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Guide to London Stansted Airport

Contributors: dan330, Sairento, UK321
Updated Monday 2nd January, 2012

ICAO Code: EGSS
IATA Code: STN

Latitude: N51° 53' 9"
Longitude E0° 14' 21"

Sunrise Today: 04:48
Sunset Today: 21:04

London Stansted is a major airport in the United Kingdom for low cost carriers, mainly EasyJet and Ryanair. Ryanair have a huge operation there with around 120 departures each day through the summer months. London Stansted is frequently visited by airlines such as Air Berlin, BmiBaby, Germanwings, Pegasus Airlines amongst many others which cannot be seen at the majority of airports in the United Kingdom. The airport is also one of the largest cargo bases in the country and often handles aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, Boeing 777 and often sees the Boeing 747, operated by several cargo carriers.

All of this sounds great, however London Stansted is limited with the amount of areas to view from and are not as close to the runway as many airports due to the size of the airport. As London Stansted is owned by BAA this is a situation that is very unlikely to change, however BAA is being forced to sell the airport. London Stansted is still however an exceptionally good airport to view aircraft, considering its size. There are several spots that aircraft can clearly be seen, photographed or videoed.

Unfortunately there are a few bumbs and slopes in the terrain meaning the runway cannot be seen from a few areas, however aircraft navigation on the aprons, taxiways and on the runway can be seen clearly from nearly all areas. Despite the fact that there are a few of ways London Stansted could be improved for plane spotters, it's probably the best airport to spot at in the London area and the Southeast of England. This is because the airport is located in a fairly rural location and airport staff don't seem to have any problems with plane spotters, as long as there is no suspcious behavior and emergency gates are kept clear.

It's definitely worth visiting London Stansted a few times a year to view the exciting aircraft it operates. Do not let the slight disadvantages like the distance from the runway or the slightly uneven terrain put you off visiting the airport, it's not a huge problem at all!

There is also a Plane Watch Scheme run for regular spotters by Essex Police. Information for which can be found here

Radio Frequencies

Essex Radar: 120.625
Stansted Director: 126.950
Tower: 123.800
Ground: 121.725
Clearance Delivery: 121.950
ATIS: 127.175

Links

Official Website
Plane Watch Scheme

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London Stansted Airport Weather

All times on the weather descriptions are local

Observed at 09:20 - (6 mins ago)

11°C

Clear Sky
Clouds:
Wind: 310° at 08 knots
Visibility: Greater than 10km
QNH: 1019
Dew Point: 3°C
Runway in Use:
Runway 22 - 04 has a direct crosswind

View the full forecast for London Stansted Airport

Movements

A sample of the upcoming movements for London Stansted.

We do not current have any movements for London Stansted Airport.

View all movements for London Stansted.

Spot A - Green Street

This spot is just off Green Street, in a field (use the map to view directions to get there). This spot is at the north east end of the runway, therefore aircraft arriving on runway 22 or departing from runway 04 will pass over the field. This location is only worth visiting to view arrivals to runway 22, as departures from runway 04 are much higher up by the time the pass over the field. Thankfully runway 22 is used much more often (about 70% of the time).

You can get some excellent shots of aircraft arriving on runway 22 and some reasonable ones of runway 04 departures. Unfortunately barely any ground shots can be had from here as the runway is fairly set back with a very slight hill and the perimeter fence in the way. Despite this, aircraft can still be seen on the some taxiways, on the runway, touching down and taking off. This location is quite far from any major road so you can get some excellent video footage which is not ruined by road/motoway noise and giving this spot a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

There is plenty of space to park your car at the end of the road and there are no car parking charges or restrictions. You can stay here as long as you like as the airport staff don't have any problems with you being there unless you don't keep the emergency gate clear, so you're extremely unlikely to be told to move away.

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N51° 54' 1" (N51° 54.017')
Longitude: E0° 15' 26" (E0° 15.429')

Photos

View more photos taken at this location

Spot B - Belmer Road

This spot is just off Belmer Road, immediately behind the row of trees (use the map to view directions to get there). This area is to the north west of the airport where aircraft will arrive, depart and taxi infront of you. The benefit of this spot is that it's very good for both runway directions, however runway 22 is slightly better, mainly because the majority of the airport activity is closer to you.

