Not just for Av Geeks: plane spotting can be a rewarding activity for novice hobbyists too, and it's really not difficult to orient yourself with the basics. So, for a low-cost, fun day-out, why not venture to one of the many viewing spots on the perimeter of London Heathrow Airport? From picnics to pints, short walks to steady cycles, you'll quickly see that there's a place for everyone - there's even an official "Plane Spotters Park"! What's not to love?
Halfway between Hatton Cross Station & the Plane Spotter's Park is prime undercarriage viewing for landings on 27L.
What's in this article? Quick links to the top tips:
Orientation & The Basics
To say that Heathrow is big is quite the understatement. With five terminals and two landing strips (both of which are just under 4km long), the total area occupied by the airport measures 1,227 hectares - that's 12.14 square kilometers to you and me.
Runway code names at London Heathrow Airport.
So, where do we begin? Let's start with the runways - London Heathrow (LHR) uses two main runways for take off and landing, and operates both a daytime and night-time schedule (see tip #1 for more details on scheduling). Each runway is split in two, with each half having it's own 3 digit code. On the northern runway, this is 09L and 27R, whilst on the southern runway, it's 09R and 27L. This might seem overwhelming for starters and my first recommendation is not to worry, try to keep it simple and focus on the Southern runway, since that's where the majority of information in this article focusses on getting views of.
Many of the best viewing spots for 27L are minutes away from Hatton Cross Station (Great South West Road).
See indicators in the map above, which shows you the locations being covered in this article - note that this is not the full list but these are easily accessible on foot or by bike, are relatively safe to get to, and offer great views for first time Heathrow plane spotters.
Do not try to traverse roads where there isn't a pedestrian crossing in place - there is fast moving traffic along much of the route. Stick to the paths / cycle lanes for your own safety.
If you just want me to tell you the most practical place to head to then it's a no-brainer in my opinion. The sweet spot is targeting the 27L landing schedule, which means walking across to the Plane Spotters Park at the end of Myrtle Avenue from Hatton Cross Tube Station. This strategy is effective because being on the Central London-side of Heathrow, it is easy to get to on the Piccadilly Line, has the aforementioned, dedicated park with grassy viewing platform, *and* has a petrol station a couple of minutes walk away (great if you're short on snacks or need the loo!).
The sweet spot is targeting the 27L landing schedule, which means walking across to the Plane Spotters Park, at the end of Myrtle Avenue, from Hatton Cross Tube Station.
You could stop right here and hop on the tube; next stop Hatton Cross. However, I advise that you check these 10 tips to spectate like a pro at LHR, which will only serve to enhance your Heathrow experience, and make you look like a master planner to those around you.
Tip #1 - Plan ahead & consult the LHR "alternation" schedule
2023 LHR Alternation Schedule.
Generally speaking, LHR rotates it's runway usage on a weekly basis. Information on which runway is in use on any given week in the calendar year can be found on their website, or by searching for "Heathrow runway alternation programme" (I've linked to the 2023 version for you and added in an image of the day-time alternation to the right). Due to tight rules on noise pollution, in any given week, one runway is used between 6am-3pm, before switching to the adjacent runway from 3pm-final landing. For example, 27R on the northern strip could be in use in the first half of the day, before 27L is switched in from 3pm onwards.
There are anomalies and changes to the schedule, either in the evenings when the smaller volume of flights means other runways could be used, when the weather (wind direction) affects landing conditions, or between 6am-7am when *both* north and south runways are used, due to this being the busiest time for arrivals at Heathrow.
Tip #2 - Check wind direction forecasts to know if scheduling might be affected with this simple tool...
Plan like a boss with planesoverlondon.com.
Of course, you could just rock up at Heathrow after checking off the first tip but by investing a little bit of time in advanced planning, you can save yourself the disappointment of potentially missing out. A really simple way of knowing if the alternation schedule will be 100% accurate is to check weather forecasts and specifically, wind direction.
