What you're seeing over Providence
The airliners over Providence are a mix of two things: flights descending into Rhode Island T.F. Green International in Warwick, about seven miles south of downtown, and Boston Logan traffic crossing the state at higher altitudes. T.F. Green is a compact, easy airport served by Southwest, American, Delta, United and low-cost carriers, and many travelers use it as an alternative to Boston.
Because Providence sits between Boston and New York, the sky overhead carries a constant stream of flights on their way somewhere else. Arrivals into Logan from the south and west often pass over Rhode Island as they begin their descent, and New York-bound flights from Boston and northern New England cross the state too. Closer to the ground, the Rhode Island Air National Guard flies C-130J transports from Quonset, and Narragansett Bay brings seaplanes and helicopters. Plenty of the jets crossing the state at 10,000 to 20,000 feet are working their way toward Boston Logan.
Airports near Providence
- commercialPVDRhode Island T.F. Green International Airport
KPVD · 7 miles south of downtown
Rhode Island's main airport, in Warwick, served by Southwest, American, Delta, United and others. Live traffic at PVD ↗ - militaryNCOQuonset State Airport
KOQU · 16 miles south of downtown
A former naval air station in North Kingstown, home to the Rhode Island Air National Guard's C-130Js. Live traffic at NCO ↗ - general aviationSFZNorth Central State Airport
KSFZ · 8 miles northwest of downtown
A general aviation airport in Smithfield, north of Providence. Live traffic at SFZ ↗ - major hubBOSBoston Logan International Airport
KBOS · 43 miles northeast of downtown
New England's largest airport, about 45 miles northeast. Live traffic at BOS ↗
Common traffic over Providence
Southwest, American, Delta and United fly most of T.F. Green's airline traffic, with 737s, A320-family jets and regional jets connecting to their hubs. Low-cost carriers add leisure routes, especially to Florida, and international service to Europe and the Caribbean has operated at times. FedEx and UPS freighters serve PVD.
T.F. Green's main runway runs northeast-southwest:
- Landing toward the northeast: arrivals descend from the southwest over West Warwick and Coventry, and departures climb out to the northeast over Cranston and the upper bay before turning.
- Landing toward the southwest: arrivals come in from the northeast over Cranston and the upper bay, and departures climb out to the southwest.
The airport's crosswind runway is used by smaller aircraft and in some wind conditions.
Boston Logan traffic is a constant overhead presence. Many arrivals from the south and west pass over Rhode Island at mid-altitudes as they start their descent, and departures from Boston to New York and the South climb across the state.
The Rhode Island Air National Guard's 143rd Airlift Wing flies C-130J Super Hercules from Quonset, and the Army National Guard flies helicopters there too. Navy aircraft from Naval Station Newport and the Coast Guard pass over the bay. Helicopters include hospital medevac services, Rhode Island State Police and news crews.
Aircraft you'll often see here
Boeing 737-800
narrowbody airliner
Boeing 737 MAX 8
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A320
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A321
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A220-300
small narrowbody airliner
Embraer E175
regional jet
Bombardier CRJ900
regional jet
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
military tactical airlifter
Plane-spotting tips for Providence
The roads around T.F. Green's perimeter, especially near the runway ends along Post Road and Airport Road in Warwick, give views of arrivals and departures. Conimicut Point Park, on Narragansett Bay in Warwick, gives wide views across the water of aircraft maneuvering around T.F. Green. For Quonset's C-130Js, the public shoreline around North Kingstown and Quonset Point gives views of the field. From Providence's College Hill or the Waterplace Park area, look south for T.F. Green traffic and high Boston arrivals. Coastal fog can roll in quickly, especially in spring and early summer, while fall offers the clearest skies. Rocky Point State Park in Warwick, on the bay, is another open spot with a wide sky.
Providence sky questions
Why are there so many planes high over Providence?
Providence sits between Boston and New York, and many Boston Logan arrivals and departures pass over Rhode Island at mid-altitudes, along with overflights on the busy Northeast corridor.
What are the military planes at Quonset?
They are C-130J Super Hercules transports flown by the Rhode Island Air National Guard's 143rd Airlift Wing.
Which way is T.F. Green landing today?
Watch the arrivals on the live map. If they are lining up from the southwest over West Warwick, the airport is landing toward the northeast; if they come in from over Cranston and the upper bay, it is landing toward the southwest.
Nearby cities
Planes over Boston (41 mi) · Planes over Hartford (65 mi) · Planes over New York City (155 mi) · Planes over Philadelphia (235 mi)