Aviation Photo #1298596 Airbus A319-112 - Virgin America

[ Medium Large ]

This photo is copyright protected and may not be used in any way without proper permission.

3,417 of 7,026

Sponsor Message

Aircraft

Virgin America
Airbus A319-112

Reg.: N524VA

MSN: 3204

Location & Date

In Flight
California, USA - November 11, 2007

Caption

Qantas 747-400 (VH-OEI) is seen going around, climbing past us in the A319. We were performing a parallel ("side-by") approach to Runway 28 in San Francisco (SFO) when apparently the heavy couldn't stay behind us and had to go around. It was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen from inside an airplane!

Photographer

Ben Wang

7K California, USA

Contact Ben Wang

[ Medium Large ]

Distinct Views: 686,921
Photo Added: November 26, 2007

Comments (245)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great shot! The Jumbo looks very big in this photo

Anonymous

15 years ago

Fantastic - an air to air photo that we would all like to get credit for. Good job you weren't sitting on the other side of the aircraft!

Anonymous

15 years ago

I know that it's very difficult to estimate distances on a 2D-picture but this looks very close - too close to follow provisions. Spectacular shot, congrats!

Anonymous

15 years ago

5 stars because of the moment , really unusual

Anonymous

15 years ago

Thats one flight i wish i had been on- great lighting on the 747!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wicked shot, I bet this fot folks oohh'n and aaah'n in the aircraft

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome! 5 stars

Anonymous

15 years ago

A real "right time, right place" shot! Definitely something you don't see every day.

Anonymous

15 years ago

You are the luckiest photographer!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Lookin kinda close there!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow! I bet ever A.netter would have sold there grannies to be in a position to take such a picture, though i'm sure some of the pax were going a bit mad have a heavy that close at what appars to still be a resonable alt on approch, this has just become my new worktop

Anonymous

15 years ago

WOW! I thought it was a near miss! Just kidding!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow!!! You are very lucky to have seen this and have done a great job capturing this moment. Thanks for sharing

Anonymous

15 years ago

Woow - great pic 5 stars

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome shot

Anonymous

15 years ago

What a lucky "once in a lifetime shot"! Congrat's Ben,a 5-star from me.

Anonymous

15 years ago

BEN -

i wish i could've seen it myself! great capture!

Brandon - Las Vegas

Anonymous

15 years ago

This is the coolest air to air shot I have ever seen.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Looks scary but fantastic at the same time. 5 stars!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great moment - great picture!
Thanks for sharing this breathtaking situation

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome picture.......Flaps down,Power up!!!!!! Brilliant

Anonymous

15 years ago

Hard to believe that there is no comment yet on this outstanding and spectacular picture. What a great shot! One can almost feel the movement, isn't that so?

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow...very close
wel done !!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Talk about timing. Glad that you have your camera at the right place at the right time!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing! Excellent capture of this moment. Feel the GEs roaring!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Dramatic shot..well done Ben

Anonymous

15 years ago

What better view could you possibly ask for out of an aeroplane window. Stunning.

Anonymous

15 years ago

How close it could be??

Anonymous

15 years ago

Fabulous !

Anonymous

15 years ago

Brilliant! Just amazing picture.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wonderful shot but very rare circumstnces. very well done

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow that is a great photo ! How did you like Virgin America ?

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing!!! must've been a heart stopping moment when you witnessed it

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow you were very lucky indeed!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing coincidence, and on Virgin America to boot! 5*

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great pic, very rare moment captured

Anonymous

15 years ago

Sweet!! This shows that you can also overtake in the air. I like the B747's angle of approach w/ the landing gear all set. Maybe next time the A319 will move a little faster, right Ben?

Anonymous

15 years ago

Congratulations on the nice shot

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very very cool!
One of those "amazing" things...you got it!

Anonymous

15 years ago

What a spectacular shot. Truly a once in a lifetime event.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great moment - great shot!
Thanks for sharing this special situation in this gorgeous way...

Anonymous

15 years ago

Truly Amazing! I was really on that flight! Simply stunning.
It makes wonder who was in the wrong...
I don't think the Qantas employees were too happy about this!
Truly Amazing, I get on Airliners dot net, and sure enough, the picture is screaming at me at the home page! Quite the Adventure...

