Washington - Reagan National

1Gravelly Point

Gravelly Point must be one of the most famous spotting places in the United States. From here you can see the famous River Visual Approach to runway 19. Also, from this spot you can pretty much see every single movement at the airport. If runway 19 is in use you can take pictures of arriving traffic. A 150 mm lens is more than enough to take pictures of every arriving aircraft. This place like any other photography locations at DCA is good from noon until dark. If they are using runway 19 you can shoot in the morning (during summer) but only airplanes taxing and turning to the runway. Park Police and Airport Police are making regular rounds through the parking lot. Most of the time you will not be bothered, but be ready to be questioned and have some kind of identification document with you all the time.

To get to Gravelly Point from any location you will have to pass the airport. Go on George Washington Parkway towards North, pass the airport and continue straight. GP is located approximately 1 mile north of the terminal building. If you miss the exit you will have to make a loop again. Also you can get to GP using public transportation (kind of). Take Metro’s Yellow or Blue line and exit at Ronald Reagan National Airport station. Walk to the terminal, go to lower level, and exit the building at US Airways baggage claim. Walking time from the terminal to GP should take no more than 10 minutes.

On the weekend GP tends to have very heavy volume of people, and it is very hard to find a parking space. When parking is full, police will come and barricade the entrance. The best advice is to arrive early. So if you are planning on spending more than a few hours at GP, bring water and food. There are no vendors selling refreshments. The park is equipped with three portable toilets.

2Terminal C

From the balcony at the end of Terminal C you can take pictures of airplanes landing on runway 19 and 15 and also departures from runway 1. This spot gives you general overview of US Airways Express ramp and several US Airways gates. You will need at least 400 mm lens (effective) for this spot (to get aircraft on the runway 19, or departing from runway 1), from about 1 pm. Keep in mind that in summer month's heat haze can be a problem. To get to this place just walk towards US Airways check-in counters, and at the end of the terminal exit the building. You will see small area resembling garden with few benches.

3Terminal B/C

This place is good for photographers and spotters. It is located in the middle of Terminal B/C (you don’t need to pass security check point to be there). Look for Delta and American gates (AA gates should be on your left hand side and DL gates on your right). That area has chairs right next to the windows. Pick your spot and enjoy spotting and photography. If you are planning on spending some time at this location you should inform Airport Police about your existence (police officers patrol the terminal building all the time). You will need at about 300 mm for this spot (to get aircraft on the runway 19, or departing from runway 1) and normal to wide-angle for aircraft pulling into the gates. Just like spot 2 photography is best after 1 pm.

4Terminal B

The balcony at the end of Terminal B is similar to spot 2 (see above), but located on the opposite side of Terminal building overlooking Continental gates, at the beginning of Terminal B. It features exactly the same garden-like area. Good for photography in the afternoon and an excellent vintage point for arrivals on runway 1, 4 and 33. You will need at least a 250 mm lens to get most of the stuff that taxies in front of you and 400 mm plus for action on runway 1.
An alternative spot seems to be the renovated original terminal of 1940 which now acts as a link between Terminals B/C and the new Terminal A to the south. This area is fairly quiet with chairs looking out through the panoramic windows towards the river - ideal no matter which is the landing direction. The original outside terrace is still there but no longer accessible...

5Marina

The Marina is good for north arrivals (on runway 1), or if they are using runway 19 for departures, you can get nice photos with the US Capitol building or DC Monument in the background. You will need at least 400mm. The Marina is located too far for registration spotters. This area has two restaurants, vending machines and bathroom facilities. You can grab cheap (but good) food, have a beer and enjoy entire afternoon spotting/photographing. To get to this location you have to drive (3 minutes) or walk for about 25 minutes from the terminal. To get there take George Washington Parkway south towards Mt. Vernon. Drive on GW Parkway and take left exit to Marina Drive. Park your car in designated space (free parking) and walk towards boat docks or restaurant. Be aware that spotters are often asked to move on from the boat docking area and even from the restaurant.