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg – and in summer, an apron full of business jets.

Weeze Airport

since 1993

From Royal Air Force base to Ryanair base on the Lower Rhine: on the former RAF Laarbruch, almost only Boeing 737s land today – but there is a free observation deck, an RAF museum on the grounds and plenty of aviation history.

Graz Airport

since 1914

Austria’s oldest commercial airport: a 3,000-meter runway in the Grazer Feld, feeder flights to Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich, lots of leisure traffic – and a long history as an interceptor base of the Austrian Armed Forces. For spotters, there are twelve photo holes in the fence.

Innsbruck Airport

since 1925

An airport in the middle of the mountains: a 2,000-meter runway in the narrow Inn Valley, approaches that need special crew training, foehn as a constant companion – and on winter Saturdays an apron full of ski charters from the UK, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

Klagenfurt Airport

since 1914

Carinthia’s only commercial airport: a 2,720-meter runway on the edge of Klagenfurt, a century of history, a controversial partial privatization with a buyback by the public sector – and a small but colorful schedule with Austrian, Eurowings, Ryanair and SkyAlps.

Linz Airport

since 1955

The former Blue Danube Airport is small in passenger traffic but Austria’s second most important cargo airport. It also shares its runway with the Austrian Armed Forces’ Vogler air base – and offers spotters a rooftop terrace and spotter holes in the fence.

Salzburg Airport

since 1926

Austria’s second-largest airport has just one runway, an approach almost always from the north over Bavaria, and a winter Saturday that turns the quiet regional airport into one of the most exciting charter sites in the Alps – with Hangar-7 and a mountain backdrop as a bonus.

Vienna Airport (Wien-Schwechat)

since 1938

Austria’s largest airport and hub of Austrian Airlines: two crossing runways, a Terminal 3 under expansion, strong low-cost traffic – and, since the observation deck closed, a spotter hill as the main legal vantage point.

Bern-Belp Airport

since 1929

The small airport of the federal city: a 1,730-meter asphalt runway in the Aare valley, a checkered airline history with the peak and crash of SkyWork – and, with the Swiss government’s air transport service, a place where you see Federal Council jets, Rega helicopters and light aircraft up close.

Geneva Airport

since 1919

Switzerland’s second-largest airport has just one runway – but the longest in the country. Geneva lives on easyJet, SWISS and one of Europe’s strongest business aviation scenes. With the free Panorama terrace and the train station right at the terminal, it is also one of Switzerland’s most convenient spotting destinations.

Zurich Airport

since 1948

Switzerland’s largest airport has three runways in three directions, an operating concept that changes with the time of day and the weather, and an official network of spotting points around the fence. If you know the concepts, you almost always stand in the right place in Zurich.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

since 1916

Six runways, a single terminal and the home hub of KLM: Schiphol is one of Europe’s largest airports – and with official spotting areas like the Polderbaan, one of the most spotter-friendly.

Eindhoven Airport

since 1932

The second-largest passenger airport in the Netherlands and a military airfield at the same time: On a single 3,000-meter runway, low-cost airliners alternate with the multinational A330 MRTT tanker fleet, Hercules transports and a government Gulfstream.

Maastricht-Aachen Airport

since 1945

A small regional airport with a big cargo profile: at Beek near Maastricht, widebody freighters, leisure jets and business jets use a single runway – and it’s only about half an hour by car from Aachen.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

since 1956

Small airport, big program: on the edge of Rotterdam, a single 2,200-meter runway below sea level is shared by Transavia 737s, BA Embraers to London City, business jets from The Hague, trauma helicopters and light aircraft.

Brussels Airport (Zaventem)

since 1958

Belgium’s largest airport sits in Zaventem, just outside Brussels: three runways, home to Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium, a big cargo center, military traffic on the Melsbroek side – and two official spotting platforms.

Brussels Charleroi Airport

since 1991

Belgium’s second-largest passenger airport is in Gosselies near Charleroi, about 46 kilometers south of Brussels: one runway, two terminals, Ryanair’s first base on the continent, plenty of Wizz Air – and a long industrial history around Fairey, SABCA and Sonaca.

