Planespotting Portland — KPDX
Portland International sits on the south bank of the Columbia River, and on a clear day you can frame aircraft against the river, the Washington hills and even Mount Hood. It is one of the easiest US airports to spot on foot: the MAX Red Line runs to the terminal, and most good locations are a walk or a short ride away. Two parallel east–west runways carry the traffic — 10L/28R on the river side and 10R/28L on the south side — with crosswind runway 3/21 used occasionally. West flow (landing 28L/28R) dominates much of the year; in winter, cold east winds pouring out of the Columbia River Gorge often flip operations to runway 10. Alaska Airlines and its regional arm Horizon make PDX their second home, and the field is shared with the Oregon Air National Guard's F-15 fighters, which turns an ordinary weekday morning into something special. The new timber-roofed main terminal opened in 2024; construction around it still changes some views.
- ASA1325 B738 38 000 ft
- ASA1309 B738 38 000 ft
- ASA1410 B739 5 875 ft
- QXE2438 E75L 3 975 ft RWY 28L
- N513KD F2TH 2 600 ft RWY 10L
- N4056V R44 1 825 ft
- UAL1247 B739 1 125 ft RWY 10L
- UAL2375 B739
Conditions right now
Runways
- 10R/28L RWY 10R 3,350 × 45 m · 10,991 × 148 ft concrete
- 10L/28R 2,993 × 46 m · 9,820 × 151 ft concrete
- 03/21 1,831 × 45 m · 6,007 × 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: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody72%
- Cargo8%
- Bizjet7%
- Turboprop4%
- Military4%
- Widebody3%
- GA2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Short-term parking garage, top level
Portland's most popular spot: the open roof of the terminal parking garage looks straight across the north runway 10L/28R with the Columbia River behind it. From the south side of the roof you also see part of the south runway. Newer concourse buildings now hide the nearest taxiway, but the runway itself stays clear.
- Getting there
- Follow signs for short-term parking at the main terminal and drive to the top level; paid hourly. Without a car, take the MAX Red Line to the PDX station and walk up. The covered long-term section on the same level gives shade or shelter from rain.
- Best time
- North runway from late morning to sunset. The south runway is mostly backlit except early summer mornings, though 28L departures entering the runway are lit nicely late in the day.
- Lens
- 100–300 mm; an Alaska 737-800 on the north runway fills about 170 mm, an E175 on the far runway needs 250 mm or more.
Marine Drive dike path (north side)
The paved walking and cycling path on the dike along NE Marine Drive runs between the Columbia River and the airport fence. Being on top of the dike lifts you above the fence, so you get clean views of 10L/28R arrivals and departures with nothing in the way.
- Getting there
- Reach Marine Drive from NE Airport Way via NE 122nd Avenue. Parking is very limited — use legal pull-offs only and never block the airport's crash gates. Keep off the bike lane itself; trucks and cyclists move fast here. No facilities.
- Best time
- Early morning, when the low sun from the east and north-east is behind or beside you. By midday you're looking into the sun.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm.
NE Airport Way hotels (Sheraton / Hampton Inn)
The hotel lots on the Airport Way frontage road sit beside runway 28R and the general aviation ramp, giving taxiway, runway and bizjet shots. Upper-floor rooms at the Sheraton overlook the taxiway and runway, a comfortable option for a rainy Portland day — though the windows don't fully open.
- Getting there
- Take the NE Airport Way frontage road exit for the hotels. The lots are barrier-controlled and paid; a step stool or standing in the car door frame helps clear the fence. Book a high runway-side room if you want to shoot from indoors.
- Best time
- Late morning to sunset for runway action; the GA ramp works from early morning.
- Lens
- 24–200 mm covers everything from the ramp to the runway.
Cascade Station / NE Mount Hood Avenue (28L approach)
The retail area east of the terminal, around the big-box stores off NE Mount Hood Avenue, sits under the approach to the south runway 28L. Cargo flights, the Air Guard and many Alaska arrivals use this runway, so it is the place to wait for freighters and fighters.
- Getting there
- MAX Red Line to Mt Hood Ave station, or drive to the Cascade Station shopping area off NE Airport Way. Use the public retail parking and be a customer; restaurants and restrooms nearby.
- Best time
- West flow (28L arrivals), in the morning with the sun in the east behind you.
- Lens
- 80–200 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
Alaska Airlines and Horizon dominate with 737-800, -900ER and MAX jets plus a steady stream of Horizon E175s. Delta, United, Southwest, American, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country and Hawaiian add variety, with WestJet, Air Canada and Mexican carriers on cross-border routes. Long-haul is seasonal: Icelandair and Condor have flown summer transatlantic service, so check the current schedule. FedEx, UPS, Amazon and DHL handle cargo, sometimes joined by Asian freighters. The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing flies F-15 Eagles and is converting to the F-15EX, launching mostly on weekday mornings, and Boeing test aircraft occasionally fly low approaches.
FAQ
What's that plane over Portland?
Open Spotterra's live map: everything flying over Portland and the Columbia River shows up with type, registration and route in real time — free, in any browser.
When do the F-15s fly at PDX?
The Oregon Air Guard usually launches on weekdays, often a morning wave and sometimes evening sessions, but schedules vary. Spotterra's military alert tells you when they're airborne.
Can I spot PDX without a car?
Yes. The MAX Red Line stops at the terminal (garage roof) and at Mt Hood Ave (28L approach). Marine Drive is better by bike or car.
Which runway is in use at Portland?
Usually west flow onto 28L/28R; in winter, east winds from the Columbia Gorge often switch operations to 10L/10R. Spotterra predicts the active runway from the live METAR.
Spotterra watches the sky over Portland
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