Planespotting Philadelphia — KPHL
Philadelphia International lines the Delaware River in the city's southwest, and for spotters it has one big advantage: almost every useful position lies on Fort Mifflin Road and Hog Island Road, which loop around the south and east side of the field. American Airlines runs a major hub here with a strong transatlantic programme, and UPS operates one of its busiest East Coast gateways, so heavy freighters are part of the daily picture. Two long parallel runways do the main work: in the usual west flow, arrivals land on 27R and departures go off 27L; in east flow, arrivals use 9R and departures 9L. The crosswind runway 17/35 takes American Eagle regional jets and smaller traffic at peak times. Because you stand south of the runways, the sun is behind you for much of the day in autumn and winter, while summer light works best around midday. Fort Mifflin, an 18th-century fort under the approach, adds history to the day. Spotterra flags the widebodies and UPS heavies as they come in.
- SWA1132 B737 33 825 ft
- RPA4704 E75L 17 625 ft
- N716ST C700 12 900 ft
- SWA4365 B38M 2 475 ft RWY 17
- QTR6N A359 1 825 ft
- N600HD AS50 850 ft RWY 17
- AAL2188 B738 25 ft RWY 26
- AP229
Conditions right now
Runways
- 09R/27L RWY 27L 3,654 × 60 m · 11,988 × 197 ft asphalt
- 09L/27R 2,891 × 46 m · 9,485 × 151 ft asphalt
- 17/35 1,982 × 46 m · 6,503 × 151 ft asphalt
- 08/26 1,520 × 46 m · 4,987 × 151 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: 17:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody74%
- Cargo9%
- Widebody7%
- Bizjet5%
- Turboprop3%
- GA2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Fort Mifflin — 27R arrivals
The historic fort at the river end of the airport sits right under the final approach to 27R, so aircraft pass very low — this is where to go for belly shots and the noise. You can shoot from the grounds by the pond and fields, or from the fort walls if you buy museum admission.
- Getting there
- Fort Mifflin Road, at the entrance to Fort Mifflin. Car is the only practical option; park off the road and do not block the museum entrance. Museum entry is paid, with seasonal opening — check before visiting.
- Best time
- West flow (27R arrivals). Afternoon to sunset from late summer through winter; in early summer the light can be behind the aircraft.
- Lens
- 55–200 mm; a 777 is about 75 mm, a 737-800 about 160 mm.
Fort Mifflin Road by the Sunoco tank farm — 27R arrivals
A little further west along the same road, beside the tank farm, aircraft on short final for 27R are side-on and lower. It is the classic angle for arriving widebodies and UPS freighters.
- Getting there
- Park on the shoulder of Fort Mifflin Road on the side away from the airport fence, then walk along the lightly used road or step back onto the grass. Police tolerate spotting here if you keep away from the fence. No facilities.
- Best time
- West flow. In winter almost all day; in summer from late morning to early afternoon.
- Lens
- 80 mm for an A330, about 120 mm for an A320.
Fire training area, Fort Mifflin Road — 27L departures
A flat pull-off beside the firefighting training ground on the departure side of 27L. Most aircraft are at a pleasant height as they climb past, some regional jets bank away early, and for the heaviest widebodies you can move a little west. A long walk west gets you 9R arrivals in east flow.
- Getting there
- Fort Mifflin Road next to the fire training facility; park in the flat area and shoot from the roadside between the lamp posts. Nothing nearby — bring supplies; Penrose Plaza north of the airport has food and shops.
- Best time
- West flow departures. All day in winter; late morning to afternoon in summer.
- Lens
- 150 mm for an A330, 230 mm for an A320.
Fort Mifflin Road roadside — runway 35 arrivals
A roadside position between the tank farm and the crash gate where regional jets and general aviation land on the short crosswind runway 35. It is quieter than the main runways but very close.
- Getting there
- Park on the side of Fort Mifflin Road opposite the airport fence, never on the main carriageway. No facilities.
- Best time
- When 35 is taking arrivals, usually in west flow at peak times; sunrise to late morning.
- Lens
- 70–80 mm for CRJs and E-Jets.
Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park NJ
A Revolutionary War park on the New Jersey bank of the Delaware River with a long view across the water to the 27R approach. Distance and heat haze rule out frame-filling shots, but it is a pleasant waterside place with facilities to watch arrivals and ships.
- Getting there
- Reached from I-295 in New Jersey; use the park's official lot and walk to the waterfront. Benches and toilets in the park.
- Best time
- West flow arrivals. Winter is best; in summer late morning to early afternoon.
- Lens
- 400–500 mm or more.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
American Airlines and its regional partners fly well over half of all movements: A320-family and 737 aircraft, CRJs and E-Jets, and A330 and 787 widebodies to Europe. Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska add domestic variety. International visitors include British Airways, Aer Lingus, Discover Airlines and Air Canada, with more summer transatlantic flights. UPS runs a large hub on the west side with 747-8Fs, 767Fs, MD-11s and A300s, mostly active at night and early morning. Expect occasional military and government visitors.
FAQ
What's that plane over Philadelphia?
Spotterra's live map shows what is flying over Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley right now, with type, registration and route for every ADS-B aircraft.
Where is the best spot at PHL?
Fort Mifflin for close 27R arrivals, and the tank farm stretch of Fort Mifflin Road for side-on shots. Both work in west flow, which is the most common configuration.
Is spotting tolerated at PHL?
Generally yes, as long as you stay away from the perimeter fence and park on the side of the road opposite the airport. Do not stop where no-parking signs are posted along runway 9L.
When can I see UPS widebodies?
Most UPS heavy freighters arrive overnight and leave in the early morning, with fewer movements in daylight. Spotterra's cargo alert will catch daytime ones.
Spotterra watches the sky over Philadelphia
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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