Going to the airport and not getting a flight is strange

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My in laws and bro in laws regularly go to the airport to watch planes take off and land. I rang them this morning to see if they had any plans that we could tag along with and this was the plan.
I have a friend who does the same but she has two 3 year olds who are obsessed with planes. I get that. I don't get two people in their fifties and two men in their twenties doing it on a sunny Saturday when the airport is 45 mins drive away. Last time they asked me I said 'I think I'd feel sad going there and not actually going on holiday.' This takes me to the strangest part, none of them have ever flown or would ever consider flying, or so they say.
Each to their own I guess.

I know people used to do that at Dublin Airport...I think they used to park in a lay-by on a back road where there was a good view. I don't know if it still happens. I like watching planes, but only while I am waiting to take off in one.

I'm ex cabin crew. I live near an airport. When I get stressed and need time out, I go watch the aircraft take off and land.

It's quite therapeutic. But, I know aircraft/airlines and have flown a plane, so it's my knowledge and outlet.

Yes, I'm a saddo

arriving in london by train and seeing an aeroplane coming in to land over your head is really exciting imo

It wouldn't really float my boat, but then I can usually see planes whenever I want to because I live only about 20 minutes from Stansted Airport, and on the flight path to it.

I can usually see the tail fin clearly, so know whether it is Ryanair (very often), Easyjet, Thomson, FedEx etc.

Air Force One used to land at Stansted when Obama was POTUS and on a visit. Never did manage to spot that one though. Perhaps it doesn't use the routine flight paths for security reasons? Of course, it hasn't returned since Trump took office (yet).

I'm much sadder than OP's in-laws - I love watching the planes on the FlightRadar24 app I can waste quite a bit of time looking at it

*Could someone tell me the name of the pub in Manchester where everyone watches the planes come in please? I'd love to take the kids in the holidays.

When I was a child there were bus trips to an airport to watch the planes.

""*Could someone tell me the name of the pub in Manchester where everyone watches the planes come in please? I'd love to take the kids in the holidays.""

The Airport Pub, Ringway Rd, Manchester M22 5WH. They do food, as well.

I used to go regulary to our local Airport, John Lennon, Speke and watch the planes. You can stand in the fields and they go overhead. My dog used to get to run around in a safe off the lead interesting place. She wasn't bothered by the noise. There is a country park and beach close by, as well.

I'd rather do that than spend my time in the house.

I'm with your PIL. My gym is next to Manchester Airport and when you're at the outdoor pool the planes fly right over you. It's ace, I use the FlightRadar24 app to see where they've been/are going to. DP thinks I'm a complete geek but I don't care!

I do love an airport. Meeting people at arrivals is one of my favourite things to do, I get there early, grab a coffee and watch the Love Actually style reunions.

Why wouldn't they consider flying? That's the only strange part of this.

My dad used to work in London and he'd have us at weekends - we often use to go to the viewing area at Heathrow, it used to be a massive open space on top of one of the buildings. It was such good fun watching all the huge planes taking off. My BIL went to Vegas last year and I offered to collect him with my dad. We sat in a cafe in terminal 5 for a good 2 hours before his plane landed . It's a cracking hobby and I'm only gutted we're in Gloucestershire so it's a trek to any airport to do it with my grandkids!!!

Thanks everyone, it has made me think about it differently. I think this is part of a larger argument that I feel like DP's family don't try new things or treat themselves much, which somehow impacts our lives too. We all go on holiday together most years and even though they are financially much more secure than us (having paid off mortgage) they always complain that the place we've booked is too expensive or too far away (Cornwall for example when we live in the South West anyway!)
I just want them to try new things for them! They hadn't been to London till last year and FIL still hasn't! It's a big world and it's not all bad.

I've been into aeroplanes and airports since I was about two years old. I've worked at local airport for nearly twenty two years. I wouldn't describe myself as a spotter these days (it's a pejorative term anyway) but it's an interest that one doesn't grow out of. Aeroplanes make lots of noise AND defy gravity. Buses and trains don't .

I'd be jealous that I wasn't going on holiday! I don't think I could work at an airport for the same reasons! I would be that one scowling rude staff member sniping at the customers for having the cheery audacity to be excited at jetting off somewhere nice and sunny

Stop going on holiday with them! People who think Cornwall is too far away when you already live in the South West sound like people who suck the joy out of everything.

If anyone is interested,
Go to Heathrow lodge it's a hotel (I'm not recommending you book in it's pretty boring and basic tbh!) across the road is a pub. In the pub gardens you get a great view of planes taking off and landing. I stayed/ate there when waiting to go away with DD.
this is the view from the pub garden (excuse the fence )
But you get a great view from the front too of them ascending. They are scarily close too.

I go to Sheldon Country Park and Wellesbourne to watch planes take off and land. It's relaxing. I also like sitting in Chiswick Park in London with the flight radar app and guessing where a plane is heading to then checking on the app. It's mindless fun but cheap and a nice day out.

I should probably open our back garden as a viewing spot

Oh I totally get this, if I lived near a decent airport I'd do it

I love Hatton Cross as you are right by the runway for LHR

I'm a total plane nerd

We have been to the Manchester viewing area and pub a few years ago, we hadnt been on a plane then and wanted to show the DC.

As a matter of fact, we are going to the airport tomorrow, on holiday! Cannot wait!

At Perth ( Australia) airport there's a viewing platform. Free car parking and a great view of planes taking off and landing. There are often plane spotters there, with there phones and will tell you what type and where the plane is from and going to!
My ds is austic and planes are one of his loves. We spend a lot of time here! I've become a geek 🤓!!! There is no hope for me😂😃😂 he will be in his element tonight as we fly to the Gold Coast later!

Maybe we should start our own 'plane nerds corner'

Who knew there were so many of us!

We had a great view of the runway while waiting at the gate at Malaga last year. I was the only one in my family that was enthralled. The rest were 'meh'.

Ginandplatonic "I'm much sadder than OP's in-laws - I love watching the planes on the FlightRadar24 app"

I know someone who does that too.
Ahem

I love planes, whether just watching them at an airport, going to air shows or flying in them, but it is very off that the people mentioned in the OP don't fly if they love planes so much. Re. Gatwick, I'm sure that you used to be able to watch the planes taking off and landing from a cafe in the airport. I used to take my daughter there when she was young as Gatwick is only about an hour or so away. Does that no longer exist?