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very cool shot! Good use of the opportunity.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing view

Anonymous

15 years ago

OMG.. That's like 400-450 ft. from your POV..

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very unique shot of an event most of us never see... good job, and definitely a bit of luck!

Anonymous

15 years ago

What a unique sighting! Truely amazing!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Nice picture considering how bright it is outside! I can just imagine what it looked like from inside the A319!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Whats the worst that can happen if the 747 gets in front? The airbus will just get tossed around, no biggie! ;) 5*

Anonymous

15 years ago

I can see that someone didn't have their portable electronics stored during landing!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great Shot. I hope so much that someone in the Qantas bird got a shot of the VirAm plane - though I would guess its not nearly as impressive. Keep shooting!

Anonymous

15 years ago

You said it: spectacular.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Probably this pic will become a classic at airliners.net...

Anonymous

15 years ago

Superb! Unique! Beautiful! 5 stars!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Thats an awesome picture!

Anonymous

15 years ago

What a great photo! perhaps a once in a lifetime shot! 5*

Anonymous

15 years ago

Was the jumbo direct behind you or parallel behind you?

The distance is so close! Great action shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Woah TCAS must have been buzzing!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow, that is impressive!! Good job!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

It's unbelievable that this can happen during a usual flight. You're lucky! One of the greatest shots ever

Anonymous

15 years ago

AWESOME! Being a A319 Pilot myself I can only tell you... AWESOME!!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Ome of the most interesting shots on a.net. Nice!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Epic photo! Truely one of the best on here!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great shot

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very interesting... I've done the same approach from inside a 744, with 752 on the other side... we couldn't slow down enough, and overtook on a 1 mile final, but neither of us were instructed to go around. Photos are on airliners. Cheers, Matt Lee

Anonymous

15 years ago

Five stars definitively! You gotta have to be there to feel it! Never seen something similar before.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Stunning shot ! 5 stars

Anonymous

15 years ago

Fantastic photo. Can't wait to see a photo of your A319 taken from Qantas' Boeing 747.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very cool pic taken at the perfect moment. Seeing a 747 come that close to you must have been freaky as it is not an everyday occurrence. - in LA

Anonymous

15 years ago

A very unique photo, Never seen anything like this before

Anonymous

15 years ago

Thats an amazing shot with the wing of the plane you are in and how the other plane just seems so magnificent, I love it :)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Well, personally I wouldn't qualify for sharper or colors, exposure or any photography concept, this is a "one in 10 millions" shot, right sit, on right flight, on right time. I hope to see one shot from the other plane soon as well :).
Excellent job Ben.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome shot

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow! Amazing shot! Never seen one like that before.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow this would have been ausome to see! Great pic.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Beautiful picture!! Reminds me of the time when we,
in a Delta L-1011 approaching Orlando (1979) flew
beside, then turned in front of, an Air Force C-130.
The C-130 seem motionless in the sky (except for the
propellers). Your picture brings back wonderful
memories.

Anonymous

15 years ago

WOW! This is a very rare moment, and that is why it is important to always have your camera handy.

Anonymous

15 years ago

That's a great photo.
If you just had the Qantas airliner in there it would be great with the clouds etc. but having the perspective of the aircraft you're in is fantastic.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow!!! What timing!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Absolutely amazing. I have never experienced such a sight on any of my flights. I would be the first to take pictures, my parents would be scared to death however.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Awesome! I wish I was there!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Right place, right time... right skill. Congratulations on a unique shot! I wonder if there was anyone in the 747 taking a photo of your plane :)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Undoubtedly ......... Marvelous & Amazing

Anonymous

15 years ago

Hah one look at the captionless thumbnail and I knew ... SFO =P Spectacular!

Anonymous

15 years ago

This shot is totally awesome! Very lucky and what a view!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Excellant shot, excellent timing, well done. 5 Stars

Anonymous

15 years ago

Once in a lifetime shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Very unique and a clean shot. The implied action makes me wish I was in that seat.

Anonymous

15 years ago

WOW!!! ATC were pretty nervous.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Absolutely amazing! Congrats!!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Absolutely stunning!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

5 stars. A really What a Sight photo.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Oooopsz! very small distance..

Anonymous

15 years ago

Stunning!! I first thought it was an air show photo! Great picture!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

OH MY GOD!! I may never live to see a better shot. That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Aussom!Look at the distance between you and that 747-400.Great shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Too close for comfort?

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing!!! SFO rocks! Well done Ben!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great shot, and very meaningful to me as I just experienced my first go around this AM at TPE onboard CX 530, brand new A330-300.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Woww!!!really lucky moment.super-just super shot.thank you very much.five stars

Anonymous

15 years ago

Sometimes this only happens around SFO. What a shot. T.B.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Must have been quite a sight, nice pic!

Anonymous

15 years ago

So I'm just wondering... could you hear the 747 engines spooling up? great shot... I never comment on anything below five stars, so there ya go

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great Shot...all in a days work for ATC. Again, awesome shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Heavy!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Truly amazing sight. I wonder why the A319 didn't approach at a higher speed for the sake of enabling the 747 to land.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Oh my good! I seems like they will crash!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Absolutely outstanding! One of the best pics I have ever seen!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Simply awesome, well done !

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great Photo!!! I miss flying Qantas, brings back memories.

Anonymous

15 years ago

SFO at its' finest. Too bad there were no airliners.net fans on the QF flight reciprocating the feeling.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Perfect shot. 5*****

Anonymous

15 years ago

Simply fantastic

Anonymous

15 years ago

Only at SFO! Love it!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Good timing exelent moment

Anonymous

15 years ago

Never seen something like this! Wonderful shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great shot of a great aeroplane from a wonderful airline.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Somebody would think it's a montage! Perfect shot Ben!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing shot! Almost like you were right beside the plane!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Incredible!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Super!

Anonymous

15 years ago

A incredible rare occurrence to witness and you had your camera ready!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great photo - though I think I might have paused for a moment looking out the window and seeing a 744 so close!

Anonymous

15 years ago

OMG!! What a Shot Mr. Ben Wang!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

WOO!! From that close-up, the TCAS must be ringing off the hook!!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Outstanding...

Anonymous

15 years ago

Spectacular! All We Need Now Is A Picture From A Person Inside The Qantas Jet!

Anonymous

15 years ago

WOW - great photoG-)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Coolio!
This was an unexpected exciting event!

Anonymous

15 years ago

This picture doesnt get any better I wish I was on the VA plane to see that Qantas bird.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Nice one!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Excellent excellent photo, just goes to show the level of precision of flying required to fly into KSFO love it!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Too many comments for this Photo.....Which it really deserves.....Good Job buddy...

Anonymous

15 years ago

Right place + Right time = Perfection!
What a lucky shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Lucky shot indeed and a very good one too. i wish i could be in your place. keep up the good work Ben

Anonymous

15 years ago

Now this is a peice of art ha ha ha ha ha

Anonymous

15 years ago

Incredible shot, ben! i love it!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Simply too close for its size :),great capture!

Anonymous

15 years ago

I was the F/O on the 319, we were on an approx 3 mile final, we at 125kts fully configured to land, qantas at approximately 140kts, I guess, fully configured. Qantas instructed to stay in trail as per required for a visual paired approach to SFO 28L and 28R, but eventually called to ATC unable. We offered to speed up but at that point Qantas called going around. He climbed away to 3000ft uneventfully, the picture must have been taken just at the point he started the pitch up. Spectacular as he was nearly level with us at the point of go around initiation. Shame some people think this is a fake picture. Actually go arounds on a paired approach are unusual, the spacing and speed differential just didn't work out this time. Great shot though.

Anonymous

15 years ago

This picture is one of the best at airliners.net

Anonymous

15 years ago

Indeed, an amazing moment. Looking out of the window and seeing this giant flying next to you. Thrilling. Great picture, Ben. Thanks for sharing it with us. It every time gives me the idea I'm sitting in the A319 myself.

Anonymous

15 years ago

There are quite a few extremely awesome one-in-a-million shots on A.net. However, this is one of those one-in-a-billion shots. 5 stars and thanks for sharing this one.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow, amazing to see such a large aircraft that close to another. Pilots have the greatest jobs on earth!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wang, you have done it, AGAIN!

Anonymous

15 years ago

One of the best shots I have ever seen

Anonymous

15 years ago

Outstanding picture!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Absolutely awsome

Anonymous

15 years ago

Greaaaaaat pic

Anonymous

15 years ago

Greeeeeeaaaaat!!!!!!!:o

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow! Amazing shot!