Liège Airport

Belgium’s largest cargo airport and one of the five largest in Europe: a long main runway at Bierset, round-the-clock operations, jumbo freighters, e-commerce from China via Cainiao – and, since January 2026, practically no scheduled passengers.

Ostend-Bruges Airport

Belgium’s coastal airport sits between Ostend and Middelkerke, only about a kilometer from the sea: a 3,200-meter runway, round-the-clock cargo, holiday flights with TUI fly – and a fence in which the airport itself has cut holes for spotters’ lenses.

Luxembourg Airport

since 1946

A small passenger airport with one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs: Luxair and Cargolux are based at Findel, and Boeing 747 freighters roll daily down the single runway of about four kilometers – for spotters, one of the last strongholds of the jumbo.

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport

Civil airport, air force base and aircraft plant in one: at Mérignac, west of Bordeaux, easyJet, Volotea and Air France share the runways with Rafale and Falcon test flights from Dassault, Armée de l’Air transports and a parabolic-flight Airbus.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg

since 1946

One airport, two countries, three codes: EuroAirport lies entirely on French soil but has a Swiss sector with its own customs road to Basel. For spotters it is exciting mainly because of the completion companies – this is where private and VIP jets get their cabins, and the odd unpainted widebody jet sits on the apron.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

since 1975

France’s fifth-busiest airport sits on the plain east of Lyon: two north-south runways, a TGV station by Santiago Calatrava, plenty of low-cost and North Africa traffic – and a schedule that runs from regional jets to a widebody from Dubai.

Marseille Provence Airport

since 1922

Southern France’s gateway to the Mediterranean sits in Marignane on the shore of the Étang de Berre: two parallel runways, a new Terminal 1, a strong low-cost base – and right next door the headquarters of Airbus Helicopters, with helicopters in test operations.

Nantes Atlantique Airport

since 1928

The airport that was supposed to close: for decades Nantes Atlantique was meant to be replaced by a new build at Notre-Dame-des-Landes – in 2018 the government killed the project. Today the airport keeps growing with a single runway, with Volotea, easyJet and Transavia, an Airbus plant right at the fence and the Beluga XL as a regular visitor.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

since 1946

Two parallel runways on land partly reclaimed from the sea, approaches over the Baie des Anges, a daily A380 and one of Europe’s biggest business aviation scenes: after the Paris airports, Nice is France’s most important gateway – and for spotters a place with a postcard backdrop.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

since 1974

The EU’s largest airport and home of Air France: four east-west runways in two pairs, a huge Terminal 2, FedEx’s hub for Europe – and a spotting environment that quickly frustrates without a permit, a car and good preparation.

Paris Orly Airport

since 1932

Paris’s second major airport: almost 35 million passengers, strict night curfew and a cap on movements, since 2026 with Transavia France as its main airline – and with Air Caraïbes, French Bee and Corsair the address for French long-haul to the overseas territories.

Paris-Beauvais Airport

since 1937

About 69 kilometers north of Paris, in Tillé near Beauvais, lies the low-cost airport of the capital region: one main runway, two terminals, a schedule made up almost entirely of Ryanair and Wizz Air – and a history that goes back to the 1930s.

Paris-Le Bourget Airport

since 1919

Lindbergh landed here in 1927, the 1937 Art Deco terminal stands here, and every two years the aviation industry shows its latest products here at the Paris Air Show. Scheduled flights are long gone at Le Bourget – but Falcon, Gulfstream and Global appear in a density that hardly any other European airport matches.

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

since 1939

A scheduled-service airport and a test ground in one: at Blagnac, easyJet and Air France depart alongside brand-new A321neos and A350s with F-W registrations, while the BelugaXL lands with parts from all over Europe. For spotters, Toulouse is the place where aircraft take off for the first time.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport

since 1933

One runway, one terminal and over eleven million passengers a year: Marconi Airport on the edge of Bologna is the gateway to Emilia-Romagna, one of Ryanair’s biggest bases in Italy and an important cargo location with its own DHL hub. Spotting happens at the two ends of runway 12/30 – with a car, a ladder and an eye on the fog.

Catania Airport

since 1924

One runway, the sea to the east and an active volcano to the north: Catania-Fontanarossa is Sicily’s largest airport and, with a good twelve million passengers, a fixture in Italy. When Etna spews ash, everything can come to a halt here – for spotters, that is exactly the appeal.

