Where to check your flight status

The fastest way to check your flight is through your airline's website or mobile app. Go to the airline's homepage, find the "Flight Status" or "Track Flight" section, and enter your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and departure date. The airline will show you whether your flight is on time, delayed, cancelled, or boarding.

If you don't have your confirmation number, your airline's app usually lets you search by flight number alone. Most major carriers—United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and others—update this information every few minutes, so you're seeing what the airline knows right now.

You can also check through third-party flight tracking sites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or Google Flights. These pull data from the airline and air traffic control systems and show the same delay status, plus a live map of where the plane is in the air. These sites work even if you don't have your confirmation number—just search the flight number and date.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app is the official source and updates every few minutes with the current status of your flight.
  • You need either your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and departure date, to search most airline sites.
  • Third-party tracking sites like FlightAware show the same delay information plus a live map of the aircraft's location.
  • Check your flight the day before departure and again two hours before your scheduled departure time to catch delays early.
  • If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline will contact you by phone, email, or text if you provided those details when booking.

What the status screen actually tells you

When you pull up your flight, you'll see one of these statuses: On Time, Delayed, Cancelled, or Boarding. If it says "Delayed," the screen will usually show the new departure time. If the new time isn't posted yet, it means the airline is still figuring out how long the delay will be.

A delay of 15 minutes or less is often not posted as a formal delay—the flight may still show "On Time" even though it's running a few minutes behind. Once a delay hits 15 or 20 minutes, the airline updates the status. If your flight is delayed more than three hours, you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules, depending on the distance and reason for the delay.

If the status says Cancelled, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost, or refund your ticket. Check your email and text messages—the airline should have sent you a notification with rebooking options. If you don't see one, call the airline directly; their phone lines get busy after a cancellation, so expect a wait.

When to check and how often

Check your flight the day before you're scheduled to depart. This gives you time to make other plans if the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Check again two hours before your scheduled departure time—this is when most delays become official and the airline posts a new departure time.

If you're already at the airport, the departure boards there are the most current source. The airline updates those boards in real time as the flight moves through boarding and pushback. Your phone's flight tracking app will also update as you move through the airport, but the physical boards are what gate agents are looking at.

If your flight is delayed and you're waiting at the airport, keep checking every 30 minutes. Delays sometimes get worse (the airline pushes the departure time back again), but they also sometimes improve if the problem clears up faster than expected.

How airlines notify you about delays and changes

When you book a flight, the airline asks for your phone number and email address. If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or significantly changed, the airline will send you a notification by text, email, or both. These notifications usually come within 30 minutes of the change being posted on their website.

Don't rely only on notifications—they can be delayed or end up in your spam folder. Check your flight status yourself, especially if you're within a few hours of departure. If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, those sites may also send you notifications, but the airline's own notification is the official one.

If you're traveling internationally or on a connecting flight, check both legs of your journey. If your first flight is delayed, it might affect your connection. Some airlines will automatically rebook you on the next flight if you miss a connection due to their delay, but you need to tell them right away if you're stranded.

What to do if your flight is delayed

If your flight is delayed by more than two hours, stay in contact with the airline. Call their customer service line or use their app to message them. Ask whether they expect the delay to get longer, whether they're offering a rebooking on an earlier flight, or whether you can take a later flight without penalty if you want to change your plans.

If you're at the airport, go to the gate or ticket counter and ask the same questions. Gate agents sometimes know about delays before they're posted online, and they can rebook you faster than calling. If the delay is the airline's fault (mechanical issue, crew problem, scheduling), you may be may have access to to a meal voucher or hotel room if the delay is long enough. Ask—the airline won't offer it unless you do.

If the delay is due to weather or air traffic control, the airline is not required to pay for meals or hotels, but many do anyway. If the delay is the airline's fault and you miss a connection or have to stay overnight, keep your receipts. You can file a claim with the airline after your trip for reimbursement.

Checking flights for someone else

If you're checking a flight for a family member or friend, you'll need their confirmation number and last name, or the flight number and date. You can search without their permission—the airline doesn't require you to be the ticket holder to look up a flight's status. However, you cannot make changes to the booking or access their frequent flyer account without their login information.

If you need to make changes on someone else's behalf, ask them for their confirmation number and the password they used when booking. Some airlines let you manage another person's booking if you have their confirmation number and last name, but you can't cancel or change the flight without their approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my flight status without my confirmation number?

Yes. You can search by flight number and departure date on your airline's website or app. Third-party sites like FlightAware also let you search by flight number alone. You only need your confirmation number if you want to manage your booking or change your seat.

How often does the flight status update?

Airlines update flight status every few minutes on their website and app. If you're tracking a flight in the air, the live map updates every 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on the tracking site. Physical airport departure boards update in real time as the flight moves through the airport.

What does "on time" mean if my flight is actually running late?

Airlines don't post a delay until it reaches 15 to 20 minutes. Before that, the flight still shows "On Time" even if it's running a few minutes behind. Once the delay is official, the airline updates the status and posts a new departure time.

Will the airline text me if my flight is delayed?

Yes, if you provided your phone number when you booked. The airline sends a text within 30 minutes of posting a delay. However, texts can be delayed or filtered as spam, so don't rely on them alone—check your flight status yourself, especially close to departure time.

What should I do if my flight is cancelled?

Check your email and text messages for a rebooking offer from the airline. You can also log into your airline account and look for rebooking options there. If you don't see an offer within an hour, call the airline directly. You're may have access to to a refund or a rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost.