There are many reasons why I feel fortunate to have grown up in the 80s and 90s.
We were the last generation to experience life without the Internet and social media. Today’s kids will never know what it’s like to spend the entire day outside – parents unaware of your whereabouts – only to come inside once the street lights turned on. Going out with friends meant great music, $1/gallon gas, and a Big Mac value meal that cost $2.59.
While all that was great, what stands out the most for this avgeek is the quality of planespotting back then. It didn’t matter if you were at a mid-size airport or a major hub – chances are, you’d see a varied display of metal. Gone are the days when something other than narrowbody Boeings and Airbuses dominated the skies.
That’s why I was thrilled to visit one of the world’s most amazing places to watch planes – the famous In-N-Out Burger near LAX. During a recent trip to California, I had some time to kill, and I just knew I had to visit this renowned avgeek paradise.
The LAX In-N-Out is Mere Feet from the End of Runway 24R
Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the eastern end of Runway 24R at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), this spot offers a level of planespotting that few places in the world can match.
I was excited to spend a few hours on a busy Saturday afternoon watching a neverending flow of jetliners of all sizes arriving and departing. In typical Southern California style, the weather was stunning. Sunny with a light westerly breeze, visibility over ten miles, and a temperature of 76 degrees F. Perfection! Off the western end of the airport property, I could make out the stubborn marine layer that had recently completed its daily retreat back to the Pacific after a cloudy morning.
Getting There
Getting to the LAX In-N-Out was relatively easy on a Saturday afternoon. Traffic wasn’t horrible, and I found a fantastic parking spot right in the restaurant lot.
You’ll find the restaurant at 9149 South Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles. I approached from the south via the 405 and the 105, offering great views of the sprawling airfield. To my right were the cargo ramps for Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, FedEx, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, DHL, China Airlines, and Air France. The 105 led me to Highway 1, which then took me underneath Runways 25L and 25R – the two southernmost runways at LAX. (Sidenote: If you were to continue straight on the 105, it turns into E. Imperial Ave. Clutters Park is on the southwest side of LAX along E. Imperial Ave. in El Segundo. It is another excellent spot to watch planes with an unobstructed airfield view. It can get crowded, so be sure to secure your spot early in the day!)
Enjoy a Burger and Unbelievable Views
After I found my premium parking spot, I scoped out the landscape while my wife ordered us lunch (a Double Double for me – no mustard – and a Diet Coke). The restaurant was packed. But I wasn’t interested in being inside. Outside, there is ample seating, including bench seats and umbrellas. We secured a seat and enjoyed our lunch while watching the planes land. However, I wanted to be even closer to the action. Across W. 92nd St. from the In-N-Out is a nicely maintained city park full of grass, sidewalks, and beautiful trees. Best of all, you get unimaginably close views of arriving aircraft as they are mere seconds from touching down.
A Diverse List of Arrivals
One of the things that I love about this particular spot is the diversity of equipment that LAX receives. It is truly a sight to behold. Sure, airports like Hartsfield, DFW, and O’Hare are consistently busy and have many spotting opportunities. But the quality of metal you see coming into LAX simply cannot be surpassed.
From narrowbody Boeing 737s and Airbus A220s to massive behemoths such as Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s, I am pretty sure I saw every type of equipment in the three hours I spent here.