Florence Airport

An airport with just one short runway, hills to the northeast and approaches from almost only one direction: Florence-Peretola is a special case among Italy’s airports, with regional jets, A319s and go-arounds in tailwinds. Plus the long fight over the new runway.

Milan Bergamo Airport

since 1937

One main runway, one terminal and Boeing 737s every few minutes: Bergamo-Orio al Serio is Italy’s third-busiest airport by passengers and one of Ryanair’s most important bases in Europe. Until 2022, DHL also flew its Italian hub here – today it is the most compact spotting destination around Milan.

Milan Linate Airport

since 1937

Only about seven kilometers from central Milan: Linate is Lombardy’s city airport, with a single runway, politically capped traffic to Italy and Europe, a large ITA Airways presence and plenty of business travel. Since 2022 the M4 metro has stopped right at the terminal – and the memory of the 2001 disaster still shapes the airport today.

Milan Malpensa Airport

since 1948

Italy’s second-busiest passenger airport and number one in cargo: two parallel runways almost 4,000 meters long on the edge of the Ticino park, a large easyJet base, long-haul from Emirates to Cathay Pacific and freighters from FedEx, DHL and Cargolux. There is no observation deck – spotting happens at the fence and at the terminal.

Naples-Capodichino Airport

Southern Italy’s largest airport and a true city airport: a single 2,628-meter runway between residential neighborhoods, bases of easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea and Wizz Air, seasonal transatlantic flights, plus military traffic and a large maintenance operation – and Vesuvius on the horizon.

Palermo Airport

since 1960

Sicily’s second-largest airport sits on a narrow coastal strip near Cinisi, squeezed between the Tyrrhenian Sea and steep mountains. Named after the judges Falcone and Borsellino, it is shaped by low-cost bases, the sirocco wind and a second runway for strong crosswinds.

Pisa Airport

since 1911

Civil and military at once: at Galileo Galilei in Pisa, Ryanair jets and Hercules transports of the Italian Air Force use the same runway. With almost six million passengers, PSA is Tuscany’s most important airport – and for spotters a place with its own rules.

Rome Ciampino Airport

since 1916

Rome’s second airport is older than almost any other in Europe: founded in 1916 as an airship base, the gateway to the capital until 1960, today a Ryanair base, home of the Italian government fleet and the firefighting aircraft of the fire service – all on a single runway.

Rome Fiumicino Airport

since 1961

Italy’s largest airport lies right on the Tyrrhenian Sea: three runways with a clear division of labor, ITA Airways as the home airline, lots of North America and Asia traffic – and no visitor terrace. If you want to spot here, you need a car, a plan for the runway direction in use and respect for the fence.

Venice Marco Polo Airport

since 1961

The airport with a boat dock: Venice Marco Polo sits at Tessera right on the edge of the lagoon, handles about twelve million passengers a year and mixes low-cost bases of Volotea, Wizz Air and easyJet with seasonal long-haul from North America and the Gulf. Spotting takes place on dikes, farm tracks and salt marshes around the main runway 04R/22L.

Birmingham Airport

since 1939

The biggest airport in the English Midlands: a single 3,052-meter runway, one terminal, four low-cost and leisure bases and the Emirates A380 every day – plus a listed Art Deco terminal from 1939 and several spotting positions around the fence.

Bristol Airport

since 1957

An airport on a high plateau: Bristol sits at about 190 meters above sea level southwest of the city, has only one runway – and with over ten million passengers is one of easyJet’s most important bases in the UK.

East Midlands Airport

since 1965

Leisure airliners by day, freighters by the minute at night: East Midlands near Castle Donington is Britain’s most important pure cargo airport, home of DHL Air UK and UPS’s UK hub – and with the Aeropark right at the runway a must-visit for freighter fans.

Edinburgh Airport

since 1916

Scotland’s largest airport: a single runway, almost 17 million passengers in 2025, low-cost bases of easyJet and Ryanair, Loganair turboprops and transatlantic flights in summer – with spotting places around the fence at Ingliston and Kirkliston.

