Planespotting Memphis — KMEM
Memphis is FedEx's World Hub and, by volume, the busiest cargo airport in the United States. Passenger traffic is modest since Delta dismantled its hub, so almost everything worth photographing wears purple and orange: during each FedEx bank 100 or more freighters arrive or depart in little over an hour. Three parallel runways — 18R/36L, 18C/36C and 18L/36R — carry most of the traffic, with the crosswind 09/27 opened up for arrivals from the east and west during the busiest FedEx inbound waves. The big night sort runs roughly from late evening to the small hours, but there are daytime banks too, so you don't have to shoot only in the dark. Memphis is also one of the last places where the MD-11 still flies in numbers: FedEx returned its fleet to service in 2026 after the type's grounding and plans to keep it until the early 2030s. Local police are not used to spotters, so calling the airport police before you start is strongly recommended.
- DAL505 A321 34 975 ft
- FDX404 B763 5 400 ft
- DAL1883 B712 3 025 ft
- FDX1539 B752 2 025 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 18C/36C RWY 36C 3,400 × 45 m · 11,155 × 148 ft concrete
- 18R/36L 2,849 × 45 m · 9,347 × 148 ft concrete
- 18L/36R 2,752 × 45 m · 9,029 × 148 ft concrete
- 09/27 2,723 × 45 m · 8,934 × 148 ft concrete
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: 22:00
Typical traffic mix
- Cargo62%
- Narrowbody18%
- Turboprop10%
- Widebody4%
- Military3%
- Bizjet3%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Economy parking garage (top level)
The tallest structure open to the public and the best all-round position at MEM. From the top deck you see FedEx arrivals and departures on all three north–south runways; small gaps in the parapet grid give clean views, and a stairwell on the south side of the upper level is a local favourite for 18R/18L traffic. It is also the safest choice for evening and night work.
- Getting there
- Follow airport signs to Economy Parking (not the rental car lane) and drive to the top floor. The first 30 minutes are free, then normal parking rates apply. Terminal facilities are a short walk away.
- Best time
- East side from sunrise to late morning, west side from early afternoon to sunset. Works in either runway direction.
- Lens
- About 135 mm for an MD-11 or 777F, 200 mm and more for narrowbodies and taxiing traffic.
Nellie Road and Sussex Road (off Airways Boulevard)
The best-known Memphis location: open ground on the west side where runway 18R departures rotate and 36L arrivals touch down, with the runway raised enough to shoot over the fence. Heavy FedEx jets often don't clear the fence until further south in summer, so Sussex Road is the better choice on hot afternoons. Traffic on 18L across the field is also visible.
- Getting there
- From the airport head east on Winchester Road under the 18R approach lights, then turn south on Airways Boulevard to Nellie Road or Sussex Road. No-parking signs line these roads; spotters usually stay right next to their car. Tell the airport police you are there to avoid being moved on, and be aware the surrounding area has a poor reputation.
- Best time
- Noon until evening, with the afternoon sun from the west behind you. Covers 18R departures in south flow and 36L arrivals in north flow.
- Lens
- 130–180 mm for widebodies, up to 200 mm for 737s and A320s.
Cell phone waiting lot (runway 18R approach)
Built on the site of the former Radisson spotting hotel, the cell phone lot sits close to the 18R threshold and the taxiway FedEx aircraft use to reach it. Heavies roll past remarkably close and the elevated runway lets you shoot over the fence. Airport police patrol here and have been known to send photographers to the garage, so keep it short and low-key.
- Getting there
- Take the John McGehee Parkway exit from Winchester Road and follow the cell phone lot signs; drive to the end nearest the taxiway. No facilities.
- Best time
- Early morning until noon, when the sun is in the east behind you (facing west towards the airfield).
- Lens
- 20–40 mm for taxiing heavies, 100–200 mm for arrivals on 18R.
Louis Caruthers Drive
A public road from Shelby Drive to the airport postal facility and warehouses that runs very close to the taxiway feeding runway 36L. When the airport is in north flow, aircraft lining up pass just metres away, making it one of the few places at MEM for tight ground shots.
- Getting there
- From Shelby Drive on the airport's south side turn onto Louis Caruthers Drive. Stay on the public road and don't block warehouse access.
- Best time
- Morning, with the sun behind you for traffic on the west runway. North flow (36L departures) only.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm.
Airport Center Lane / Air Center Cove (runway 27 arrivals)
Underneath the approach to runway 27, east of the field. This runway is used mainly during the FedEx arrival rush for inbounds from the east, so it is a niche spot — but on those mornings MD-11s and 777Fs pass very low over the road.
- Getting there
- From the terminal head east on Winchester Road, turn north on Tchulahoma Road, then left onto Airport Center Lane under the approach lights; continue to Air Center Cove and park on the roadside. Several business car parks nearby have security who will ask you to leave — stay on the public road.
- Best time
- During FedEx arrival banks when 27 is in use; light is workable most of the day for arrivals.
- Lens
- 100–120 mm for widebodies, 120–180 mm for narrowbodies.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
FedEx dominates: MD-11Fs, 777Fs, 767-300Fs and A300-600Fs on the mainline network, plus ATR 72s and Cessna Caravans from FedEx Feeder partners such as Mountain Air Cargo. The banks are huge — dozens of widebodies in an hour — and the 2026 return of the FedEx MD-11 makes Memphis one of the last reliable places to see the trijet. Other freighters, such as DHL contractors, are rare by comparison. Passenger flights come from Delta, American, United, Southwest and Allegiant with mostly regional jets and 737s or A320s. The Tennessee Air National Guard's C-17s are based on the field, and the Wilson Air Center FBO regularly hosts military visitors and bizjets.
FAQ
What's that plane over Memphis?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft around Memphis in real time, so you can tell a FedEx 777F from an MD-11 before it lands. Free, no app needed.
When are the FedEx banks at MEM?
The main night sort brings arrivals late in the evening and departures in the small hours. A daytime arrival wave runs through the morning into early afternoon, which is the best time for photos in good light.
Do I need permission to spot in Memphis?
No permit is needed for public places, but police often question photographers. Call the airport police on +1 901 922 8056 before you start; they will tell you which places are fine.
Can I still see the MD-11 at Memphis?
Yes. FedEx put its MD-11s back into service in 2026 and intends to fly them until around 2032, so Memphis remains the best place to photograph them.
Spotterra watches the sky over Memphis
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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