Planespotting São Paulo — SBGR
Guarulhos, known locally as Cumbica after its district and the Brazilian Air Force base that shares the site, is the largest airport in Brazil and the busiest in Latin America. It is LATAM's main hub and a major base for Gol and Azul, so domestic narrowbodies and Embraer E-jets set the rhythm, while long-haul flights from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa bring a strong widebody mix — including the Emirates A380 and Lufthansa's 747-8. Two parallel runways handle everything: 10L/28R (3,700 m) and 10R/28L (3,000 m), renumbered from 09/27 a few years ago. East flow is the usual pattern, with most arrivals on 10R over the city of Guarulhos and departures from 10L; heavies like the A380 land on the longer 10L. Light is best in the austral winter (April to August); in summer the sun stands high and roughly in line with the runways. Petty crime is a real issue around some locations — stick to the busy, public places listed here.
- TAM3802 A320 18 000 ft
- GLO1234 B38M 8 775 ft
- AZU2824 E295 6 875 ft
- PSAVB SIRA 4 475 ft RWY 27L
- TAM4650 A321 4 300 ft RWY 09L
- TAM3301 A321 3 900 ft RWY 09L
- PRPJM B429 3 075 ft
- R44 3 000 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 09L/27R RWY 09L 3,806 × 49 m · 12,487 × 161 ft asphalt
- 09R/27L 3,034 × 45 m · 9,954 × 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: 08:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody62%
- Widebody18%
- Turboprop8%
- Cargo7%
- Bizjet3%
- Military2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Avenida Natália Zarif spotting square
A small public square close to the Hampton hotel, recognisable by the aircraft mounted on a pedestal, laid out specifically for watching planes. Arrivals on 10R pass very close and low, allowing head-on, side-on and belly shots; it costs nothing, has benches and tables, and feels safer than the open fields nearby.
- Getting there
- From the terminals take the free shuttle bus to the Aeroporto–Guarulhos CPTM station, cross to the opposite side and walk about 900 m. Taxi or app car also works. No toilets on site — use the petrol stations nearby.
- Best time
- East flow (10R arrivals). From March to November good light most of the day; in December–March mornings are best.
- Lens
- 50 mm for widebodies overhead, up to 300 mm for aircraft further out on final.
Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport rooftop
The former Hotel Matiz, west of the airport on the 10R approach, has a roof terrace with an elevated view of aircraft on final and a panorama across the airfield. The hotel has offered spotter packages, but access is now for guests or via a paid day-use arrangement — ask at reception, and check the current terms before you go.
- Getting there
- Rua Pedro de Toledo 1000, Guarulhos, parallel to Rodovia Hélio Smidt. The hotel's free shuttle runs from Terminal 2 (Wing D) roughly every 30 minutes. Local buses from Guarulhos city are not recommended for visitors alone.
- Best time
- East flow, from sunrise to sunset. Best in the austral winter; in summer the high sun puts the underside of aircraft in shade.
- Lens
- 50 mm for a 777-300ER, about 135–150 mm for A320s, 737s and E-jets.
CPTM Aeroporto–Guarulhos station area
The Line 13-Jade station and the lawn by the bus stop where the terminal shuttles arrive sit beside the 10R approach, making this the easiest option for anyone on a layover — you never need to leave the airport transport system. Good for 10R arrivals of all sizes.
- Getting there
- Free inter-terminal shuttle buses run from all terminals to the station. The platform requires a CPTM ticket; the lawn by the bus shelter is free. Terminal 1 with restaurants and toilets is a short walk away. Airport security can be wary — stay near the bus shelter.
- Best time
- East flow (10R arrivals). From December to March into the light until about 11:00; favourable most of the day the rest of the year.
- Lens
- 300 mm for A320s and 737s, 400 mm for bizjets.
CPTM CECAP station platform
The left-hand boarding platform at CECAP station, one stop from the airport on Line 13-Jade, looks straight down the final approach to 10R and over part of the airfield. Station staff and railway police are used to photographers as long as CPTM rules are respected.
- Getting there
- Buy a CPTM ticket to enter. Parking nearby is hard; leaving the car at Terminal 1 and taking the train is easier. Stations open early morning and close around midnight. No tripods, stay behind the yellow line, no alcohol.
- Best time
- East flow, summer mornings only (roughly mid-November to February, sunrise to midday); backlit the rest of the day. Early-morning fog from the Serra da Cantareira can linger.
- Lens
- Up to 400 mm.
Terminal 2–Terminal 3 walkway
The pedestrian connection between terminals 2 and 3, just behind the control tower, gives a view of departures on 28R in west flow. Narrowbodies are already high by the time they pass; widebodies are lower and more rewarding. All terminal facilities are on hand.
- Getting there
- Landside walkway between Terminals 2 and 3; reach by inter-terminal shuttle or on foot from either terminal.
- Best time
- West flow (28R departures). Usable most of the day for most of the year; from November to January into the light until late morning.
- Lens
- 300–400 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
LATAM is the backbone, with A319/A320/A321s, 767-300ERs, 777-300ERs and 787s, alongside Gol's 737-800s and MAX 8s and Azul's E-jets, ATR 72s and A320neos. International variety is excellent: Emirates (A380), Qatar Airways, Turkish, Ethiopian, Royal Air Maroc, TAAG, Lufthansa (747-8), Air France, KLM, British Airways, Iberia, TAP, Swiss and ITA, plus Delta, American, United, Air Canada, Aeroméxico, Copa, Avianca, Aerolíneas Argentinas and other South American carriers. Freighters include LATAM Cargo 767Fs and 777Fs and visiting European and Gulf cargo widebodies. The co-located Brazilian Air Force base brings occasional FAB transports, and bizjets are frequent.
FAQ
What's that plane over São Paulo?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft over Greater São Paulo in real time — Guarulhos, Congonhas and Viracopos traffic alike — with type, registration and route. Free, no app.
Where is the safest place to spot at GRU?
The Avenida Natália Zarif square and the CPTM stations (Aeroporto–Guarulhos and CECAP) are public, busy and widely used. Avoid isolated hillsides west of the airport, where spotters have been robbed.
Does GRU Airport hold Spotter Days?
Yes. The concessionaire runs Spotter Day events near a runway threshold several times a year; registration opens on its website and places fill quickly.
Which runway does the A380 use?
The Emirates A380 normally lands on the longer 10L/28R. In east flow most other arrivals use 10R, which is why the spots west of the airport are most productive.
Spotterra watches the sky over São Paulo
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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