Check your flight status directly with the airline or flight tracking website

The fastest way to learn about your flight is delayed, cancelled, or on time is to go straight to your airline's website or call their customer service line. Every major airline—United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and others—has a flight status tool on their homepage. You enter your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and departure date, and the system shows you the current status within seconds.

If you do not have your confirmation number handy, you can use your flight number instead. The flight number appears on your ticket and usually starts with two letters (the airline code) followed by numbers. For example, United flight 447 or Southwest flight 1829. Type this number plus your departure date into the airline's search box, and you will see whether the flight is on schedule, delayed, or cancelled.

You can also call the airline directly. The phone number is on your ticket, on your email confirmation, or on the airline's website. A representative can tell you the status when ready and answer questions about what happens next if there is a delay or cancellation.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website has a flight status tool where you enter your confirmation number or flight number to see delays and cancellations in real time.
  • Flight tracking websites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats show the same information and work even if the airline's site is slow or down.
  • You can text or call your airline directly using the number on your ticket, and a representative will tell you the status and your options.
  • Check your status at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights, so you have time to make changes if needed.
  • Set up push notifications on the airline app so you receive alerts automatically if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Use a flight tracking website when the airline site is slow or down

Flight tracking websites pull data from the same sources airlines use, so they show the same status information. The most popular ones are FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats. These sites are often faster than airline websites during busy travel periods, and they work even if an airline's own site is experiencing technical problems.

Go to any of these sites, enter your flight number and date, and you will see the current status, gate number (if assigned), and estimated departure and arrival times. FlightAware also shows a map of where the plane is in the air if it has already taken off. These sites update every few minutes, so refresh the page if you are checking close to your departure time.

You do not need to create an account on these sites to check a flight. The information is free and available to anyone.

read the airline app for push notifications and real-time updates

Most airlines have mobile apps that let you check your flight status without opening a web browser. More importantly, you can turn on push notifications so the app sends you an alert automatically if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or if your gate changes. This is useful if you are at the airport or on your way there and do not want to keep checking manually.

read the app for your airline from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Log in with your frequent flyer number or the email address you used to book your ticket. Go to your upcoming flights, find the one you want to track, and look for a notifications or alerts option. Turn on all notifications so you hear about delays, gate changes, and cancellations as soon as the airline updates them.

The app also stores your boarding pass, seat assignment, and baggage information in one place, so you have everything you need at the airport without digging through your email.

What to look for when you check your flight status

When you pull up your flight information, you will see several pieces of information. The scheduled departure time is when the flight was originally supposed to leave. The estimated departure time is when it is now expected to leave—if this is later than the scheduled time, your flight is delayed. The status field will say "On Time," "Delayed," "Cancelled," or sometimes "Boarding" if the flight is already at the gate.

Pay attention to the gate number if you are at the airport. Gates can change, especially if there is a delay, so check again about 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If no gate is assigned yet, check back in 15 minutes—gates are usually posted one to two hours before departure.

If your flight shows as cancelled, do not wait for an airline representative to call you. Go directly to the airline's website or call them to rebook on the next available flight. Cancelled flights fill up quickly, and the sooner you rebook, the better your options.

Check your status at the right time before your flight

For domestic flights, check your status at least two hours before your scheduled departure time. This gives you enough time to get to the airport, go through security, and reach your gate if everything is on schedule. If you see a delay at this point, you can decide whether to head to the airport or wait for the next update.

For international flights, check at least three hours before departure. International flights require more time at the airport for security and customs procedures, so you need a bigger window to make changes if something goes wrong.

After you have checked in and are at the airport, check your status one more time about 30 minutes before departure. This is when gate changes are most likely to happen, and you want to know if your gate has moved before you settle in at the wrong one.

What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled

If your flight is delayed, the airline will usually post the new departure time within 30 minutes of the original departure time. Keep checking every 15 to 20 minutes for updates. If the delay is more than a few hours, the airline may offer a rebooking on a different flight or a refund, depending on the reason for the delay and your airline's policy.

If your flight is cancelled, you have the right to a rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost, or a refund of your ticket price. Call the airline or go to their website when ready to rebook, because cancelled flights fill up fast. If the cancellation is the airline's fault (not weather or a security issue), you may also be may have access to to compensation, though the amount varies by airline and the length of the delay caused by your rebooking.

If you are at the airport when a cancellation is announced, go to the airline's ticket counter or customer service desk. Do not wait in the phone queue—the desk can rebook you faster. If you are not at the airport yet, use the airline's website or app to rebook yourself, or call their customer service line.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does flight status information update?

Airline websites and flight tracking sites update every few minutes, usually within 5 to 10 minutes of a change. Push notifications from the airline app may take a few minutes longer to arrive, but they are still faster than checking manually. During busy travel periods, updates may be slightly delayed.

Can I check a flight status without a confirmation number?

Yes. You can use your flight number and departure date instead. The flight number is printed on your ticket and usually appears as two letters followed by numbers, like UA 447 or DL 1829. This works on airline websites, flight tracking sites, and when you call the airline.

What does "on time" mean if my flight is delayed?

A flight marked "on time" means it is expected to depart at or before the scheduled departure time shown on your ticket. If the status changes to "delayed," the estimated departure time will be later than the original time. Always check the estimated time, not just the status label.

Do I need to pay to use flight tracking websites?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats are free to use and do not require an account. You can check any flight by entering the flight number and date. Some of these sites offer paid premium versions with extra features, but the basic status information is always free.

What should I do if my flight status is not updating?

If one website is not updating, try another. Flight tracking sites sometimes lag behind the airline's own website, or vice versa. If no site is showing an update and your flight is within a few hours of departure, call the airline directly. A representative can tell you the current status and whether there are any delays or changes you should know about.