Luton Airport Spotters

There are several places to spot in and around Luton Airport below is a map showing just some spotting locations, underneath that is; a description of the spot, driections of how to get to it, any charges applicable and any other relevant information!

Spotting Location 1 - Beside The Runway

This location is the best that LTN has to offer, it gives you a great close up views of the runway and the aircraft using it. Photographs can be easily taken from this point, but unless you are very tall you will require a small step ladder or stool. Also from this location you can see Biz Jets parked up along the back of the EasyJet HQ, one of the aprons (usually filled by TUI, Monarch, Silverjet and Sky Europe), also with strong binoculars some aircraft parked on or near to the cargo apron can be read of. This location is the most popular with spotters and in the summer months especially it can become extremelly busy, there is limited parking but please DO NOT  block the crash gate! In the wet winter months it can become rather muddy so therefor i would suggest some old shoes or welly boots. Litter is an increasing problem at this spot, so please make sure to take your litter home with you as there is no bins. The airport security and police normally have no trouble with people spotting here, unless you are blocking the crash gate!

How To Get There?

Leave the airport terminal and head towards the M1. At the third roundabout after the tunnel under the taxiway, turn right, then right again towards Wheathamstead. Follow that road for a few miles (approx 1.5 -2 miles), and take the second left at a cross-roads. Under the railway, climb the hill. At first junction, turn left. Immediately bear right. At the next junction, turn left (you will see houses on your right hand side). The road leads to the  crash gate of the runway.

Example Photos!

G-SLVR B767-300 of Silverjet Departing off Runway 08.

OO-DIH A300-100(F) of DHL (European Air Transport) Arriving on Runway 26.

 Spotting Location 2 - End of Runway 26

This location is popular with photgraphers taking photos of aircraft landing on runway 26. Here aircraft fly very low above you seconds before landing, but unfortunately it is very difficult to park here. There are only one or two spots which are in front of a farmers gates, you are fine to stay here for a short while but not for long periods of time. Once agian there is a crash gate here but may I insist that you do not obstruct it in anyway, as this does attract unwanted attention by the authorites.

How To Get There?

From SPOTTING LOCATION 1, go down to the end of the road (this time the houses should be on your left), turn left and head down the road and take the first turn on your left, head up this road  for a little while  you should see the metal gates (on your left) and the landing lights (on your right) and this is where this spot is loacted.

Spotting Location 3 - Short Stay Car Park

This location offers superb views and photo oportunities for aircraft taxing to some of the stands and taxing to depart. Also great views are avalible of the apron next to the terminal (where usually Monarch, Thomsonfly, Wizz and Excel Airways Park).

Depite the good views if you need to park in the car park it it VERY expensive (as you can see below):

Short Term Car Parking Prices:

The Short Stay Car Park is located next to the airport terminal, alternatively follow the yellow signs for Short Stay Car Park.

Example Photos!

VP-CEB BD-700 Global Express of Global Jet Luxembourg being towed along taxiway delta to the Stand 21.

G-THON B737-300 of Thomsonfly parked on the East Apron (next to the terminal building)

From this location close up's of aircraft parked on stands and taxing on echo can be seen, these stands are usually occupied by EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz. Aircraft are extremelly close to you and registrations can be easily seen without using binoculars, photos are no problem here either! Also from here you can see Biz Jets parked in and around the Harrods Hangar and the Cargo Apron. Views of the Cargo Apron and aircraft on it can sometimes be restricted as buses and aircraft containers can often block your view. You can park at the end of this road, despite there being double yellow lines the authorites usually have no problem. Although i would not reccomend staying for great periods of time.

How To Get There?

From THE AIRPORT TERMINAL drive away from the main terminal and under the bridge, at the roundabout turn right onto Percival Way, follow this road round past the TUI and other maintenance hangars until you reach a mini-roundabout, here turn right onto Airport Approach Road, follow the road to the end and park in front of the concrete bollards.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Example Photos!

G-OZBI A321-200 of Monarch Airlines parked on the North Apron

G-EZJA B737-700 of EasyJet taxing along taxiway echo to the North Apron.

Spotting Location 5 - Wigmore Valley Park

This location offers good views of most aircraft parked on the Cargo Apron and also some Biz Jets. If you park in the Car Park you can see most aircraft, but with a short walk around the park most aircraft registrations can be read off. As you are not on the airport site there is absoulety no issues with spotters being here, also parking is free which makes this rather popular with some people quickly stopping to read of a registration of a certain aircraft. Photo opportunities from here are extremelly limited with tress and shrubs obstructing views.

How To Get There?

From SPOTTING LOCATION 4, head back towards the mini-roundabout and go straight over, at the next roundabout turn right onto Eaton Green Road, at the third roundabout turn right and you should see the Car Park in front off you. The Medium Stay Car Park is located just before the bridge on your right hand side on Airport Way. Alternatively follow the green signs for Medium Stay Car Park.

Spotting Location 6 - Medium Stay Car Park at End of Runway 08

This spot offers fantastic views and photo opportunities when aicraft are landing and departing on Runway 08. You can park in this car park and view or alternatively as mentioned with  SPOTTING LOCATION 3 it is possibly to park elsewhere and walk to the car park. If you are staying at Luton for a whole day it may be a little bit more economical. The Cost for up to 24 hours is £15.00. (Subject to change without notice).

How To Get There?

The Medium Stay Car Park is located just before the bridge on your right hand side on Airport Way. Alternatively follow the green signs for Medium Stay Car Park.

Example Photos!

S7-AHM B767-300 of Air Seychelles Arriving on Runway 08. 

N312P Falcon 900EX of Marmon Group Inc. Taxing for departure off Runway 08.

VP-BYA B737-7AN (BBJ) of Saudi Oger is parked on "the pond". (Taken from the terminal side of the bridge)

PH-HZJ B737-800 of Transavia is taxing to depart along Taxiway Alpha (Taken from the hotel side of the bridge)

Other Spotting Locations

 Percival Way - Percival Way offers close up views of many Biz Jets, personally i would not suggest parking along this road as it is under constant watch by security, but I tend to drive slowly past writing down registrations as i go.

Gypsy Lane Retail Park - When aircraft are landing on Runway 08 planes past low over and can easily be red off with a small pair of binoculars, you are almost guaranteed not to get moved on here as it is away from the airport.

All photos used are of Photo Copyright © 2008 Huw Hopkins.

Thanks to Huw Hopkins for allowing ltnspotters to use his fantasic photos!