Planespotting Bristol — EGGD
Bristol Airport sits on a hilltop at Lulsgate Bottom, some 190 m above sea level and about 12 km south-west of the city along the A38. It has a single runway, 09/27, only around 2,000 m long, which keeps the fleet to A320- and 737-sized jets plus turboprops, with the odd TUI widebody as the exception. Westerly winds mean runway 27 is in use most of the time, and that is good news: 27 arrivals cross the A38 just a few hundred feet above Felton Common, one of the best close-approach spots in the West Country. The other side of the story is the perimeter fence — high, motion-sensored and right where you want to shoot from — so a small stepladder is standard kit here. The hilltop location also brings low cloud and fog more often than at Cardiff or Exeter, so check the METAR before you drive up. The local spotters' group runs regular organised events with the airport.
- EZY78UZ A320 1 375 ft RWY 09
Conditions right now
Runways
- 09/27 RWY 09 2,005 × 45 m · 6,578 × 148 ft asphalt
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 06:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody82%
- Turboprop9%
- GA5%
- Bizjet3%
- Widebody1%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Felton Common (runway 27 approach)
Open public common land east of the A38, right under the 27 approach lights. Arrivals pass a few hundred feet overhead, so it is the place for close portraits and the many YouTube landing videos filmed at Bristol. Line-ups are mostly hidden by the fence and bushes, and 09 departures are already high by the time they reach you.
- Getting there
- By car: from the terminal roundabout head towards Bristol, take the first right over the cattle grid, then turn right up Felton Street and park on the grass at the top (or near the church). Walk across the common towards the approach lights, but do not enter the field with the lights itself — it is private land. No toilets or food; the walk up from the airport on foot is long and uphill.
- Best time
- Runway 27 arrivals (the usual direction). The south side of the approach path works most of the day; on summer mornings and evenings move to the north side to keep the sun behind you.
- Lens
- 28–200 mm; a standard zoom covers most of it.
Winters Lane South (perimeter track)
The locals' top all-round spot, with views of the apron, departures and landings in both directions. Most 27 arrivals roll out past here because they need the full runway. Photographers gather towards the runway 09 end where the fence is lowest, while loggers stand further along so they don't block the shots.
- Getting there
- Car only. From the terminal go under the bridge, turn into Downside Road, pass the tower and freight entrance, then turn left at the red phone box signed Tall Pines Golf Club into Cooks Bridle Path — narrow, with oncoming traffic and tractors. Park in the marked area by the field. Bring a stepladder and don't touch the fence: it has motion sensors.
- Best time
- Both runway directions. In winter the light is good all day; on summer mornings and evenings it turns backlit, so switch to the north side then.
- Lens
- 70–100 mm from a ladder; 200–300 mm for the far end of the runway.
Winters Lane North (taxiway fence)
The opposite side of the same perimeter lane, beside the main taxiway. Nearly everything taxis close past the fence to and from the terminal, so this is more of a taxi-shot and logging spot than a runway one. Turboprops often turn off before the end and may not reach you.
- Getting there
- Same route via Downside Road and Cooks Bridle Path. Park on the roadside by the crash gate without blocking it. A ladder helps, or shoot through the gap in the gate.
- Best time
- Summer early mornings and evenings, when the sun is in the north-east or north-west and the southern spot is backlit.
- Lens
- 18–55 mm — the aircraft are very close.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
easyJet is the dominant carrier with a large based fleet of A320s, A320neos and A321neos, followed by Ryanair 737-800s and MAX 8s. Jet2 and TUI fly 737s to the Mediterranean and Canaries, peaking strongly in summer school holidays; SunExpress and Pegasus add Turkish traffic. KLM connects to Amsterdam with E175, E190 and the newer E190-E2, Aer Lingus Regional and Aurigny bring ATR 72s, and Loganair flies ERJ 145s and ATRs. Edelweiss operates A320s, and Lufthansa's Discover Airlines has announced Frankfurt flights. Bristol Flying Centre adds light aircraft and bizjets, and the hilltop runway sees occasional diversions and charters.
What actually flew over Bristol in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- B738 26.8 %
- B38M 17.1 %
- A20N 14.6 %
- A320 12.2 %
- AT76 9.8 %
- DA42 7.3 %
- A21N 7.3 %
- B77W 4.9 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Bristol?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B-equipped aircraft over Bristol and the Severn estuary right now, with type, registration and route — in the browser, free, no app needed.
Do I need a ladder to spot at Bristol Airport?
At Winters Lane, yes — the perimeter fence is too high to shoot over without one. Felton Common needs no ladder. Never lean on the fence: it is fitted with motion sensors.
Which runway does Bristol use most?
Runway 27, landing towards the west, because the prevailing wind is westerly. Easterly days put landings on 09 and the Felton Common spot goes quiet.
Can I get to the spots by bus?
The A1 Airport Flyer runs round the clock from Bristol Temple Meads and the bus station to the terminal, but all three spots are a long walk from there. A car or bike is far more practical.
Spotterra watches the sky over Bristol
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