| Point A: Myrtle Ave.

Views: Runway 27L arrivals. The field located at the end of Myrtle Ave. offers a great view as aircraft pass 40 feet above the ground. The field is located in a large clearing and there are plenty of opportunities to photograph the aircraft as they pass. This spot is best from 9am till sundown in the winter and 9am till 6pm in the summer.

Directions: From the Hatton Cross tube/bus station, located on the Piccadilly Line and numerous Heathrow bus lines, exit the building facing the airport and walk to the right and around the building. At the intersection for the A30 cross the street and head right. You will pass a gas station, a field with landing lights and horses, and then on your left will be the field. On any day you will find at least 5 to 10 spotters and sometimes this number is as large as 80. Most spotters tend to gather by the tree line on the far right of the field.

Security: This spot is the most recognized spotting location around the airport and it would be extremely rare to have any visits by security officials.

Photography: The most you would need from this spot would be 100mm and that would be to photograph a 737 full frame. For the larger aircraft like the 747-400 or A340-600, 50mm would suffice.

Notes: Be alert as the aircraft appear from behind the rooftops very fast, giving you little time to prepare if the aircraft is something you would like to photograph.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

| Point B: Hatton Cross Pedestrian Bridge

Views: Runway 27L arrivals. The Hatton Cross Bridge gives you an elevated view of arrivals and you can see the aircraft until it touches down. There are a few light poles that obstruct your view so you have three or four chances to get a clear shot. This spot is best from 6pm till sundown in the summer and in the winter from sunrise until 8:30am.

Directions: From the Hatton Cross tube/bus station, face the airport and you will see the bridge to your right.

Security: It is unlikely that you will be visited by security officials at this spot as most would not bother to come speak to you on the bridge but the spot is located on the perimeter road so do be prepared.

Photography: For this spot aircraft are a little farther away than at Myrtle Ave., but a small lens is required. For a full frame shot of an A340-300, 92mm would suffice and for a full frame 737 shot, 160mm.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

| Point C: Eastern Perimeter Rd.

Views: Runway 27R arrivals. The Eastern Perimeter Rd. spot offers good views of 27R arrivals for spotters who want to use a longer lens. This spot is best from 9am till 5pm in the summer and 9am till sunset in the winter.

Directions: From the Hatton Cross tube/bus station, exit facing the airport and turn right to cross over the Hatton Cross Bridge. Continue to walk along the Eastern Perimeter Rd. You will pass a British Airways World Cargo sorting facility and a Jurry’s Inn on your right. When you can, cross the street and walk alongside the airport fence, which follows along the British Airways maintenance facility. After you make a left turn at the top of the road continue until you see a gate to your left, near the engine testing facility, and stop at the grassy patch to the left of the gate.

Security: As this spot is located on the perimeter road it is possible to be visited by security officials. A routine check will generally have an officer asking for your information and recording your conversation. The officer will then give you a “ticket”, which is just proof of your encounter. It is not common for an officer to ask you to leave after they have taken down your information.

Photography: This spot is for spotters who would like to use a longer lens. The aircraft are still high and far away enough that an 80-400mm lens could be used. 120mm will suffice for a full frame 747-400 shot and 210mm for an A321.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

| Point D: Northern Perimeter Rd. Roundabout

Views: Runway 27R arrivals. The Northern Perimeter Rd. roundabout offers a great view of the very low flying aircraft on short final for runway 27R. The aircraft are slightly lower and closer then at Myrtle Ave. There are a few light poles but you have a good opening to get a side on shot. This spot is best from 9am till 5pm in the summer and 9am till sunset in the winter.

Directions: From the Hatton Cross tube/bus station, exit facing the airport and turn right to cross over the Hatton Cross Bridge. Continue to walk along the Eastern Perimeter Rd. You will pass a British Airways World Cargo sorting facility and a Jurry’s Inn on your right. When you can, cross the street and walk alongside the airport fence, which follows along the British Airways maintenance facility. After you make a left turn at the top of the road continue to follow the road all the way around the British Airways facility. You will pass parking lots to your right and general buildings to your left. At the end of the road you will find the roundabout and it is best to position yourself in the grassy patch to the left of the roundabout.

Security: As this spot is located on the perimeter road it is possible to be visited by security officials. A routine check will generally have an officer asking for your information and recording your conversation. The officer will then give you a “ticket”, which is jut proof of your encounter. It is not common for an officer to ask you to leave after they have taken down your information.

Photography: Like Myrtle Ave, a small mm lens would suffice for this spot. 58mm would suffice for a full frame A330-200 photo and 90mm for a full frame 737-800 shot.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

| Point E: Northern Perimeter Rd.

Views: Runway 27R arrivals. This spot is located across the street from the threshold for the runway and offers unobstructed views of runway 27R arrivals. The spot also offers a great view of the airfield. This spot is best from 6pm until sunset in the summer and from sunrise until 8:30am in the winter.

Directions: From the Hatton Cross tube/bus station, exit facing the airport and turn right to cross over the Hatton Cross Bridge. Continue to walk along the Eastern Perimeter Rd. You will pass a British Airways World Cargo sorting facility and a Jurry’s Inn on your right. When you can, cross the street and walk alongside the airport fence, which follows along the British Airways maintenance facility. After you make a left turn at the top of the road continue to follow the road all the way around the British Airways facility. You will pass parking lots to your right and general buildings to your left. At the end of the road you will find the roundabout and continue walking to the right. The parking lots will continue to be on the right and on the left will be the threshold for runway 27R. Continue walking past the parking garage and there will be a small field in front of you. Be sure not to stand in the field but to the left of the field on the elevated flowerbeds.

Security: As this spot is located on the perimeter road it is possible to be visited by security officials. A routine check will generally have an officer asking for your information and recording your conversation. The officer will then give you a “ticket”, which is jut proof of your encounter. It is not common for an officer to ask you to leave after they have taken down your information.

Photography: The aircraft pass left to right at this spot. A side on shot of an A340-600 would require at least 52mm and a side on shot of a 737 would be 120mm.

Notes: N/A

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

| Point F: Terminal 5 Departures Deck

Views: Runway 27R/L departures/arrivals, Runway 9R/L departures/arrivals. The Terminal 5 departure deck offers great views of all possible configurations for the airport.

Directions: To get to Terminal 5 you can take the tube, the Heathrow Express from Terminal 1, 2, or 3, and a bus service from the Hatton Cross station.  Proceed to the departures level and head across the street to the far sidewalk. Depending on the runway and light, head to either the far right or far left of the deck.

Security: It is possible that you could be asked to leave from the departures level as police frequent the spot. If an officer does approach you, they will most likely tell you to be cautious of other officers who are not as friendly and understanding and who may ask you to leave.

Photography: For runway 27R departures the aircraft are closer to the deck and most heavies will pass fairly low. For a full frame A340-600 side on shot 130mm would suffice and for a higher A320, 250mm. For runway 27L departures the aircraft are farther away and even heavies will be slightly higher. A full frame 777-200 side on shot would require at least 185mm and an A320, 280mm. Departing aircraft will bank to the right or left shortly after departure.

Notes: N/A

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.

Photo by Gordon Gebert Jr.