Planespotting Mexico City — MMMX
Benito Juárez International sits in the middle of Mexico's capital at about 2,230 m above sea level, and that combination produces one of the world's great urban approaches: airliners descend over dense neighbourhoods and cross the roads east of the field just above the rooftops. Two closely spaced parallel runways, 05L/23R and 05R/23L, carry everything. Roughly three-quarters of the time the airport runs on the 05s, with 05R the main landing runway (nearly all heavies land there) and 05L handling most departures from Terminal 1. The 23s come into play mainly on winter and spring afternoons and during summer storms. The thin, warm air means long take-off runs and many heavy departures scheduled after dark. Since 2023 all-cargo flights have moved to Felipe Ángeles (AIFA) and capacity has been capped, so the mix is now passenger-focused: Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva plus a strong long-haul line-up. Spotting here is rewarding but street-smart: go with company and keep gear out of sight.
Conditions right now
Runways
- 05R/23R RWY 05R 3,991 × 45 m · 13,094 × 148 ft asphalt
- 05L/23L 3,963 × 45 m · 13,002 × 148 ft asphalt
- 13/31 106 × 15 m · 348 × 49 ft
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: 10:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody78%
- Widebody12%
- Turboprop3%
- Military3%
- Bizjet2%
- Cargo2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Hangares metro station (05R approach, mornings)
The most popular morning location and the classic AICM view: right outside Hangares station on Eje 1 Norte, arrivals on 05R pass very low over the avenue. Standing by the north exit keeps trees and cables out of the frame; a police presence is usual.
- Getting there
- Metro Line 5 to Hangares, north exit (Eje 1 Norte / Fuerza Aérea Mexicana). The station's pedestrian crossing gets you across without a ticket. Drivers can park on Calle Asistencia Pública and walk a minute — leave nothing visible in the car. No shade or facilities.
- Best time
- East flow (05R arrivals), which is almost every morning. Sunrise to late morning in summer, until mid-afternoon in winter.
- Lens
- About 60 mm for a 787 or 777, 90 mm for a 737-800, 125 mm for an E-jet.
McDonald's footbridge ("McPuente"), Circuito Interior
The best-known public spot: a pedestrian bridge over Boulevard Puerto Aéreo opposite a McDonald's, with gaps in the airport fence giving views across the whole field. Departures from Terminal 1 taxi and queue right in front of you, and with a longer lens you cover 05R arrivals and Terminal 2 traffic. It is busy with passers-by, which also makes it the safest place around.
- Getting there
- About 10 minutes' walk south-west from the domestic end of Terminal 1 (second footbridge), or Metro Line 5 to Terminal Aérea and walk south. The McDonald's car park is cheap if you buy something, and it has restrooms.
- Best time
- Afternoon: from roughly 14:00 for taxiing aircraft, after 16:00 for landings, best from late April to early September. Mornings are backlit.
- Lens
- 55 mm for taxiing A320s, up to 400 mm for regional jets on 05R.
Skyline Coffee roof terrace (Calle 28)
A café on the south-west side of the airport with a rooftop area for photographers. It overlooks line-ups for the 05 runways, taxiways A and B, approaches to 05L in the afternoon and belly shots of 23L departures. A comfortable, enclosed option for solo visitors.
- Getting there
- About 340 m north-west of Hangares metro station (south exit); by car park on Calle 28. A minimum spend applies for the roof, which has historically opened only on Friday evenings and weekends — confirm current hours before you go.
- Best time
- Line-ups work most of the day; approaches from mid-afternoon to sunset in summer. Heat haze around midday.
- Lens
- 55–300 mm.
La Casa de la Aviación (Poniente 13, Cuchilla del Tesoro)
Mexico's first spotter café, at the dead end of Calle Poniente 13 on the north side of the field. Aircraft vacating 05R and crossing 05L pass right in front, all take-offs and landings are visible regardless of runway, and it's the best place for night photography when the 23s are active. Food, drinks, toilets and a secure setting.
- Getting there
- North of the airport via Avenida 602 / Vía Tapo, then Poniente 13 to its end; a taxi or ride-hail is easiest. Paid entry and parking. Opening days and hours change — contact them via their social media before visiting.
- Best time
- Afternoon from around 14:00 for taxiing traffic and landings; outstanding when runway 23 is in use from late February to October.
- Lens
- 70–240 mm; 300 mm for 05R/23L; under 55 mm for heavies on taxiway B.
Hotel Camino Real Aeropuerto
Linked to Terminal 1 by footbridge, the hotel's upper floors look over almost the entire airport, including all 05 arrivals and Terminal 2 traffic. Glass can't be opened, but it is a safe, comfortable base. The upper-floor restaurant has also been used by visitors with permission.
- Getting there
- From the Terminal 1 domestic arrivals hall (upper level), walk across the pedestrian bridge. Book a high-floor room facing the airfield.
- Best time
- Late afternoon; much of the day in winter is backlit.
- Lens
- 300 mm and up.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Aeroméxico dominates from Terminal 2 with 737 MAXs, 787-8/-9s and Aeroméxico Connect E190s, while Volaris (A320neo family) and Viva (A320/A321neo) run dense domestic and US schedules. International carriers include American, Delta, United, Alaska, Air Canada, Copa, Avianca, LATAM, Iberia (A350), Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish, Emirates, ANA and others serving long-haul routes despite the altitude. All-cargo flights relocated to AIFA in 2023, so freighters are rare now apart from diversions. Mexican Air Force and government aircraft, and occasional visiting state jets, still appear. Most private jets use Toluca instead.
FAQ
What's that plane over Mexico City?
Spotterra's live map shows all ADS-B traffic over the Valley of Mexico in real time — AICM, AIFA and Toluca — with type, registration and route. Free in the browser.
Which runway is usually in use at MEX?
Runways 05L/05R about 75 % of the time: arrivals mostly on 05R, departures on 05L. Runway 23 operations are most common on winter and spring afternoons and during storms.
Is it safe to spot around AICM?
The busy public spots — Hangares station and the McDonald's footbridge — are generally fine by day. Don't go alone, keep your camera covered between shots and avoid the isolated roads along the runway 23 approach.
Why are there few freighters at MEX now?
Since 2023 dedicated cargo flights must use Felipe Ángeles International (AIFA) north of the city. Only belly cargo on passenger flights remains at AICM.
Spotterra watches the sky over Mexico City
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.
Start spotting freeMore in North America: Los Angeles · New York JFK · Miami · San Francisco · Chicago O'Hare · Dallas/Fort Worth · All 204 airports →