Heathrow Spotting

[My-son-loves-planes]

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum so apologies if I'm doing it wrong.
My 3 year old son is plane mad I ave taken him to gatwick to watch planes land an take off and we've been to a few air shows.
He really loves the airbus a380 so I'm wanting to take him to see it, but thought I'd ask you guys where is the best place to view it landing I guess but takeoff would be ok too but would prefer landing if poss. We will be driving if that makes any difference? I'm after advice as we live two hours away so don't want a wasted journey so locations and arrival/departure times would be great and much appreciated.

Thanks guys
Ainsley

 

[Aviador]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

I've only been to Heathrow once so I'm not completely sure where's best but I would say planning your trip there is essential. Be prepared to park in one of the short-stay car-parks as it is difficult to stop and wait anywhere around the perimeter of the airfield. Take a push chair for the little one, lots of snacks and drinks because you might have to walk a fair way to get to any of the viewing locations. The aircraft usually land on a Westerly facing runway so the Great South-West Road area is a good place to see the aircraft landing, as is the Eastern and Northern Perimeter Road. If you park near Terminal 5 in a public car park, you will need to be prepared to walk between two and three miles each way to reach these locations so you might want to take a potty or extra nappies!

 

[My-son-loves-planes]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

Thanks for the reply. Does anyone know how often the a380 lands or takes off? That's the plane we want to see as we can see the rest at gatwick jumbos etc. I think we will go on a Saturday not sure if that makes any difference? Would the short stay car park be any good? That's where we watched them at gatwick. I'm not sure I would get away with walking 3 miles with him.
Thanks.....

 

[Seasider]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

There are a number of web sites that will give you a diagram of where you can take photos so that would be a good start. www.plane-spotter.com is one such site or google "Heathrow Airport enthusiasts" and it should come up with some possibilities.
If they are landing from the East (over Central London) the grass area at the end of Myrtle Avenue is very good. It is at the side of the A30 about 400m from Hatton Cross Tube Station and is very popular with photographers.
Please note that fights take off on one of the parallel runways and land on the other. They usually change over at 3pm.
I hope this is of help to you.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

Thanks for the reply. Does anyone know how often the a380 lands or takes off? That's the plane we want to see as we can see the rest at gatwick jumbos etc. I think we will go on a Saturday not sure if that makes any difference? Would the short stay car park be any good? That's where we watched them at gatwick. I'm not sure I would get away with walking 3 miles with him.
Thanks.....

Emirates flies five daily rotations (return flights) between Heathrow and Dubai each day, four of which are operated by the A380.

Timings from next week through the winter are:

Arrive Heathrow: 0710, 1135, 1815, 2015
Depart Heathrow: 0910, 1335, 2015, 2200

Singapore Airlines has four daily rotations between Heathrow and Singapore, and three of them are by the 380. Saturday timings are:

Arrive Heathrow: 0555, 1510, 1905
Depart Heathrow: 1055, 1815, 2205

I think that Qantas and Malaysia also operate the 380 into Heathrow.

Incidentally, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 380 on at least one of the Emirates Gatwick/Dubai rotations next year - they are all currently operated by the Boeing 777-300.

 

[Vickster]

Hi all,
I have made a journey from Cardiff to LHR for the soul purpose of watching an A380 take off or land, I came down today and am staying at the Heathrow central trace lodge in the hope I can achieve a successful spotting.
I have been to myrtle avenue which was amazing but still not seen that magnificent aircraft, I'd love it if someone could give me a heads up for a ideal location I have a car so can move around - but am disabled so not able to walk great distance.
Hope to hear from you all in regards to this
Many thanks
Vik

 

[TheLocalYokel]

If you haven't read this thread it might be of help. Click on the link below.

topic2516.html

 

[My-son-loves-planes]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

Thanks again for all the replies that's much appreciated. Just one thing do the above flight times change on a sat or Sunday? Or do they remain the same throughout the week.

Many thanks
Ainsley

 

[Aviador]

Re: Best place to see an a380 at heathrow pleeease

Hi Ainsley

Those flight times will be the same 7 days a week. Let us know how you get on?

 

[CrVMo]

Hi.
I'm wanting to visit Myrtle Avenue park to see the planes coming in to land on 27L.
How can I find out what runway is being used for landings before I visit?
Is Myrtle Avenue always a good place to spot, regardless of which runway is being used for landing?
Thanks for your advice,
CrVMo

 

[rka81]

Just about to start travelling to heathrow to spot some planes - thinking of myrtle avenue - does anyone know which way the planes are currently landing this morning?

Just thought I would throw it out there incase any one is local and sees this post before I get close by

Thanks
Rob

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apologies as it's probably too late for today but it might be worth a quick check of Flightradar24 before heading off, it will show which runway is in use.

 

[Hassaan]

What are the best indoor spots for non-passengers (if there are any)?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi all, Is it possible to pay and display stay with your car for a couple of hours and spot from carpark 3 at Heathrow?

E.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Hi all, Is it possible to pay and display stay with your car for a couple of hours and spot from carpark 3 at Heathrow?

E.

Not sure if you’re trying to take certain shots but you may be better off parking at myrtle avenue for free! Much closer to the action but weather dependent.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Not sure if you’re trying to take certain shots but you may be better off parking at myrtle avenue for free! Much closer to the action but weather dependent.

A mate and I are planning a trip down for the day from wales, we are driving and just wondered if anywhere inside on any of the multy story carparks would still get some shots and also would be allowed if we paid and displayed but also stayed with the car say for 1-2hrs just enough time to get some ground shots, we are also planning to to try a few other places outside the perimeter - mertle av etc and perhaps that place thats grassed near hatton.

E.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Forget the MSCPs you will be asked to leave !
Stay in the outside
Myrtle Av /Cains Lane areas

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Are there any facilities close to Myrtle Av?

E.

 

[Seasider]

There is a garage with shop opposite Hatton Cross Tube station, about 400m distance.

 

[Flybeboy]

Just seen a add for bbc 4 plane spotting live coming soon. See how many differant types we can see. No date given but soon on bbc 4 . Sounds good