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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) combines a busy mix of US airlines, international flights, private jets and cargo traffic with something every aviation photographer appreciates: good official spotting locations and plenty of Florida sunshine.
Better still, Miami International Airport is only around 25 miles away, making it easy to combine the two airports on the same spotting trip.
So, if you’re planning to go plane spotting at Fort Lauderdale, here are our best tips.
Why Fort Lauderdale Is Great for Plane Spotting
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood is one of South Florida’s major airports, serving both the Fort Lauderdale area and the huge tourism market stretching south towards Miami.
It has four passenger terminals, seven concourses and two parallel runways, with 10L/28R to the north and 10R/28L to the south.
For many years FLL has been particularly associated with low-cost and leisure airlines, and that remains a big part of its appeal. But don’t assume that means endless rows of identical aircraft.
Fort Lauderdale has a surprisingly varied traffic mix, particularly when you add international flights, private aviation and cargo movements. And unlike many large American airports, FLL actually acknowledges that people enjoy watching aeroplanes.
There are three recognised aircraft viewing areas around the airport.
What Airlines Will You See at Fort Lauderdale?
Allegiant Air are common at Fort Lauderdale. Photo: Mark Bess
The two airlines you’ll probably associate most strongly with FLL today are Allegiant Air and JetBlue.
Delta is another major presence, along with Southwest, United, American, and Frontier. Air Canada is also among the airport’s busiest airlines, while Porter adds its distinctive Embraer E195-E2s from Canada.
For European enthusiasts visiting Florida, even the everyday domestic traffic can make FLL fascinating. A couple of hours can produce a steady stream of aircraft and airlines which are rarely – if ever – seen back home.
Look Out for Caribbean and Latin American Traffic
Like nearby Miami, Fort Lauderdale’s location makes it ideally positioned for flights heading south into the Caribbean and Latin America. This can add some interesting variety among the dominant US carriers.
International flights come and go from destinations across Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, so it’s worth checking the day’s arrivals before heading out with your camera.
Some of the more unusual visitors may only operate on certain days of the week or during particular seasons.
Fort Lauderdale Spotting Locations
If you’re planning a dedicated spotting trip, look at the schedule in advance rather than simply turning up and hoping for the best.
Ron Gardner Aircraft Observation Area
If you only visit one Fort Lauderdale plane spotting location, make it this one.
The Ron Gardner Aircraft Observation Area is the airport’s dedicated plane spotting location alongside the western end of the north runway, 10L/28R.
It’s named after a former Broward County Aviation Department employee and has become one of FLL’s best-known locations for aviation enthusiasts. The position is particularly good when aircraft are using runway 10L, putting you close to aircraft approaching, landing and taxiing nearby.
There is even an extra feature for enthusiasts: solar-powered speakers relay radio communications between aircraft and the control tower.
The observation area is reached from the roads west of the airport, around SW 39th Street and the Perimeter Road area. Photography can be excellent here, particularly when the light and runway direction are favourable. Bring a telephoto lens, but you won’t necessarily need the enormous focal lengths required at some other major airports.
Hibiscus Garage Viewing Area
An Air Canada A330 spotted from the parking garage.
Want to get an overview of virtually the whole airport?
The Hibiscus Garage has another officially recognised viewing area on its top level, towards the western edge near section 7A.
This offers a bird’s-eye view across the airfield and terminals, making it an excellent location for anyone more interested in logging aircraft than getting close-up photographs. There are benches provided for watching the action.
The airport states that the garage is open 24 hours a day, although normal parking charges apply.
From up here you can follow movements on the north runway and scan many of the terminal stands. You’ll want binoculars, and photographers will benefit from a longer lens.
For registration collectors, however, this could be one of the most useful locations at FLL.
The Greenbelt Viewing Area
Fort Lauderdale’s third recognised viewing location is on the southern side of the airport.
The Greenbelt covers around 30 acres along the airport boundary and incorporates a landscaped earth berm, walking paths, vegetation and wetland areas. Most importantly for us, it also provides aircraft viewing opportunities.
This is the area alongside the southern runway, 10R/28L.
