Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Texas]]
{{categorybox|North America|United States|Texas}}
{{categorywithregion|North America|United States|Texas}}


{{infobox|fullname=Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|
{{infobox|fullname=Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|
Line 10: Line 9:
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DFW&t=h&hl=en|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DFW&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=|
atctower=124.15 (West: 18L/36R, 18R/36L)<br/>134.9 (West: 13R)<br/>126.55 (East: 17C/35C, 17R/35L)<br/>127.5 (East: 17L/35R, 31R)<br/>135.7 (Dedicated Emergency)|
atcground=|
atcground=121.85 (West)<br/>132.5 (West Spare)<br/>121.65 (East)<br/>121.8 (East Spare)|
atcclearance=|
atcclearance=128.25|
atcapproach=|
atcapproach=119.875 (West Feeder)<br/>133.525 (East Feeder)<br/>133.15 (Final Approach: 13R)<br/>118.425 (Final Approach: 18L/36R, 18R/36L)<br/>127.075 (Final Approach: 17R/35L, 17C/35C)<br/>119.4 (Final Approach: 17L/35R)<br/>135.5 (Final Approach: 31R)|
atcdeparture=|
atcdeparture=118.55 (East Departures)<br/>125.125 (South Departures)<br/>126.475 (West Departures)|
atcatis=|
atcatis=123.775 (Arrival ATIS)<br/>135.925 (Departure ATIS)|
atcunicom=}}
atcunicom=122.95|
psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-dallas/}}


<!-- Introductory paragraph goes here -->
<!-- Introductory paragraph goes here -->


==Official Spotting Locations==
==Official Spotting Locations==
===Founders Plaza===
===Founder's Plaza===
By runway 35C. 
When DFW is in a North operation, which is only about 20% of the time, the aircraft landing on 35C touchdown really close to this area.  The problem with photography is that this area is east of the landing runway 35C and takeoff runway 35L so they quickly become backlit. 
There's actually better success doing photography from here on a day where there is a Southbound operation.  Aircraft landing on 17L, which is a mile east of this area, taxi right in front of the plaza.  The taxiway "ER" goes right in front of Founder's Plaza, and it is just north of the plaza so lighting is usually good. 


This taxiway is not used very much however, and waiting times between aircraft can be quite long. 17L is only an overflow runway, so, during the valleys between the peaks, it can be a long wait.  When it is being used, you'll see quite a few.  The other day I got to see AA49 a 763 from CDG taxi by.
"Over the years, Founders' Plaza has become a favorite spot for families, aviation enthusiasts and Airport employees. The Observation Area offers magnificent views of many types of aircraft as they take off and land. In addition, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower."


They will taxi by and frequently have to hold short of 17C and 17R so they stop pretty close.  Many pictures from DFW on Airlines.net are taken from here.
The original Founder's Plaza adjacent to runway 35C has been closed.  As of September of 2008, a new Founder's Plaza has been erected, which sits on the northwest side of the airport. Lots of good action can be seen here, of course, more AA/Eagle than you'd ever think is possible, but also this is where most of the international cargo and airline heavies arrive. Best in the afternoon/late evening.


I recommend bringing something to stand on, to get above the fence line, though there are other ways of doing it.
 
Directions:
 
Exit at Highway 114 on to Texan Trail and head south towards the
Airport. Founders’ Plaza is at Texan Trail and N. Airfield Drive.


==Other Spotting Locations==
==Other Spotting Locations==
Line 39: Line 40:


On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower.  If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar.  There's no security check going here.  I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on.  There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.
On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower.  If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar.  There's no security check going here.  I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on.  There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.
===Skylink Train===
The Skylink train, which is inside security, makes a full loop 50' above the ramp.  This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.
===The Club at DFW===
If you like the view from the train, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW."  This is a lounge run  by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access.  This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too.  The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too.  It's a great view if you have money to burn!  They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.
===Airport Westin===
Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114.  It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel.  It has a great view.  The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.
===Grand Hyatt===
Connected to Terminal D is the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Some rooms face out to Terminal D and 18R/L. Also for guests of the hotel, there is a pool deck on the 9th floor with excellent views of 18R/L and the Cargo Ramp and AA Hangars. The pool deck does have a glass partition going up the walls, but there are several chairs and tables to use to get over the wall. Guests of the hotel may also request a terminal pass which will allow access into Terminal D for food or shopping and access to all of DFW terminals without a ticket. Security checks are tougher with the terminal pass, but it is a good way to get into the terminal without buying a ticket.
===DFW North TexRail Station===
The DFW North TexRail station is right under the approach /departure path to runway 36R/16L.  Also great sight lines to the approach and departure paths from 17R/35L
The parking lot requires no fees and has no gates and is mostly empty throughout the day.


