Check your flight status directly on the airline's website or app

The fastest way to learn about your flight is delayed, cancelled, or on time is to go to your airline's official website or mobile app. Most airlines have a "Flight Status" or "Track Your Flight" tool on their homepage. You will need your confirmation number (the six-character code from your booking email) and either your last name or the flight number.

Enter this information and the tool will show you the current status, gate number, departure and arrival times, and any delays or changes. This information updates every few minutes, so you can check back as your departure time approaches. The airline's own system is always more accurate than third-party sites because it pulls directly from their operations data.

If you booked through a travel agent or a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, you can still check the airline's website directly—you do not need to go back through the booking site. The confirmation number works on any airline's system.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app is the most reliable source for real-time flight status and updates directly from the airline's operations.
  • You will need your confirmation number (six characters) and last name or flight number to search for your flight.
  • Third-party flight tracking sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show live aircraft location and can confirm delays when the airline has not yet posted them.
  • Set up text or email notifications through your airline's app so you receive updates automatically without checking repeatedly.
  • Call the airline's customer service line if the website shows a delay but does not explain the reason or expected new departure time.

Use a third-party flight tracker to see where your plane actually is

If your airline's website is slow or not updating, or if you want to see the live location of your aircraft, use FlightAware or FlightRadar24. These sites pull data from radar and aircraft transponders, so they show you exactly where the plane is right now and its altitude and speed.

Search by flight number (for example, "United 447") or by aircraft registration number if you have it. The map will show the plane's current position, the route it is flying, and the estimated arrival time based on its actual speed and direction. These sites often catch delays before the airline posts them on its own website, because they track the plane's movements in real time.

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are free to use in a basic form. Neither one is affiliated with any airline, so they show the same information for all carriers. They are useful for confirming a delay is real, but they do not replace your airline's website for official status changes or gate information.

Turn on notifications so you do not have to keep checking

Most airline apps and websites let you set up automatic alerts by text message or email. Go to your airline's app, find the flight you booked, and look for a "Notify Me" or "Get Alerts" button. You can usually choose to be notified of delays, gate changes, cancellations, or all updates.

Text alerts arrive faster than email, usually within a few minutes of a change. If your flight is delayed, you will get a message with the new departure time. If the gate changes, you will get that too. This way you do not have to refresh the website every five minutes—the airline tells you when something changes.

If you booked through a third-party site, that site may also offer notifications. Check your booking confirmation email for a link to set up alerts there as well. Some third-party sites send alerts faster than the airline itself, though the airline's app is still the official source.

Call the airline if the website does not explain the delay

If your airline's website shows a delay but does not say why or how long it will last, call the airline's customer service line. The phone number is on your confirmation email and on the airline's website. Have your confirmation number ready.

Customer service representatives have access to more detailed information than the public website does. They can tell you whether the delay is due to weather, a mechanical issue, a crew problem, or something else. They can also tell you if the airline is considering cancelling the flight or rebooking passengers, and what your options are if that happens.

Wait times can be long during widespread delays, so try calling early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are calling. The airline's app may also have a chat feature that is faster than calling during peak times.

Check airport websites for ground delays and weather

If your flight is delayed but the airline has not posted a reason, check the website of your departure and arrival airports. Major airports post information about ground stops, weather, and runway closures that affect all flights.

For example, if your flight is leaving from Chicago O'Hare, go to the O'Hare website and look for "Flight Information" or "Delays." The airport will tell you if there is a ground delay program in effect (which means all flights are being held on the ground for a set amount of time) or if weather is affecting operations. This explains why your flight might be delayed even if the airline has not posted a reason yet.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also posts information about nationwide delays and weather at faa.gov. This is useful if you are trying to understand whether a delay is local to your airport or part of a larger system-wide issue.

Understand what different status labels mean

When you check your flight status, you will see one of several labels. On Time means the flight is expected to depart and arrive at the scheduled times. Delayed means the departure time has been pushed back, and the website will show the new time. Cancelled means the flight will not operate, and you will need to rebook or request a refund.

Boarding means passengers are currently getting on the plane. Departed means the plane has left the gate and is taxiing or in the air. In Flight means the plane is airborne. Landed means the plane has touched down but may still be taxiing to the gate.

Some airlines also show Gate Change or Gate Assigned as a separate status. This means the departure gate has changed from what was originally posted. Always check the current gate before heading to the airport, because gates can change multiple times, especially during delays.

Know what to do if your flight is cancelled

If your flight is cancelled, the airline will post this on its website and send a notification if you set one up. You will then have the option to rebook on another flight or request a refund. Most airlines let you rebook through their website or app without calling.

Go to your airline's website, find the cancelled flight, and look for a "Rebook" or "Change Flight" option. You can usually choose another flight on the same day or a later date. If no flights are available that work for you, you can request a refund of your ticket price, though refund policies vary by airline and ticket type.

If the airline's website is overwhelmed during a widespread cancellation, you may need to call. Have your confirmation number ready and be prepared for a long wait. Some airlines also let you rebook through their app, which may be faster than the website during high-traffic periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does flight status update on the airline website?

Most airline websites update every few minutes, and some update in real time. If you are checking close to your departure time, refresh the page every 5 to 10 minutes to catch gate changes or last-minute delays. Third-party trackers like FlightAware update continuously based on radar data.

Can I check someone else's flight status without their confirmation number?

No. Airlines require either the confirmation number or the passenger's name and flight number to protect privacy. If you are picking someone up, ask them to text you their confirmation number, or ask them to set up notifications so they can tell you if anything changes.

What if the airline app and the website show different times?

The app and website pull from the same system, so they should match. If they do not, refresh both and check again. If the discrepancy continues, call the airline to confirm the correct time. Always trust the most recently updated source.

Do I need to pay to use FlightAware or FlightRadar24?

No. Both sites offer free flight tracking. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 have paid premium versions with extra features, but the basic tracking is free and shows you everything you need to know about your flight's location and status.

What should I do if my flight is delayed more than three hours?

Check your airline's website or call customer service to understand the reason for the delay and the expected new departure time. Depending on the airline, the reason, and your ticket type, you may be may have access to to a rebooking on another flight, a refund, or compensation. Policies vary, so ask the airline what options are available to you.