Websites to find out runways in use?

Question

does any one know of any websites where you can find out which runways are being used for which airline on a given day, for an airport like jfk for example?

Answer 1

There isn't any website.  You'll have to tune into their ATIS.  (Automatic Terminal Information Service).  

JFK D-ATIS:  115.1(DEP) 115.4(ARR-SW) 117.7(ARR-NE) 128.725(ARR)

You can call  718-995-8188 if you don't have a radio.  It's automated and will give the same info.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/JFK

The info is updated many times per hour.  Not just wind direction dictates which runways are in use.  Anything could change at anytime.  Usually It's weather and noise abatement but it could be construction, a plane or equipment in the way, emergencies, etc.  

A few days ago an AA757 made an emergency landing at LAX from the west while planes on the other three runways were taking off and landing in the opposite direction.

Answer 2

The runway in use typically depends on the current weather conditions, specifically, the wind direction.  Just check the weather at the airport and this should give you a good indication.

Some airports, especially large airports, have specific procedures for selecting active runways.  For example, Los Angeles International (LAX) prefers to have all aircraft land and take off to the west, as long as the wind is not from the east at more than a certain speed; this is done for noise abatement.  However, I don't know of any site that explains the specific procedures for all airports that have them in detail.  

For JFK, the information I was able to find indicates that 31L is preferred for departure and 31L/R for arrival if wind speed is below 4 kts (irrespective of direction) and VMC prevails.   The selection criteria under other conditions are more complex.

Answer 3

Like the guy before me said, It varys on weather. But it will not vary on airline. In example, yesterday me and a friend flew to Minneapolis St. Paul yesterday and there were 10 planes ahead of us and some on the ground taking off. They were from NWA, SWA, AirCanada, and many others. Mostly NWA though. And we were in a small single engine Cessna 172.