My mate tells me he goes to Manchester and parks his car on the top of the multi story....and views from there with many others.

Nick.

One of the most picturesque spectator balconies must be this one in Ljubljana. Good to see that when they recently ungraded the terminal they kept the spectators area. It's nice to see a wave from the balcony as we push back occasionally!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/TO...0/DSC00618.JPG

When last there Almeria had an open air balcony overlooking the apron. Good bar serving food there too. Very civilised.

Surprised no one has mentioned about the RVP at Manchester, I know the charges are contentious to people who want these facilities for free however it is a damn fine facility for watching the aircraft. So to say the facilities are poor in the UK may be true at many airports but not all. In addition there is the Airport hotel and may other unoffical spots.

Christchurch NZ - NZCH is excellent, the way they used to be in the old days and Perth AUS (Intnl Terminal) - YPPH

Arrecife airport in Lanzarote.

Except it's full of smokers!!

Bournemouth/Hurn has a good viewing area. Free to visit, though you have to pay to park a car. Short walk to the terminal for a spot o' lunch. You will need a three-step ladder to get any piccies, but it is a prime spot:

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/s...0-07-20006.jpg

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/s...0-07-20020.jpg

There are free indoor viewing decks and areas landside at Cape Town and Jo'burg

Suzeman

I don't know if you're specifically looking at civilian airports but RAF Waddington(Lincolnshire,UK) has the WAVE (WAddington VEiwing area),it has been taken-over by a really nice couple called John and Christine who have a fantastic gift-shop and eatery.
Large (free) car-park and the hedge overlooking the airfield has now been cut down to 4 feet high,great for photography and even includes free toilet facilities.

Fukuoka, Japan. There's nice restaurant with counter overlooking the apron and runway. In Japan, airplane spotting is a joy. Going to check out the new Terminal in Haneda soon.

I recall when at LHR few years ago being told the balcony was closed. The person told me 'since the gulf war' ..

Further back ,, the mid-eighties - I vividly remember the outside gallery at LHR and the happy atmosphere.

I remember the one at Edinburgh with great affection . Has Newcastle gone or is that a silly question ?

The facilities can still be had "for free", arrive on public transport or walk in. Charges only apply to drivers and their passengers........

Planemike

Have not been to the Channel Islands for while but both Guernsey and Jersey made provision for spectators.

At the other end of the world an indoor landside viewing lounge is available at Auckland International. Jean Batten's Gull G-ADPR is there, an ex Shuttleworth resident.

Planemike

Munrobagger,

Yes sadly Newcastle International Airport's viewing balcony disappeared many many years ago with no replacement.

There is absolutely no where to view any inbound or out bound aircraft with any degree of safety or legality.

Great shame as I remember the viewing gallery with great fondness when my dad used to take me there as a budding pilot!

A8C.

Perth (Australia) airport had a good viewing area when I was there in April last year.

At MAN you can go to the top of Terminal 1 (I think it is) carpark and take pictures. There is a small Aviation Shop in Terminal 1 Arrivals tho the main Viewing Park is much better.

I want to reheat this thread, as I feel it is time for a renewed push to restore or create spectators' balconies, as part of a broader aim of making flying more about flying (and less about shopping).

The world is changing: The Arab Spring; Twitter; containment of al-Qaeda; China and India as economic powerhouses; e-society and i-society; Croatia joining the EU; rise of Ryanair and loco revolution; fall of Malev and legacy flag carrier carnage; new generation of airliners like the 380, 787 and 747-8; and demise of others in their wake.

Today it's about customer choice and demand, consultation and communication as much as rationalisation, globalisation and austerity.

Airports and airlines exist to make money for owners/shareholders through selling services to their customers (passengers and cargo, but also parkers and shoppers). What can we do to make it worth their while to have more people coming to airports specifically to watch and learn about planes, operations and flying, or to wave off or meet passengers?

When I was a kid I used to visit the roof gardens at London Airport frequently. In post-war times the thrill of seeing aircraft was enjoyed by hundreds, if not thousands, of people. As in my case, many kids were taken to airports by their parents and it was an exciting day out. Now, flying is an every day occurrence for many people and the thrill has gone. Just about every aircraft now looks like every other whereas in those far off days of Avro Yorks, Argonauts, Dakotas, DC4s, Constellations, Stratocruisers, etc., there was great difference between the types which made identifying them great fun.

I can think of no reason why airport authorities should provide facilities for spotters especially in these times of financial restraint and greatly increased security. What are spotters going to bring to the airpport apart from the entry fee and clogging up the already over crowded infrastructure?

I'm sure others will have different opinions but it is a subject which has been discussed at great length on here and other forums.

Those who quote security considerations, maybe should look what has been done at some airports and military airfields, in that those who come just to watch the aircraft are encouraged to be eyes and ears for the police.

Heathrow does in fact operate such a scheme:

Metropolitan Police Service - Heathrow - Aviation Enthusiast Scheme

LCY also has a scheme where members are encouraged to report "subjects videoing or photographing aircraft or making notes of flight times" :ugh: