I’ve written before about plane spotting with my son Augustine at LAX. Recently, we had the chance to do it again at SFO.
This was after our flight from Zurich…a flight that little Augustine struggled with. But thankfully he was able to unleash his pent-up energy in a deserted wing of the United Polaris Lounge. We literally had several thousand square feet totally to ourselves. Not only did we use the opportunity to “stretch our legs” and eat a little something, but to watch “the airpaynes” (sic – as Augustine calls them).
The Polaris Lounge overlooks one wing of the International Terminal, the one that houses all the Star Alliance carriers. Thus, it was a mix of United, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Air New Zealand wide-bodies that we observed from our lounge perch. We also noticed a French Bee A350 bound for Tahiti.
Augustine became most excited when a United 777 bound for London pulled out of the gate and taxied toward the runway.
CONCLUSION
I was riding on the bus from T2 to T5 earlier today at London Heathrow and there was a little girl who was literally overjoyed to see an A380 as we rumbled down the tarmac.
“Look Mother! Its got two levels! That is so amazing!”
Her mother nodded and said, “Do you know what type of aircraft that is?”
I smiled as the girl quickly replied, “An A380!”
If you have a son or daughter, I remind you once again. Take them to the airport. You won’t regret it!
> Read More: Plane Spotting With My Two-Year-Old At LAX
> Read More: Another Day Of Father-Son Bonding At LAX
That SFO setup is nice but can’t beat LAX for plane spotting variety – great for the kids
Awwww!!!
I’m still trying to get my son to appreciate planespotting (he’ll stare for a couple of minutes and then move on to something else), but you’ll be happy to know one of his prized possessions is an old United Mileage Plus card of mine from the mid-2000s. 🙂
There was another little boy the same age that did that plane spotting at SFO in the early fifties when there were fences with gates to board the plane. The pictures brought back fond memories of another era (and, of course, the planes were all props). Jets came when my Dad and I saw the first one (707) take off from SFO in 1958.
Like your column, Mathew.
I started noticing planes in the early 1990’s. There used to be so much variety, Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed, Fokker, McDonnell Douglas, Canadair, Embraer, BAe, etc. Now, domestically, it’s mostly 737 or A320.
Agree. Plane spotting is infinitely less interesting than it once was: fewer manufactures and models, together with boring , ‘safe’ liveries. Of course kids will still love it no matter what.
It’s the same with cars: just a never-ending parade of monstrous SUVs ( and their dangerously clueless drivers) clogging up the motorways, all cut from the same cloth. So boring.
First – everyone should do this with their kids. No two ways about this. Kudos to you as a parent for engaging and embracing the wonder that children innately have. It will stick with them for life.
Second – a gentle request. Maybe consider removing the shoes before standing your kid up on the ledge? Can’t force my beliefs on others, but I think it’s easy to do and I do it with my kids. Culture-clash, perhaps.
He’s totally adorable!
OK, I want Augustine to marry the little girl who spotted the A380!
Re SFO planespotting….too bad you couldn’t have taken the ‘lil rascal to the new open air observation deck at the end of G at SFO. That way he could have heard as well as seen the aircraft movements!
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https://www.flysfo.com/media/press-releases/sfo-opens-new-outdoor-terrace-observation-deck
P.