The fastest way to track a flight live
You can track almost any commercial flight in real time using FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or the airline's own app or website. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are free and show you the aircraft's position on a map, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time updated every few seconds. The airline's app or website usually shows gate information, boarding times, and baggage claim details that the public tracking sites do not.
To find a flight, you need the airline name and flight number (printed on your boarding pass as a two-letter code plus three or four digits — for example, AA1234 for American Airlines). If you do not have the flight number, you can search by departure and arrival cities and the date, and the site will show you all flights on that route.
The airline's own system is usually the most reliable for your specific flight because it connects directly to the airline's operations. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 pull data from radar and aircraft transponders, so they show you what is actually happening in the air, but they may lag by a minute or two behind what the airline knows.
Key Takeaways
- FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are free websites and apps that show aircraft position, altitude, and speed on a live map.
- Your airline's website or app shows gate numbers, boarding times, and baggage claim information that public tracking sites do not have.
- You need the flight number (two letters plus three or four digits) to search, or you can search by city pair and date.
- Radar-based tracking lags one to two minutes behind the airline's own data, but shows you what is actually in the air.
How to use FlightAware
Go to flightaware.com or open the FlightAware app. In the search box at the top, type the flight number (for example, UA456) and press Enter. The site will show you the aircraft on a map, its current altitude and speed, the departure and arrival airports, and the estimated time of arrival. You can click on the aircraft icon to see more details, including the aircraft type and tail number.
If you do not know the flight number, click "Track a Flight" and search by the departure city, arrival city, and date. The site will show you all flights on that route. Find the one that matches your airline and time, and click it to see the live map.
FlightAware updates every few seconds while the flight is in the air. You can leave the page open and watch the aircraft move across the map in real time. The site also shows you the flight's history — where it came from before this flight, and where it is scheduled to go next.
How to use FlightRadar24
Go to flightradar24.com or open the FlightRadar24 app. The homepage shows a live map of aircraft in the air right now. Use the search box at the top left to search by flight number or by airport code. Type the flight number (for example, DL789) and press Enter to jump to that aircraft on the map.
Click on the aircraft icon to open a panel showing the flight number, aircraft type, altitude, speed, and route. The panel also shows you the departure and arrival airports and the estimated time of arrival. FlightRadar24 updates every few seconds and shows you the actual radar data, so you see exactly where the plane is.
FlightRadar24 has a free version and a paid subscription. The free version shows you live tracking and basic flight information. The paid version adds features like detailed aircraft history and the ability to set up alerts, but you do not need it to track a flight.
How to track through your airline's website or app
Most airlines have a "Track Your Flight" section on their website or in their mobile app. Open the airline's website or app, look for a link that says "Track Flight" or "My Trips", and enter your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and date of travel. The airline will show you your specific flight with gate information, boarding time, and any delays or changes.
The airline's system is usually more detailed than public tracking sites because it includes information that only the airline has — which gate you are leaving from, whether boarding has started, and which baggage carousel your luggage will arrive at. This information updates as the flight progresses through the airport.
If you booked through a travel website like Expedia or Kayak, you can usually track the flight through that site as well. Log in with your booking confirmation number, and the site will show you the flight status and any updates from the airline.
What information you will see on a live tracking map
A live tracking map shows you the aircraft's current position as a small airplane icon on a map. The altitude is shown in feet above sea level. The speed is shown in knots (nautical miles per hour) or kilometers per hour depending on your location. The estimated time of arrival is the time the aircraft is expected to land, calculated from its current speed and distance to the destination.
You will also see the flight path — a line showing where the aircraft has been and where it is going. This helps you understand whether the flight is on its normal route or has been diverted. Some tracking sites show you the aircraft's heading (the direction it is flying) and the outside air temperature.
The tracking map updates every few seconds while the flight is in the air. Once the aircraft lands and turns off its transponder, it will disappear from the map. At that point, you can switch to the airline's app to see gate information and baggage claim details.
Why a flight might disappear from the tracking map
A flight disappears from the live tracking map when the aircraft lands and the crew turns off the transponder — the device that broadcasts the aircraft's position to radar receivers. This usually happens a few minutes after landing. The aircraft is still at the airport; you just cannot see it on the map anymore.
Occasionally, a flight may disappear from the map before landing if the transponder malfunctions or if the aircraft is in an area with poor radar coverage. This is rare on commercial flights in the United States and Europe, where radar coverage is extensive. If a flight disappears unexpectedly, check the airline's website or app to see if there is an update about the flight status.
Military aircraft and some private flights do not show up on public tracking maps at all because their transponders are turned off or set to a mode that does not broadcast to civilian radar receivers.
Tracking a delayed or diverted flight
If your flight is delayed, the tracking map will show you where the aircraft actually is. A delayed flight might still be on the ground at the departure airport, or it might be in the air but flying slower than usual due to weather or air traffic. The live map shows you the real situation, not just what the airline's estimated time says.
If your flight is diverted to a different airport, the tracking map will show you the new route. The aircraft's destination will change on the map, and you can see it flying toward the new airport. Check the airline's website or app at the same time, because the airline will send you a notification about the diversion and tell you what happens next — whether you will be flown to your original destination or whether you need to make other plans.
During a delay or diversion, the tracking map updates more frequently because the situation is changing. Keep the page open and refresh it every minute or so to see the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track a flight if I am not the passenger?
Yes. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are public websites, so anyone can search for any flight by flight number. You do not need a ticket or confirmation number. However, the airline's own tracking system usually requires a confirmation number and last name to see gate and baggage information.
How far in advance can I track a flight?
You can track a flight once it is in the air. Most tracking sites do not show scheduled flights that have not taken off yet. However, the airline's website will show you the flight status and any delays or changes starting a few hours before departure.
Does tracking a flight use a lot of data?
No. The tracking map uses very little data because it is mostly just updating the aircraft's position every few seconds. You can track a flight on a mobile phone without worrying about using much of your data plan. The FlightAware and FlightRadar24 apps are also lightweight and do not drain your battery quickly.
What if the flight number changes?
Flight numbers can change if the airline cancels a flight and rebooks you on a different flight, or if there is a schedule change. Check your airline's email or text messages for the new flight number. Once you have the new number, search for it on FlightAware or FlightRadar24 the same way you would search for the original flight.
Can I get alerts when my flight lands?
Yes. FlightRadar24's paid subscription includes alerts, and most airline apps let you turn on notifications for your flight. You can set the app to send you a notification when the flight lands, when boarding starts, or when there is a delay. Check your airline's app settings to turn on notifications.