Planespotting Toronto — CYYZ
Toronto Pearson, in Mississauga about 22 km north-west of downtown, is Canada's largest airport and Air Canada's main hub, so the spotting day is built around Air Canada mainline 777s, 787s and A330s, A220s, Rouge A321s and a constant shuttle of Jazz Dash 8s and CRJs. WestJet, Porter, Air Transat and Flair add volume, and long-haul carriers from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America fill the widebody gaps. Five runways form three groups: the east–west parallels 06L/24R and 06R/24L, the slightly offset 05/23 north of the terminals, and the north–south pair 15L/33R and 15R/33L used mainly in strong crosswinds. Since the pandemic the southern pair, especially 06R/24L, takes most arrivals, while 05/23 handles many departures and peak-time arrivals. West flow is the norm, which puts the classic spots east of the field. Spotters are a familiar sight at the well-known locations, but at quieter ones expect police or airport security to ask what you're doing.
- ACA1085 A321 7 425 ft
- ROU1826 B38M 6 000 ft
- ACA261 A321 4 725 ft
- JZA752 E75S 2 950 ft RWY 23
- CGVVD C172 1 900 ft RWY 33L
- POE663 E295 1 675 ft RWY 23
- CGGTJ C172 1 625 ft RWY 05
- CGNUE C172 1 100 ft RWY 15L
Conditions right now
Runways
- 05/23 3,387 × 60 m · 11,112 × 197 ft concrete
- 15L/33R RWY 15L 3,371 × 60 m · 11,060 × 197 ft concrete
- 06L/24R 2,955 × 60 m · 9,695 × 197 ft concrete
- 15R/33L 2,769 × 60 m · 9,085 × 197 ft concrete
- 06R/24L 2,745 × 60 m · 9,006 × 197 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
- Narrowbody58%
- Widebody22%
- Turboprop8%
- Cargo6%
- Bizjet5%
- Military1%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Airport Road by the Petro-Canada station (runway 23 arrivals)
The most popular location at Pearson: beside a gas station on Airport Road about 2 km from the terminals, under the final approach to runway 23. Arrivals pass low overhead and line-ups can be shot through the fence across the road. Food, drinks and hotels are all within a few steps.
- Getting there
- From the terminals follow Airport Road for about 2 km to the Petro-Canada station and park nearby. Several hotels on Airport Road and the side streets are walkable.
- Best time
- West flow (23 arrivals). Mornings beside the restaurant lot on the near side; on summer afternoons cross to the opposite side slightly west of the station. Line-ups work sunrise to early afternoon.
- Lens
- 50–300 mm.
Dixie Road at Director Gate (runway 05 arrivals)
A favourite among local photographers when the airport is in east flow: open grass along Dixie Road just south of the Derry Road intersection, under the approach to runway 05, which often handles international widebodies. Departures off 23 can also be caught in the climb with a long lens.
- Getting there
- Park on Director Gate, a short side street off Dixie Road, and walk over — Dixie Road is very busy, so cross with care. Davand Drive, parallel to Dixie, is a quieter alternative with roadside parking but more trees and wires in the way.
- Best time
- East flow (05 arrivals). Sunrise to afternoon year-round; on summer evenings walk along the grass towards the Dixie/Derry intersection for the afternoon side.
- Lens
- 60–120 mm for widebodies, 110–180 mm for regional jets; 250 mm+ for 23 departures.
Convair Drive mound (runways 24L and 24R)
An elevated grass embankment on Convair Drive near the airport's bus facility, south of the field. From the top you see landings on both 24L and 24R and aircraft rolling out after landing on 06R, with no fence in the way. Smaller types turn off before they reach you.
- Getting there
- Convair Drive, reached from the roads along the south perimeter. Park on the roadside where allowed (there are no-stopping signs in places) and climb the bank. Watch the power cables in front — don't go too high.
- Best time
- Sunrise to afternoon all year. Heat shimmer builds over the runway on warm days.
- Lens
- About 140 mm for an A330, 250 mm for a 737.
End of Convair Drive (06L and 06R arrivals)
Following Convair Drive west along the perimeter fence brings you to the end of runway 06R/24L, where a raised grassy area gives a clear, low view of arrivals on 06L and 06R and line-ups on 06L. Very little interference from security here.
- Getting there
- Continue along Convair Drive parallel to 06R/24L until the road ends; there is a small parking area. Nothing nearby, so bring water and food.
- Best time
- East flow (06 arrivals), sunrise to early afternoon with the sun in the east and south.
- Lens
- About 160 mm for 06L, up to 320 mm for 06R arrivals and line-ups.
Carlingview Drive car parks (runway 24R arrivals)
East of the airport near the Dixon Road / Carlingview Drive intersection, the Park'N Fly lot and the Coffee Time car park sit under the 24R approach. Coffee Time is free and has a cleaner angle; Park'N Fly is paid with some light poles and wires in view.
- Getting there
- Carlingview Drive off Dixon Road, an easy walk from the airport hotels. Plenty of fuel stations and restaurants along the street. Check Park'N Fly rates before parking.
- Best time
- West flow (24R arrivals), mid-afternoon to sunset. In winter the good light lasts only briefly.
- Lens
- About 180 mm from Coffee Time, 350 mm from Park'N Fly.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Air Canada and its partners make up the majority: 777-300ER and -200LR, 787-8/-9, A330-300, A220-300, A320-family jets, Rouge A321s and Jazz Dash 8-400s, CRJ900s and E175s. WestJet and its Encore Q400s, Porter's Embraer E195-E2s, Air Transat A321LRs and A330s, and Flair add domestic and leisure volume. Long-haul variety is strong: Emirates, Etihad, Turkish, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Air India, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways and LOT among many others, plus all major US airlines. Night movements are mostly freighters from Cargojet, FedEx, UPS and Air Canada Cargo's 767Fs. Peak season is summer and the late-December holidays, when sun charters to the Caribbean multiply.
FAQ
What's that plane over Toronto?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft over the Greater Toronto Area as it flies, including type, registration and origin. Free to use in any browser.
Which runway is most likely in use at YYZ?
West flow is the norm, with most arrivals on 06R/24L and many departures on 23. In east flow, Dixie Road for runway 05 and the end of Convair Drive for 06 become the places to be.
Can I get to the spots without a car?
Partly. UP Express runs from Union Station to Terminal 1, and TTC route 900 links Kipling station with the airport. From there Silver Dart Drive and the hotel area on Carlingview Drive are walkable; Dixie Road and Convair Drive really need a car.
Will security bother me at Pearson?
At the well-known spots spotters are tolerated. Away from them, police may ask you to move on — comply, keep off private lots if asked and stay clear of the fence.
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