Real-time flight tracking shows you where a plane is right now, how fast it's moving, and when it will land

You can watch a live map of almost any commercial flight as it happens. Websites and apps pull data from radar systems and aircraft transmitters to show the plane's exact location, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. This works whether you're tracking your own flight, waiting to pick someone up, or just curious about a plane overhead.

The most common free tools are FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightradar24's competitor ADS-B Exchange. Each pulls the same basic radar data but displays it differently and updates at slightly different speeds. All three work on desktop and mobile, and you don't need to log in to use them.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the two largest free flight-tracking websites and show real-time location, altitude, and speed for most commercial flights.
  • You can search by flight number (like AA123), airline, airport code, or aircraft registration to find the plane you're looking for.
  • Real-time tracking updates every few seconds, but the data is typically 5 to 10 seconds behind the actual position due to how radar systems work.
  • Tracking works for most commercial flights worldwide, but some military, private, and cargo aircraft deliberately don't broadcast their location.
  • If a flight is delayed or diverted, the tracking map updates automatically and shows the new estimated arrival time.

How to find a flight on FlightRadar24

Go to flightradar24.com on any browser. At the top of the page you'll see a search box. Type in the flight number (the airline code plus numbers, like "UA456" for United Airlines flight 456), and the site will show you every instance of that flight today and recent days. Click the one that matches your date and time.

If you don't know the flight number, search by airport code instead. Type the departure airport code (like "LAX" for Los Angeles) into the search box, and the map will show all flights currently leaving or arriving at that airport. Scroll through the list on the left side to find your airline and flight time.

Once you click on a flight, a panel opens on the right showing the plane's current altitude, ground speed, and heading. The map itself shows the flight path as a line, with the plane's current position marked. Below the map you'll see the estimated arrival time, which updates as the flight progresses.

How to find a flight on FlightAware

Go to flightaware.com. The search box at the top works the same way: type a flight number like "DL789" or an airport code. FlightAware also lets you search by aircraft tail number (the registration code on the fuselage, like "N12345") if you know it.

FlightAware's layout is slightly different from FlightRadar24. Once you select a flight, you get a detailed page showing the route, current position, altitude, and speed. Below that is a timeline of events — takeoff time, when the plane reached cruising altitude, and the estimated landing time. If the flight is delayed, FlightAware usually shows the reason (weather, mechanical, air traffic control) when that information is available.

FlightAware also displays historical flight data, so you can look up flights from past days or weeks. This is useful if you want to see how often a particular route runs late.

What the tracking map actually shows you

The colored line on the map is the flight's planned route. The plane icon shows where the aircraft is right now. As the flight progresses, the line behind the plane fills in, showing the path it has already flown.

The numbers next to the plane icon show altitude (in feet), ground speed (in knots or kilometers per hour depending on your settings), and sometimes the heading (compass direction). Altitude updates every few seconds as the plane climbs or descends. Ground speed changes based on wind — a plane flying into a headwind will show a lower ground speed than its actual engine speed.

The estimated arrival time (ETA) at the bottom of the screen updates automatically as the flight progresses. If the plane is ahead of schedule, the ETA moves earlier. If it's behind, the ETA moves later. This is more accurate than the original scheduled arrival time because it accounts for wind, air traffic delays, and the plane's actual speed.

Why some flights don't appear on the map

Most commercial passenger flights broadcast their location automatically through a system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). This is a safety requirement in most countries. But some aircraft deliberately turn off this broadcast or don't have the equipment.

Military aircraft, government planes, and some private jets often don't show up on public tracking sites. Some cargo airlines also disable tracking for security reasons. If you search for a flight and it doesn't appear, it's usually one of these categories rather than a technical problem.

Older aircraft sometimes lack ADS-B equipment entirely, though most airlines have installed it by now to meet regulatory important date. If a flight genuinely isn't showing up and you know it should exist, check the airline's own website or call their customer service line — they can confirm the flight's status even if it's not on the public map.

Understanding the delay between real time and what you see

The plane icon on your screen is not showing the plane's position at this exact second. There's usually a 5 to 10 second lag between where the plane actually is and where the map shows it. This happens because radar stations collect data, send it to the tracking website, and the website updates the map — all of which takes a few seconds.

This delay doesn't matter much for planning purposes. If the map shows the plane is 30 minutes away from landing, it really is roughly 30 minutes away. The small lag won't change whether you need to leave for the airport now or in 20 minutes.

Using flight tracking to understand delays

If a flight is delayed, the tracking map shows why more clearly than the airline's website sometimes does. Watch the plane's progress on the map. If it's sitting on the ground at the departure airport longer than scheduled, the delay happened before takeoff (weather, mechanical issue, or crew scheduling). If the plane took off on time but is flying slower than normal, it's dealing with headwinds or air traffic control restrictions.

The altitude graph on FlightAware is especially useful here. If the plane climbs to cruising altitude quickly and stays there, the flight is on a normal path. If it climbs, descends, climbs again, and holds at a lower altitude, it's being vectored around weather or waiting for a landing slot. This visual tells you whether the delay is temporary (waiting for a slot) or structural (the plane has to fly around a storm).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I don't know the flight number?

Yes. Search by airport code instead — type the departure or arrival airport code into FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, and you'll see all flights at that airport. Then find your airline and approximate time in the list. You can also search by aircraft tail number if you know it.

Does the tracking map work on my phone?

Yes. Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware have mobile websites that work in any browser, and both offer free apps for iPhone and Android. The app versions are slightly faster and let you save favorite flights.

What if the estimated arrival time keeps changing?

That's normal. The ETA updates every few minutes based on the plane's actual speed, wind conditions, and air traffic control instructions. A plane flying into a strong headwind will show a later ETA than one with a tailwind, even if both are on the same route. The ETA usually stabilizes within 30 minutes of landing.

Can I see how full the plane is or what seat I'm in?

No. Flight tracking maps show only the plane's location and basic flight data. They don't connect to the airline's booking system, so you can't see seat maps, passenger counts, or your reservation. Check your airline's app or website for that information.

Why does the plane sometimes fly in a curved path instead of a straight line?

Air traffic control often routes planes around weather, congestion, or restricted airspace. The curved path is the actual route the plane was instructed to fly, not a mistake on the map. Jet streams (fast-moving air currents at high altitude) also push planes slightly off the straight line between two cities.