Popular plane-spotting locations in Northern Ireland
What's 2022's hot new trend? Plane spotting of course! 🛬
You’ve heard of the phrase - you’ll find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow 🌈
Well after almost a month of stormy weather, it looks like 2022’s pot of gold is a brand new trend we didn’t know we needed…plane spotting!
Aviation enthusiast Jerry Dyer runs the now-famous channel Big Jet TV.
Dyer started live-streaming himself commentating plane landings at Heathrow Airport during last week’s Storm Eunice, attracting over 200,000 viewers.
Even TikTok’s very own ‘train spotter’ Francis Bourgeois has brought the once popular hobby to the eyes of millennials across the world.
But why is it so hard to stop watching? We think it’s down to the genuine enthusiasm and comical remarks from the now-famous hosts.
With the blustering conditions set to continue for the new few days, why not give plane spotting a go for yourself.
Check out some of the popular and safest spots to catch a glimpse at one of Northern Ireland’s top airports…
Could you be NI’s next viral star?
George Best Belfast City Airport
Parallel with Belfast City Airport's runway, this is the perfect spot to catch a flight coming into the city, providing you are discreet.
During the week it's closed to cars but you can park on the ground floor and walk up. On weekends it's only open during store opening hours, so on a Sunday it won't open until 13:00.
Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is the largest hub in NI and is a base for easyJet and Jet2 airlines. A small parking area to the east of the airport offers great opportunities to watch planes land. How to get there? Drive west from the airport on Airport Road and turn right onto Drennans Road, take a left at the crossroads and a car park sits just a few hundred metres on your left.
Newtownards Airfield
One of the best places to sit and watch private planes take off and land from Newtownards Airport is from Scrabo Tower. Perched on Scrabo Hill, this 135 ft lookout tower offers a vantage point like no other.
It's a landmark that can be seen from afar, offering views of the town, countryside, runway and lough below.
City of Derry Airport
The City of Derry Airport is located just 10 minutes from Derry/Londonderry and is positioned centrally between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way.
There's handy car parks and roadside locations on route to the airport to catch a glimpse of a passing aircraft.
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