Anonymous

15 years ago

You have to be at the right moment in the right place. 5 stars is a conservative qualification for this shot. Congratulations!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Amazing! Glad you had your camera with you.

Anonymous

15 years ago

The Qantas looks so great.
Greetings and congratulations for the photographer.
You see this kind of photos once in a thousand years.
My God I beleive the pilots of the 2 planes even said hi to each other

Anonymous

15 years ago

Five Stars! This is the BEST photo I have EVER seen!! Thanks alot Ben :)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Best photo... ever

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wow! This is a very unusual angle of the most beautiful plane that is flying around! And I love the Qantas colourscheme!

Anonymous

15 years ago

Great photo. Five stars! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous

15 years ago

Wonderful picture!!! Qantas is my favorite airline!!

Anonymous

15 years ago

this is amazing american and european design right next to each other in air a extremly rare site

Anonymous

15 years ago

It's so awesome & cute photo 4ever :)

Anonymous

15 years ago

Fantastic shot! Once in a lifetime opportunity!!

Anonymous

14 years ago

I live above and have spotted sfo for 33 years. one of the most incredible shots i've seen.

Anonymous

14 years ago

Incredible shot indeed...
This is typical for SFO...

Anonymous

14 years ago

Awesome shot! This is best shot ever i seen in airliners.net.
I must approach it should get 7 stars as same to one of Dubai's luxuary hotel!
Well done again!

Anonymous

14 years ago

Wow, this is an amazing sight, I would be stunned if I saw something like this.

Anonymous

14 years ago

Very neat to be that close to a heavy in midair. Great shot!

Anonymous

14 years ago

Wow that is one amazing photo, The 747 is by far the most amazing plane, even above the A380. This is a once in 1000 lifetimes photo. Awsome shot!!

Anonymous

14 years ago

This really is one in a million photo..

Anonymous

14 years ago

I have had the opportunity to witness a 767 or 757 next to my plane when flying back into SFO and it was amazing, just not as amazing as this though!

Anonymous

14 years ago

Whow.... Wish I could make a shot like this!
5* definitely!

Anonymous

14 years ago

Wow! That is awesome. It had to go around cause the little A319 was too slow! lol jk.

Anonymous

14 years ago

This can be experienced only in some of the busiest US airports. I wonder even LHR has this kind of a traffic.

Anonymous

14 years ago

A very rare chance to experience such encounter.

Anonymous

14 years ago

Pilot to other pilot over the radio - "Get outta the way , old man !!!! yaaahhoooooo !!!"

Anonymous

14 years ago

The QF747 is climbing, hence the difference in the attack angle between the A319. Fantastic capture!
Frank frm BUE E01

Anonymous

14 years ago

Could this not be a metaphor for the strong US-Oz alliance?

Anonymous

14 years ago

Magical, makes me cry..

Anonymous

14 years ago

Great shot! :)

Anonymous

14 years ago

Very nice.

Anonymous

14 years ago

Amazing shot Ben :)

Anonymous

14 years ago

Am Sure the TCAS is crying !

Anonymous

13 years ago

Probably the last 3 letters of the registration of the 747 had to deal with this situation.

Anonymous

13 years ago

Why couldn't the 'roo just put the 319 in its pouch and then it wouldn't have to go around?

Anonymous

13 years ago

Shot of a lifetime!!Congrats!!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Bet that 74 burned more fuel on the go around than the 319 used for their entire trip

Anonymous

13 years ago

Fantastic !

Anonymous

13 years ago

Expectacular Pic! this is a very rare Shot Congrats!!!

Anonymous

13 years ago

It's a wrong thing if i don't give you a five *.nice work .

Anonymous

13 years ago

Amazing!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Wow! Brilliant shot. Talk about your once in a lifetime opportunities.

Anonymous

13 years ago

One of the best action shots an airliners! The timing here was amazing, well done to you Ben.

Anonymous

13 years ago

One of the best shots I have ever seen!

Anonymous

13 years ago

That's so awesome

Anonymous

13 years ago

The best shot i have ever seen!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Fantastic I was onboard the Qantats 747 great flight and a go round at the end even after a 13hur was fantastic that surge of power and the moment of O MY GOD before the calm voice of the 2nd officer telling us there was another aircraft i our way and we were doing a go round and add is a lovely clear day and a great day for seeing enjoy and sorry about the delay to our arrival .

