Planespotting Dublin — EIDW
Dublin is Ireland's main gateway and the home base of both Aer Lingus and Ryanair, which means a dense stream of A320neos and 737s from early morning, threaded with Aer Lingus A330s and A321XLRs and a long list of North American carriers using the airport's US border preclearance. The airfield has two parallel runways: the original 10R/28L to the south and the longer 10L/28R, opened in 2022 to the north, plus the crosswind 16/34, which is used only in strong north-westerly winds. With westerly wind — the normal case — arrivals use 28L and departures 28R; with easterlies, 10L takes arrivals and 10R departures. That makes the southern side along Old Airport Road the default, and the famous Mound there has planning permission for a proper covered viewing facility. Dublin's frequent drizzle is part of the deal, but so are dramatic skies and condensation over the wings. Spotterra flags rare visitors and diversions inbound to EIDW.
- EAI68H AT76 5 050 ft
- BAW830D A20N 3 750 ft RWY 34
- EAI24CE AT76 2 075 ft
- EIWST P06T 450 ft
- EIGWY C172 RWY 10
- EIN123 A333
- SAS51D A20N
Conditions right now
Runways
- 10/28 RWY 10 2,631 × 45 m · 8,632 × 148 ft asphalt
- 16/34 2,071 × 60 m · 6,795 × 197 ft asphalt
- 11/29 1,338 × 60 m · 4,390 × 197 ft asphalt closed
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
- Narrowbody72%
- Widebody11%
- Turboprop7%
- Bizjet5%
- Cargo4%
- Military1%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
The Mound, Old Airport Road
Dublin's best-known spot: an earth mound beside a lay-by car park across the road from the southern runway. You get 28L landings in front of you and, from the eastern end, aircraft turning onto the runway to line up. Planning permission was granted in 2025 for an official covered viewing platform here, so expect works at some point.
- Getting there
- On Old Airport Road, the perimeter road south of the runway. Dublin Bus 19 or 24 from the airport or city centre to the Ballymun Kickhams stop, then walk back carefully — the road has fast traffic. Free parking in the lay-by, often full at weekends. No shelter.
- Best time
- Westerly operations (28L arrivals). From about 09:30 until late afternoon, with the sun behind you; in winter all day.
- Lens
- 18–300 mm; a 2–3 step ladder clears the fence for widebody line-ups.
Runway 28L approach lights, Swords Road
The approach lights for 28L cross the land beside the road leading from the terminals, putting arrivals low overhead on short final. A good first stop on foot from the terminal, and the angle changes as the sun moves round.
- Getting there
- Walk about 15 minutes from Terminal 2 past the traffic lights along the footpath until the fence and lights appear on your right. Nothing nearby, so bring what you need.
- Best time
- 28L arrivals. Stay on the terminal side for the early morning wave, then cross to the other side after about 09:30 as the sun moves south.
- Lens
- 18–200 mm.
Blue Car Park entrance, R108
A grass embankment beside the entrance to the Blue long-stay car park looks across the western half of the southern runway. It is the best spot at Dublin for rotation shots on 28L departures, and you can photograph most movements on 10R/28L from here.
- Getting there
- Follow Old Airport Road west from the Mound to the traffic lights, turn right and continue to the Blue Car Park entrance. Bus 19 or 24 to Ballymun Kickhams also gets you within walking distance.
- Best time
- From about 09:30 to late afternoon, all day in winter. Vegetation further along the embankment toward the 10R end has grown up and blocks many angles.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm.
R108 north runway verge (28R departures)
The R108 runs along the south side of the new northern runway. Low mounds by the verge, one opposite a gap in the blast screen and another near the former works entrance, are where local spotters catch 28R departures rotating. Widebodies clear the fence easily.
- Getting there
- Car only — no public transport and too far to walk. Verge parking on this quiet road is generally fine; keep clear of any gates.
- Best time
- Westerly operations (28R departures). From about 09:30 to late afternoon, all day in winter, with the sun behind you.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm; around 100 mm for a 777 at the gap in the blast screen.
Crash gate at R108 / L3132 junction (10L arrivals)
When the wind turns easterly, arrivals switch to the northern runway 10L and this crash gate near the junction of the R108 and L3132 puts them on short final in front of you. Touchdown itself is hidden, but the approach shots are clean without a ladder.
- Getting there
- Car only. Park on the roadside without blocking the emergency gate.
- Best time
- Easterly operations (10L arrivals). From about 09:30 to late afternoon.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm; an A320 fills the frame at about 150 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
Ryanair and Aer Lingus dominate, with Ryanair's 737-800s and 737 MAX 8-200s and Aer Lingus A320neos, A321neos, A321XLRs and A330s, plus ATR 72s on Aer Lingus Regional routes. Long-haul includes United, Delta, American, Air Canada and other North American carriers, Emirates and Qatar 777s, Etihad 787s, Ethiopian and Turkish Airlines. ASL Airlines Ireland and the express integrators bring freighters, and business jets appear at the general aviation apron. Summer brings the most transatlantic frequencies and seasonal leisure routes; winter storms send in diversions.
What actually flew over Dublin in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- B738 34.9 %
- A21N 20.6 %
- A320 17.5 %
- B38M 7.9 %
- A20N 6.3 %
- AT76 4.8 %
- A333 4.8 %
- B752 3.2 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Dublin?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft over Dublin in real time, with airline, type, registration and route — useful for checking whether that widebody on approach is a regular or a diversion.
Is there a viewing area at Dublin Airport?
Not an official one yet. The Mound on Old Airport Road is the traditional public spot, and Dublin Airport has planning permission to turn it into a covered observation facility with parking. Check for works before you go; there is no landside viewing inside the terminals.
Which runway is used for arrivals?
Usually 28L on the southern runway with departures from 28R in the north. With easterly winds, arrivals switch to 10L and departures to 10R. Runway 16/34 is reserved for strong crosswinds.
Can I get to the spots without a car?
The Mound, the 28L approach lights and the Blue Car Park entrance are reachable on foot or by Dublin Bus 19/24. The north runway spots on the R108 need a car.
Spotterra watches the sky over Dublin
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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