SO THIS is what the plane spotters hang out for.

These unbelievable mile-high snaps have been released by aviation photographers AirTeamImages to celebrate its 10th birthday, and they provide a unique glimpse into life in the skies.

From hundreds of birds surrounding a Boeing 777 at Heathrow Airport, to a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet visibly breaking the sounds barrier above San Francisco, these remarkable mile-high moments are usually never witnessed by passengers.

Other highlights include the look on a pilot's face as his small plane turns upside down, a jumbo jet swooping low over sunbathers, and a view of lightning from the cockpit of a Jetstar plane.

AirTeamImages was established in 2003 by the world renowned aviation photographer Derek Pedley.

"We are the largest supplier of aviation images in the world," he said. "We have 200 photographers which I have hand-picked and we have a portfolio of images that tell the whole history of aviation right back to the 1900s."

Pedley's love of planes began when he was a child.

"I have a real fascination with planes, which was probably kickstarted by me growing up next to Birmingham Airport," he said.

"I would go with my friends and play football behind the fences which ran alongside the runways. When photography came along it helped to keep the interest going, and here I am today."

See more incredible aviation photography at AirTeamImages.com.