# Why I Flew to LAX to Look at Airplanes

> Author flies to LAX for airplane spotting event with strangers.
- Title: Why I Flew to LAX to Look at Airplanes · PCMAG | Shortify
- Summary: Author flies to LAX for airplane spotting event with strangers. Author attended Cranky Dorkfest, a 15-year-old airplane spotting event at LAX with over 1,400…
- Keywords: cranky dorkfest, lax, airplane spotting, in-n-out burgers, spacex, flightradar24, dorkfest, airports, aviation, lufthansa, alaska airlines, boeing
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/why-i-flew-to-lax-to-look-at-airplanes-with-a-bunch-of-strangers
- Author: Rob Pegoraro
- Published: 2026-09-24T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cranky dorkfest, lax, airplane spotting, in-n-out burgers, spacex, flightradar24, dorkfest, airports, aviation, lufthansa, alaska airlines, boeing
## Why I Flew to LAX
Author flew 2,300 miles to LAX for airplane spotting event with strangers.
## Cranky Dorkfest Event
Cranky Dorkfest started in 2011 at an In-N-Out Burger near LAX Runway 24R.
## Event Growth
Dorkfest now includes partner events with Los Angeles World Airports and NYC Aviation.
## Attendee Numbers
750 people attended ramp visit with 500+ on waitlist.
## Aircraft Displayed
American Airlines Airbus A321XLR, Delta A321neo, Southwest 737 Max 8, United Boeing 787-9.
## SpotLAX Event
SpotLAX party sold 230 $25 tickets in 4.5 hours.
## Wear Aviation Shirts
Attendees wore airport-themed shirts and jokes about airplane enthusiasm.
## Use Flightradar24
Flightradar24 app tracks planes with free ad-supported version and premium at $14.99/year.
## Camera Tips
High-end phones have 4x-5x zoom but D-SLRs with telephoto lenses needed for close shots.
## SpaceX Launch
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deliver Starlink satellites.
## Talk to Strangers
Attendees discussed airports, travel goals, and rocket launches with strangers.
## Key takeaway

Author attended Cranky Dorkfest, a 15-year-old airplane spotting event at LAX with over 1,400 RSVPs and 500+ attendees.