Glasgow Airport

since 1966

Scotland’s second-largest airport lies near Paisley, west of Glasgow: a single runway, a naval air station as its prehistory and, with Loganair, a home airline whose turboprops and Twin Otters fly from here to the islands.

London City Airport

since 1987

A single runway barely a mile long between two dock basins, a glide slope almost twice as steep as usual and a short list of approved aircraft types: London City is the oddball among London’s airports – and exactly why it is a must-visit for spotters.

London Gatwick Airport

A single main runway, over 40 million passengers a year and orange Airbuses every minute: Gatwick is London’s second-largest airport and a lesson in how much traffic one runway can carry. For spotters that means: hardly any downtime, lots of easyJet, plus long-haul from TUI, Norse, British Airways and the Gulf carriers.

London Heathrow Airport

since 1946

Europe’s busiest airport gets by with just two runways – and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting for spotters: widebodies every few minutes, a fixed runway switch at 3 pm and Myrtle Avenue, one of the best-known approach spots in the world.

London Luton Airport

since 1938

One runway, one terminal, over 17 million passengers a year: Luton is the home of easyJet, Wizz Air’s most important UK base – and an airport where you see an especially large number of business jets in a single afternoon.

London Stansted Airport

since 1943

London’s third-largest airport is Ryanair’s realm: a single runway, over 30 million passengers a year, widebody freighters at night and in the morning – and a terminal by Norman Foster that has shaped airport architecture worldwide.

Manchester Airport

since 1938

The biggest airport outside London and home to one of Europe’s best-known spotter scenes: two parallel runways at Ringway, a colorful mix of leisure airlines, low-cost carriers and Gulf long-haul – and with the Runway Visitor Park an official viewing area complete with a Concorde.

Newcastle Airport

since 1935

The largest airport in northeast England: one runway 07/25, around 5.5 million passengers in 2025, leisure flights by Jet2 and TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, Loganair and a daily Emirates long-haul flight to Dubai – plus spotting places at both runway ends and a Metro stop right at the terminal.

Dublin Airport

since 1940

Ireland’s largest airport: home base of Aer Lingus and Ryanair, with a second parallel runway since 2022, US preclearance in Terminal 2 and plenty of transatlantic traffic – no official observation deck, but spotting positions all around the fence.

Shannon Airport

since 1942

Ireland’s gateway to the Atlantic: once a mandatory refueling stop between Europe and America, the world’s first duty-free airport in 1947, today with US preclearance, Ireland’s longest runway, 24-hour operation and regular military transit.

Alicante-Elche Airport

since 1967

The leisure airport of the Costa Blanca: a single runway between the Mediterranean and salt lakes, one big terminal and leisure airlines from Great Britain, Scandinavia, the Benelux countries and Germany. Almost 20 million passengers a year – and for spotters a manageable airport with clear operating logic.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport

since 1918

Spain’s second-largest airport sits right on the Mediterranean: two parallel runways and a crosswind runway, Vueling as the top dog, low-cost bases of Ryanair and easyJet, plus long-haul from the Gulf and North America – and spotter places between beach, cemetery and terminal balcony.

Bilbao Airport

since 1948

The Basque Country’s largest airport looks like a bird about to take off: Santiago Calatrava designed the terminal and tower. Add a main runway between green hills, Vueling as the biggest user and nonstop flights to the hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam and Paris.

Fuerteventura Airport

since 1969

One runway, one terminal and almost only leisure airlines: at El Matorral on Fuerteventura’s east coast, vacation jets from Germany, the United Kingdom and half of Europe land, plus Binter turboprops on inter-island routes. What you need to know about history, traffic, runway direction and spots.

Gran Canaria Airport

since 1930

Leisure airport, island hub and air force base in one: at Gando on the east coast of Gran Canaria, vacation jets from all over Europe, Binter turboprops every few minutes and the fighter jets of Ala 46 come and go. What you need to know about runways, trade winds and spots.

Ibiza Airport

since 1958

One runway, one terminal and a summer that turns everything upside down: in July, Ibiza sees almost five times as many aircraft land as in winter. Business jets park among leisure airline flights from half of Europe, approaches come from the southwest or northeast depending on the wind – and there are no official viewing points.

