Planes over Amsterdam right now
Amsterdam’s sky is dominated by Schiphol, about 15 km south-west of the centre.
Closest planes right now
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Live ADS-B positions within 50 km of central Amsterdam, updated every few seconds. Rings every 10 km.
Airports near Amsterdam
| Airport | Code | Distance from the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | AMS / EHAM | 12 km south-west |
| Rotterdam The Hague Airport | RTM / EHRD | 56 km south-west |
What you see in the sky over Amsterdam
Schiphol has six runways pointing in different directions, and which ones are in use depends on the wind and the time of day. That is why one day planes pass low over your neighbourhood and the next day you see almost none. The long Polderbaan runway, far to the north-west, is used a lot to keep noise away from the city.
Schiphol is the KLM hub, so you will see a lot of blue: Embraers on short European hops, and Boeing 777s, 787s and A330s on long-haul flights. Cargo flights, including Boeing 747 freighters, are common too.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport, further south, adds a smaller stream of European flights.
Typical traffic
- Schiphol to London, Paris, Barcelona and Milan
- Schiphol to New York, Johannesburg, Singapore and Curaçao
- Cargo flights to and from Asia and the Americas
Questions about planes over Amsterdam
Why do I see more planes over my house on some days?
Schiphol switches runways with the wind and time of day. When the runway pointing at your area is in use, arrivals or departures pass overhead; when it isn’t, it can be quiet for days.
What are the big blue planes over Amsterdam?
Almost certainly KLM. Tap one on the map to see the aircraft type and route.
Point your phone at it
JetDex is our upcoming app: point your phone at a plane over Amsterdam and it tells you exactly which flight it is. Collect the planes you see and race your friends.