Spotting at Liverpool Airport: The Complete Guide ✈️
If you’re looking for an easy and relaxed place to enjoy plane spotting in the North West, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL/EGGP) is a solid choice. Compact, friendly, and just minutes from the city, it’s the kind of airport where you can park up, grab your camera, and start spotting within minutes.
You won’t find A380s or long-haul heavies here, but what Liverpool lacks in scale, it makes up for in accessibility and atmosphere. Between the steady stream of low-cost flights, daily training circuits from the on-site flight school, and the Red Arrows occasionally basing here during local airshows, there’s always something worth catching through the lens
Airport Preview — Liverpool Airport
At a glance scores for spotters. All categories are rated out of 5 stars.
What You’ll See
Liverpool’s traffic may be modest, but it’s diverse enough to keep things interesting — from short-haul shuttles to weekly military visitors.
Everyday traffic: A steady rhythm of Ryanair 737-800s, easyJet A320s, Wizz Air A320s, and Jet2 737-800sserving destinations across Europe.
Flight training: The airport is home to the Ravenair flight school, which operates daily training circuits with light aircraft and small turboprop trainers. These are a constant feature throughout the week and add plenty of variety and background activity, especially around the general aviation apron.
Bizjets: With several Premier League clubs nearby, expect regular business jet movements — particularly around home fixtures, transfer deadlines, and European matches.
Military & visitors: On average, expect around one military visitor a week — often RAF A400Ms, Voyagers, C-130s, or Atlas training approaches. You’ll also spot BAE Hawks and Texan T1s from Valley or Cranwell performing circuits or low passes.
Airshow weekends: When local events like the Southport Airshow are on, the Red Arrows and other display teams often use Liverpool as their operating base, giving rare close-up views of fast jets.
Special moments: VIP flights, football team charters, and one-off deliveries keep the airport unpredictable — perfect for tracking and logging on Have I Seen It.
Spots to visit
LPL Viewing Area (Flying School / Ravenair)
Located beside the Ravenair flying school and general aviation apron, this is Liverpool’s most accessible and official viewing area. It overlooks Runway 09/27, offering clear views of aircraft taxiing, lining up, and departing — plus plenty of GA activity from the flying school.
There’s a free on-site car park, making it easy to drop in for a short or long session. Several small grassy mounds along the fence provide slightly elevated views perfect for photography.
Speke Hall Airport Viewing point
A quiet but scenic location beside the historic Speke Hall estate, near the threshold of Runway 09. The public footpath along the field gives clear views of aircraft on short final, with the River Mersey providing a distinctive backdrop. It’s a peaceful alternative to the main viewing area and great for approach photos when Runway 09 is in use.
Facilities for Spotters
Liverpool doesn’t have any dedicated facilities for spotters, so a little preparation goes a long way.
At the viewing area: The LPL Viewing Area near the flying school offers a free car park, grassy mounds, and clear visibility along the fence — but no shelter, café, or toilets. Bring your own food, drink, and waterproofs if you plan to stay for a while.
Accommodation: The Hampton by Hilton opposite the terminal is the nearest hotel for overnight visits, though it doesn’t offer runway views.
Food & drink: A short drive away, Speke Hall Avenue and the New Mersey retail park have cafés, restaurants, and takeaways for refuelling between sessions.
Parking: Parking at the viewing area is free — just make sure not to block access to hangars or GA entrances.
Practical Tips
Liverpool’s a great airport for spontaneous spotting — easy to access, rarely crowded, and simple to navigate — but there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out.
Best time to visit: Mornings are ideal for Runway 27 arrivals, while afternoons work best for Runway 09 departures.
Lighting: The Mersey coastline can make lighting tricky — sun direction changes quickly, so check conditions before setting up for long sessions.
Traffic peaks: Ryanair’s early-morning and late-evening waves bring the most action, with occasional bizjets or military visitors popping in during the afternoon.
Weather: Liverpool can be windy and exposed, especially around the viewing area — bring layers and something waterproof.
Tools: Use Have I Seen It → Airport Movements before you go to see what’s due. You’ll often catch Texans, Hawks, or A400Ms that aren’t on public trackers.
Transport: The airport is around 7 miles from Liverpool city centre. Buses 80A, 82A, and 86A run frequently, and taxis or rideshares take about 20 minutes from central Liverpool.
Driving: Parking at the viewing area is free, but spaces can fill quickly on weekends — arrive early if something special’s expected.
Community Insights
Liverpool’s spotting community might be smaller than Manchester’s, but it’s one of the friendliest around. You’ll often find a few regulars at the LPL Viewing Area or Speke Hall field, chatting through radios, swapping reg notes, and keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
Despite the lighter traffic, Liverpool has a strong local following — many spotters here have been logging aircraft since the airport’s early days as Speke Airport, when Viscounts, BAC One-Elevens, and even Concorde flypasts were part of the story.
Today, the community keeps that spirit alive through forums, Facebook groups, and platforms like Have I Seen It, where Liverpool sightings continue to build a picture of what’s moving through the North West. It’s not about volume — it’s about the people, the nostalgia, and the thrill of catching something rare when it turns up.
How We Scored Liverpool (Why the Ratings Above Make Sense)
⭐ Overall — 3.0/5
Liverpool’s a small, friendly regional airport that delivers more than you’d expect — easy access, a welcoming community, and just enough variety to keep you coming back.
✈️ Aircraft Variety — 3.0/5
Mostly Ryanair 737s, easyJet and Wizz Air A320s, and Jet2 737s, with a regular trickle of bizjets and weekly military visitors like A400Ms, Texans, or Hawks. The Red Arrows using Liverpool as a temporary base during nearby airshows adds a rare bit of excitement.
📸 Photography Potential — 3.0/5
Speke Hall and the LPL Viewing Area both offer clean angles if you time the light right, but you’ll need to work around fences, changing sun positions, and limited shelter. When conditions line up, though, Liverpool can deliver surprisingly good shots.
☕ Facilities & Comfort — 1.5/5
No shelters, no café, and no toilets at the viewing area — it’s basic, DIY spotting. The free parking and small grassy mounds are welcome, but come prepared for the elements.
🚆 Accessibility & Transport — 4.0/5
Liverpool’s biggest advantage is how easy it is to reach. Public transport runs frequently, parking is free and close, and both main spotting locations are within minutes of the terminal.
