My son and I had such a marvelous time at LAX a couple of weeks ago that we (and I do mean we) decided to return for round two.
After our last visit, my son woke up each morning asking if we were going to the “O-port” (as he calls it). His persistence moved me to schedule a re-visit last weekend. Heidi and August are preparing for an extended trip to Germany so I am trying to spend as much time with both of them prior to the trip.
We again parked near the In-N-Out and arrived just in time to watch a Korean Air A380 landing followed by an Asiana A380 minutes later (with a China Eastern 777 sandwiched in-between).
Once again, we had a great time planespotting. For whatever reason, for the second consecutive week, the highlight was the Delta Airbus A350 bound for Shanghai for Augustine. He also enjoyed the KLM 747 once again, an American 787, SAS A330, Delta A330, Fiji Airways A330, and Qantas 787.
After lunch, we returned to the car and appropriately bookended our day with another Korean Air A380 landing (as well as Southwest 737 and Delta 717).
I wish I had been just a little more patient. As I was strapping Augustine into his seat, LH456, a beautiful A380 from Frankfurt, flew directly over us. I wish I had a picture of that and will time future visits to watch that flight arrive.
CONCLUSION
If we start to make a habit of this, I’ll stop writing about it each week. But once again, I was elated to see the joy in my son’s face. We had a great time together and I cannot emphasize how excited Augustine was to spend another day at the airport. Oh yeah, and I was too…
> Read More: Plane Spotting With My Two-Year-Old At LAX
Awesome story I wish we had the same types of planes at MSP. Last summer we were in LA on a family vacation and my daughter and I watched planes at the In-n-out Burger for a couple of hours it was great. Now her favorite time of day is 7:47 when we talk about planes on the way into Kindergarten every morning.
I don’t mind if you write about it each time. I work down the block (on Century) from the airport, and I’ve come many times to plane spot (though I don’t know anyone who can get me through security short of buying refundable tickets. What a special bond you’re creating! Way to go.
So fun. My grandma used to take me to watch the trains. I think my first flight was with her too, actually. It’s nice to have these memories.
Hopefully you are bring ear protection for him when you go to the In-N-Out.
I have not, but will next time!
Great story. It reminds me of when my family visited my two great aunts in Brooklyn in 1962. The elder took my brother and me to the just-opened TWA terminal at Idlewild (as it was then named), which required two busses. We wandered around the terminal and had lunch in the restaurant in an upper level, admiring all of the soaring concrete. As an added plus, while sitting there we had a view of the terminal’s entrance, where a James Garner/Doris Day movie (Move Over, Darling) was being filmed.
So a great outing combining the experience of watching a film being shot together with being inside Saarinen’s fantastic creation.
Are you using refundable tickets to get into lounges/past security?
I addressed that last week:
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2019/03/19/lax-plane-spotting/
That Delta “Regional Jet” is a B717, which is not an RJ, as it is operated by Delta and can accommodate 110 passengers.
Oops. Thanks.
Keeping writing about it, I love it. Airports are magically places!
When it gets warmer you should take him to Dockweiler Beach State Park. He can play/sit in the water and watch the planes take off overhead from the south runways. Or you can go to the Playa del Rey beach and see the planes take off from the north runways.
Wish I could, but I’d need a sun umbrella and gloves. I can’t take the sun.
Ahh, too bad. I am not a huge fan of the beach either, but with younger kids sometimes I am goaded into going. Last time we were in LA we stayed in Playa Vista and just took the kids to the closest beach, which happened to be Playa del Rey. Kids had fun in the water while I admired the late afternoon takeoffs on the north runways- my favorite was the fully loaded Emirates A380 lumbering its way up into the air at seemingly slow speed.
Just a question (not assuming anything here)
Does your wife also like doing this?
Nope. Not at all. That’s a good thing actually. I’ll have to dedicate a post to her view on these things.
Oh, my friend, please do not stop writing about these excursions. The world of aviation is thrilling for young and old … and we love hearing about it. Your story brings back so many memories from when I was a kid and my dad took me to the airport to watch the planes … sigh.
Interesting point about SQ/anz 777 Approx 38yrs ago i flew from LGW to LAX on a Air New Zealand DC10 with a British Airways crew or was it BOAC crew ?? Air Newzealand crew then took the aircraft to AKL, all due to BOAC not having enough 747 aircraft as they had repositioned a 747 to SFO route which proved to be a serious judgement error, they later put a 747 on to LAX as well, interesting though.