Manchester Boston Regional Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: New Hampshire |
| Manchester-Boston Regional Airport | |
| Location | Manchester, New Hampshire |
| IATA code | MHT |
| ICAO code | KMHT |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.flymanchester.com |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 121.3 |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Clearance | 135.9 |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | 119.55 |
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is the fourth-largest airport in New England and is located about 3 miles south of the city.
Official Spotting Locations
Observation Deck
There is an observation deck within the airport terminal before the security checkpoints on the second floor. The observation deck has a perfect view of Runway 35/17 when it is in use. You can also see the gates. Gates 11-15 serve Southwest, Gate 10 is usually never in use, while Gates 9-7 houses American Airlines and American Eagle, and gates 6-4 are used by Delta and Delta Connection. Gate 3 is also visible, but is not seen with any airline using it. You also have a great view of the cargo apron, where FedEx planes are, and you will also be able to see the UPS planes located across from gates 3-1.
Aviation Museum of New Hampshire
The aviation museum gives a perfect opportunity to see planes using Runway 35/17, and is also great to view aircraft very close when using taxiway Hotel, via Echo. There is a fence that can obstruct the view of aircraft taxiing. You can go near the fence, but be wary of passing security cars as they may stop and ask you to back away from the fence, though this is extremely rare, as they will usually just pass without any problems.
Other Spotting Locations
Aviation Museum Parking Lot
There is a small parking lot at the Aviation Museum, located at the end of Kelly Ave. It offers a view at the terminal and the approach of runway 35 if in use. You need a ladder because of the high fence and the taxiway A which is lower as the runway. There also are rocks you can stand on to see over the fence.
Triangle Plaza
This place is off of S. Willow Street and is a perfect area to see Runway 24/6 landings and takeoffs. The best part about this area is that you are at the end of Runway 24, where if the airplanes are using, is the perfect place to take photos of waiting aircraft. It's also the best because you can see the plane come in high and close. Also, during the afternoon and evening, lighting is very favorable here. Unlike 35/17, Runway 6/24 is sometimes used if winds are going in the directions that the runway is facing. Bigger planes like 767 and 737-800 can land on this runway, but mostly use 35/17. If you want some close action, the Triangle Plaza is the place to go. It's also a good place for some night spotting.
Harvey Road
Harvey road has one spotting location, and it is across from Runway 35. There is a side road, called Planeview Dr., where you can park and see some action on 35. Although this location is a little far from the runway, you will still get some good views on planes taking off, holding short, or landing.
Ammon Drive
Ammon Dr. provides a great area for Taxiway Mike and Mike 1 [M, M1] and as well as Runway 6. This is where you can also view Gates 1 and 2 where United operates out of. The spot is on long term Parking Lot C. If you want to planespot here, you must enter Lot C. Luckily, you only have to pay for daily and weekly prices. It's unknown about Hourly parking.
Baggage Claim Area A
The baggage claim in the far north of the terminal gives spotters a view of Gates 1, 4, 5, and 6. This is the closest you can get. The closest is to Gates 4, 5, and 6, and while Gate 4 is not used, you'll be able to see Delta jets parked at their gates. You'll be able to see a Delta MD-88 parked if you arrive at the same time. You will also get to see a United jet or prop if you arrive at the right time, and a glimpse of Runway 6 and taxiway Mike. There will be employees in the area, so have an ID and a reason if approached.
Locations to Avoid
Airport Road
Airport Rd. has a small parking space used by taxis near the fence, though it's highly recommend not to spot here, as there are police patrolling since it's where people pick up/drop off relatives or friends, This spot has an amazing view of Gates 1 and 2. Unless both gates are empty, you will see either a United ERJ-145, E170, or Dash 8 Q200/300. You will also get some views of Taxiway Mike. If the airplanes are directed to taxi to Runway 6, this is the best place to see the aircraft taxiing to the runway very close. It's not recommend to spot here, so do so at your own risk. You may be approached by a police officer if you stay there for some time and asked what you are doing. If this happens, have an ID and a good reason ready. You can spot here, but do so at your own risk, and don't stay there for too long, or the police will get suspicious of you.
Delta Drive
Harvey Road continues until it reaches an intersection where Harvey Road takes a left. If you continue, you will be on Pettengill Rd. If you turn left, you continue onto Harvey Rd. The moment you see another road to your left, and a small road that goes in a small circle, that is Delta Dr. Delta Dr. has a small round road that has a perfect view down Runway 35. This used to be a wonderful spot, especially to catch 35 landings. Unfortunately, due to an excess of activity not related to planespotting in the area, you are no longer allowed to park there, and it is strongly suggested that you avoid it entirely.
Regular Traffic
Morning Rush Hour
The morning rush hour lasts from 5AM to 10AM, where most of the flights will leave and arrive, and where you will catch the heavies departing (Fedex with the 767-200F, A310F, and 757-200F, and UPS with the 762F, A310F, and 752F). Southwest will mostly depart from these hours first. Then Amercian, Delta, and lastly United Airlines, though this varies. It will be quiet from 11:30pm to 1:56pm, where very little action will occurs, and you may see some general aviation aircraft takeoff or land at this time. You may also see some aircraft parked at their gates in the terminal, though it's usually empty.
The best spots to view the morning rush hour is from the Observation Deck or the Aviation Museum.
Afternoon Rush Hour
The afternoon rush hour lasts from 2PM to 10PM, where the first airline to arrive is usually Southwest. Then comes American Airlines/American Eagle, United, and Delta. UPS and FedEx will arrive in between the arrivals of Southwest and Delta. This is where afternoon takeoffs also happen. The airport will again be quiet from 11pm to 5am with very little to no activity. Most of the airliners will be at their gates, waiting for the morning rush hour to begin.
Airport Hours
The Manchester-Boston regional Airport is open 24/7. The airport has a reputation for never surrendering to bad wether, usually during blizzards, snowstorms, and Thunderstorms. The airport only closed once on 9/11.
Airport Diversions
It's rare, but diversions into MHT do occur, and it's the time when unscheduled landings occurs where spotting becomes fun. If a snow storm or other weather related event hits the east coast (BOS, JFK, LGA, DCA, and IAD) those flights will divert into Manchester. Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine is usually preferred because of its 11,440ft long runway, but sometimes, MHT is chosen to be used if no other option is available. The largest airplane to have been diverted into Manchetser is an Airbus A330 operated by Delta that diverted from Amsterdam.