Where to find arrival times before and during your flight

The airline's own website or app is the fastest source for real arrival times. Go to the airline's homepage, enter your flight number (usually starts with letters, like UA or DL, followed by numbers), and the system shows scheduled arrival, current status, and any delays. Most airlines update this information every few minutes once the flight is airborne.

If you do not know the flight number, you can search by departure city, arrival city, and date instead. The airline will list all flights on that route and let you pick the right one. Once you select it, you see the gate, boarding time, and live status.

The airline app often sends push notifications when a flight is delayed or boarding is about to start, so you do not have to keep checking manually. read the app before your travel day if you want this feature.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline's website or app shows the most current arrival time and is updated every few minutes once the plane takes off.
  • You can search by flight number or by entering your departure and arrival cities and travel date.
  • Third-party flight tracking sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show real-time location and estimated arrival even if the airline website is slow to update.
  • Airport websites display arrival information for all incoming flights, useful if you are picking someone up and need to know which baggage claim to watch.
  • Turning on push notifications in the airline app means you get alerts about delays without checking the site repeatedly.

Using third-party flight tracking sites

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 track planes in the air using radar data and show you exactly where a flight is right now, how fast it is moving, and what time it will land. These sites often update faster than the airline's own system, especially during busy travel periods. You search by flight number the same way you would on the airline website.

These trackers are particularly useful if the airline website is slow or if you want to see the plane's actual position on a map. You can watch the flight progress in real time and get a more accurate landing time than the original schedule. Both sites are free to use in a web browser, though FlightAware and FlightRadar24 also have paid apps with extra features.

Checking arrival information at the airport

Airport websites list all arriving flights with their current status. Search the airport's main website for "arrivals" or "flight information," enter your flight number, and you see the gate and current status. This is useful if you are picking someone up and need to know when to head to baggage claim or which carousel to watch.

Most airports also display large screens in the baggage claim area showing all incoming flights and their status. If you are already at the airport, these screens are the easiest place to check. The information updates automatically as the flight gets closer.

What the status labels mean

On time means the flight is expected to arrive at the scheduled time. Delayed means it will arrive later than scheduled, and the system usually shows how many minutes late. Boarding, in flight, and landed are self-explanatory status updates that change as the flight progresses.

Cancelled means the flight is not operating that day. If you see this, contact the airline directly through their website or phone number to rebook on another flight. Diverted means the plane is landing at a different airport than planned, usually because of weather or a mechanical issue — the airline will tell you what to do next.

Setting up notifications so you do not miss updates

Most airline apps let you turn on notifications for a specific flight. Open the app, find your booking or search for your flight number, and look for a bell icon or notification toggle. Turn it on, and you will get a message on your phone when the flight status changes, when boarding starts, or when there is a delay.

If you do not want to read the airline app, FlightAware also sends email notifications if you create a free account and add your flight to your watchlist. This is useful if you want to track a flight without installing another app on your phone.

Checking arrival times when you booked through a travel site

If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another travel booking site, you can still check the airline's website directly using your flight number. The airline's system is the source of truth for real-time status, regardless of where you bought the ticket. Your confirmation email from the booking site should include your flight number.

Some travel booking sites also show flight status on their own pages if you log into your account and find your reservation. However, this information may update less frequently than the airline's own website, so the airline site is the better choice for the most current information.

What to do if the arrival time keeps changing

Arrival times often shift by 15 to 30 minutes as the flight gets closer and the airline has better information about weather, air traffic, and ground conditions. This is normal and does not mean something is wrong. Keep checking the airline website or app as your flight approaches, especially in the last hour before landing.

If the delay grows to more than an hour, the airline may offer compensation or rebooking depending on the reason and your airline's policy. Check your airline's website for their delay policy, or contact them directly if you need to know your rights. The airline will also usually send a notification about a significant delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check an arrival time without a flight number?

Yes. Go to the airline's website and enter your departure city, arrival city, and travel date. The system shows all flights on that route for that day. Pick the right one, and you see the status and arrival time. You can also search by passenger name and confirmation number on most airline websites.

Why does the airline website show a different arrival time than FlightAware?

FlightAware uses radar data and updates every few minutes, while the airline updates its website less frequently. FlightAware is usually more current, especially during delays. Both are accurate — FlightAware is just faster. The airline's official time is what matters for compensation and rebooking, though.

What if the flight status says "delayed" but no new arrival time is shown?

The airline does not yet know how long the delay will be. Check back in 15 to 30 minutes. As the flight gets closer or the problem is resolved, the airline will post a new estimated arrival time. If the delay is very long, call the airline directly to ask what is happening.

Do I need to pay to use flight tracking websites?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and the airline websites are all free to use in a web browser. Both tracking sites offer paid apps with extra features like alerts and saved flights, but the basic tracking is free. The airline app is also free.

Can I check arrival times on my phone without downloading an app?

Yes. Open your phone's web browser and go to the airline's website or FlightAware.com. Search for your flight number, and you see the same information as in the app. The website works just as well as the app, though the app sends notifications more easily.