Lanzarote Airport

since 1946

The holiday airport of the volcanic island: a single runway right on the coast, two terminals for European and inter-island traffic and almost nine million passengers a year. For spotters one thing matters most – landings on 03 come in over the sea and the beach.

Madrid-Barajas Airport

since 1931

Spain’s biggest airport and the gateway to Latin America: four runways, two runway configurations with clear rules, Terminal 4 as home to Iberia and oneworld – and a spotting scene that shifts between gravel track, motorway bridge and the official Aena zone.

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

since 1919

The gateway to the Costa del Sol is considered Spain’s oldest continuously operating airport: two slightly splayed runways, a Terminal 3 with its own train station, leisure airlines from all over Europe every few minutes – and an aviation museum right at the apron.

Menorca Airport

since 1969

Menorca is the quiet counterpart to Mallorca – at the airport, too. A single runway, a compact terminal and traffic that explodes in summer and almost falls asleep in winter. Come in August and you see leisure airlines from Britain, Germany, Italy and France in a dense rhythm; come in January and it’s mostly island traffic.

Palma de Mallorca Airport

since 1960

The leisure airport par excellence: in summer, hundreds of jets a day land on Mallorca, a large share of them from Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland. Two parallel runways on the edge of the Bay of Palma, approaches over the sea and a colorful mix of low-cost, charter and business jets – only an official observation deck is missing.

Seville Airport

Andalusia’s airport has a special feature: next to its only runway, Airbus assembles the A400M military transport and the C295. Add record passenger numbers, dominated by Ryanair and Vueling.

Tenerife North Airport

since 1946

The smaller of Tenerife’s two airports: one runway at 633 meters elevation, fog out of a clear sky, the worst disaster in aviation history in 1977 – and today the home turf of Binter, island hoppers and mainland flights.

Tenerife South Airport

since 1978

The leisure airport in the south of Tenerife: a single 3,200-meter runway on the coast at Granadilla de Abona, almost 14 million passengers a year, charter and low-cost jets from half of Europe – and a trade wind that almost always dictates runway direction 07.

Valencia Airport

since 1933

Valencia’s airport sits in Manises, about eight kilometers west of the city: a single runway, lots of low-cost and regional traffic, the home of Air Nostrum – and spotting places at both runway ends where you get very close to the aircraft.

Faro Airport

since 1965

The gateway to the Algarve: a single runway at the edge of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a compact terminal and a schedule that sounds very British and Irish. In 2025, Faro passed the ten million passenger mark for the first time – for spotters, a sunny, manageable airport with clear operating logic.

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport

since 1942

Portugal’s largest airport sits in the middle of the city: a single runway, approaches right over the rooftops of Lisbon and a hub of TAP Air Portugal with connections to Brazil, Africa and North America. There is no observation deck – but a whole series of public places around the fence.

Madeira Airport (Funchal)

since 1964

A runway squeezed between steep cliffs and the Atlantic, its end standing on 180 tall pillars, a visual approach with a tight turn and downdrafts from the mountains: Madeira Airport is one of Europe’s most demanding airports – and one of the most exciting destinations for a spotting trip.

Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport

since 1945

Portugal’s second-largest airport lies north of Porto between Maia, Matosinhos and Vila do Conde: a single runway, lots of low-cost traffic, TAP connections across the Atlantic and a cargo apron with the occasional oddity. There is no terrace, but there are a handful of proven spots along the fence.

Gdańsk Airport

since 1974

Poland’s third-largest airport sits on a rise west of Gdańsk’s Old Town: a single runway, an apron full of Wizz Air and Ryanair jets, lots of traffic to Scandinavia – and a history that goes back to the days of the Free City of Danzig.

Katowice Airport

since 1966

The very first Wizz Air flight took off here in 2004: Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport in Upper Silesia is one of Poland’s most important low-cost and charter bases, has a 3,200-meter runway and is growing strongly in air cargo – with integrators and widebody freighters from China.

Kraków-Balice Airport

since 1964

Poland’s largest regional airport and the country’s number two after Warsaw: a single runway shared by civil and military aviation, lots of low-cost traffic from Ryanair and Wizz Air – and a spotters’ hill beyond the highway that overlooks almost the whole airfield.

