Aircraft Spotting Pages - John F. Kennedy
International Airport
The above map, with modifications, was provided by Google Earth.
About the Spots and What You Will See
Spot A: All of the local spotters refer to this as Howard Beach. Take the Cross Bay Boulevard SOUTH exit off the Belt Parkway (if going towards the Verrazano Narrows Bridge) or the Cross Bay Boulevard exit if going east on the Belt Parkway (in this case, turn right at the light after you get on the exit ramp). Go through at least seven traffic lights and be in the right lane once you go past all the traffic lights. Once you cross the bridge, make a right at that traffic light, circle around as if you're going to make a U-turn - but do a legal U-turn, and go straight through the light to get onto the other side of Howard Beach and park along the water. You will see 31L departures and depending on where they rotate, you will get a nice left turn upon departure. You can watch some aircraft land on 31R, but they are out in the distance. This is referred to as the Canarsie departure. The lighting is decent in the morning and gets a little worse as the day progresses, and you will need at least 400mm to get some decent pictures.
While the spot appears on your left, you MUST make a right turn at the traffic light and then cross over into the opposite lot. This is because it is illegal and unsafe to make a left turn at that traffic light.
Photos from Spot A
Spot B: Spot B is unanimously called "The Mounds", as you are standing on mounds of dirt to shoot pictures from. The best way to get to the mounds is to follow Rockaway Boulevard past the airport (take the Belt Parkway to Rockaway Boulevard). Make a left at the first light, which is Brookville Blvd. Continue on Brookville to the next light (147 Avenue) and make another left onto it. Proceed to 230th St. and make another left. Go to the end where there is a soccer field and school. On the left side of the soccer field you will see a mound of dirt about 10 feet high. Take up position on this mound and watch away! You will see arrivals to Runway 22L, which, when active alongside 13L, will see the majority of the domestic flights going into 13L (your JetBlue, American and Delta 757s, and regional jets) with most of the international flights going into 22L. This is one of the locations you can catch an A380 arrival from, since the A380 is able to land on Runway 22L.
Be careful when visiting this spot, since it is located in a shady neighborhood and the spot is notorious for the large amount of ticks that are among the plant life there. Do not wander closer to the aircraft as there is a higher risk of getting ticks and other bugs on your body.
In addition, when parking your car near the Mounds, LOCK YOUR CAR and keep your valuables out of sight.
Photos from Spot B
Spot C: This is an alternate spot to view 22L arrivals. The best way to get to this spot is to follow Rockaway Boulevard past the airport (take the Belt Parkway to Rockaway Boulevard). Make a left at the first light, which is Brookville Blvd. Continue on Brookville to the next light (147 Avenue) and make another left onto it. You'll see a park to the right. Find a parking spot and walk down the park to get any kind of vantage point you can think of. Belly shots and side shots can be obtained here. You can use any kind of lens here but be sure to carry at least a 200 mm lens on you. This is one of the locations you can catch an A380 arrival from, since the A380 is able to land on Runway 22L.
Photos from Spot C
None yet.
Spot D: Spot D covers Bayswater State Park. Take Rockaway Boulevard to Nassau Expressway (the next light past the light for Costco/Spot B). Turn right at the light and go to the second light and make another right onto Burnside Avenue. Burnside Avenue will change to Sheridan Boulevard shortly thereafter. Follow the road for about two miles to a light on the corner of Mott Avenue. Turn right and follow all the way to the end. Park on the street (legally) and then walk through the gates to the park area. Bayswater Park is open from a certain time frame (see below red text) and will offer spectacular airport overviews and views of arrivals onto the 4s and departures from 22R, along with 13R departures and 31L arrivals. You can also watch 31L departures and 22L arrivals from here as well. You will need at least 400 mm to get some shots, especially for 22R departures and 31L arrivals. You will see some people fishing at this spot as well, and don't forget to bring bug spray during the summer. Also, after a rainstorm, remember that walk into the park can get a bit muddy! This is one of the locations you can catch an A380 arrival from, since the A380 is able to land on Runway 31L as well as on 4R.
Please note that Bayswater State Park is open until 7:00 pm every day and you will be asked to leave once the closing time approaches. Bayswater State Park was slated for closure by the State of New York as part of a budget crunch but had been reopened after several weeks. Check back on updates on this spot.
In addition, when parking your car along Mott Avenue, LOCK YOUR CAR and keep your valuables out of sight. While the first neighborhood you drive through might be shady, the neighborhood adjacent to the park is indeed a safe neighborhood.