==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==
Line 45: Line 68:


==Regular Traffic==
==Regular Traffic==
It gets all American Airlines aircraft except the A300.  It gets all American Eagle except the ATR 72.  International heavies are British Airways 777-200 GE90 (1 daily), Lufthansa A340(1 daily), Korean 777 (3 x week), ATA L1011s and North American 767s for troop transports.  Aeromexico 737-700s for charters.  Lots of cargo, including a UPS hub that has 727s all the way up to 747s, lots of equipment types.  Lots of Asian cargo including Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Air China, China Airlines, EVA, Air France, Southern Air, Kitty Hawk.


Other airlines served:
*AeroMexico (737-700/800) Seasonal
United narrowbodies up to 757
**AeroMexico Connect (E190)
United Express Embraer 170s
*Air Canada
Northwest DC9 and A320s
**Jazz Aviation (ERJ-170/190)
Pinnacle CRJs
*Alaska Airlines (737-900/900ER)
USAirways and America West 737s and A320s
**Horizon (E175) Seasonal
USAir express on Mesa CRJ900
*American Airlines (A319, A320, A321, A321NEO, 737-800, 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8, 787-9)
Mesa Beech 1900Ds
**American Eagle
Continental 737s
***Envoy (ERJ145, E170, E175)
Continental Express ERJs
***Mesa (CRJ900)
Delta 737-200 through 767-300
***SkyWest (CRJ700)
Delta Connection all types up through Shuttlecraft EMB170s
*Avianca El Salvador (A320)
*British Airways (777-200, 787-9, 787-10)
*Boutique (PC-12)
*Contour Airlines (ERJ135)
*Delta Air Lines (A220-100, A220-300, A321)
*Emirates (777-200LR/300ER)
*Frontier (A320, A320NEO, A321)
*Japan Airlines (787-9)
*Korean Air (787-9)
*Lufthansa (A330-300, A340-300)
*QANTAS (787-9)
*Qatar Airways (A350-1000)
*Southern Airways Express (C208 Caravan)
*Spirit Airlines (A319, A320, A320NEO, A321)
*Sun Country (737-800)
*Turkish Airlines (787-9)
*United Airlines (A319, A320, 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 9)
**United Express
***Republic (E175)
***Mesa (E175)
***SkyWest (E175)
*VivaAerobus (A321NEO)
*Volaris (A320NEO, A321NEO)


If I remember more I'll post it
===Cargo===
*Airborne Express (757)
*Air Cargo Germany (747-400)
*Air China (747-400)
*Asiana Cargo (747-400)
*Cargolux (747-400/800)
*Cathay Pacific Cargo (747-400/800)
*China Cargo Airlines (747-400)
*China Airlines Cargo (747-400)
*EVA Airways (747-400)
*FedEx (757, 767, MD-10, MD-11)
*Korean Air Cargo (747-400/800)
*Lufthansa Cargo (MD-11)
*Martinaire (Cessna Caravan)
*Nippon Cargo (747-400/800)
*Omni Air International (767-200/300, 777-200)
*Singapore Airlines Cargo (747-400)
*Southern Air (747-400)
*UPS (757, 767, MD-11, A300)
 
MLB and NFL sports teams use DFW for their chartered flights.


==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive.  Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12.  I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.
To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive.  Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12.  I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.


The only other good location is the Skylink train, which is inside security. It makes a full loop 50' above the ramp. This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.
==External Links==
 
*[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107949255388270936306.00045148dd40019930e38&t=h&z=13 Google Map with spotting locations]
If you like the view from there, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW."  This is a lounge run  by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access.  This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too. The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too.  It's a great view if you have money to burn!  They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.
*[http://www.dfwtower.com/ DFW Tower.com] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DFW
 
Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114.  It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel.  It has a great view.  The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.

Latest revision as of 05:56, 17 March 2022

Continent: North America Country: United States Region: Texas


Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Location DFW Airport, Texas
IATA code DFW
ICAO code KDFW
Airport type Commercial
Website http://www.dfwairport.com
Overview map Google Maps
Communications
Tower 124.15 (West: 18L/36R, 18R/36L)
134.9 (West: 13R)
126.55 (East: 17C/35C, 17R/35L)
127.5 (East: 17L/35R, 31R)
135.7 (Dedicated Emergency)
Ground 121.85 (West)
132.5 (West Spare)
121.65 (East)
121.8 (East Spare)
Clearance 128.25
Approach 119.875 (West Feeder)
133.525 (East Feeder)
133.15 (Final Approach: 13R)
118.425 (Final Approach: 18L/36R, 18R/36L)
127.075 (Final Approach: 17R/35L, 17C/35C)
119.4 (Final Approach: 17L/35R)
135.5 (Final Approach: 31R)
Departure118.55 (East Departures)
125.125 (South Departures)
126.475 (West Departures)
ATIS 123.775 (Arrival ATIS)
135.925 (Departure ATIS)
Departure122.95
Plane Spotting Hotels guide


Official Spotting Locations

Founder's Plaza

"Over the years, Founders' Plaza has become a favorite spot for families, aviation enthusiasts and Airport employees. The Observation Area offers magnificent views of many types of aircraft as they take off and land. In addition, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower."

