Los Angeles - A380 watching (location/times)

Good evening,

Coming to SoCAL for one week, and wanted to catch an A380 landing at LAX. From what I have read on this forum, it appears a 0945 landing is the only daylight opportunity (3x a week) and the best location is the In n Out parking lot.

Is that true.....or are there other times and a better location??

Thank you....vr John, MCPO, USN

Note: flight arrives 1 hour "later" during daylight savings time . So the SQ12 example below where I noted it arrives around 11:30 AM will now arrive 12:30 PM local time


This is accurate as of 8-Feb-2012:

SQ12 SIN-NRT-LAX lands at around 1:30PM daily. Usually south runway (spot from Imperial Hill or Proud Bird restaurant) but sometimes on the north runway (spot from In-N-Out). Edit: SQ12 schedule may have been adjusted. I saw it land at 11:30AM at north runway 3 times last week (week of 20-Feb-2012) while eating at In-N-Out.

KE17 ICN-LAX lands at around 9:00~9:30AM daily. Usually north runway (In-N-Out).

QF11 SYD-LAX lands around 9:00~9:30AM daily. Usually north runway (In-N-Out).

QF93 MEL-LAX lands around 6:30AM daily during winter time. Usually north runway (In-N-Out).

QF11 is known to arrive early during favorable tail wind. QF93 arrives 1 hour later in summer time (Australia has its own daylight saving time that is not in sync with US daylight savings times so sometimes the flight arrives "extra" late but that is just due to the quirk of departure time being different in Australia).

Thank you for the info......

Which location (north or south) is better for spotting?? From what I have read, it appears as though the In-n-Out is best.....but, just wanted to make sure I was in the correct location (since my Navy TAD trips from Florida to California are far and few between)......Thanks, John

Thank you for the info......

Which location (north or south) is better for spotting?? From what I have read, it appears as though the In-n-Out is best.....but, just wanted to make sure I was in the correct location (since my Navy TAD trips from Florida to California are far and few between)......Thanks, John

In n Out is right next to the north runway.

North is definitely better because it is much closer to the touchdown zone for 24R. If you are staying at LAX hotels along Century Blvd, it is a short walk to In-N-Out. Plus you can sit on the patio of In-N-Out and enjoy a fine meal while you spot.There is a park next to In-N-Out with trees to provide some shade while you wait. Plus easy walk to Starbucks, Panera Bread, Trader Joe's and lots of restaurants if you don't like burgers.

The south runway spotting locations are all kind of isolated and doesn't have retail amenities (and bathroom!) in walking distance. You also have to drive there for the most part.

Google Map link:

In-N-Out (north runway 24R): http://maps.google.com/maps?q=9149+South+Sepulveda+Boulevard,+Westchester ,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.951868,-118.399304&spn=0.0059,0.011362&sll=33.950532,-118.336672&sspn=0.377633,0.727158&hnear=9149+S+Sepulveda+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+Californ ia+90045&t=h&z=17

Proud Bird (south runway 25L): http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Proud+Bird+Restaurant,+Aviation+Boulevard,+ Los+Angeles,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.936399,-118.380733&spn=0.011803,0.022724&sll=33.951868,-118.399304&sspn=0.0059,0.011362&oq=proud&hq=Proud+Bird+Restaurant,+Aviation+Boulevard,+Los+ Angeles,+CA&t=h&z=16

Imperial Hill (south runway 25L): http://maps.google.com/maps?q=420+East+Imperial+Avenue,+El+Segundo,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.930863,-118.411031&spn=0.002087,0.00284&sll=33.930853,-118.41168&sspn=0.002099,0.00284&oq=420+east+&hnear=420+E+Imperial+Ave,+El+Segundo,+California+9 0245&t=h&z=19

North is definitely better because it is much closer to the touchdown zone for 24R. If you are staying at LAX hotels along Century Blvd, it is a short walk to In-N-Out. Plus you can sit on the patio of In-N-Out and enjoy a fine meal while you spot.There is a park next to In-N-Out with trees to provide some shade while you wait. Plus easy walk to Starbucks, Panera Bread, Trader Joe's and lots of restaurants if you don't like burgers.

The south runway spotting locations are all kind of isolated and doesn't have retail amenities (and bathroom!) in walking distance. You also have to drive there for the most part.




True. But one thing to note The south side viewing area ( Imperial hill) has a much better view of the whole airport operation, then the north side.

HP

True. But one thing to note The south side viewing area ( Imperial hill) has a much better view of the whole airport operation, then the north side.

HP

I recently discovered another spot to plane spot. Believe this is closest to the South runways. Parking lot of the Flight Path Museum on Imperial Highway. A quick google search will provide exact location.

I recently discovered another spot to plane spot. Believe this is closest to the South runways. Parking lot of the Flight Path Museum on Imperial Highway. A quick google search will provide exact location.

Expect to be hassled by airport police if you spot there. The "no loitering" sign is prominently displayed at the Flight Path Museum parking lot.

However, if you go inside the museum, the view is even better. You can see the Imperial terminal up close (for charter flights... I was there just before the Rose Bowl and saw the Wisconsin band unloading from a DL 747 the old fashion way - down a stair car).

anyone know whether sandpiper lane in surfridge ever reopen?

Is in and out a good location for watching take-offs or more for landings?

Is in and out a good location for watching take-offs or more for landings?

Landings, only on very rare occasions do planes take off to the East out of LAX as prevailing winds are coming in from the ocean.

anyone know whether sandpiper lane in surfridge ever reopen?

Still closed and gated.

HP