This series of articles looks at the individual spotting locations at Frankfurt International – one of Europe’s busiest, largest, and most interesting airports.
Frankfurt is one of a number of big European airports (and many in Germany) which offer official places for spotters and enthusiasts to watch and photograph aircraft on the ground and using the runways.
The spotting locations at Frankfurt that we’ll look at are:
- Terminal 2 Terrace
- Motorway / Zeppelinheim / Berlin Airlift Memorial
- Runway 18
- New Runway 07L/25R Runway
New Runway 07L/25R Runway
The raised platform has seats, and a good view of the new runway.
In this article, we’ll look at the location alongside runway 07L/25R, which is the newest official spotting location at Frankfurt Airport, built alongside the new runway opened in 2011.
It features a raised metal platform with steps either end, and walkway along the top which raises you above the fenceline. It has no shelter from the rain, and there are no facilities nearby for food, drink etc.
The spot has a car park to use close by.
What Can You See?
Aircraft can be photographed landing in either direction.
The new Runway 07L/25R is used only for arrivals. However, not all arrivals will use the runway.
This viewing platform is good for photographing aircraft with have landed on either end of this runway, since they all pass in front of the platform.
Sadly movements elsewhere at the airport are not visible, apart from distant views of aircraft departing runway 25C and 25L.
It is also interesting to see the rigs and parts of scrapped aircraft used by the fire training department situated close to this viewing location.
Photography
Aircraft on the taxiway pass by very close. Wave to the pilot!
Photographing aircraft landing on runway 07L/25R is easy, with elevated sections of the platform lifting you over the fence and little to obstruct your view.
Once aircraft have landed, they often taxi by close in front of you, particularly if they’ve landed on 25R.
You’ll need a 200mm+ lens to cover all aircraft on the runway, or shorter for aircraft on the taxiway.
Getting There
A small car park is provided for spotters to use.
To get there drive west along Airportring following signs initially for Kelsterbach/Rüsselsheim. Turn right onto Okrifelter Strasse after the taxiway bridge, and then turn right into the car park.
If you’re not driving, it takes 30 minutes to walk here from the terminals.
What You’ll See at Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt is a major hub airport in central Europe.
It is the main operating base for Lufthansa, plus its regional and cargo partners.
You’ll also find other German carriers in abundance, like Condor and TUIfly Deutschland.
As you would expect, Frankfurt is well linked by most European scheduled carriers, as well as major airlines from Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the Middle East.
Cargo airlines are quite prevalent at night, and there are a number of biz jet movements most days.
Get the Book
World Airports Spotting Guides is our flagship book for aircraft spotters and photographers.
With details of where to spot at over 500 airports around the world, in many cases include maps and lots of information on what you’ll see, this is an indispensable piece of your spotting kit.
Perfect for planning your spotting trips, or using as a reference guide while on the go.
Author
2 comments
[…] Runway 07L/25R New Runway […]
Hi, I’d like to thank you so much for this article, helped me to choose a sport during my trip to Frankfurt, however, finding the exact locati wasn’t easy for runway 25R, so I’d like to contribute to you article by advising people on how to get there without a car. SO, walking from Terminal 2 is not 30 minutes as mentioned here, but it took 50 minutes based on Google Maps calculation, which was true, moreover, the road was risky and not well prepared for peoplet to walk, mwaning in some sections of the road you need to walk on the road with cars and trucks, which is too risky, so, another route is better. The location on the map is: “Observation deck on the north-west runway” this is wehre you can exactly look it up on Google Maps. From the central station of Frankfurt you can take the “S-Bahn” (it’s a train-like”, look for the signs with a big “S” letter, then stake train “S9” or “S8” on the direction of Frankfurt airport, the name of the direction is “Wiesbaden Hbf”, then get out on station “Kelsterbach”, you can take a taxi for 15 euros to the location, or even walk for 40 minutes (4 kilometers), I’ve waled on both directions, and the way was safe and friendly for me. I hope this helps and please consider updating this article with the directions 🙂