Planespotting Stuttgart — EDDS
Stuttgart sits on the Filder plateau south of the city, with a single runway, 07/25 (3,345 m), that is used in both directions without a strong preference. With only one strip to cover, you will not miss much — the question is just which end you stand at. The terminal and the free visitor terrace are on the north side, so the terrace is backlit until evening. The better daytime photography is from the fields and farm tracks on the south side around Filderstadt-Bernhausen, where the sun is behind you from mid-morning until mid-afternoon. What makes Stuttgart more than a regional O&D airport is its tenant on the south-east side: Stuttgart Army Airfield, which supports the nearby US European and Africa Command headquarters. It brings US Army helicopters and utility aircraft, executive jets and the occasional C-17 or tanker. Parts of the south-west approach are affected by the Stuttgart 21 railway works.
- WZZ53PR A21N 35 975 ft
- EWG1LF A319
- LHX2146 A20N
- SXS091 B38M
Conditions right now
Runways
- 07/25 RWY 07 3,339 × 45 m · 10,955 × 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: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody66%
- Turboprop10%
- Bizjet8%
- Military6%
- Cargo6%
- Widebody4%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Kaufland car park, Filderstadt
A separate parking bay in front of the big Kaufland supermarket on the south side. 07 departures usually rotate right in front of you, aircraft landing on 07 often roll the full length past you, and 25 movements are possible too. With food, toilets and free Wi-Fi in the building, this is the easiest base at Stuttgart.
- Getting there
- Follow the cargo signs from the airport; parking at the supermarket is free. Buses from the airport and Filderstadt serve the area.
- Best time
- From around 08:30 to 15:30 in summer, with the sun behind you to the south. Heat haze across the runway is a problem even in winter.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm.
Farm track in front of the tower (south side)
A field road from the Kaufland side running parallel to the runway, where you can pick your own angle on both directions of traffic. Only a few points clear the fence without help; with a three-step ladder you have many more options. Uncut grass can hide the wheels in summer.
- Getting there
- Park at Kaufland and walk out onto the field road. The nearest toilets are at a bakery (open on Sundays) and in the supermarket. Stay on the track.
- Best time
- From around 08:30 to 15:30 in summer.
- Lens
- 50–300 mm.
Spotter hill at the 25 touchdown zone
An elevated platform near the touchdown point for runway 25 that is high enough to clear the fence, with benches. You see everything on 25 and heavy departures off 07. It is a long way out, and the runway direction can switch while you are walking, so check the wind first.
- Getting there
- Only on foot or by bike along a farm track — roughly 3 km, and cars are not allowed. A bike makes changing position realistic.
- Best time
- 25 arrivals and departures, from about 08:00 to 16:00.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Footpath along the L1208A by the Army Airfield gate
A walkway beside the road near the entrance to Stuttgart Army Airfield, under the approach to 07. There is no single fixed spot: walk along until you like the angle. Do not photograph the military entrance or the people at the gate.
- Getting there
- Parking is awkward. In summer, use the car park of the asparagus farm stall across the road; otherwise park at the nearby Burger King, which also has toilets. No ladder needed.
- Best time
- 07 arrivals, from sunrise to about 17:30 in summer and most of the day in winter.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm.
Echterdingen farm track by the ILS
On summer evenings, the farm track near the localizer on the Echterdingen side puts the sun round behind you for 07 arrivals. Walk up the track to choose between tighter and wider shots of the final approach.
- Getting there
- Park on the edge of Echterdingen and walk up the farm track. No facilities.
- Best time
- 07 arrivals from about 18:00 to sunset in summer.
- Lens
- 70–400 mm, depending on how far along the track you go.
Visitor terrace (Terminal 1 and 3, terrace level)
A free rooftop deck over the terminals with a view of the whole apron and runway. Most of the day you are looking south into the sun, so it comes into its own on summer evenings and for night shots during opening hours.
- Getting there
- U6 or S2/S3 to Flughafen/Messe, then follow the signs to the terrace level in Terminal 1 or 3. Free entry. Opening hours are seasonal and it occasionally closes for events — check the airport website.
- Best time
- Summer evenings from about 17:30; overcast days work all day.
- Lens
- 40–400 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
Eurowings is the largest operator, alongside Condor, TUIfly, SunExpress, Pegasus and Corendon carrying holidaymakers to Turkey, Greece, Spain and Egypt, especially in summer. Lufthansa, Swiss, KLM, Air France, Turkish, Austrian and other network carriers link Stuttgart to their hubs, with turboprops and regional jets on short sectors. There is very little long-haul. Cargo comes from DHL and FedEx feeder freighters. The US Army Airfield provides the rarities: C-12s, UH-60s, executive transports for the US commands, and now and then a C-17, C-130 or tanker. Business jets serve the region's car and engineering companies.
What actually flew over Stuttgart in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- A320 28.8 %
- A319 16.7 %
- B738 14.1 %
- A20N 10.3 %
- A21N 8.6 %
- EC45 8.1 %
- B38M 6.8 %
- C172 6.5 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Stuttgart?
Spotterra's live map tracks aircraft over the Stuttgart region in real time, so you can tell a Eurowings A320 from a US military C-12 or a corporate jet over the Filder with one tap.
Is the Stuttgart visitor terrace open?
Yes — it is on the terrace level above Terminals 1 and 3 and entry is free. Hours depend on the season and it sometimes closes for events, so check the airport website on the day. Remember it faces south, into the sun.
Which side of the runway is best for photos?
The south side around Filderstadt for most of the day, because the sun is behind you. The north side (terrace, GA terminal) works mainly on summer evenings.
Can I photograph the US Army Airfield?
Aircraft in the air or on the runway can be photographed from public land, as everywhere around the airport. Do not photograph the military gate, guards or installations, and leave if security asks you to.
Spotterra watches the sky over Stuttgart
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