That sounds a bit arduous, right? Don't worry - there's a great website that predicts if planes will be over London or Windsor. It's based on a 48-hour wind forecast and shows you up to 2 weeks ahead of today's date. Thus, if planes are going to be over London (and landing on 27R / 27L) , you'll see a "YES" next to the day listed (see images below). They even go one step further and show you the runway being used on the present day - literally all of the hard work is done for you here as the app combines metereological data with LHR alternation schedules to provide you with the best chances of getting those close-up views of aircrafts coming into land. Additionally, there's a Windsor sister site, which tells you - obviously - when planes will be over Windsor and landing on 09L / 09R.
What is this magical website, I hear you ask? Well, the name is a bit of a giveaway - planesoverlondon.com. The UX on the mobile version is great, with quick and simple access to see the week ahead and plan accordingly.
It couldn't be easier to check ahead on your chances of getting the best views of LHR landings.
Tip #3 - Use social media to your advantage
Another great tool to arm yourself with is twitter, specifically @HeathrowNoise. It's officially affiliated to Heathrow Airport and provides updates on runway operations on a daily basis.
Daily runway usage updates are just a quick twitter search away.
For some light entertainment, you can also check the comments section of many posts for the trolling that this account receives from angry locals - probably why the bio clearly stipulates that the account is for "information only".
Add this to your armoury of phone-based verification tools and you're set to go plane spotting. Congratulations - you've made it to Heathrow, next up, let's look at the best spots for optimum, close-up aircraft views.
Tip #4 - Choose your spot wisely: 27L days are the best days
In this section, you'll read about the best viewing spots on the south-side perimeter of Heathrow Airport. Pictures are included for you to judge for yourself but in my humble opinion, you can't beat the Plane Spotter's Park on a 27L landing day. We'll cover (click to jump to each section):
Plane Spotter's Park - Hatton Cross (27L - extremely close for landing / OK views for take-off)
Qatar Airways A380 landing at 27L.
Under 5 minutes walk from Hatton Cross Tube Station is the Plane Spotter's Park (reminder that the locations in this section are mapped out at the start of this article). This is the best spot for watching landings (in my opinion!). Not only for the really close-up views, but also the proximity to public transport, the ability to get a little bit of distance away from the main road, and the bonus of a petrol station nearby with a toilet.
Plane Spotter's Park after a take-off from 27L.
The A380 Qatar Airways photograph above is actually taken about 100m east of the park, on the path that runs alongside the main road, next to a field often frequented by friendly horses. It's my favourite spot of the entire Heathrow perimeter and - as long as you don't mind sitting on the grass verge next to the road - offers the closest vantage point for all landings. You can feel the vibrations from the engines. Take earplugs if you're sensitive to high decibels.
The picture to the right is me capturing a take-off (unsure of the aircraft - sorry!) in the Plane Spotter's Park itself. As you can see, it's a much more distant viewing experience than on landing days but it's still worth a watch. On sunny, landing days, the park gets semi-busy but since you're all looking up in the air, it never really feels crowded. Note: I was fresh from a running event and feel the need to highlight these are not my everyday fashion choices... ;-D .
Stanwell Moor Roundabout - Airport Way / Stanwell Moor Road / Southern Perimeter Road (09R landing)
Turkish Airlines landing from Istanbul over the Stanwell Moor Roundabout.
Now, this location isn't for the faint hearted. There's a bit of foliage (read: bushes) to make your way through, which is on an overgrown mud path, but if you make it, you can stand at the side of the roundabout and get amazing side-on views of aircraft landing on 09R. Remember that we talked about the Planes Over London website earlier? Well, this would be a day to keep an eye out for planes landing over Windsor - if you see this on the website, and 09R is in use (check the LHR alternation schedule), then it's time to hop up to the south-western end of Heathrow Airport.
Middle Eastern Airlines (definitely breaking the speed limit!).
If feeling extra brave, and you have triple checked the road for oncoming traffic, you can cross the road at the roundabout - be careful, it's a 50mph dual carriageway - and stand on the west corner, adjacent to a farmer's field. At this vantage point, you can watch as the planes approach from the Windsor direction, and fly all the way overhead (approximately 400m from where you'll be stood), then down beyond the trees and onto 09R.