Warsaw Chopin Airport

since 1934

Poland’s largest airport and hub of LOT Polish Airlines: two crossing runways in the middle of the city, Dreamliners, Boeing 737 MAXs and one of Europe’s biggest Embraer fleets – plus photo holes in the fence and a terminal observation deck that is currently closed.

Wrocław-Strachowice Airport

since 1938

Poland’s fifth-largest airport and gateway to Lower Silesia: a single runway, plenty of Ryanair and Wizz Air traffic, leisure flights in summer, regular military transports from the US and NATO – and a small parking-lot hill right at the terminal as your starting point.

Prague Václav Havel Airport

since 1937

The Czech Republic’s largest airport and home base of Smartwings: a dominant main runway 06/24, a crosswind runway 12/30, two terminals for Schengen and non-Schengen – and official spotter platforms built by the airport itself.

Bratislava Airport

since 1951

Around 50 kilometers from Vienna-Schwechat and yet a world of its own: Slovakia’s capital airport lives on low-cost and leisure traffic, has two crossing runways and has grown faster since 2025 than ever before.

Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport

since 1950

Hungary’s most important airport, formerly Ferihegy: two parallel runways, a Terminal 2 with SkyCourt, Wizz Air as the defining airline, plenty of cargo – and with the Aeropark, a terrace and two hills, more legal spots than many expect.

Ljubljana Airport

since 1963

Slovenia’s capital airport sits at Brnik, with the Kamnik–Savinja Alps as a backdrop. It has belonged to Fraport since 2014, lost its home airline Adria Airways in 2019 – and has since reinvented itself as a destination for foreign airlines.

Dubrovnik Airport

since 1962

Leisure airport on a plateau above the Adriatic: a single 3,300-meter runway at Čilipi, in summer low-cost, leisure and network airlines from all over Europe plus long-haul from North America – in winter, near silence. In 2025, more than three million passengers came for the first time.

Split Airport (Saint Jerome)

since 1966

One runway between Kaštela and Trogir, traffic that grows more than twentyfold between February and July, and leisure jets from all over Europe against the backdrop of the Dalmatian coast: Split Airport is one of the most exciting seasonal airports on the Adriatic. Here you’ll find history, operations, airlines and the most important spotting tips.

Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport

since 1962

Croatia’s largest airport sits in Pleso near Velika Gorica: a 3,252-meter runway, a 2017 terminal, Croatia Airlines in transition to the A220, a Ryanair base and, on the east side, the Croatian Air Force’s Rafales.

Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport

since 1970

Romania’s largest airport, simply Otopeni in everyday speech: two parallel 3,500-meter runways, home to TAROM and HiSky, strong Wizz Air and Ryanair bases – and a Romanian Air Force transport base next door.

Billund Airport

since 1964

The airport a toy maker built: Billund began as a grass strip for LEGO’s company aircraft and is now Denmark’s second-largest airport – with a long runway, plenty of connecting traffic via European hubs and a strongly growing cargo business around Maersk Air Cargo.

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport

since 1925

The largest airport in the Nordic countries sits on Amager, eight kilometers from City Hall Square: three runways, a terminal complex with metro and train connections, SAS as the host – and with the Flyvergrillen a spotter spot that has cult status in Denmark.

Gothenburg Landvetter Airport

since 1977

Sweden’s second-largest airport sits on a wooded rise east of Gothenburg: a single runway 03/21, a compact terminal, plenty of European traffic from network and low-cost carriers – and spotting positions in the forest around the runway.

Stockholm Arlanda Airport

since 1960

Sweden’s largest airport lies about 40 kilometers north of Stockholm in the forest near Märsta: three runways in two directions, a terminal system under reconstruction, SAS as the landlord – and an official spotters’ pavilion around which a whole network of photo points has formed.

Bergen-Flesland Airport

since 1955

Norway’s second-largest airport lies about 20 kilometers south of Bergen on the west coast: a single runway, a 2017 terminal with a Bybanen light rail link, SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe as the main players – and its own helicopter terminal for the traffic to the oil fields of the North Sea.

