Owais Crawford
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a bustling hub for aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters alike. With its rich history of innovations, it was the first airport to feature an air traffic control tower and a two-level design separating arrivals from departures. While the airport offers exciting opportunities for plane spotting, it is also a hotspot for memorable events, such as the wing-clipping incident between two planes in May 2024. For those seeking the best locations to watch planes at Hopkins Airport, there are several options to consider, each providing unique views and experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport |
| Location | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Runways | 3 |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Concourses | 4 (1 mothballed) |
| Cargo Facilities | FedEx, UPS |
| Viewing Areas | Terminal Parking Garage, Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel, Aerospace Parkway |
| Historical Significance | First airport with an air traffic control tower, first ground-to-air radio control system, first airfield lighting system, first two-level terminal design, first direct connection to a rail transit system |
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What You'll Learn
Terminal Parking Garage
The CLE Smart Parking Garage is the most technologically advanced parking garage at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, with a guidance system and direct bridges into the airport's terminals. Security officers patrol the garage 24 hours a day, and white courtesy telephones are located in the elevator lobby of Floors 2-5. Smarte Cartes can be found in the elevator lobby on Levels 1 and 3. The garage offers both short and long-term parking rates, with the first three hours free and $6 per hour thereafter.
The CLE Smart Parking Garage is one of six on-site parking options at the airport, which also include the Red Lot, Blue Lot, and Orange Lot. The Orange Lot is connected to the CLE Smart Parking Garage via a skywalk and offers direct, covered access to the terminal. The Blue Lot is located just north of the terminal, across from the Sheraton Hotel, and has a daily minimum rate of $23.00. The Orange Lot has a daily minimum rate of $20.00. The Brown Lot is located further away, to the east of Terminal A, and requires a shuttle service.
There are also several off-site parking options near the airport, which are generally cheaper. These include Parkobility, which offers daily rates starting at $3.95.
In addition to the existing parking options, a new parking garage with spaces for 6,000 cars is planned to be built on the site of the current Orange Lot. This is part of a $1.1 billion project to construct a new airport terminal, which is expected to open in 2032. The new terminal will be built on the site of the current CLE Smart Parking Garage.
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Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
The hotel offers a unique experience for aviation enthusiasts, as guests staying on the top floors can enjoy a view of the terminal concourses and gates. Additionally, aircraft approaching from the northeast can also be briefly spotted. Unfortunately, the designated viewing deck at the hotel has been closed due to increased security measures implemented after 9/11.
Cleveland Hopkins Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Ohio, has been a significant hub for commercial air travel and innovation. It was one of the first airports to implement a two-level terminal design, separating arrivals from departures, and was also a pioneer in air traffic control with the first control tower and ground-to-air radio control system.
The Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel provides convenient access to various attractions. Historical sites such as the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, Heinen's Downtown, and the West Side Market are within a reasonable distance from the hotel. Terminal Park and Cleveland Smokes & Beverages are also nearby, offering additional entertainment options.
The hotel offers a range of amenities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Guests can take advantage of an indoor pool, free WiFi, and free parking. Breakfast is available, and there are several nearby restaurants, including AMP 150, Canarys Family Restaurant, and Neighbors Bar and Grill.
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Aerospace Parkway
For those seeking to capture plane shots on Aerospace Parkway, it is recommended to stay on the left side of the road and move on foot. From this vantage point, you may occasionally capture shots of NASA planes or other government aircraft on the ramp. However, it is important to note that this location is a bit of a walk from the River Edge facility, and security remains tight. The UPS property is also challenging for photographers due to the fence surrounding it.
The Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel, located centrally among the terminal complex, offers another plane-spotting opportunity. Booking a room on one of the top floors facing the terminal can provide a view of the terminal concourses, gates, and aircraft approaching from the northeast.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state and is recognized for its historical significance in commercial air travel due to several first-in-the-world innovations. These include the first air traffic control tower, the first ground-to-air radio control system, and the first airfield lighting system. The airport is named after William R. Hopkins, the former city manager and its founder.
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The Smart Parking Garage
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a bustling hub of aviation activity, and for those who enjoy plane spotting, there are a few strategic locations to consider. While the airport boasts a rich history of innovations, plane spotters are more interested in finding the perfect vantage point to witness the graceful ballet of aircraft movements.
One option is the Terminal Parking Garage. From this spot, you can observe most aircraft movements, albeit from a distance. The airport authorities do not encourage spotters to linger too close to the edges, so be mindful of that. If you're after a more dynamic view, the arrival of aircraft on runways 06L/R can be captured from Aerospace Parkway, a road that runs along the airport's southwestern perimeter. However, parking spots along this route may be scarce, so a short walk to the ideal location might be necessary.
For those seeking a more comfortable plane-spotting experience, the Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel offers rooms with a view of the terminal complex, including concourses and gates. Higher floors on the terminal side provide a glimpse of aircraft approaching from the northeast. In the past, a designated viewing deck offered excellent plane-spotting opportunities, but it, unfortunately, had to be closed due to heightened security measures.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, located in Cleveland, Ohio, holds a significant place in the history of commercial air travel. It was among the first airports to introduce groundbreaking innovations, such as the world's first air traffic control tower and ground-to-air radio control system. While the airport continues to evolve, plane spotters can still find their sweet spots, whether it's from the parking garage, nearby roads, or hotel rooms, to indulge in their favourite pastime.
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Runway 10/28
The 100th Bomb Group Restaurant is located near the River Edge shuttle lot, which is close to Runway 10/28. From this spot, all inbound-inflight traffic using 24R and 24L is visible, as well as taxiing departures using Bravo and Sierra. This location is also good for seeing flights as they lift off from 6R and 6L. However, security is tight at the airport, and it may be difficult to find a parking spot nearby.
Aerospace Parkway is a road that runs along the southwestern perimeter of the airport, providing a good vantage point for arrival shots on runways 06L/R. However, parking nearby can be challenging, and you may need to walk to get to the best spot.
For those willing to pay for parking, the Terminal Parking Garage offers distant views of most aircraft movements and some aircraft at the gates. However, the airport prefers spotters to stay away from the edges.
When a plane comes in to land at an airport, it will typically attempt to land on the runway that is best aligned with the wind. This means landing "into the wind" to maximise the amount of airflow over the wings and generate greater lift without increasing speed. Pilots obtain weather information from various sources, including ATIS (automatic terminal information service) and ASOS (automatic surface observation service).
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Frequently asked questions
There are several places to watch planes at Hopkins Airport, also known as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. You can see most aircraft movements and aircraft at gates from the Terminal Parking Garage. You can also try the Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel—if you can get a room facing the terminal on one of the top floors, you'll have a view of one of the terminal concourses and gates.
Yes, but security guards may ask you to move on. There is a road running along the southwestern perimeter of the airport (Aerospace Parkway) that is good for arrival shots on runways 06L/R. However, parking nearby may be difficult.
There used to be a designated viewing deck and a public observation deck at the end of Terminal B, but both closed down after September 11.
Yes, Hopkins Airport is located in the Hopkins neighbourhood in Cleveland, Ohio.
Hopkins Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Ohio. It was also the site of several innovations that became the global standard, including the first air traffic control tower (1929), the first ground-to-air radio control system (1939), and the first airfield lighting system (1930).