I would not recommend this spot for a family day out. It isn't really safe enough. As you can see from the image right of the ME Airlines plane, you are right next to the main road, and cars come past here at relative speed. If you're on your own and/or with bike, it definitely simplifies things a little bit. Get your high-vis on and do not go here at night!
Western Perimeter Road Roundabout - Western Perimeter Road (09R landing)
British Airways Airbus landing onto 09R, taken from the Western Perimeter Road.
This location is only around 500m away from the Stanwell Moor Roundabout (see the section directly above) but feels a lot safer due to it's proximity further away from the intersection of two dual carriageways. There's also an inner perimeter road, which is open to the public, where you can get even closer to the underside of the aircrafts (see no.3 on the map in the intro section).
You don't need to scramble through any bushes or traverse main roads to get to this spot, and there's a large grass verge on the side of the road to park yourself at.
Heathrow South - Esso EG Petrol Station (09R landing & take-off / aircraft on stands)
Cycling is a great way to get to a number of spots around LHR on the same day.
Also in the same vicinity of the two roundabouts already mentioned is the grass verge adjacent to the Esso EG petrol station. We've already been over the benefits of being in proximity of a petrol station so no need to repeat. The only drawback to this location is that it is a bit of a walk from Hatton Cross Tube Station, so look for local bus stops nearby or - do as I did - and head there on your bike (see image above).
The location is quite far from the runway but if you're tailfin spotting, as well as looking out for landings, this is a good area to tick off your aircraft list. With direct views across the airfield, you get to see both taxiing and parked up planes.
Tip #5 - Use Flight tracking apps to see what's incoming
FlightRadar24 is a quick win for spotting the incoming really big aircraft.
If you've ever questioned why plane spotters spend half of their time looking down at their phones, the answer is that they're probably looking at their favoured flight tracking app. There are many to choose from, each with a free and paid version offering various levels of aircraft insights.
I prefer to use the FlightRadar24 app (also available on Google Play). Flight Radar is available on desktop too at flightradar24.com. The app is extremely useful for viewing on the go and shows real time aircraft in the sky. You can click on each plane to see the airline, route and a host of other information. The free version is sometimes interrupted by adverts but not to the extent that it interrupts your spotting experience.
The aeroplane icons are representative of the size of the aircraft so a quick look at planes coming in towards Heathrow let's you see the big "birds" relatively easily. A tap on the aircraft outline will confirm if it's an A380 or B777 coming in and you can wait in anticipation with the knowledge that something good is arriving imminently.
A quick mention here also for the FlightStats app, which, similarly to FlightRadar24, gives you real time views of the aircraft in the sky above you. There are many similarities between a number of apps so have a play around with a few of them if you have time and go with personal preference.
Tip #6 - Take the tube for only £3.50 each way
The quickest, cheapest and simplest way to get to Heathrow is on the Tube (the London Underground), specifically the Piccadilly Line. With much of the line traversing central London, you can be from Covent Garden (for example) to the Plane Spotter's Park (Hatton Cross) in under an hour.
Use the Piccadilly Line from central London to Hatton Cross.
An off-peak, one-way trip from zone 1 to zone 6 costs just £3.50, using contactless card payment or Oyster. Peak time travel (06:30-09:30 & 16:00-19:00 Mon-Fri) costs more but is still reasonable at £5.10 each way.
Don't buy a ticket at the machine on the day - it'll cost you £6.70! By using your contactless or Oyster, if you use other trains/buses on the same day, your spend will be capped at £14.10 for unlimited travel in zones 1-6 (prices correct as of March 5th, 2023).
The newly opened Elizabeth Line is an absolute dream for tourists and commuters alike, and this is also an option for getting to Heathrow, with central London stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road & Farringdon. However, it goes straight into the airport terminals, so you would either:
Have to get a bus back out again, from Terminal 2 & 3, to either Bath Road or the Hatton Cross area.
