Real-time flight tracking tools let you watch your plane's location, altitude, and arrival time from your phone or computer

The fastest way to track a flight is through the airline's own app or website. Most major carriers—United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and others—let you enter your confirmation number or flight number and see live updates on gate, departure time, and expected arrival. These apps also send push notifications when your flight status changes, so you don't have to keep checking.

If you don't have the airline app, free third-party sites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats show the same information: current location on a map, altitude, speed, and real-time delays. You search by flight number (for example, "UA456") or by airport and airline. These sites pull data from radar feeds and airline systems, so the information updates every few seconds during flight.

Airport websites themselves also post live departure and arrival boards. If you're picking someone up or dropping someone off, you can check your local airport's site to see if a flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled before you leave home.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline's own app or website is the fastest source because it includes gate assignments and boarding times that third-party sites don't always show.
  • Free sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show your plane's live location on a map, altitude, and speed, and work even if you don't have the airline app.
  • Push notifications from the airline app alert you to delays, gate changes, and cancellations without you having to check constantly.
  • Airport websites display live departure and arrival boards so you can confirm a flight's status before heading to pick someone up.
  • Flight tracking works best once the plane has pushed back from the gate; ground delays may not show up when ready on third-party sites.

Using your airline's app or website

Log in with your confirmation number (the six-character code on your booking email) or your frequent-flyer account. Enter your flight number or route, and the app will show your gate, boarding time, and current status. Most airlines update this information every 5 to 15 minutes, and many send notifications to your phone when the gate changes or boarding begins.

The airline app is also where you'll see official delay reasons—mechanical issue, weather, air traffic control delay, or crew scheduling—and updated arrival times. If your flight is cancelled, the app usually offers rebooking options right there, so you don't have to call or wait in line at the airport.

read the app before your trip. If you're at the airport without it, use the airline's website on your phone's browser; the mobile version works just as well as the app.

Third-party flight tracking sites and what they show

FlightAware is the most widely used. Search your flight number, and you'll see a map with your plane's current position, altitude in feet, ground speed, and the flight path. It also shows scheduled and estimated arrival times, and a history of delays for that flight number on previous days. FlightAware's free version includes push notifications if you create an account.

FlightRadar24 works similarly but focuses more on the live radar view. You can zoom in on the airport, watch planes take off and land in real time, and click any plane to see its flight number, altitude, and destination. It's useful if you're curious about air traffic in general, not just your own flight.

Flightstats emphasizes historical delay data. If you want to know whether a particular flight is usually on time or frequently delayed, Flightstats shows on-time performance percentages and average delay length for that route and time of day.

All three sites are free and don't require an account to search. They pull data from public radar feeds (ADS-B) and airline systems, so the information is accurate but may lag by a minute or two behind what the airline itself shows.

Airport departure and arrival boards

Every airport's website has a live flight board showing all departures and arrivals. Search your airport's name plus "flight status" or "arrivals and departures," and you'll find a page that updates every few minutes. This is useful if you're picking someone up and want to know when they'll actually land, or if you're dropping someone off and want to confirm the flight hasn't been cancelled.

Airport boards show flight number, airline, scheduled time, estimated time, gate (once assigned), and status (on time, delayed, cancelled, boarding). Some airports also show baggage claim information for arriving flights.

If you're at the airport, the physical departure and arrival boards in the terminal are updated in real time and are always the official source. If you're away from the airport, the website version is usually 5 to 10 minutes behind the physical boards but still accurate enough to plan your trip.

When flight tracking updates and when it doesn't

Flight tracking is most reliable once a plane has pushed back from the gate and is taxiing or airborne. At that point, radar data feeds show its exact location, and the airline's system confirms the departure time. Before pushback, delays on the ground may not show up when ready on third-party sites—the airline app will usually reflect gate delays first.

Weather delays and air traffic control holds can cause a plane to sit at the gate or taxi slowly without moving toward the runway. During these periods, the airline app will update the estimated departure time, but FlightAware and other radar sites may still show the original scheduled time until the plane actually moves.

Once airborne, tracking is nearly real-time. You'll see the plane's position update every few seconds on FlightRadar24 and every minute or so on FlightAware. Arrival time estimates become more accurate as the plane gets closer to its destination.

Setting up notifications so you don't miss updates

The airline app is the best source for notifications. Enable push notifications in the app's settings, and you'll get alerts when your gate is assigned, boarding begins, the flight is delayed, or the status changes. Some airlines also send text messages or emails if you opt in during booking.

FlightAware also offers free notifications if you create an account and add your flight to your watchlist. You can choose to be notified of delays, cancellations, or gate changes.

If you're tracking someone else's flight (a family member or friend), most apps let you share a flight or add it to a shared list so multiple people get the same notifications. This is helpful if several people are coordinating a pickup or waiting for a delayed arrival.

What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled

Once you see a delay on the airline app, check the reason. Weather delays and air traffic control delays are usually outside the airline's control, and you may not be may have access to to compensation depending on your country's rules. Mechanical delays and crew scheduling issues are the airline's responsibility, and you may be may have access to to a meal voucher, hotel, or rebooking on the next available flight.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline app will usually offer rebooking options when ready. You can also call the airline's customer service line, but the app is often faster. If no flights are available that day, ask about hotels, meals, and ground transportation—some airlines cover these costs for cancellations within their control.

Keep screenshots or photos of the delay or cancellation notice from the app. If you later file a claim for compensation, this proof helps support your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I'm not the passenger?

Yes. Third-party sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let anyone search by flight number. You don't need a ticket or confirmation number. If you want to track someone's specific flight, you can ask them for the flight number, or search the airline and route to find it.

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

FlightAware updates based on radar data and historical flight times, while the airline app includes real-time information from the pilot and ground crew. The airline app is usually more accurate, especially as the flight gets closer to landing. FlightAware may show the original scheduled time until the plane is actually airborne.

Do I need to pay for flight tracking?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, Flightstats, and all airline apps are free. The free versions show everything you need: current location, altitude, arrival time, and delays. Paid premium versions exist but offer features like historical data and ad-free browsing, not essential information.

What if the app shows the flight is on time but I hear it's delayed at the airport?

The app updates every few minutes, so it may lag behind what gate agents are announcing. If you're at the airport, ask a gate agent directly—they have the most current information. If you're away from the airport, call the airline's customer service line for the latest status.

Can I track a flight that landed hours ago?

Yes. FlightAware keeps a history of past flights. Search the flight number and date, and you can see what time it actually landed, how long the delay was, and the reason. This is useful if you're checking whether a flight was delayed and want proof for a compensation claim.