Track a flight using its flight number or aircraft registration

You can follow a flight in real time using free websites that pull data from radar networks and airline systems. The most direct method is to enter the flight number (like UA456 or DL1200) into a tracking site—these sites show the plane's current location on a map, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. If you don't have the flight number, you can search by airline and route, or enter the aircraft's tail number (the registration code printed on the fuselage, like N12345).

The three largest tracking services are FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightradar. All three are free to use on a web browser or mobile app, though they offer paid subscriptions with extra features like historical flight data and alerts. For most people tracking a single flight, the free version is enough. You do not need to log in or create an account to search.

Key Takeaways

  • Enter your flight number (like UA456) into FlightRadar24, FlightAware, or Flightradar to see the plane's location, altitude, and speed on a live map.
  • The tracking data updates every few seconds once the plane is airborne, but ground delays and taxi times may not show until the plane actually moves.
  • If you know the aircraft tail number but not the flight number, you can search by tail number instead to find all flights that plane is operating that day.
  • Tracking sites show estimated arrival time based on current speed and wind, but this changes throughout the flight and may differ from the airline's official estimate.
  • For delays or cancellations, check the airline's website or app directly—tracking sites show where the plane is, not why it is delayed or what the airline will do about it.

Where to find the flight number before you track

Your flight number appears on your booking confirmation email, airline app, or boarding pass. It is usually two letters (the airline code) followed by three or four numbers—for example, AA1234 for American Airlines or SW567 for Southwest. If you booked through a travel site like Kayak or Expedia, log into your account and open the itinerary to find it.

If you are tracking someone else's flight and do not have their confirmation, ask them to text or email you the flight number. You can also call the airline's customer service line with the passenger's name and departure date, and they will give you the flight number. Some airlines also let you search by passenger name directly on their website if you have a confirmation number.

What the tracking map shows you

Once you enter the flight number, the tracking site displays a map with the plane's current position marked by an airplane icon. The map shows the planned route as a line from departure to arrival airport. As the plane moves, the icon updates in real time—usually every 5 to 10 seconds once airborne. You will also see a data box with the plane's current altitude (in feet), ground speed (in knots or mph), and the time remaining to arrival.

The tracking data comes from ADS-B receivers—ground stations that pick up radio signals broadcast by the aircraft itself. This means the data is accurate and live, but it only works once the plane is in the air. While the plane is still on the ground at the gate or taxiing, the tracking site may show the last known position or a delay message, but it will not update until the wheels leave the runway.

Most tracking sites also display the aircraft type (like Boeing 737 or Airbus A320), the airline operating the flight, and sometimes the aircraft's age and history. This information is useful if you want to know more about the specific plane you are flying on, but it does not affect your flight.

Understanding estimated arrival time on tracking sites

The arrival time shown on a tracking site is calculated from the plane's current speed, altitude, and wind conditions—not from the airline's schedule. This estimate updates constantly as the plane flies and wind patterns change. If the plane is flying faster than expected (usually due to a strong tailwind), the estimated arrival time will move earlier. If it is flying slower (headwind or air traffic delays), the estimate will move later.

This estimate is often more accurate than the airline's original schedule, especially for flights already in the air, because it is based on real conditions rather than historical averages. However, it does not account for ground delays at the arrival airport—if there is a long queue to land or a gate is not ready, the plane may arrive on time but land late. For the most up-to-date official estimate, check the airline's app or website, which factors in ground conditions the tracking site may not know about.

Tracking a flight that has already landed

Once a flight lands, it disappears from the live tracking map within a few minutes. If you want to see where a flight went after landing—which gate, which baggage claim, or whether it is still on the tarmac—you will need to check the airline's app or website instead. The tracking sites focus on flights in the air and do not update ground movements in detail.

If you want to review a flight that already happened, FlightRadar24 and FlightAware both offer historical flight tracking. You can search for a past flight by number and date, and the site will show you the entire route the plane flew, including takeoff and landing times, the actual altitude and speed at each point, and any deviations from the planned route. This feature is free on FlightRadar24 but requires a paid subscription on FlightAware.

What to do if the tracking data does not match the airline's information

Tracking sites and airline apps sometimes show different arrival times or even different flight statuses. This happens because they pull data from different sources. The airline's app shows what the airline's own systems say, which includes ground delays, gate assignments, and crew information. The tracking site shows only what the aircraft's radio signals report, which is accurate for the plane's location but may not know about delays that have not yet affected the flight.

If the airline says the flight is delayed but the tracking site shows the plane on schedule, the delay may be on the ground (waiting for a gate, crew, or passengers) rather than in the air. If the tracking site shows the plane landing earlier than the airline predicted, the plane may still be delayed on the ground after landing. For decisions about your own travel—whether to leave for the airport, what to tell a connecting flight, or whether to rebook—use the airline's information, not the tracking site. The airline controls the schedule and knows about ground-level issues the tracking site cannot see.

Tracking sites that work without a subscription

FlightRadar24 is the most popular free option. The website and app let you search by flight number, route, or aircraft tail number. The map updates in real time, and you can zoom in to see the plane's exact position. The free version shows all the information most people need: location, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival. The paid version adds features like detailed flight history, alerts for specific flights, and 3D flight visualization.

FlightAware works similarly and is also free for basic tracking. It shows the flight path, current position, and arrival estimate. FlightAware is often used by aviation professionals and includes more technical details like wind data and flight-level information. The paid version adds historical data and email alerts.

Flightradar is a smaller service but works the same way—enter a flight number and see the live map. All three sites have mobile apps that you can read for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The mobile apps are often easier to use than the websites because they are designed for quick searches on a phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I don't have the flight number?

Yes. If you know the airline and the departure and arrival airports, you can search by route on any tracking site. It will show you all flights on that route that day. If you know the aircraft tail number (printed on the fuselage), you can search by that instead and see all flights the plane is operating that day.

Why does the tracking map show the plane in a different location than the airline app?

The tracking site updates based on the plane's radio signals, which update every few seconds. The airline app may update less frequently or may show a slightly delayed position. Both are correct—the difference is usually just a few seconds or a few miles. The tracking site is often more current, but the airline app has more information about delays and gate assignments.

Does tracking a flight use data or internet?

Yes, you need an internet connection to use any tracking site. The map itself uses very little data—usually less than 1 MB per hour of tracking. If you are on a phone with limited data, using the mobile app over WiFi is the most efficient option.

Can I set up an alert if a flight is delayed?

FlightRadar24 and FlightAware both offer paid subscriptions that include delay alerts. You can also set up alerts through the airline's own app or website, which is usually free. The airline's alerts are often more reliable because they know about ground delays before the tracking site does.

What if the plane I'm tracking suddenly disappears from the map?

This usually means the plane has landed and is no longer broadcasting its position to the tracking network. It can also happen if the plane is flying over an area with no ADS-B receivers nearby (common over oceans or remote regions). Once the plane lands and parks, it stops transmitting, so the tracking site removes it from the live map.