Anonymous

13 years ago

Nice Shot!!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Awesome

Anonymous

13 years ago

The tcas must have been goin crazy

Anonymous

13 years ago

Amazing!!!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Most amazing picture of all time! The lighting on the back of the Quantas is stunning!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Full dirty configuration... the noise must have been spectacular!! I'm jealous!! Congratulations on an amazing shot!!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Lucky!

Anonymous

13 years ago

Amazing i wish i had a photo like that

Anonymous

13 years ago

Great catch! TCAS wouldn't be going crazy though, they have it set to TA (traffic advisory) only during approach for reasons very effectively illustrated by this great photo :)

Anonymous

13 years ago

For a second I thought the 744 was flaring for landing :X. Ni e to see some one caring about go-arounds -_-

Anonymous

13 years ago

Surely hope they did not do "Flaps down, Power up" :).

Amazing picture, reminds me of the time when I was a student pilot and had to get out of the way of a 777 coming. Was already pushing my approach speed at 120 kts, but they told me g/a.

Anonymous

12 years ago

Great get, shame about the glare of Skippy..

Anonymous

12 years ago

Fantastic and scary !!!!

Anonymous

12 years ago

The ability to seize the moment with a clarity that captures the drama of the flyby is what separates this from all the rest.

Anonymous

12 years ago

Your seat on the A319, the timing of your flight and your attention to other traffic is phenomenal.

Anonymous

12 years ago

> Why couldn't the 'roo just put the 319 in its pouch and then it wouldn't have to go around?

hahaha :) AWESOME picture & for sure a "once in a lifetime" moment - congratulations!

Anonymous

12 years ago

You r damn lucky to get a chance like that! Good timing of the shot buddy!

Anonymous

12 years ago

Once in a lifetime...simply AWESOME!!!!!!

Anonymous

12 years ago

Awesome ..........wow!

Anonymous

12 years ago

It's Very amazing!it looks like friendship.

Anonymous

12 years ago

Absolutely amazing shot, and a very rare sight I'm sure. It blows my mind just how close the 747 is to your wing.

Anonymous

12 years ago

Enough has been said already so all I can say is Awsome.

Anonymous

12 years ago

Awesome !

Anonymous

12 years ago

Stunning

Anonymous

12 years ago

I've only just discovered this photo, Ben Wang is awesome!!

Anonymous

11 years ago

Great photography is a bit like great comedy - it's all in the timing. This is phenomenal.

Anonymous

11 years ago

Simply awesome! at first i thought it was a Photoshop special, but reading 2 comments from the pilot of the 319 and a pax on the 744, i can only say well done on a simply awesome photo!

Anonymous

11 years ago

This is a one in a million shot... nice job!!

Anonymous

11 years ago

This is without a doubt one of the absolute best pictures on this site! However, I'd be worried if I was on either plane here- I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to fly this close.

Anonymous

11 years ago

I think this shot..is comparable to man first stepping on the moon.

Anonymous

11 years ago

Ure a lucky guy. rare opportunity

Anonymous

11 years ago

I can imagine the emotional excitement I'd feel experiencing this!

Anonymous

11 years ago

Well done Ben, you've captured this rare and tricky-to-photograph event very well.

Anonymous

11 years ago

Just breathtaking

Anonymous

11 years ago

Go arounds are fairly routine but a chore after a long flight from Sydney. TCAS algorithm won't say anything until aircraft paths encroach, you could fly formation as long as no turns are made into each other. Do it all the time on parallel runways like SFO

Anonymous

11 years ago

Great action pic, and excellent details given by the photographer. The photographer included the winglet, plainly showing it to be Virgin America, and included the Qantas 747.

Anonymous

11 years ago

Stunning

Anonymous

11 years ago

This shot is excellent actually. i'm wondering if such a position between the two planes is allowed... anyway tcas should be disabled ;) congrats for the shot anyway

Anonymous

11 years ago

Niceeeeee

Anonymous

11 years ago

Back in my flying days with Northwest, I had to go around at SFO once. This is an exceptional (great) photo Ben...

Capt. Dan
Northwest Airlines (Retired)