The raised ground can help get you above some of the obstructions around the perimeter, while the park-like surroundings make this a rather more pleasant place to spend some time than standing beside a busy road.
There are benches along the walking path and shaded areas which can be very welcome under the Florida sun. It’s particularly useful when movements are favouring the south runway.
Don’t Forget the Private Jets
Biz jets at Fort Lauderdale. Photo: DUNCAN KIRK
South Florida attracts a huge amount of private aviation traffic, ranging from smaller light aircraft through to Gulfstreams, Globals, Falcons and other long-range business jets.
Fort Lauderdale has four fixed-base operators, and extensive general aviation areas are situated away from the main passenger terminals. That means there can be plenty to investigate away from the airline ramps.
The western side of the airport, particularly around the general aviation and FBO areas, can be worth exploring from public roads where permitted.
Don’t expect every aircraft to be easy to identify – some ramps are distant or partially obscured – but serious biz jet spotters should definitely allow extra time for this part of FLL.
As always, remain on public property, park legally and don’t block gates or entrances.
What About Cargo Aircraft?
Cargo is not the main attraction at Fort Lauderdale, particularly compared with nearby Miami. Nevertheless, you’ll see regular freight activity.
FedEx and UPS are the most obvious names to watch for, and aircraft can often be seen around the cargo and remote parking areas. The airport also has numerous remote overnight parking positions scattered around the terminal complex, so early mornings and evenings can produce some interesting aircraft parked away from their normal gates.
Morning Light or Evening Light?
Florida’s sunshine is one of the reasons Fort Lauderdale is so popular with aviation photographers. But sunshine doesn’t automatically mean good photographs.
Think about where the sun will be at different times of day and choose your location accordingly.
The north and south sides of the airport give you options, while the observation area and garage offer very different angles.
Winter can be an especially attractive time to visit South Florida, particularly if you’re escaping grey European weather.
Just remember that strong Florida sunlight can create harsh shadows in the middle of the day.
Early morning and later afternoon often produce much more attractive results.
Check Which Runway Is in Use
Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Fort Lauderdale has two parallel east-west runways:
10L/28R – North Runway
10R/28L – South Runway
The north runway is 9,000ft long, while the south runway is 8,000ft.
Before choosing your spotting location, check which direction aircraft are using.
If traffic is favouring runway 10L, the Ron Gardner Observation Area can be superb.
If the south runway is busy, the Greenbelt may be the better choice.
The Hibiscus Garage is particularly useful if you simply want an overview and don’t want to chase individual runway movements.
A flight-tracking app will make planning much easier.
You’ll Probably Want a Car
Fort Lauderdale is much easier for enthusiasts with a rental car. Public transport can get you around South Florida, but the best spotting locations are spread around the airport perimeter.
A car also gives you the freedom to switch locations when runway use changes. More importantly, it allows you to combine FLL with Miami and other airports around South Florida.
If you’re visiting from the UK or Europe specifically for aviation photography, renting a car will dramatically increase what you can see.
Is Fort Lauderdale Worth Visiting for Plane Spotters?
Absolutely. Fort Lauderdale doesn’t have the exotic cargo traffic of Miami or the sheer volume of Atlanta.
What it does have is a busy and colourful mixture of airlines, a huge amount of private aviation, generally good weather and – crucially – airport-supported places where enthusiasts can actually watch aircraft.
The Ron Gardner Observation Area alone makes FLL worth visiting. Add the Hibiscus Garage, Greenbelt and easy access to Miami, and you’ve got the basis of an excellent South Florida plane spotting trip.
Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Discover More Great Plane Spotting Airports
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood is just one of the hundreds of airports featured in our World Airport Spotting Guides book.
Created specifically for aviation enthusiasts, photographers and aircraft spotters, the book covers more than 350 airports in 50 countries.
You’ll find maps, spotting locations, descriptions, practical advice and information to help you get the most out of your aviation travels.
So whether you’re planning a Florida plane spotting trip, a weekend at a major European hub or an aviation adventure further afield, World Airport Spotting Guides can help you find the best places to watch and photograph aircraft.