The most frequent visitors were Delta and Southwest narrowbodies. However, peppered between WN and DL arrivals were heavies from the world over. Some of the arrivals included:
Singapore Airlines | Boeing 777-300ER | Origin: Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Air France | Boeing 777-300ER | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
American Airlines | Boeing 787-8 | Tokyo Haneda (HND)
British Airways | Boeing 777-300ER | London Heathrow (LHR)
Lufthansa | Boeing 747-8 | Frankfurt (FRA)
Qatar Airways | Airbus A350-1000 | Doha (DOH)
SAS | Airbus A350-900 | Copenhagen (CPH)
Qantas | Airbus A380-800 | Sydney (SYD)
LOT Polish Airlines | Boeing 787-9 | Warsaw (WAW)
Norse Atlantic | Boeing 787-9 | London Gatwick (LGW)
American Airlines | Boeing 777-300ER | London Heathrow (LHR)
Virgin Atlantic | Boeing 787-9 | London Heathrow (LHR)
Emirates | Airbus A380-800 | Dubai (DXB)
Calling it a Day
As plane after plane flew in, it was hard to know when to call it a day. Further complicating my decision, my flight tracking app showed hours upon hours of scheduled heavy arrivals, which I would love to see. It was indeed a conundrum for the ages.
My wife, who had returned to the car for a snooze by now, said we could hang out here all day if I wanted. However, I knew this was wifespeak for “I don’t want to stay too long.”
Despite visually confirming several heavies on the downwind for 24R, I had to bite the bullet and walk back to the car.
As I did so, I felt grateful for the opportunity to cross such a significant item off of my avgeek bucket list. Spending an afternoon gawking over these beautiful engineering marvels is 100% my idea of a good time. I was especially thankful (and I may have gotten a tear in my eye) to see the ever-more-rare Queen of the Skies—the Boeing 747. That aircraft represents everything I love about aviation and takes me back to a nostalgic longing for a time when the world was just…simpler.
The Best Time to Visit the LAX In-N-Out
To make the most of your planespotting experience, timing can be crucial. Here are some tips to help you plan your visit:
- Peak Hours: LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, with a constant flow of aircraft. However, peak hours for activity typically occur in the late morning and early afternoon. During these times, you can expect to see various aircraft types, from small regional jets (a rarity nowadays) to massive international airliners.
- Arrive Early: Arriving early can help you secure a good spot, especially during peak hours when the area can get crowded.
- Weather Conditions: Clear skies and good weather enhance the viewing experience. Southern California is known for its sunny climate, but it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before heading out. Luckily, the prevailing westerlies coming off the Pacific are pretty consistent, thus ensuring the almost constant use of Runway 24R. However, if there is an easterly breeze, consider visiting Clutters Park.
- Special Events: Occasionally, LAX hosts special events or receives visits from rare or unique aircraft. Keeping an eye on aviation forums and social media can help you stay informed about upcoming events that might interest you.
A Word About Photography
For those interested in photography, be aware that it is a challenge to capture the perfect shot here because you are simply too close to the aircraft. That said, it is not impossible.
- Equipment: A good DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens will allow you to capture detailed shots of planes as they take off and land. However, even a smartphone can yield impressive results with the proper technique (I shot all the photos seen here on an iPhone 15).
- Angles and Composition: Experiment with different angles and compositions to create dynamic and interesting photos. The low altitude of the planes provides a unique perspective, and the iconic In-N-Out sign can add a distinctive element to your shots. Unfortunately, backlighting is an issue for most of the day. You may need to play around with your settings or during editing for the proper lighting.
- Timing: Patience is key. Wait for the right moment when the plane is perfectly aligned with the runway or the background to capture the most dramatic images.
Planespotting at the LAX In-N-Out is a Must-Do Experience for Every Avgeek
As a kid, I remember visiting airports around me, including Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), Buffalo-Niagara International (BUF), Pittsburgh International (PIT), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). It wasn’t unusual to see all sorts of varied equipment types at those airports, especially at Pearson. But as fleets have become more vanilla in the new century – particularly post-COVID – planespotting just isn’t what it used to be.
At the LAX In-N-Out Burger, it is. It is like stepping back in time when planespotting used to be something glorious.
So, if whiffing jet fuel and enjoying the thunderous roar of jet engines while ingesting a delicious Double Double sounds like a fantastic way to spend a sunny SoCal afternoon, do yourself a favor and do it. It is a sensory experience unlike any other, and I firmly believe that no avgeek should go to their grave without having had this experience.