Disembark at Hayes & Harlington Station and walk / get a bus the two miles to the north side of the airport.
Transfer from the Terminal 2 & 3 Elizabeth Line Station across to the Terminal 2 & 3 Piccadilly Line Station and travel one stop / 3 minutes to Hatton Cross. This is probably the best way to do it but will count as two trips as you'll need to tap out of the Elizabeth Line and then back into the Piccadilly Line.
Tip #7 - Or ride your bike
Cycle path on Bath Road (near to 09L).
Generally speaking, cycle paths at Heathrow are plentiful, often set aside from the main road, and provide quick access to whisk around the airport for a mixture of views. An anomaly to this is on the far-west side, on Stanwell Moor Road, where you're cycling on a path very close to a 50mph dual-carriageway (if you're unsure where I mean, take a look at the left-hand side of the map between viewing points no.4 and no.5). If you're a confident cyclist, you'll be fine. Note, the further north section of Stanwell Moor Road is also the only place you'll be able to get underneath planes landing on 09L but this is the only mention I'll make of that location because it isn't the nicest or the safest - so, have a quick pit stop if you're on your bike but otherwise, keep on cycling!
OK, so it's a bit of a slog from Central London...
If you're staying in Central London, you probably won't want to cycle all of the way out to Heathrow. I would recommend hiring a bike somewhere closer to the airport. The even less strenuous option would be to hire one of the many e-bikes taking over the capital - Lime, Uber, Human Forest, to name but a few. These companies all have their own apps, where you can find available bikes, unlock on the spot, and are charged for the time of each rental - the price can add up but have a look to see if there's a daily price cap to get an idea of what you'll be spending. With this in mind, you could travel to Heathrow on public transport before searching for e-bikes (just be prepared to hunt around to find them).
If using your own bike, you can of course take bicycles on National Rail services outside of peak hours, so locate a station nearby that you're comfortable cycling from and enjoy your train-bike-train day out!
Tip #8 - Take advantage of a well-positioned pub (win win!)
You're in the carpark but the up-close 09L views are worth it!
If you're feeling tired from all of that walking or just fancy a "swifty" (meaning: swift half of lager), then make a stop in one of a handful of pubs in Longford. Great for 09L views on the north-side of Heathrow, you can sip your drink whilst watching the planes moments from touchdown (see no.5 on the map above).
The Kings Arms in Longford is a great shout for a pit-stop and - as you can see from the tail-end of this Emirates A380 - offers an impressive vantage point. Admittedly, you'll need to stand in the car park for the best sightings but on a sunny day, with a drink in hand, it really doesn't matter. If you prefer more comfort to a pub car park, a quick Google search will quickly provide other nearby pubs with similar spotting opportunities.
Tip #9 - Take a power bank
This one goes without saying really. You'll likely be taking lots of photos and regularly checking your flight tracking app so your phone is going to be in constant use. Take a power bank with you, especially if - like me - you tend to do all of your contactless payments through your phone.
Tip #10 - Don't forget your snacks (& a chair in winter)
Other than the petrol stations dotted around the perimeter, there's very little available in terms of food/drink options. Take a packed lunch or picnic with you - you'll save yourself buying an overpriced sandwich when hunger strikes. Worst case, you can always get a Deliveroo (take away) delivered to wherever you are around Heathrow but it's best to stock up on snacks/water just in case.
You'll be spending lots of time on your feet and - the UK climate being as it is - you can never really trust if the grass will be dry, so take a portable, fold-away chair or waterproof blanket along. It'll likely mean you stay for longer and see more aircraft!
There's more...
I certainly haven't covered everything and this article is largely south-Heathrow focussed (runways 09R/27L). There are further viewing spots on the north-side of Heathrow, in and around Bath Road. A popular spot being the Holiday Inn, providing great views of 09L/27R. But that's for another day.
You're ready to go - happy plane spotting!
Swiss Airlines Airbus filmed between Hatton Cross Station & the Plane Spotter's Park - just managed to catch it!
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