Top 5 Airports for Plane Spotting in the Midwest

As an Aviation Management student at Lewis University, I'm lucky to live right in the heart of Midwest aviation. Within a few hours' drive, there are some world-class airports offering incredible spotting opportunities — from international widebody heavies to military traffic. Here are my top five picks.

#1 — Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

O'Hare is the undisputed king of Midwest plane spotting. With over 2,349 daily takeoffs and landings, eight runways, and 50+ airlines, the action never stops. As a hub for both United and American, you'll see everything from regional CRJs to Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s operating long-haul routes to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Best spotting locations at O'Hare: Beeline Road in Bensenville puts you directly under the Runway 10 approach — aircraft pass just a few hundred feet above your head. One Spot Parking (off Mannheim Road near Lawrence Ave) gives you a panoramic view of Runways 28C and 27L. The Delta Air Cargo area is ideal for watching departures and arrivals across multiple runways. And the Rosemont Marketplace parking lot gives solid views of Runway 22R landings.

Pro tip: ORD Airport Watch (ordairportwatch.org) is Chicago's only law enforcement–supported spotting organization. They maintain a list of approved locations and host group spotting events — a great resource for newcomers.

#2 — Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

MSP is a spotter's dream because the airport actually encourages it. The official MSP Aircraft Viewing Area on Cargo Road is free to access, with parking and unobstructed views across Runways 12R/30L and 04/22. You can see everything from the FedEx cargo ramp to Delta's regional fleet — Delta accounts for the vast majority of traffic here.

Additional spots include the Post Road Cell Phone Lot alongside the Runway 30L threshold, perfect for catching long-haul arrivals. The top level of the Mall of America parking garage is a surprisingly excellent spot for afternoon shots of Runway 35 approaches.

Pro tip: MSP's Cargo Road viewing area is one of the only official airport-sanctioned spotting locations in the entire Midwest. Photography, videography, and live streaming are all permitted without a permit at this location.

#3 — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Detroit Metro is Delta's second-largest hub after Atlanta, which means a steady stream of domestic and international traffic including routes to Europe and Asia. The McNamara Terminal parking deck (Level 6) provides unobstructed views of Runway 3R/21L with no fences to shoot through.

The Green Lot puts you feet away from aircraft taking off on Runway 21R — the wingtip proximity is incredible for video content. For widebody fans, the I-94 Service Road (Goddard Road Extension) near the ends of Runways 22L and 22R gives front-row seats to heavy arrivals.

Pro tip: DTW sees A330s, A350s, and 777s on its international routes. Afternoon light hits the McNamara deck perfectly for golden-hour photography.

#4 — Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Midway offers a completely different vibe from O'Hare. As Southwest Airlines' largest focus city, it's nonstop 737 action — but what makes it special for spotters is the close proximity. Midway sits in a dense urban neighborhood, and the shorter runways mean aircraft are lower and closer on approach than at most major airports.

The Cicero Avenue overpass near the Runway 31C approach is the go-to spot. Aircraft cross directly above you at extremely low altitude. The Cell Phone Lot also offers decent views with easy parking.

Pro tip: Midway is only 25 minutes from Lewis University, making it my personal quick-stop spot for after-class filming sessions. Great for practicing tracking shots with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

#5 — Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Just 90 minutes north of Chicago, MKE is an underrated gem. What sets it apart is the military presence — the 128th Air Refueling Wing operates KC-135 Stratotankers from the adjacent Air National Guard base. You'll see commercial flights from Southwest, Delta, and American alongside military tankers on the same runways.

Spotting locations include Layton Avenue near the Runway 25 threshold, and the Parking Structure provides elevated views over the main terminal apron. The lower traffic volume means less competition for parking and more relaxed sessions.

Pro tip: MKE's mix of commercial and military traffic gives you content variety you won't find at purely civilian airports. The KC-135 departures are especially impressive on video.

Gear Essentials for Airport Spotting

Before heading out to any of these locations, make sure you're prepared. I always bring my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for stabilized 4K video, an iPhone for quick social media clips, a portable chair for longer sessions, and a radio scanner app to monitor tower frequencies and anticipate runway changes.

Final Thoughts

The Midwest has some of the best plane spotting in the country, and most of these airports are within a day-trip radius from the Chicago area. Start with O'Hare — the sheer volume and variety is unmatched — then work your way through the list. Each airport offers something unique, and I'll be posting 4K video content from all five throughout the year. Follow me @avgirl4k for live spotting updates.