Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada’s busiest airport and a fantastic place for plane spotting. With a steady flow of domestic, international, and cargo flights, it offers a diverse mix of aircraft and plenty of opportunities for aviation enthusiasts to capture great shots.
A Brief History of Pearson Airport
Originally known as Malton Airport, Toronto Pearson was renamed in honor of Lester B. Pearson, Canada’s 14th Prime Minister. It has grown into a major North American hub, handling over 50 million passengers annually. Today, it is the primary gateway to Canada, with flights from all over the world.
Airlines and Aircraft You’ll See
Photo (c) Caribb
As the main hub for Air Canada, Pearson sees plenty of their aircraft, from the Airbus A220 to the Boeing 777. It is also a key airport for Porter Airlines, WestJet and Flair Airlines, along with major international carriers like British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Expect to see a variety of aircraft, from regional jets to widebodies, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and even the occasional Boeing 747 freighter. Cargo operators such as FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Prime Air also bring in heavy freighters like the Boeing 767 and MD-11.
Toronto Airport Layout
Pearson has a straightforward layout with two main terminals and multiple runways:
- Runways: The airport has 5 runways, arranged in both parallel and intersecting configurations.
- Terminals:
- Terminal 1 – Primarily used by Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners.
- Terminal 3 – Home to WestJet, international carriers, and other non-Star Alliance airlines.
Best Plane Spotting Locations at Toronto YYZ
- Threshold of Runway 23
- To the north east of the airport is the Park ‘n’ Fly parking lot. It is located off Carlingview Rd. You can walk up and down this road to find the best angle and position.
- Best for: This is a good place to watch and photograph arrivals onto runway 24R at close range.
- Dixie Road
- Dixie Rd runs past the south western side of the airport, passing close to the end of runway 05. Near where the road crosses Derry Rd you can park up, then head back along the road for some great arrivals shots. You can’t see other parts of the airport from here.
- Best for: Arrival shots of aircraft landing on runway 05.
- FedEx Cargo Area
- Near the cargo terminals, this location provides views of freighter operations.
- Best for: Spotting cargo aircraft like the MD-11 and Boeing 777F.
- Danville Park
- A popular and official plane spotting location further south-west of the airport, with elevated views of aircraft approaching Runway 05/23.
- Best for: Afternoon spotting with great lighting.
The distant view of the airport from Danville Park. Photo (c) Harvey K
Tips for Spotting at Toronto Pearson
- Security Awareness: Always stay in designated public areas and follow local regulations.
- Best Times for Spotting: Morning and late afternoon offer the best lighting for photography.
- Apps & Scanners: Use FlightRadar24 to track arrivals and LiveATC for listening to air traffic control.
Have you been plane spotting at Toronto Pearson? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Title image: Joe Carr
