The 11th installment of our annual fall planespotting event, #SpotLAX2024 is just 2 weeks away. Here’s all the information you will need to make the most of this exciting event!
First off, a note on activities. SpotLAX was initially conceived as an informal gathering of planespotters, and that spirit largely remains today. It’s an event where groups of friends both new and old gather to chat, enjoy the aviation ambiance, and take photos. We want all to feel welcomed at SpotLAX, especially our new attendees. Please feel free to jump in and join the conversation. While some of us may gather like we’re old friends who haven’t seen each other in a year, we all look forward to meeting new faces each year as much as we enjoy seeing old ones.
Once again this year, JetTip will be free for LAX the entire weekend so you can keep tabs on the best aircraft to arrive and depart. Also, make sure you grab an aircraft checklist from JetTip’s Nick Benson. Its a fun way to keep track of all the different airlines and aircraft types you see this weekend.
If you have any questions during the weekend, just ask one of our SpotLAX Ambassadors. Check back soon for more information on who they are and how to find them.
Notices
Any updates we make as #SpotLAX2024 approaches will be posted here,
You can join our email newsletter for updates during the weekend and about future events.
New this year, we now have a SpotLAX WhatsApp Chat! Join here!
Getting Around
In addition to rental cars, taxis, and private rideshare services, there are a couple other options to get around the LAX area. A couple of bus routes offer low cost transportation from the LAX Transit Center to various locations around the airport. There is also an inexpensive public rideshare option. Check out our new LAX Public Transportation page for a summary.
Popular Spotting Locations Around LAX
There are several popular spotting locations around LAX. Details on many of them can be found in our recently updated LAX Spotting Guide.
Not in the guide is the roof deck at the H Hotel Los Angeles, home of our room block this year as well as the Rooftop Spotting Party on Friday evening. 
The elevated view from the roof deck on the 12th floor of the H Hotel is hard to beat. Arrivals on Runway 24R are nearly level with you as they approach the runway. You also have an excellent overhead view of Runway 24L and can see down the length of the runway. Though often backlit, there are also views of arrivals and departures on the south side of the airport. You’ll want at least a 300mm to 400mm lens up here. An even longer lens can work as well. The photo to the left was taken with an almost fully extended Sigma 150-600mm lens.
Access to the roof deck is reserved for hotel guests. They may have day passes available, inquire at the front desk. There are restrooms on the 12th floor. There is a coffee shop and a bar on the first floor, as well as a Subway outside the rear entrance.
Events
Friday, September 13
6:30am – 4:00pm: Spotting All Day!
Enjoy the various spotting locations around LAX. Meet up with friends and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the airport. The Flight Path Museum on Imperial Highway near Qantas Cargo is open from noon until 4:00pm. The H Overlook roof deck at the H Hotel opens for guests at 6:30am.
4:00pm – 9:00pm: SOLD OUT #SpotLAX2024 Rooftop Spotting Party
Returning for its second year is the Friday evening Rooftop Spotting Party. It will be held on the roof of the H Hotel Los Angeles (6151 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045). This event is open to all and gives the perfect opportunity to meet new friends, renew friendships and with the ambiance of landing and taking off aircraft in the background, spend an evening talking all subjects aviation. This is a ticketed event that is sold out. Registration will open at 3:30pm.
Saturday, September 9
6:30am – 11:00am: Morning Spotting
Enjoy that golden early morning light! Cargo and flights from Australia are the highlights of the first hour. Flights from Asia and South America are highlights of the rest of the morning.
9:00am – 11:00am: Cranky Dorkfest Ramp Visit
Returning for its second year is the ramp visit at the Flight Path Museum. Unlike last year, there is no hard cap on registrations, however they reserve the right to add a limit should it be required. You can find more info and sign up here.
11:00am: Cranky Dorkfest
Crankyflier’s annual Cranky Dorkfest will be held at In-n-Out Burger (9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045). A chance to meet up with all the weekend’s attendees with aircraft of all sizes buzzing overhead. For more details on Cranky Dorkfest, head on over to Crankyflier.com
1:00pm – 6:30pm: Afternoon Spotting
Pick the location of your choice around LAX. You’re sure to run into some other spotters while you’re there.
6:30pm – 8:30pm: Annual Dinner and Raffle
By popular demand, we’ve once again reserved the patio behind The Proud Bird for this year’s dinner. Order in person or online from the wide range of food and beverage options their food hall format has to offer. Our raffle will include JetTip and FlightRadar24 memberships, and items from Jetset Shirts, among others. The Proud Bird is open until 9pm on Saturday evening.
8:00pm – 10:00pm: LAX After Dark
Grab your tripod and your fast lenses, and enjoy one of the most photogenic airports at night! Imperial Hill, In-N-Out Burger, and the H Hotel Roof Deck all provide great and varied opportunities for nighttime photography.
Sunday, September 10th
6:30am – 9:00am: Early Morning Spotting
Catch your favorite arrivals from Asia, Australia, South America, and more!
9:00am – 11:00am: Donuts on the Hill, Sponsored by JetTip
This perennial favorite returns! Head on over to Imperial Hill (aka Clutters Park) for coffee and a donut or two from the world famous Randy’s Donuts. We thank JetTip for once again sponsoring this event.
11:00am – 5:30pm: Afternoon spotting and farewells
Enjoy a quieter afternoon of spotting around LAX.
5:30pm – 7:30pm: Straggler Meetup at the Westchester Parkway Bridge
For those who haven’t departed yet, join us at one of our favorite LAX spots: the Westchester Parkway Bridge over Lincoln Blvd.
Please keep an eye on this post for other exciting events that will become part of the weekend festivities. Please remember to use the hashtag #SpotLAX2024 on any social media posts so we can share them.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Los Angeles For SpotLAX!!