You can get some reasonable ground shots and some excellent arrival and departure shots from here. In a few places this spot is elevated enough so you can see over the perimeter fence with no problems. It may be beneficial though to take a small step ladder just to raise you that extra 3 feet or so to allow you to see over the fence in all areas. The fence is not a problem for just viewing the aircraft, it just makes photography more difficult to gain at a higher standard, it's also possible though to fit a camera lens through the gaps in the fence. This location is also not too close to any major road meaning you can get some fantastic video footage which is not ruined by road/motorway noise and giving this spot a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

This spot has plenty of car parking, at the side of Belmer Road, and there are no car parking charges or restrictions. The airport staff have no issues with you being there, so you can stay as long as you like with no problems at all.

This is probably the best spot that London Stansted has to offer and it's likely you'll be very satisfied here. Although not a tourist/visitor attraction, many people take fold up deck chairs and blankets to sit on as well as flasks of hot drinks or a picnic to this area as you can get an excellent day out here.

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N51° 53' 33" (N51° 53.546')
Longitude: E0° 14' 25" (E0° 14.414')

Photos

Focal Length: 135mm

Focal Length: 125mm

Focal Length: 210mm

Focal Length: 70mm

View more photos taken at this location

Spot C - Long Border Road

This spot is just off Long Border Road, close to the Hilton hotel (use the map to view directions to get there). This spot is at the south west end of the runway, therefore aircraft arriving on runway 04 or departing from runway 22 will pass over this area. This location is best to view arrivals to runway 04.

You can get some excellent shots of aircraft arriving on runway 04 and some fairly good ones of runway 22 departures. Ground shots can also be had from here although aircraft are not very close and do not often taxi beyond taxiway K. This area is elevated and is not at all obstructed by trees or the perimetre fence, making ground shots much easier to get. This spot is not too far off some major roads including the A120 and so video footage can very occasionally be disturbed by road/motorway noise.

This area is very restricted to where you can park your car, the best two options are to park at the Hilton hotel or Long stay car park. This of course means car parking requires a charge but isn't restricted. You can stay here as long as you like as airport staff don't have any problems with you being there, so you're extremely unlikely to be told to move away.

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N51° 52' 28" (N51° 52.461')
Longitude: E0° 12' 55" (E0° 12.916')

Comments About This Airport / Guide

Posted by: lol

Friday 26th April, 2013 at 16:01 GMT

lol

Posted by: Ruud

Wednesday 17th April, 2013 at 09:12 GMT

The example photos taken at spot A, where are they exactly taken? I was there yesterday, but when you are at the crashgate, they airplanes fly over your so you can't get a good photo of it.

Posted by: Frank

Monday 25th March, 2013 at 19:26 GMT

Hi, Your picture of " Slovenia Government Flying Service Tupolev Tu-154M OM-BYO "
is infact a Slovak plane which I often see parked at Bratislava airport,Slovakia, also OM is the Slovak call letters.

Kind Regards
Frank.

frankg7izw@ntlworld.com

Posted by: Daniel Ranson

Sunday 2nd September, 2012 at 19:23 GMT

Hello David Wright,

The 'green rocket-like' plane parked on the North side of the runway is a plane that is used by the airport fire brigade to practice on. I am a ramp agent at Stansted and regularly see them practicing extinguishing fires.

Daniel

Posted by: Derek Wight

Wednesday 13th June, 2012 at 09:18 GMT

What is the history of the rusting green 'rocket-like' plane parked on the North side of the runway at Stansted?

Posted by: David Harding

Monday 16th April, 2012 at 18:30 GMT

Stansted by the way has no official observation point or terrace which is correctly commented below. Stansted does however have exceptionally good views of aircraft from the satellite buildings (where the gates are) which does mean of course you have to actually being flying somwhere to get here as it's airside and not open to the general public. So if you're flying from Stansted and want to see aircraft well whilst waiting, there's no need for a terrace, just go to your gate ASAP and you'll get a great view. Especially when runway 22 is in use as it mostly is and of course apron activity can also be seen extremely well.

Posted by: Stansted ATCO

Friday 24th February, 2012 at 10:05 GMT

'Green Bizjet' -I'm fairly sure you're talking about M-ESGR?

