Planespotting Bucharest — LROP
Henri Coandă, better known as Otopeni, is Romania's main airport, about 17 km north of Bucharest, and the base of TAROM. It has two parallel 3,500 m runways: 08L/26R in the north and 08R/26L in the south. In the 08 direction arrivals normally use the northern runway and departures the southern; in the 26 direction it flips, with landings on 26L and take-offs from 26R. Widebodies larger than an A330 generally stick to the northern runway. The 90th Airlift Base of the Romanian Air Force sits south of the southern runway, which is why spotting here works differently: Otopeni runs an official plane-spotting programme, and a photo badge issued by the airport company is required at the spots near the fence. Apply weeks in advance, and before settling at a spot phone security to announce yourself. In return you get close, legal positions where a short zoom is enough, plus a steady trickle of military and NATO transports.
- MAI291 EC35 650 ft RWY 26L
- SAS2776 A20N 38 000 ft
- THA925 A359 37 000 ft
- ROT273L AT76 825 ft RWY 08L
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- DCS604 C56X
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Conditions right now
Runways
- 08R/26R RWY 08R 3,496 × 45 m · 11,470 × 148 ft asphalt
- 08L/26L 3,490 × 45 m · 11,450 × 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: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody74%
- Turboprop9%
- Widebody6%
- Cargo4%
- Military4%
- Bizjet3%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
November taxiway (N–O intersection)
The most popular spot in Bucharest and walkable from the terminal. You stand by the green fence where the access road dips under taxiway November, with aircraft taxiing between the 08L/26R runway and the gates passing a few metres away. Cross through the underpass to switch sides with the light.
- Getting there
- Bus 100 from central Bucharest to the airport. From the terminal walk past the roundabout with the Hilton on your left and the staff car park on your right to the barrier. Phone security to announce the "November" spot first, then register at the barrier (staff may speak little English). Badge required.
- Best time
- Usable all day by switching sides of the taxiway; 08L arrivals and departures in the background.
- Lens
- 18–200 mm — a 777-300ER side-on fits at 20 mm.
Țiriac fence corner
Continuing past the November spot, through the underpass and beyond the Lufthansa Technik flags, a fence corner faces the northern runway. 08L landings, aircraft vacating 26R right in front of you and taxiing to the 26R holding point make it one of the closest positions at Otopeni. Military types parked or taxiing nearby can show up here too.
- Getting there
- Same route as November on foot — there is nowhere to park a car. Announce yourself by phone and carry the badge. A 1–2 step ladder helps.
- Best time
- All day; 26R vacates and rotations are best around sunset, taxiing traffic to 26R is into the sun.
- Lens
- 18–600 mm.
Strada Nicolae Tonitza approach lights (08R arrivals)
West of the national road, by the approach lights of the southern runway, you can stand to either side of or directly under the 08R arrivals. It is the most accessible spot without a car and works for military arrivals when the 08 direction is in use.
- Getting there
- 10–15 minutes on foot from the terminal or the airport hotels; by car turn off the DN1 into Str. Nicolae Tonitza and park by the lights (watch the potholes). By bus: 100 to Primăria Otopeni, then a regional 4xx bus to Icsitmua and the footbridge. Three petrol stations nearby.
- Best time
- 08R arrivals from morning to afternoon; silhouettes in the evening.
- Lens
- 100–350 mm.
Dimieni South, Tunari (26L arrivals)
A dirt road on the extended centreline of 26L near Tunari, where you can stand north, south or directly under the approach. The prime place for 26L arrivals, and for banking shots after 08 departures.
- Getting there
- Car recommended: via Otopeni to Tunari, then left onto DJ200B; use "Echitatie Steaua" as a navigation waypoint and take the dirt road to its left. Park at the side and keep the track clear for construction trucks. Groceries and fuel in Tunari.
- Best time
- 26L arrivals from afternoon until sunset; mornings are backlit.
- Lens
- 50–300 mm.
Farm bridge over the A3 motorway (26L arrivals)
A farm-track bridge across the A3 further out on the 26L approach. The fence, tower and runway are out of sight, so this is a pure approach spot — but it is also the one place local spotters say has never drawn a request for permission.
- Getting there
- Car or bike only. From DJ100 follow the farm road about 1.5 km towards the bridge and park before it; walk up and pick a position. Never park on the bridge — farmers use it.
- Best time
- 26L arrivals; good all day in winter, while in summer early morning and late evening are backlit.
- Lens
- About 300 mm for a 737 or A320.
Fence kink by Strada Putna (26L touchdowns)
Where the southern fence makes a slight turn, a concrete base lets you shoot through the fence at 26L touchdowns, line-ups and departures, plus 08R arrivals vacating. Close to the action but next to the military side, so badge and phone call are essential.
- Getting there
- By car navigate to Strada Putna and park on the gravel road; follow the dirt path past a small reservoir and across the field to the fence. By bus take the Blue Line from the Aeroport Otopeni stop to Putna. Shops (Mega Image, Lidl) on the main road beforehand.
- Best time
- All day in winter; in summer avoid early morning and late evening when it is backlit. Heat haze at midday.
- Lens
- 50–500 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
TAROM operates 737s and ATR 72s on domestic and European routes, while Wizz Air has a large base and Ryanair, Lufthansa, Austrian, Turkish, LOT, KLM and Air France feed their hubs; Turkish often brings widebodies. Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia and Israir, flydubai and Qatar Airways add colour. Freighters such as DHL 757s and turboprop feeders mostly come at night. The Romanian Air Force's C-130s, C-27J Spartans and An-30 call the south side home, and US Air Force C-17s and other NATO transports visit regularly.
What actually flew over Bucharest in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- B738 20 %
- A21N 18.6 %
- B38M 15.7 %
- A321 14.3 %
- A320 10 %
- A359 8.6 %
- AT76 7.1 %
- BCS3 5.7 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Bucharest?
Look it up on Spotterra's live map: every ADS-B-tracked aircraft over Bucharest and Otopeni appears in real time with type, registration and route, free in your browser.
Do I need a permit to spot at Otopeni?
Yes, for the spots near the fence. The airport company runs a plane-spotting programme: send the required documents by e-mail several weeks ahead, collect the photo badge at the airport, and phone security before arriving at and leaving each spot. Rules can change, so check the official plane-spotting page first.
Which runway is used for landings at LROP?
In the 08 direction arrivals use 08L and departures 08R; in the 26 direction landings move to 26L and departures to 26R. Large widebodies use the northern runway. Spotterra predicts the direction from the METAR.
Can I photograph the military aircraft?
From the official spots with a valid badge, aircraft movements are part of the view. Do not go near the air base perimeter on the south side without the permit, and follow any instruction from security.
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