Gift guides
Gifts for plane spotters and aviation geeks
By the AvTags team · Updated
In short
- Plane spotters watch, photograph and log aircraft, usually at airport viewing areas.
- Useful kit: binoculars, a longer camera lens, a folding stool and a flight-tracking app subscription.
- Personal keepsakes: tags and prints of their local airport, favourite runway or aircraft type.
- Days out: airshows, aviation museums and airport tours.
What is plane spotting?
Plane spotting is watching and recording aircraft. Some spotters log registrations, the unique code painted on every aircraft. Others photograph rare liveries, unusual visitors or aircraft landing in difficult weather. Many simply enjoy watching movements at their local airport.
Most UK airports have spotting spots, from official viewing parks to well-known fences and car parks. Spotters tend to know their home airport in remarkable detail, including its runways and taxiways, which makes airport-specific gifts very popular.
Gifts for the spotting fence
- Binoculars. Compact 8× or 10× binoculars make it easier to read registrations on distant aircraft.
- A longer camera lens. For spotters who photograph aircraft, a telephoto lens is the most-wanted upgrade. Check their camera mount first.
- A folding stool or small step. Helps see over fences and saves standing for hours.
- A flight-tracking app subscription. Paid tiers of apps like Flightradar24 show extra details about each aircraft.
- Hand warmers and a flask. British spotting is cold work for most of the year.
Airport and runway keepsakes
Spotters are loyal to their local airport. Tags and prints that show a specific runway, holding point or airport code are far more personal than a generic plane.
Not sure what the signs on these tags mean? Our guide to runway holding point signs explains them.
Gifts for fans of airlines and aircraft
- A tag for their favourite aircraft type. Many enthusiasts have a type they love, often one that is retiring from service.
- A tribute to a lost airline. Airlines that have stopped flying gain a following, and tribute designs become collectibles.
- A Remove Before Flight keychain. The best-known aviation design of all. (What it means.)
- Aviation creator merch. Many spotters follow aviation YouTubers and TikTok creators, and limited-edition creator tags are popular.
Days out for aviation enthusiasts
- Airshows. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford each July is one of the largest military airshows in the world.
- Aviation museums. IWM Duxford, the RAF Museum in London and Cosford, and Brooklands Museum (home to a Concorde) are all great days out.
- Airport tours. Some airports run behind-the-scenes tours. Check your local airport’s website.
Questions, answered
What do you buy a plane spotter?
Useful spotting kit like binoculars, a telephoto lens or a flight-tracking subscription, or a personal keepsake for their local airport, runway or favourite aircraft.
What is plane spotting?
Plane spotting is the hobby of watching, photographing and logging aircraft, usually from viewing areas around airports.
What is a good cheap gift for an aviation enthusiast?
A keychain or tag with their home airport, favourite aircraft or a Remove Before Flight design. They cost under £10 and are easy to collect.
Shop this guide
13 × 3 cm woven tags, sent from the UK by Royal Mail.