O’Hare Chicago Plane Spotting Locations ORD
November 22, 2024
Where I Photographed Planes At Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Concert photography is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening. Aviation photography is one of my favorite ways to spend a day. Some may consider it nerdy, while others might find it boring, but I find it incredibly calming and relaxing. I absolutely love the smells, sounds, and visuals of aviation. Plane spotting different models of planes, diverse liveries, airlines, and airports excites me and creates a thrilling, fun experience. Chicago plane spotting continues to meet my expectations.
In the summer of 2024, I traveled to Chicago to attend two Metallica concerts at Soldier Field. While there, I spent 10 hours plane spotting at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. I always make sure to do things the right way, respecting all rules and regulations. Permission to enter an area has to be granted sometime. I take the time to check signs and guidelines. Ensuring I don’t do anything that could jeopardize this location for others is important. This allows me to be relaxed and to focus on photographing the biggest and best airplanes arriving and departing O’Hare.
What To Watch For When Photographing Planes
My plane-spotting adventure began with a visit to the cargo terminal. I parked in a lot near the security gate, but a security guard told me to leave because the lot was reserved for individuals with airport passes. Realizing my mistake, I moved on and continued my search for a good spot. After driving around a few parking lots, I finally found a place in the FedEx parking lot near the cargo terminal. From there, I only had to walk 50 feet to the fence along one of the runways. I spent about two hours photographing planes as they took off, capturing stunning shots of them lifting off just a few hundred feet away. Watching them soar into the sky and make their departure left me with an unforgettable experience.
On another outing, I visited an office complex near a flight path where a wedding was taking place. Despite the lack of parking signs, I parked and watched planes fly just 700 feet overhead as they neared the runway. I spent hours observing flights, though none were large airplanes that day. The event center proved an ideal Chicago O’Hare plane-spotting spot for evening arrivals. With planes only seconds from landing, preparation is key to getting good shots.
For my next adventure, I headed to a Rivers Casino near O’Hare. Parking garages are often a great way to get a better vantage point. I didn’t stay long, though, as I had a feeling security might approach, even though no signs forbade photography. After a brief photography session, I took some time to try my luck inside the casino. This was a less than ideal location for plane spotting. It was too far from the arrivals to make it worth the trouble. (see the photo above)
My Favorite Location For Chicago Plane Spotting
My favorite spot was a gravel driveway at the west end of runway 28C, which several O’Hare plane spotters recommended. This recommended plan spotting location, open to the public, offered an incredible vantage point with planes flying directly overhead as they took off. Sitting atop a hill, I watched the planes and took in the sweeping view of O’Hare, making it the perfect way to spend my day. It is so peaceful and quiet at this spot, that the planes are almost quiet when arriving.
So far, in all my times plane spotting aviation at Chicago O’Hare, I have yet to photograph departures from this location.
After returning home, I joined the O’Hare Airport Watch plane spotting and neighborhood watch organization to gain special access to the airport a few times a year. This membership ensures that my plane spotting trips to Chicago are official and gives me legitimacy when photographing there. I’m eager to continue this experience and to see what cool experiences I might enjoy.
This is the first official plane spotting group or organization I have joined.
