The Best Plane Spotting Locations at LAX
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT | LAX
I live just 10 minutes down the 405 from LAX but I don’t spend nearly enough time plane spotting. I decided to check out some of the popular spots to see what I could capture. First stop was the classic In-N-Out spot near the corner of Sepulveda and Westchester, one place that I had never been before. There is a green patch of grass out front appropriately named, Airplane Landing View Point. I love this location because it is right under the final approach of 24R. The planes come right over your head, so low that it looks like you could reach up and touch them. There were a couple Airbus A380s, a Boeing 787 and a bunch of other aircraft to see.
As the sun started sinking lower, it was time to go try and catch some departures off of the south complex, 25R and 25L. Pershing drive runs perpendicular to the airport at the departure end. It is the closest that you can get but the planes are pretty high by the time they get to that point. One good thing to note is this is where the Qantas A380 hangs out during the day while it is in waiting to make its return trip to Australia. It is also where you can see the Virgin Australia planes.
The final spot was Clutter’s Park in El Segundo. It overlooks the south complex and is a great location to see the planes take off. I have been here quite a few times and like to setup night shots showing the light trails as the planes take off and land. It is very popular with the plane spotters and you will often see photographers with giant lenses here taking photographs of the planes.
Where is your favorite place to watch the planes at LAX? What is your favorite airport to go plane spotting? Comment below.