The original Founder's Plaza adjacent to runway 35C has been closed. As of September of 2008, a new Founder's Plaza has been erected, which sits on the northwest side of the airport. Lots of good action can be seen here, of course, more AA/Eagle than you'd ever think is possible, but also this is where most of the international cargo and airline heavies arrive. Best in the afternoon/late evening.


Directions:

Exit at Highway 114 on to Texan Trail and head south towards the Airport. Founders’ Plaza is at Texan Trail and N. Airfield Drive.

Other Spotting Locations

American Eagle Hangar Parking Lot

It's a view of 18 R and L, closer to 18R which is the arrivals runway. You are west of the runway so afternoon light is best.

On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower. If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar. There's no security check going here. I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on. There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.

Skylink Train

The Skylink train, which is inside security, makes a full loop 50' above the ramp. This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.

The Club at DFW

If you like the view from the train, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW." This is a lounge run by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access. This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too. The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too. It's a great view if you have money to burn! They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.

Airport Westin

Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114. It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel. It has a great view. The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.

Grand Hyatt

Connected to Terminal D is the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Some rooms face out to Terminal D and 18R/L. Also for guests of the hotel, there is a pool deck on the 9th floor with excellent views of 18R/L and the Cargo Ramp and AA Hangars. The pool deck does have a glass partition going up the walls, but there are several chairs and tables to use to get over the wall. Guests of the hotel may also request a terminal pass which will allow access into Terminal D for food or shopping and access to all of DFW terminals without a ticket. Security checks are tougher with the terminal pass, but it is a good way to get into the terminal without buying a ticket.

DFW North TexRail Station

The DFW North TexRail station is right under the approach /departure path to runway 36R/16L. Also great sight lines to the approach and departure paths from 17R/35L

The parking lot requires no fees and has no gates and is mostly empty throughout the day.

Locations to Avoid

Location

Regular Traffic

  • AeroMexico (737-700/800) Seasonal
    • AeroMexico Connect (E190)
  • Air Canada
    • Jazz Aviation (ERJ-170/190)
  • Alaska Airlines (737-900/900ER)
    • Horizon (E175) Seasonal
  • American Airlines (A319, A320, A321, A321NEO, 737-800, 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8, 787-9)
    • American Eagle
      • Envoy (ERJ145, E170, E175)
      • Mesa (CRJ900)
      • SkyWest (CRJ700)
  • Avianca El Salvador (A320)
  • British Airways (777-200, 787-9, 787-10)
  • Boutique (PC-12)
  • Contour Airlines (ERJ135)
  • Delta Air Lines (A220-100, A220-300, A321)
  • Emirates (777-200LR/300ER)
  • Frontier (A320, A320NEO, A321)
  • Japan Airlines (787-9)
  • Korean Air (787-9)
  • Lufthansa (A330-300, A340-300)
  • QANTAS (787-9)
  • Qatar Airways (A350-1000)
  • Southern Airways Express (C208 Caravan)
  • Spirit Airlines (A319, A320, A320NEO, A321)
  • Sun Country (737-800)
  • Turkish Airlines (787-9)
  • United Airlines (A319, A320, 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 9)
    • United Express
      • Republic (E175)
      • Mesa (E175)
      • SkyWest (E175)
  • VivaAerobus (A321NEO)
  • Volaris (A320NEO, A321NEO)

Cargo

  • Airborne Express (757)
  • Air Cargo Germany (747-400)
  • Air China (747-400)
  • Asiana Cargo (747-400)
  • Cargolux (747-400/800)
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo (747-400/800)
  • China Cargo Airlines (747-400)
  • China Airlines Cargo (747-400)
  • EVA Airways (747-400)
  • FedEx (757, 767, MD-10, MD-11)
  • Korean Air Cargo (747-400/800)
  • Lufthansa Cargo (MD-11)
  • Martinaire (Cessna Caravan)
  • Nippon Cargo (747-400/800)
  • Omni Air International (767-200/300, 777-200)
  • Singapore Airlines Cargo (747-400)
  • Southern Air (747-400)
  • UPS (757, 767, MD-11, A300)

MLB and NFL sports teams use DFW for their chartered flights.

Facilities and Transportation

To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive. Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12. I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.

External Links

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