Where to find your flight status right now
The fastest way to check your flight status is the airline's website or mobile app. Go to the airline's homepage, look for "Flight Status" or "Track My Flight," enter your confirmation number and last name (or your flight number and date), and you'll see whether the flight is on time, delayed, cancelled, or boarding. Most airlines update this information every 15 to 30 minutes once you're within 24 hours of departure.
If you don't have your confirmation number, your flight number works just as well. You can find your flight number on your booking email, your airline app, or by searching the airline's schedule for your departure and arrival cities on that date.
The airline's app is often faster than the website because it can send you push notifications about changes without you having to refresh the page. read it before your trip if you can.
Key Takeaways
- Your airline's website or app is the most reliable source and updates every 15 to 30 minutes once you're within 24 hours of departure.
- You need either your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and travel date, to search for status.
- Third-party flight tracking sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show real-time aircraft location and can alert you to delays before the airline updates its own system.
- Airport websites and ground transportation apps (Uber, Lyft, taxi services) also display flight status and can help you time your arrival.
- If your flight is delayed or cancelled, contact your airline directly by phone, app, or website chat rather than waiting for an email.
Third-party flight tracking sites that update faster
FlightAware and FlightRadar24 track aircraft in real time using radar and aircraft transponder data, so they often show delays or cancellations before the airline's own website does. Both sites are free and show you the plane's current location, altitude, and speed. You can search by flight number or by entering your departure and arrival cities and date.
FlightAware also lets you set up alerts by email or text message for a specific flight, so you don't have to keep checking. FlightRadar24 has a similar feature in its paid version, though the free version still shows live aircraft movement.
These sites are useful when an airline hasn't updated its status page yet but you can see the aircraft is still on the ground or moving slowly. They won't tell you why the delay happened, but they'll tell you that it's happening.
Using your airport's website and ground transportation apps
Your departure and arrival airports both post flight status on their websites. Search for the airport name plus "flight status" or "arrivals and departures." This is especially useful if you're picking someone up—you can see when their flight actually lands rather than when it was scheduled to land.
Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft also display flight status when you enter your flight number. They use this to estimate when you'll need a pickup and to match you with a driver at the right time. Taxi services and hotel shuttle services often have their own tracking systems too.
If you're driving yourself or being picked up by someone else, these tools help you and your driver time your arrival at the airport or your departure from home without sitting in the parking lot for an hour.
What the status labels mean
On Time means the flight is scheduled to depart or arrive at the posted time. Delayed means the airline has announced a new departure or arrival time, usually shown in minutes (for example, "Delayed 45 minutes"). Boarding means passengers are currently getting on the plane. Departed means the plane has left the gate.
Cancelled means the flight will not operate that day. The airline will rebook you on another flight or refund your ticket. Diverted means the plane is landing at a different airport than planned, usually because of weather. In Flight means the plane is currently in the air.
Some airlines also show Gate Change or Terminal Change, which means you need to go to a different part of the airport. Check your airline's app or the airport's departure board to see the new gate or terminal before you head to the airport.
How to get notified of changes without checking constantly
Most airline apps let you turn on push notifications for your booked flights. Open the app, find your reservation, and look for a bell icon or "Alerts" button. Turn on notifications and you'll get a message on your phone whenever the status changes, the gate changes, or boarding starts.
FlightAware also sends email or text alerts if you set them up on their website. Enter your flight number, choose how you want to be notified, and they'll contact you if there's a delay or cancellation.
If you're not comfortable with app notifications, you can also ask your airline to send you text messages or emails about your flight. Look for "Manage My Booking" or "Flight Alerts" on the airline's website to set this up.
What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled
If your flight is delayed, check the airline's website or app to see the new departure time. If the delay is more than a few hours, the airline may offer a meal voucher, hotel room, or rebooking on another flight. The rules vary by airline and by how long the delay is, so call the airline or use the app's chat feature to ask what you're may have access to to.
If your flight is cancelled, the airline will contact you by email or phone, but don't wait for that message. Go to the airline's website or app right away and look for "Rebooking" or "Next Available Flight." You can usually rebook yourself on another flight without calling. If all flights that day are full, ask to be rebooked on the next day or to receive a refund.
Keep your confirmation number, boarding pass, and any receipts for meals or hotels you buy because of the delay. You may be able to claim these expenses from the airline depending on the reason for the delay and your airline's policy.
Checking status at the airport
Once you're at the airport, the departure boards in the terminal show the most current status. These boards update every few minutes and show gate numbers, boarding times, and any delays or changes. Arrive early enough to check the board and find your gate before boarding starts.
If you don't see your flight on the board, ask an airline agent at the ticket counter or gate. They have access to the same real-time system the website uses and can tell you when ready if something has changed.
Airport staff can also help you if your flight is cancelled or delayed and you need to rebook, find a hotel, or arrange ground transportation. Don't rely only on the website or app once you're at the airport—the gate agents have more options and can make decisions faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does flight status update?
Airline websites and apps update every 15 to 30 minutes once your flight is within 24 hours of departure. Third-party tracking sites like FlightAware update more frequently because they use radar data. Once you're at the airport, the departure boards update every few minutes.
Can I check someone else's flight status?
You can check a flight's general status (on time, delayed, cancelled) using just the flight number and date on any airline website or tracking site. To see specific details like the gate or seat assignments, you need the passenger's confirmation number and last name, or you need to be added as an emergency contact in their booking.
What does "equipment change" mean?
Equipment change means the airline is using a different aircraft than originally planned, usually because of maintenance or scheduling. This can sometimes cause a delay while they bring the new plane to the gate, but it doesn't affect your ticket or seat assignment.
Why does my airline app show a different status than the airport website?
The airline app and the airline's website pull from the same system, so they should match. If they don't, refresh both pages. Airport websites sometimes lag behind because they pull data from the airline on a delay. The airline's own system is always the most current source.
Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed?
A delay alone doesn't automatically may have access to you to a refund—you're usually rebooked on the next available flight instead. However, if the delay causes you to miss a connection and you have to buy a new ticket, or if you decide to cancel rather than wait, contact the airline about a refund. Policies vary by airline and by the reason for the delay.