Airport Spotting Blog

Airline Business Blog today reports that the final day of operation at London Heathrow’s Terminal 2 is upon us. The last passengers will pass through today, before the building is demolished to make way for the new Heathrow East site, which will cater for Star Alliance carriers.

Terminal 2 has been with us for 54 years, and last year handled 7.5 million passengers instead of its projected 1.2 million. Many will remember the viewing terraces above the terminal which closed in 2002. Read all about it here:

Farewell Heathrow T2 - Airline Business

Posted using ShareThis

I spent a little time at Heathrow recently - my first dedicated spotting visit since the Queens Building viewing area closed. It had certainly been some time!

This was a good thing, however, as plenty of new aircraft went into the log, and I was pleased to see my first A380s at close quarters.

Now, since there’s no official viewing area, I thought I’d check out the alternatives. My main focus was on the Myrtle Avenue area, underneath the flightpath to runway 27L. This tied in well, since aircraft were landing on that runway.

To get there, head for Hatton Cross tube station, then cross over the A30 and turn immediately right onto Hatton Road. Myrtle Avenue is the first right. Click here to see a map of the area.

This is a residential street, so don’t park outside the houses. Go to the end, where you should find a space. Better still - park at the underground station and walk.

There is a large open area here which is perfect for photos when aircraft are landing on 27L. It is also quite a good spot for watching action on the ground. You won’t be able to photograph anything on the airfield or other runway, but you can quite easily see registrations.

Here are a couple of pictures from Myrtle Avenue.

Singapore A380 over Myrtle Avenue

Lufthansa Regional RJ85

Oman Air's leased A330 at Heathrow

The Renaissance Hotel at London Heathrow has a special Spotters Day Package available for those wanting to use the facilities.

The cost is £20 for spotters to have the use of the Club Longe with views of the airport.
The price includes parking, unlimited tea coffee and soft drinks and internet access.

The lounge is available on:
Mon to Fri 1030-1600
Sat/Sun 0630-1600

Telephone number for enquires is 020 8897 6363

Enthusiasts at London Gatwick airport are encouraged to sign up to the ID scheme operated by Gatwick Police. To date over 200 people have signed up, and it has been free so far.However, now there is a £6 administration fee to sign up and get your ID card.

The police stress that you won’t gain any additional rights over other members of the public by joining the scheme, but it will help them recognise you, and also help their fight against criminals and terrorism.

These schemes are popping up all over the place now, but I’ve yet to hear of any positive benefits of them to either spotters or the police.

You can read more about the Gatwick ID scheme and sign up by clicking on this link.

It seems the spotter-friendly scrooges at London Heathrow have come up with a fantastic scheme to encourage people to use their visitors centre, and to encourage the spotter community in general.

The prices to park at the visitors centre, which is the only official viewing location following the closure of the Queens Building terrace a number of years ago, are set to increase. They are as follows:

£2 per hour
£10 per day

This is not cheap. Therefore we suggest you park elsewhere (Hatton Cross tube station is a slightly cheaper option), or use public transport entirely.

Remember, buses that travel around the perimeter of Heathrow are free to use, and stop at Hatton Cross. So you can get the tube in from elsewhere in London and get to the visitors centre free on the bus.