One of my highlights during this trip was an afternoon dedicated for spotting in Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport. This is my first time doing so at a foreign airport.
A comfortable 20min train ride from Central Station. Not very cheap though, a return ticket was A$14.30. But it was better than a one way ticket at A$11 each!
Arrived at the domestic terminal that has access to both Terminals 2 and 3. I decided to explore the former.
The train access brings you up to the arrival concourse of both terminals, in this case above, it was one of Virgin Blue's.
Terminal 2 is used by REX, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and QANTAS domestic flights numbering QF 1600 and above.
There isn't much of a spotting area here. Only fleeting opprtunities through the glass at the Virgin Blue's side of the terminal. Jetstar's side is pretty much obscured by terminal infrastructure.
I walk across to Terminal 3, where it is exclusively used for QANTAS domestic flights that includes flight numbers QF 400-1599. This terminal is worse! Absolutely nowhere to look out from. But it looks absolutely modern and acrchitecturally more pleasing than Terminal 2.
I approach the QF sales counter and 2 fantasic ladies attend to my queries about the possibility of going past security to take photographs.
They were actually going about trying to process my request by picking up the phone. This is what I call premium customer service. Even though I knew the answer was a likely "no", but at least they tried.
The answer wasn't pleasing. Nevertheless, the pointed me towards the ramp outside between the 2 terminals where there is least likely any obstructions for me to take photographs. And they said if I was approached by security, to tell the guard what I was doing and not to hide anything.
And off I went to the mentioned location.
Another train ride followed... This time a short little hop over to the international terminal.
I wasted no time and head up to the Skybar (observation Deck).
The viewing gallery from the food court down below yielded some pretty interesting sights as well...
And with that, I took a train back into the city, very satisfied and promptly caught I-Robot at Hoytts.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Malb777 From Australia, joined Jul 2004, 462 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1286 times:
Nice pixs and report Ryanair, my turn next week hop the weather is decent, last time I was there poured with rain cloud base was low over the city , couldnt even see the top of Sydney Tower
thank god i was not born a bird. this type of flying is much better
Ryan h From Australia, joined Aug 2001, 1221 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1265 times:
Good report.
When I was in Sydney recently I did not bother taking pictures from the terminal, but dad had a hire car organisied and went to the many outside spots and the tarmac tour.
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 3829 posts, RR: 19 Reply 4, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1213 times:
767er From Australia, joined Apr 2001, 964 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1113 times:
Ryan
That was a great report on my hometown airport. I take that train every day to work ( I work about 8 stops past the international terminal)
The interntational terminal used to be great for spotting but that all changed when they extended the terminal a few years back but the sky bar is still pretty good.
Qantas077 From Australia, joined Jan 2004, 5486 posts, RR: 54 Reply 7, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1029 times:
Ryan,
next time your in sydney here is a tip, take the train to mascot and alight there, you save yourself 11$ on fares and the walk is about 600meters to sydney domestic! also you can take bus 400 from mascot station to the airport or from syd domestic to syd int which is a huge saving!
ryan h, you should practice alot shooting from the terminal!
I support the Palestinian cause but there is no flag available for me to display!
767er From Australia, joined Apr 2001, 964 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 991 times:
Ryanair
Girlfriend, you was ripped off!!!!! Seriously, I didn't know that either and i live here. I rarely go to SYD to spot and i prefer just paying the $$$$$$ and getting there in one go!!
Where are you off to next??'
BTW Your reports are just getting better and better.
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From Australia, joined Jul 2004, 462 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 3829 posts, 
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