A Morning at Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 2 observation deck is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. You’re close enough to read registration plates without binoculars, and the light in the morning — especially in spring — is genuinely extraordinary.

What I saw

The first hour was mostly domestic feeders: CRJ-900s and E190s shuffling in from Hamburg and Munich. Then the Lufthansa morning wave began, and things got interesting.

A Boeing 747-8 pushed back from Gate B22 heading to Narita. There’s something about the hump of a 747 that still feels like the future, even after all these years.

The real surprise was an Emirates A380 on a diversion from Düsseldorf — DUS was closed due to a bird strike warning. She taxied past slowly enough that I caught a clean shot of both engine nacelles against a clear blue sky.

Gear

• Sony A7 IV with the 100-400mm GM
• Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod (worth it for the long sessions)
• Peak Design strap for quick transitions

Next time

I want to try the southern perimeter road near Kelsterbach — apparently you get belly shots of arrivals on runway 25L. Will report back.