Oslo Gardermoen Airport

since 1998

Norway’s gateway to the world lies about 35 kilometers north of Oslo on a former military site: two parallel north–south runways, a single terminal with a Flytoget station, SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe as the home carriers – and an operator that designates places for spotters.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

since 1952

Finland’s gateway to the world is 17 kilometers north of the capital in Vantaa: three runways, a merged terminal, Finnair with its A350 fleet as the host – and a series of spotting spots around the fence that you switch depending on the runway direction in use.

Rovaniemi Airport

since 1940

The Arctic Circle crosses the runway, and Santa Claus lives two kilometers away: Rovaniemi is Finland’s second-largest airport and in winter a meeting point for airlines from half of Europe – with snow, de-icing, Air Force Hornets and only a few hours of daylight.

Vilnius Airport

since 1932

Lithuania’s largest airport lies only about six kilometers south of the old town: a single runway, a terminal with a Soviet-era facade and a new departures building, over five million passengers a year – and a maintenance cluster that keeps bringing surprising visitors to the fence.

Anchorage Ted Stevens Airport

since 1951

Hardly any world-class passenger traffic, but world-class cargo: Anchorage sits on the great-circle route between Asia and North America and is the fuel and transfer stop for hundreds of freighters a week – paradise for anyone who wants to see the Boeing 747.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

since 1925

The busiest airport in the world by passengers: five parallel runways south of Atlanta, the largest hub of Delta Air Lines with about a thousand departures a day – and a traffic mix in which the Boeing 717, 757 and Airbus A350 taxi side by side.

Chicago O’Hare Airport

since 1944

From bomber plant to dual hub: O’Hare is home to United and American, has eight runways, counts well over 800,000 aircraft movements a year and is one of the densest airports in the world for spotters.

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport

since 1974

One of the largest airports in the world by area sits between Dallas and Fort Worth: seven runways, five semicircular terminals, the Skylink elevated train and by far the biggest hub of American Airlines.

Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport (LAS)

since 1942

From the desert airfield Alamo Field to the gateway to the gambling metropolis: four runways right by the Strip, Southwest 737s every few minutes, slot machines in the terminal, the mysterious white Janet jets – and an official spotter spot with the sun at your back.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

since 1928

From the wheat field of Mines Field to the gateway to Asia and Australia: four parallel runways right on the Pacific, four big home airlines, widebody jets from all over the world – and in the middle of the terminal horseshoe the Theme Building, the flying saucer of 1961.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

since 1941

A manageable regional airport by day, the heart of the UPS air cargo network by night: Louisville is home to the Worldport, UPS’s largest package sorting center. For spotters that means 747-8F, 767-300F, 757 and A300 in brown and gold – in a density found nowhere else.

Memphis Airport

since 1929

A quiet regional airport by day, one of the world’s biggest cargo hubs by night: in Memphis, FedEx sorts its global parcel network – and spotters see waves of MD-11s, 777Fs, 767Fs and A300s arriving minutes apart.

Miami Airport (MIA)

since 1928

From the Pan Am airfield on 36th Street to the US gateway to Latin America: American Airlines with its Caribbean hub, freighters from Bogotá, Santiago and Lima minutes apart and four runways in the middle of Greater Miami – the airport where cargo spotting becomes the main event.

New York JFK Airport

since 1948

From the Idlewild golf course to America’s most important gateway overseas: four runways on Jamaica Bay, hubs of Delta, American and JetBlue, airlines from around the world – and, with the TWA Hotel, a piece of aviation history right at the apron.

Newark Liberty Airport

since 1928

The oldest major airport in the New York region and United Airlines’ East Coast hub: three runways on the shore of Newark Bay, a terminal for United alone, a new Terminal A since 2023 – and the Manhattan skyline in the background.

San Francisco Airport

since 1927

Four runways crossing as two extremely closely spaced pairs, fog from the Pacific and United as the home airline with its gateway to Asia: San Francisco Airport is one of the most exciting hubs on the US West Coast for spotters.

Washington Dulles Airport

since 1962

The international airport of the US capital: Eero Saarinen’s sweeping terminal from 1962, rolling Mobile Lounges, a big United hub with long-haul to Europe, Africa and Asia – and right next door a museum with an observation tower and a Space Shuttle.