Planespotting Delhi — VIDP
Delhi is India's busiest airport and, with the fourth runway and the elevated Eastern Cross Taxiway opened in July 2023, one of the few in Asia running four near-parallel strips: 09/27, 10/28, 11R/29L and 11L/29R. Westerly operations — arrivals from the east over Mahipalpur and Vasant Vihar — are the norm for most of the year. Runway 29L has an unusually long displaced threshold because of the giant Shiv statue on its approach, which is also where the safest spotting location is. Traffic is relentless: an endless parade of IndiGo and Air India narrowbodies, Air India's growing 777 and A350 fleet, and nearly every Gulf, European and Asian long-haul carrier. Be realistic about the conditions: smog and haze limit visibility most of the year, and Delhi is a highly sensitive capital airport shared with the Indian Air Force. Police stop people who linger, roadside stopping on the expressways is illegal and dangerous, and military aircraft must never be photographed.
- IGO349C A320 9 975 ft
- AIC8XF A321 6 450 ft
- IGO49EM A20N 6 125 ft
- GEC8463 B77L 3 675 ft RWY 29
- CSN360 B38M 3 000 ft RWY 28
- AKJ1828 B38M 2 500 ft RWY 27
- AIC3313 A20N 825 ft RWY 29
- IGO1307 A20N
Conditions right now
Runways
- 11/29 4,378 × 60 m · 14,364 × 197 ft asphalt
- 10/28 3,809 × 45 m · 12,497 × 148 ft asphalt
- 09/27 2,827 × 45 m · 9,275 × 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: 08:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody70%
- Widebody18%
- Turboprop5%
- Cargo4%
- Bizjet2%
- Military1%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Shiv Murti temple and park, Mahipalpur
The large Shiv statue on the Delhi–Gurgaon highway stands in a public temple park right under the approach to 29L — the reason that runway's threshold is displaced. It is the safest place to watch Delhi traffic: a tourist site with a walled car park, shade trees and no need to stand by the roadside. The angle is less dramatic than the old highway spots, but you can stay without trouble.
- Getting there
- On NH-48 at Mahipalpur/Rangpuri, near Aerocity. Free entry, parking on site; taxi or auto-rickshaw from Aerocity metro (Airport Express line). Open roughly 09:00–17:00 — confirm locally.
- Best time
- Westerly operations (29L arrivals), afternoon when the sun is to the south and behind you.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Dwarka Sector 21 mall forecourt
The open forecourt and car park in front of the mall next to Dwarka Sector 21 metro station looks towards arrivals on runway 11 from the west. A rare spot with food, shade and a metro station on the doorstep.
- Getting there
- Delhi Metro Blue Line or Airport Express to Dwarka Sector 21. There is a police post next to the mall, so keep a low profile and do not set up a tripod.
- Best time
- Easterly operations (runway 11 arrivals), late morning to evening.
- Lens
- 50–200 mm.
Terminal 3 airside windows
Inside Terminal 3 after security, the long glass frontages along the piers overlook stands and the taxiways leading to 11/29. Most Air India widebodies and the foreign long-haul carriers pass here.
- Getting there
- Boarding pass required. Windows can be tinted and dirty; heat haze from APUs is common.
- Best time
- Morning and evening in summer, when the sun is low but not straight into the glass.
- Lens
- 20–300 mm.
Andaz Delhi, Aerocity
Unlike most Aerocity hotels, the Andaz has rooms facing the approach to runway 28 and departures from runway 10. For a visitor it is the most comfortable and least conspicuous way to watch Delhi traffic for hours.
- Getting there
- Aerocity, five minutes from Terminal 3 by taxi; Aerocity station on the Airport Express line. Hotels here screen luggage on entry. Request an airport-facing room.
- Best time
- Westerly operations for 28 arrivals; afternoon light.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm through the window.
Vasant Vihar, around C-Block market
The residential streets of Vasant Vihar sit under the westerly approach, and arrivals pass low enough to read the airline logos. Good for casual watching and phone photos from public streets; this is a diplomatic area, so do not point long lenses at embassies or guarded buildings.
- Getting there
- Taxi or auto-rickshaw to Vasant Vihar C-Block market. Stay on public pavements.
- Best time
- Westerly operations, morning to early afternoon.
- Lens
- 24–200 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
IndiGo is everywhere, with A320neo, A321neo, ATR 72 and leased 787s on long-haul; Air India flies 777s, 787s, A350-900s and a big A320 family fleet after absorbing Vistara, and Air India Express and Akasa add 737 MAX. SpiceJet and Alliance Air ATRs fill the gaps. Long-haul comes from Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, United, American, Singapore and Thai, many at night. Blue Dart 757 freighters and integrators work the cargo side; IAF aircraft also use the field. November to February brings fog.
FAQ
What's that plane over Delhi?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft over Delhi and the NCR in real time — type, registration and route. It is free and handy when an unusual widebody turns final over Vasant Vihar.
Is planespotting legal at Delhi airport?
Watching and photographing civil aircraft from public places is not a crime in India, but Delhi is extremely security-conscious. Police question people who linger near the perimeter wall; foreigners have been taken in for checks. Stay at public places like the Shiv Murti park, carry ID, and never photograph Indian Air Force aircraft or installations.
Can I stop on the expressway to take photos?
No. Stopping on NH-48, UER-II or the Aerocity flyovers is illegal, dangerous and draws immediate attention from traffic police — tow trucks patrol these roads. Use the temple park or a hotel instead.
When is visibility best in Delhi?
After the monsoon, in October and early November, and in March. Winter brings dense fog and smog; summer brings heat haze.
Spotterra watches the sky over Delhi
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
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