Hollywood Burbank opened in 1930 as United Airport and was the largest airport in the Los Angeles area until LAX overtook it in 1946.
Airliners and cargo flights within 25 nm of BUR. Routes come from a community database matched on flight numbers, so a few will be wrong or out of date. Flights without a route are marked "est." and judged from altitude and climb or descent.
History
Hollywood Burbank opened on May 30, 1930, as United Airport, with a Spanish Revival terminal. It became Union Air Terminal in 1934, and Lockheed Air Terminal from 1940 to 1967 after Lockheed bought it. It was the largest commercial airport in the Los Angeles area until LAX took that title in 1946.
It was renamed Hollywood-Burbank Airport in 1967, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport in 1978, Bob Hope Airport in 2003, and Hollywood Burbank Airport in 2017.
The original terminal, about 94 years old, was replaced by a new 14-gate terminal that opened in October 2026. Part of the north end of runway 15/33 extends into the city of Los Angeles.
Quick facts
- Codes
- BUR / KBUR
- Opened
- May 30, 1930, as United Airport
- Bob Hope Airport
- 2003 to 2017
- Runways
- 15/33 (6,886 ft) and 8/26 (5,802 ft)
- New terminal
- Opened October 2026
Sources: Hollywood Burbank Airport (Wikipedia)
Watch and listen
Listen to live air traffic control for BUR on LiveATC. The feeds come from volunteers, so availability varies.
Where plane spotters watch
- Vineland Avenue railroad crossingRunway 08 arrivals. Mind the train tracks, and there is no shade. Park on Vineland Avenue between the crossing and Vanowen Street.
- Keswick StreetRunway 15 line-up and departures, by the fence at the runway 15 threshold. Do not park in front of the gate or in the neighboring business's lot, and use a lens that can shoot through the fence mesh.
- Short-term parking garageThe upper level shows runway 08 arrivals, the terminal ramp and heavy departures on runway 15.
Carry ID and cooperate if law enforcement stops to ask what you're doing. The guide may predate the new terminal that opened in October 2026, so check before you go.
As described in: Burbank spotting guide (Spotter Guide). Guides can be out of date. Stay on public property, follow posted rules, and never block roads or driveways.