Planes right overhead: Almaty’s “most Instagrammable” spot gets a makeover

Tengrinews.kz — If you have ever seen footage on social media of a huge plane seemingly flying just a few meters above a person, it was most likely filmed here. A popular observation deck near the airport in Almaty, where people can watch aircraft landing, has been renovated. Tengrinews.kz explains how to get there and when it is best to visit.

A Threads user shared details about the transformation of the site. She posted photos of the updated location and noted that it has now become much more comfortable to spend time there.

“The observation deck at Almaty airport has been improved: benches have been installed, flowers have been planted and a good parking area has been created. Enjoy, Almaty residents!” the author of the post wrote.

Where to find the observation deck

Galina, a photographer from Astana, said she discovered the spot by accident. Due to road repairs, she had to take a detour to the airport. Behind the building, she noticed a large crowd of people, stopped, and took a few photos. Later, she provided a detailed explanation of how to find the deck.

"The main and officially designated spot for photographing planes in Almaty is a special observation deck at the international airport, where Akhmetov Street turns into Nugmanov Street," she said.

The exact coordinates for the plane-spotting deck can be found via link. According to the photographer, planes fly by every five minutes, so there is no chance of getting bored while waiting.

What kind of shots you can take

At first glance, it might seem easy to recreate the popular photos of a plane directly overhead. However, according to Galina, the shot she published still required a bit of post-processing.

Photo: Instagram/@agzamovagalina_photo

That being said, capturing a similar shot is entirely possible. It requires a good lens, the right low-angle perspective, and precise timing to catch the aircraft at the perfect point.

For those who don't want to spend too much time hunting for the perfect shot, there is a simpler option. Just wait for an airliner to approach for landing, turn on burst mode on your smartphone, point the camera upward, and pick the best frame from the series.

Screenshot: 2gis.kz