Photos from Spot D
Spot E: You'd know this spot as Inwood Park. Take Rockaway Blvd. to Nassau Expressway (the light by COSTCO). Turn right at the light and go to the second light and make another right onto Burnside Avenue. Burnside Avenue will change to Sheridan Blvd shortly thereafter. You'll then make a right turn at Bayview Avenue (you’ll see an Inwood Park sign before the intersection). Continue until the end of the road and enter the parking lot for the park. Walk along the trail and go to the shoreline, which will be on your right. You will get a good view of arrivals onto 31L and some distant views of arrivals onto 31R. In addition, you can also get departures from 13R, though you do not have a view of the airport from here. If you have a good lens, you can get photos of 31R arrivals. The lighting here is as good as the different locations represented by Spot G, but you don't get a good view of aircraft before they reach you because of the trees. This is one of the locations you can catch an A380 arrival from, since the A380 is able to land on Runway 31L.
When parking your car at Inwood Park, LOCK YOUR CAR and keep your valuables out of sight. While the park itself is very safe, it is best to keep your valuables and your car secure.
Photos from Spot E
Spot F: The best place to describe Spot F is across from the Air India Cargo buildings. Follow signs off the JFK Expressway or the Van Wyck Expressway to Cargo Areas A. You will end up on 150 Avenue. At the end of 150 Avenue, turn left. Make another left into a gravel/semi-paved parking lot (NOW CLOSED). You have the best seat in the house for 13L arrivals, as they are within 200 feet above you! You don't need a lot of zoom here - in fact, if you get an airplane larger than a 767 flying over you, you'll need about 40mm! The threshold of 13L is about a ¼-mile from you. The only downside to this spot is that you are practically unable to get side shots. DO NOT go anywhere beyond the parking lot to get any pictures. Since this is on airport property, you have a much higher chance of being asked to leave by the Port Authority Police Department and any private security firms.
As of December 2009, this lot is OFF LIMITS to everyone. While the actual lot is blocked off, the adjacent lot is not, but it is still off-limits to park in the adjacent lot and walk over to the Air India lot.
Photos from Spot F
Spot G: These are the parking lots at Burger King, Costco, Boston Market, McDonalds, Wendy's, Best Buy, and a former Firestone location. Follow Rockaway Boulevard past the traffic light for Spot A and turn right into either Burger King or Costco. You will get slightly different views of 31R arrivals from any of the locations, and besides Burger King, you will get to see 31L arrivals as well, even though they'll be quite a distance away and the lighting will suck. They all provide the best lighting out of any of the Kennedy spots, but you will have to deal with the power lines at all of the locations as well as the lamp posts. If you park at Costco, DO NOT take pictures of the fuel tanks. Remember to be courteous to shoppers, especially during the weekend.
It is highly suggested that you support the respective restaurants by giving them business (in other words, buy lunch or dinner and eat it on the hood of your car) as well as shopping at the retail establishments. Clean up after yourself and DO NOT LITTER.
Photos from Spot G
Additional Notes
John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the few airports in the world that regularly sees Airbus A380 traffic. As of July 2010, only one airline flies the superjumbo into JFK (Air France) and the flight operates every day with some exceptions. Because of the current layout of the runways and taxiways, all of the runways except for 31R can safely handle the A380.
Spotting from inside any of the terminals, whether with a camera or not, is strictly prohibited. The Port Authority has a strict, unwritten no photography rule for inside the terminals of JFK, LGA, and EWR. Authorities have been known to extend this out to those watching aircraft movements.
Security
The NYPD has jurisdiction through Spots A, B, and C, while the Nassau County Police Department have jurisdiction in the areas where Spots D, E, and G fall. Spot F falls under NYPD and Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) jurisdiction. The New York State Park Police also has jurisdiction over Inwood Park and Bayswater State Park. You'll always have a good likelihood of being questioned, so carry your ID at all times and be courteous to law enforcement and do not question their authority.
Keep in mind that you may be told by park employees that photographing and filming airplanes into and out of JFK from Bayswater State Park and/or Inwood Park will require you to obtain a permit to do so. As far as I know, no such permit is required so long as you do not sell any photos or video.
Please, when visiting any of the spots that require you to leave your vehicle, lock your car and place all of your valuables out of sight.
The folks at NYCAviation.com know all about each of the spots mentioned and check out their forums for anything and everything on JFK, LGA, EWR, FRG, and ISP.
© 2006-2010 Steven Holzinger