The fastest way to track a flight is to use the airline's website or app, or a free flight-tracking service like FlightAware or FlightRadar24

You can track almost any commercial flight using the airline's own tools, which show you the gate, departure time, arrival time, and current location of your plane. Most airlines let you search by confirmation number or flight number without logging in. If you don't have those details, free third-party sites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flighty show the real-time position of the aircraft on a map, plus altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time — and they work for any airline.

The method you choose depends on what information you already have and how detailed you want the tracking to be. Airline apps are best if you booked the flight yourself and want gate changes or cancellation alerts sent to your phone. Third-party trackers are best if you're tracking someone else's flight or want to see the plane's exact location and flight path.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline's website or app shows gate numbers, departure times, and delays — search by confirmation number or flight number without logging in.
  • FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show the real-time position of any aircraft on a map, plus altitude and speed, and work for flights on any airline.
  • You need either the flight number (like AA123) or the airline name and departure and arrival cities to search most tracking tools.
  • Airline apps can send push notifications when your gate changes or your flight is delayed, but third-party sites require you to refresh manually.
  • Some flights, especially military or private aircraft, do not appear on public tracking sites for security reasons.

How to track a flight using the airline's website or app

Go to the airline's home page and look for a "Track Your Flight" or "Flight Status" link — it's usually near the top. Enter your confirmation number (the code on your booking email) and last name, or search by flight number alone. The airline will show you the current status, gate number, departure time, and estimated arrival time. If the flight hasn't departed yet, you'll see whether it's on time, delayed, or cancelled.

Most airlines also have a mobile app that does the same thing. The advantage of the app is that you can turn on notifications, so the airline will send you a push alert if your gate changes, your flight is delayed, or boarding is about to start. read the app from the App Store or Google Play, search for your flight, and toggle on notifications in the settings.

If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, you can still track the flight on the airline's own website — you don't need to go back to the booking site. You'll just need the flight number or confirmation number.

How to track a flight using FlightAware or FlightRadar24

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are free websites that show the real-time position of almost every commercial flight in the air. Go to FlightAware.com or FlightRadar24.com, enter the flight number (like AA123 or DL456) in the search box, and you'll see a map with the plane's current location, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. You can also search by the airline name and departure and arrival cities if you don't know the flight number.

FlightRadar24 shows a more detailed map view and lets you zoom in and out to see the flight path. FlightAware shows more text-based information, including the aircraft type, tail number, and a history of delays for that specific plane. Both sites update every few seconds while the plane is in the air.

These sites work for any airline and any flight, so they're useful if you're tracking a flight booked by someone else or if you want to see the plane's exact position before it lands. You don't need to log in or create an account.

What information you need to track a flight

The easiest way to track a flight is with the flight number — a two-letter airline code followed by numbers, like UA456 or SW789. You can find the flight number on your booking confirmation email, on your airline app, or on your boarding pass. If you have the flight number, you can search on any tracking site or the airline's website.

If you don't have the flight number, you can search using the airline name and the departure and arrival cities. For example, "American Airlines from New York to Los Angeles" will show you all American flights on that route. If multiple flights operate that route on the same day, you may need to narrow it down by time of day.

If you have a confirmation number (the code on your booking email, usually six letters or numbers), you can search the airline's website directly without knowing the flight number. The airline will pull up your booking and show you the flight status.

Why some flights don't appear on tracking sites

Most commercial flights appear on FlightAware and FlightRadar24 within a few minutes of takeoff. However, some flights are not tracked publicly. Military flights, government flights, and many private jets do not show up on these sites for security reasons. Some airlines also request that their flights not be tracked on third-party sites, though this is rare.

If you search for a flight and it doesn't appear, try searching again with a different flight number or airline name. If the flight is scheduled to depart soon but hasn't taken off yet, it may not show up on the map until it's actually in the air. Once the plane lands, it usually disappears from the tracking map within a few minutes.

How to set up flight alerts on your phone

If you want to be notified of changes to your flight without checking the tracking site constantly, use the airline's app. read the app, search for your flight, and look for a bell icon or "Notifications" button. Toggle on alerts for gate changes, delays, and boarding updates. The airline will send you a push notification to your phone when any of these events happen.

FlightAware also offers email and text alerts if you create a free account. Go to FlightAware.com, create an account with your email address, search for your flight, and click "Track This Flight." You can then choose to receive email or SMS notifications when the flight departs, lands, or is delayed. This is useful if you're tracking a flight for someone else and want to know when they've landed safely.

What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled

Once you see on the tracking site that your flight is delayed or cancelled, check the airline's website or app for the reason and the new departure time. The airline will usually post this information within a few minutes of the delay. If your flight is cancelled, the airline will offer you a rebooking on the next available flight or a refund.

If you're at the airport, the gate agent will have the most up-to-date information. If you're tracking a flight from home, the airline's app or website is more reliable than the tracking sites, because the airline updates its own systems first.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Use the flight number (like AA123) or search by airline name and departure and arrival cities on FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or the airline's website. If you know the approximate departure time, that helps narrow down the results.

How often do flight tracking sites update?

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 update every few seconds while the plane is in the air. The airline's own app or website may update less frequently, but it usually has more accurate gate and delay information because the airline controls that data directly.

Can I see where a plane is going after it lands?

Once a plane lands, it usually disappears from the tracking map within a few minutes. If you need to know whether a plane has landed, check the airline's website or app, which will show the actual arrival time even after the flight is complete.

Do I need to pay to track a flight?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and the airline's website and app are all free. Some third-party apps charge a subscription for extra features like historical flight data or premium alerts, but basic tracking is always free.

What's the difference between FlightAware and FlightRadar24?

FlightRadar24 shows a detailed map view and is better for watching the plane's exact position and flight path. FlightAware shows more text-based information about delays and the aircraft itself. Both are free and show the same real-time flight data.