The fastest way to track a flight is to use the airline's website or app with your confirmation number

Most airlines let you enter your booking reference (a six-character code from your confirmation email) and last name into their website or mobile app, and you'll see your flight's real-time location, gate number, departure time, and arrival time. This is the most direct route because the airline controls the data and updates it constantly.

If you don't have your confirmation number, you can search by flight number and date instead. The flight number appears on your ticket and looks like "UA 447" or "DL 1829"—the airline code plus a number. Enter that into the airline's flight tracker, and you'll pull up the same information.

For flights you're not booked on—tracking someone else's arrival, for instance—you'll need a free third-party tracker instead, since the airline won't show you details without a booking reference.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app is the fastest source for real-time updates on your own flight, and you access it with your confirmation number or flight number.
  • Third-party trackers like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Google Flights show live aircraft location and altitude for any flight, even ones you're not booked on.
  • Most trackers update every few seconds to every few minutes, so you'll see delays, gate changes, and landing status as they happen.
  • Airports also post departure and arrival boards in terminals and online, which update when gates open or close or when flights are delayed.

Free third-party trackers that show any flight's location

FlightAware is the most widely used tracker. Enter a flight number, airline, and date, and you'll see the aircraft's current position on a map, its altitude, speed, and the runway it's heading toward. You can also search by aircraft registration (the tail number, which starts with N in the United States). FlightAware updates every few seconds for most flights and works on desktop and mobile.

FlightRadar24 works similarly—it shows live aircraft positions on a map worldwide. You can click on any plane and see its flight number, altitude, speed, and destination. The free version has a slight delay (usually a few minutes behind live position), but the information is still current enough to track arrivals and departures.

Google Flights includes a tracker if you search for a flight. Enter the airline and flight number, and Google shows you the aircraft's current location, how much longer until landing, and any delays. This is useful if you're already in Google's ecosystem and don't want to switch tabs.

All three update frequently enough that you'll see when a flight lands, when it's delayed on the tarmac, or when it's diverted. None of them require a booking reference or login.

What information you'll see on a flight tracker

A real-time tracker shows you the aircraft's current position on a map, its altitude (how high it is), its ground speed (how fast it's moving), and its heading (the direction it's flying). You'll also see the estimated time of arrival, which updates as the flight progresses. If the flight is delayed, the tracker will show the new arrival time.

For your own flight, the airline's tracker adds details the third-party trackers don't have: your gate number (once it's assigned), your seat assignment, baggage claim information, and sometimes the aircraft type and tail number. The airline also tells you if the flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled.

Third-party trackers sometimes show historical flight data—how often this flight is delayed, how long it typically takes, what aircraft usually fly this route. This is useful if you're trying to understand whether a delay is normal for that flight or unusual.

When to check the airport's departure and arrival boards

Airport websites post live departure and arrival boards that show gate numbers, departure times, and arrival times. These update when gates are assigned or changed, when flights are delayed, or when they land. You can search by flight number or airline on most airport websites.

If you're picking someone up or dropping someone off, the airport board is often more useful than a flight tracker because it tells you which baggage claim or ground transportation area to head to. The airport's website or app usually has a link to the live board on the homepage.

Gate changes happen frequently, especially at large airports, so check the airport board within an hour of departure if you're going to the terminal. A flight tracker won't tell you the gate number, but the airport board updates it in real time.

How often trackers update and why there's sometimes a delay

Most airline trackers and FlightAware update every few seconds once a flight is in the air. FlightRadar24's free version has a slight delay—usually two to five minutes behind live position—because it relies on publicly available radar data. This delay is small enough that you'll still see when a flight is landing or taking off.

Trackers pull data from different sources: airlines report their own flights directly, while third-party trackers use radar, satellite, and aircraft transponder signals. If a tracker seems to show a flight in the wrong place or hasn't updated in a while, try a different one—one source may be temporarily down while others are current.

On the ground, before takeoff and after landing, trackers may show less detail because the aircraft isn't transmitting as much data. Once airborne, the data is usually continuous and current.

Tracking a flight when you're not the passenger

If you're tracking someone else's flight—a family member arriving, a friend you're picking up—you'll need their flight number and date, or you can use a third-party tracker without any booking information. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Google Flights all let you search by flight number alone.

The airline's own tracker requires a booking reference, so you can't use it unless the passenger gives you their confirmation number. If they do, you can log in and see everything the passenger sees: gate, seat, baggage claim, and real-time position.

For a more detailed picture, ask the passenger for their confirmation number so you can check the airline's tracker. Otherwise, a third-party tracker gives you the aircraft's location and estimated arrival time, which is usually enough to know when to head to the airport.

What to do if a tracker shows your flight is delayed

If you see a delay on a tracker before the airline notifies you, check the airline's official website or app to confirm it. Trackers sometimes show minor delays that resolve themselves, and the airline's official status is the source of truth for whether your flight is actually delayed.

Once the airline confirms a delay, contact them directly if you need to rebook, change your seat, or arrange ground transportation. The airline's customer service line, website, or app is where you make those changes—the tracker only shows you the delay, it doesn't let you respond to it.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline will notify you by email or phone (if you provided those details at booking). Check the airline's website when ready to see rebooking options, because cancelled flights fill up quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight without a confirmation number?

Yes. Third-party trackers like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let you search by flight number and date without any booking information. The airline's own tracker requires a confirmation number or booking reference, so you'll need that to see gate and seat details.

Why does my tracker show the plane in a different location than another tracker?

Different trackers use different data sources—some pull from airline systems, others from radar or satellite. A slight difference in position is normal and usually resolves within a few minutes. If one tracker hasn't updated in a while, try another.

Can I track a flight that landed hours ago?

Yes. Most trackers keep historical data, so you can search for a flight by number and date and see where it went, how long it took, and whether it was delayed. This is useful if you're checking on a flight that already arrived.

Do I need an account to use a flight tracker?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Google Flights all work without logging in. The airline's tracker requires your confirmation number, but that's not an account—it's just a search.

What's the difference between ground speed and airspeed on a tracker?

Ground speed is how fast the plane is moving over the ground (affected by wind), while airspeed is how fast it's moving through the air. Trackers usually show ground speed, which is what matters for arrival time. A strong tailwind increases ground speed; a headwind decreases it.