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Gatwick Or Heathrow Better For Spotting?

FRAspotter From United States of America, joined May 2004, 2316 posts, RR: 10
Posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3199 times:

I am planning a trip to London in April for 4 days and was hopping to do some plane spotting while there. I was originally planning on going to Heathrow, but asked around the a.net forums and learned that many of the spotting locations at LHR are either under construction or closed permanently. I than started to think. Is Gatwick any better? Do they have an observation deck? Are there more spotting locations open at Gatwick than at Heathrow? And overall, would it be worth it to skip LHR and go to Gatwick?
I look forward to your input...

"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."

11 replies: All unread, jump to last

A319XFW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 1, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3193 times:

Not that I've spotted at LHR, but what about on the north side around all the hire car places?
As they are close to the runway and every time I pick up/drop off a car there you get to see some big birds taking off close up.
There's got to be a car park there which isn't closed off by gates etc?

FRAspotter From United States of America, joined May 2004, 2316 posts, RR: 10
Reply 2, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3177 times:

Quoting A319XFW (Reply 1):
but what about on the north side around all the hire car places?

I already started a topic on where to go around LHR and got a full 2 pages of replies, but I was maybe hoping on a place actually in the airport. Kind of like the observation deck at FRA up until the time they closed it. Are there any places like that at Gatwick? Gas can get quite expensive if you drive around all day looking for different locations AROUND the airport. I was hoping on more of a centralized location, but I guess that might be too much to ask of with all the security these days... Yeah sure

"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."

Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61
Reply 3, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3133 times:

I've never spotted @ LGW...but I've spotted @ LHR a few times..its fun....April is still a bit cold though..........May/June is when the weather starts picking up!

here's some photos I took from LHR.....

MyAviation.net photo:

Photo © Jacobin777

MyAviation.net photo:

Photo © Jacobin777

"Up the Irons!"

Glom From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 2803 posts, RR: 10
Reply 4, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3133 times:

I think LGW is a bit better. You can go onto the roof of the South Terminal carpack and have a good view of the runway.

GSM763 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 5, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3128 times:

Has the viewing gallery ar LGW shut? it was open last time I was there but then again that was 2 years ago.

Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 12
Reply 6, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3124 times:

Hi FRAspotter

Basically there are NO official spectator facilities at either airport. There is the Visitor Centre on the north side of LHR but it's useless for photography. There are a few spots around the airports where you can get decent photos - personally I prefer LHR if the westerly runways are in use (spot from Myrtle Ave etc) and LGW if easterlies are use (spot from field/gate at end of 08R). The variety of traffic is huge at each airport so it's definitely worth visiting both.

Cheers

Biggidy biggidy bong

Simong From Canada, joined Jan 2005, 103 posts, RR: 0
Reply 7, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 3101 times:

Hi There,
Not sure where you are staying or if you already have accomodation but here is some spotting info for LHR. The Renaissance Hotel on Bath Road is fantastic for aircraft spotting. The A/C are either taking off or landing right in front of you. They offer a special Aircraft Spotters rate which includes breakfast, a room on the higher floor facing the runway, access to the business lounge which also overlooks the runway and serves complimentary snacks and soft drinks. To get the special rate you need to book via the hotel directly.

Cheers
Simon

BA all the way !!!

Vasu From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 3761 posts, RR: 0
Reply 8, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 3052 times:

Quoting GSM763 (Reply 5):
Has the viewing gallery ar LGW shut? it was open last time I was there but then again that was 2 years ago.

As far as I was concerned it's gone... but a few months ago I remember a post on here claiming there are signs in the South Terminal for a viewing area or something... can anyone shed any light on the matter...?

GDMCA From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 36 posts, RR: 0
Reply 9, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 3005 times:

Pretty sure its closed and it pi$$es me off that they still got the sign up for it and get my hopes up whenever Im at my favourite airport.

VV701 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 6621 posts, RR: 17
Reply 10, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2969 times:

Spotting and photography is probably easier at LHR than LGW since the observation deck at LGW was closed.

FutureFO From New Caledonia, joined Oct 2001, 3095 posts, RR: 24
Reply 11, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2948 times:

I much prefer LHR for spotting than LGW. I generally go over to Hatton X tube sation and walk to the open park there. Great overfly views on beautiful days, and even a nice picnic area to sit or stand and get great pictures.

Sean from MCO and SDF

I Don't know where I am anymore

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