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London Luton Airport
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This page is designed to give a quick guide on some of the
locations for photographing aircraft at different airports
in Europe.
As many aviation enthusiasts know, since
the terrorist attacks in the USA in 2001, very
many official viewing locations were closed down
and some people look upon aircraft enthusiasts
with suspicion. Photographing aircraft is not
illegal, but there are places where it is
allowed and those where it is forbidden, for
example, many airports do not allow photography
inside the airport. Always observe signs and
notices, I recommend carrying some form of ID.
Some airport police forces now engage with local
spotters for example, Stansted Airport
Planewatch
Note that in large part,
the locations listed are not official viewing areas and
you are reminded to abide by all laws and common sense when
it comes to visiting these places. I would always suggest
keeping well back from fences, do not trespass on private
land, and politely follow any requests or demands by those
in authority.
These pages are provided as guidance only and cannot be
used as for anything more than general information
purposes. You are fully responsible for your own actions
and for abiding by any instructions given by any airport
official. No part of the "tips and locations" section is
approved or endorsed by any airport or authority
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London's
fourth airport is Luton and is located to the North West of
London. It has one runway. The airport
is located at the top of a hill, this means that Luton is prone
to fog and snow. The airport does have a good mix of airlines
although aircraft are rarely larger than the A300. However in
the summer of 2010 EL-AL was the first carrier to operate a 777
into the airport.
I've travelled from Luton many times and find that whilst a
lot smaller than the likes of Stansted, it is quite pleasant
and a lot of recent work has been undertaken to improve the
terminal and facilities airside.
Luton is well known for it's busy business aviation business
and at any given time there are numerous business jets coming
and going. The airport is also base EasyJet and it's huge easyLand organge building
and Wizz Air operate a significant number of flights and are
the second largest airline at Luton.
THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN ON A BAD WEATHER DAY!
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Currently
Operating (Guide only and subect to frequent change) |
Stopped
operating |
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EasyJet
(Airbus 319/320/321)
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Wizz Air (Airbus 320
A321)
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Ryanair
(737s)
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DHL (A300/757)
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TUI
(737,757,767)
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EL-AL (757,767, maybe 777)
- SunExpress
(Turkey)
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Aer Arann (ATRs) - Merged to Aer Lingus Regional
- Aer Lingus Regional - xfer
to SEN
- Flybe (out of business)
- Monarch (out of business)
- Transavia (stopped flight)
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Short Stay Car Park
I have visited a couple of locations at
Luton; first being the short stay car park. Luton is quite a
congested airport at busy times and has been undergoing a lot
of building and site tranformation works, but if you follow the main
signs around the airport and head towards the terminal
building you will see the signs for the short stay. When I say
short, I mean it! it's a very expensive place so you could be
looking at over £5.00 for an hour. Prices do change however so
please only use this as a very general guide.
So why the short stay car park - well there is a taxiway
adjacent to it and some remote parking stands which means it's
possible to get very close up photos. However, note that this
is not an official viewing location and you could very well be
moved on. I would recommend having a look, but I wouldn't make
plans to stay longer than 30 mins or so. You won't need long
lenses here, 55mm lens will be fine.
Stephens Green
The most popular location for watching aircraft at Luton is
alongside the runway giving good side on views. However as is
often the case, photography is into the sun until mid afternoon
so that can be problematic. There is a small road leading up to
the airport crash barrier and people park along this road and
walk across a small area of grassland to the perimeter fence. It
is strongly advised not to obstruct the gate or you will be
moved on. Park on one side of the road only as tight to the
verge as possible to allow other cars to pass. Note this road is
a no through road, therefore it is advisable to drive up to the
crash gate, turn the car around prior to parking up.
THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN FROM THE PERIMETER FENCE
Hotels
Luton has a number of hotels including Holiday Inn
Express, Hilton Garden Inn, Courtyard by Marriot and
Ibis. Most of these are budget orientated hotels.
The best viewing
locations are at the Holiday Inn Express.
Refreshments and
Facilities
There are no refreshments or toilet facilities at any of the
locations. Also because the locations are fairly windy, I
suggest taking suncream even in lowish temperatures to avoid
burning.
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A VIEW
OF TAXIING EASYJET 737 BACK IN THE DAY |
A VIEW FROM THE SHORT STAY CAR PARK
MONARCH NOW GONE. |
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Access to Luton Airport can be from the M1 motorway or through
some of the Bedfordshire villages. The M1 is notorious for
roadworks and delays! so do be warned. I tend to travel from
Essex via the 'back roads' through villages. I would suggest
taking a sat nav.
Luton Airport is well signposted on the major routes, so finding
the terminal building and short stay car park really is a case
of reading the road signs.
Getting to Stephens Green is a little trickier.
Coming from Luton Airport travelling north to south, you
should head towards Wheathamstead via the B653 road. As
you continue along this road you will ass under a very tall
railway bridge around a very tight bend, continue for another
few hundred metres and on your right you'll see West Hyde Road
and the Thames Water Treatment works. Immediately on your left
is the road you need to take, there's a small sign showing
"Stephens Green" You will now be on the Chiltern Green Road.
Coming from Wheathamstead towards Luton Airport you are
travelling on the Lower Harpenden B653 to Luton. Keep travelling
on this long winding road, you'll come to a point where on your
left there is a river, then as you travel around the next bend
you;ll see the Thames Water treatment works on the left.
Immediately on the right is the road you need to take there's a
small sign showing "Stephens Green" You will now be on the
Chiltern Green Road.
Once on the Chiltern Green Road you'll need to continue driving
for about 10 minutes, you'll pass under a railway bridge and the
road ascends and it really is a country road - fields either
side and goes for a while! Eventually you'll get to more wooded
areas, continue following the road around until you reach a
junction the sign reads Chiltern Green Leading to Dane Street
also Breachwood Green is signposted here. Follow this road
you'll see a large house on the right and a junction in the
road, carry straight on and within a couple of minutes you're
there!
For maps and additional information I would suggest this
excellent resource
Plane-Mad.com |
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You will need a ladder to be high enough to see over the
fence in most places, however a couple of points closest to the
crash gate you could just about see over the fence if on tip
toes! Luton has a very good fence namely that is has holes large
enough to put a lens through so should enable pictures to be
taken. However as always you must stay well back from the
fences.
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Spotting at Luton
4K |
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Example Videos from London Luton Airport |
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#PrettyInPink describes
the livery of Wizz Air Hungary. Hopefully you'll
enjoy the video with both old and new liveries. |
Here's some up close 4K
action with a variety of airlines and aircraft at
London Luton Airport with some operators such as
Monarch, not longer operating. |
On 2 October 2017
Monarch Airlines ceased trading. It was the UK's
longest continually operating airline brand and had
built a loyal following from it's early charter
days. This tribue features some old photos, old cine
film of a Bristol Britannia from 1972 and a mixture
of captures from over the years. A sad end to a
historic British Airline |
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