Posted by: m moule

Thursday 23rd February, 2012 at 15:44 GMT

does anyone know the reg of the green bizjet at stanstead on the 22 feb

Posted by: David Harding

Friday 2nd September, 2011 at 14:24 GMT

The place Flyboeing mentioned is good but only really for apron activity and ground shots. As far as I know you are not allowed to spot from the bridge but as mentioned inbetween the bridge and terminal building is allowed. From here whne runway 22 is in use you can only see aircraft on short final/landing and on upwind heading away from you, so quite far away. When runway 04 is in use, you can see them on final (again quite far away) but see them much closer and more clearly when on upwind. But to see aircraft on the ground/stands and pushing back etc. then this is your best bet!

Posted by: Flyboeing

Thursday 25th August, 2011 at 07:56 GMT

There is no official spotting area, like a terrace or something. Also inside the terminal there is no area for spotting.

If you want to stay close to the terminal, you leave the terminal in the south direction (to the control tower). Next to the terminal is a small pedestrian bridge (to the police station) and between the bridge and the terminal you can spot some aircraft.

Posted by: Daryl Jones

Wednesday 4th May, 2011 at 21:11 GMT

When does the Fedex MD-11 arrive and take-off each day please? How long will this last ? Saw that the Fedex 777 has arrived too ! thanks Daryl

Posted by: Michel

Saturday 2nd October, 2010 at 12:29 GMT

Hello,
Is there also place to spot within the airport building? Like a terrace or something ?
Thanx
Michel from Holland

Posted by: Ed

Saturday 21st August, 2010 at 11:34 GMT

Hey,

does anyone know where there is a good place to watch the planes come in close over head? I think the approch to runway 23 is a good place but I don't know where abouts that would be. Even better if someone would know where to park your car n watch them overhead,

Thanks

Posted by: Steve

Monday 22nd March, 2010 at 23:24 GMT

Spot A is ok for spotting but photos are terrible. Last trip i did there I flew to Stanstead and did my spotting from the departure lounge or some of the other gate areas, and was not questioned. But still be cautious if doing it this way.

Posted by: Salva Reyes

Tuesday 2nd March, 2010 at 10:11 GMT

I have seen in google maps that there is a place near the Hilton Hotel (runway 05). Is it a good place for spotting?. I will be in Stansted next week and my friends and me will spott in the morning. There is a transfer bus to the hotel. That is so good for us, so we don't have a car. Anybody know that place?. Anyother place to go withour car, by bus?

Thaks all

Posted by: PCSO Sophie Yeulett

Thursday 18th February, 2010 at 19:21 GMT

Hello,

Stansted Airport Police have recently set up a
Stansted Airport Plane Enthusiasts Scheme. If you would like to join or for further information, please email stanstedplanewatch@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Thank you,

PC 1731 Richard McDade & PCSO 73381 Sophie Yeulett
Stansted Airport Plane Watch Scheme
Enterprise House
Bassingborn Road
Stansted Airport
Essex Police
CM24 1PS
Tel - 01279 680298
Non Emergency - 0300 333 4444
Emergency - 999
Email - stanstedplanewatch@essex.pnn.police.uk

Posted by: Edgar

Monday 15th February, 2010 at 14:07 GMT

My name is Edgar and I'm from Portugal. In May I will travel to Heathrow for a week of spotting. I am considering to go to Stansted, but needed help to get there and find out about the best places to take pictures. Can all of you help me ?

Regards to all

Posted by: Dion Rust

Wednesday 10th February, 2010 at 16:47 GMT

For everyones information the runway designations at STN have been change to 22/04. This was implemented during the summer 2009 season.

Posted by: SilentBob

Sunday 3rd January, 2010 at 12:26 GMT

I went there last night, and the mound has been fenced off with electric fence warnings (though it didn't appear to be electricified).

Further along Belmer road (heading north) about 100 odd yds on the right is a clearing, which is only 5 yds from the perimeter fence.

You can stand right next to the road-side hedge and it's elevated by about 2-3 feet overlooking the runway.

Got some good vids of my friend's plane landing on runway 23.

I had to park on the large grass verge (and scraped the underside of my car in the process, going up the kirb - could have been avoided if I was being more careful).

Posted by: Edgar

Friday 25th December, 2009 at 22:03 GMT

Hi guys,

I'll travel to LHR in May next year for a week spot and I am thinking to get to STN for a day of spotting. I'd like to know more speccificaly all the spotting places to go to.

Merry Xmas all

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Latest London Stansted Airport Photos

Ryanair
Boeing 737-8AS
EI-EBE

easyjet
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G-EZWE

easyjet
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G-EZGJ

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OM-BYO

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