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

Flight tracking websites and apps display live data from radar and aircraft transponders, updated every few seconds. You can see the plane's exact location on a map, its altitude, speed, and the time it is expected to touch down. Most trackers also show whether the flight is on schedule, delayed, or cancelled — information that updates as the situation changes. You do not need to be a passenger to track a flight; anyone can look up a flight number and watch it move across the sky.

The data comes from two main sources. Commercial aircraft broadcast their position through a system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), which transmits location, altitude, and speed to ground receivers. Some trackers also use radar data from air traffic control. This means you see nearly the same information that controllers see, though with a slight delay of a few seconds to a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Flight tracking websites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Plane Finder show live position, altitude, speed, and expected landing time for any commercial flight.
  • You need only the flight number (like AA123) or the aircraft tail number to search; you do not need a ticket or booking reference.
  • Most trackers update every few seconds and show delays, cancellations, and gate changes as soon as the airline reports them.
  • Mobile apps for the major trackers send notifications when a flight departs, lands, or changes status, so you do not have to refresh constantly.

The main flight tracking websites and what they show

FlightAware is the largest flight tracker in North America. It displays the flight path on a map, current altitude and speed, the departure and arrival airports, and the scheduled and actual landing time. It also shows whether the flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled, and updates this status as the airline reports changes. You can search by flight number (the airline code plus the number, like United 456) or by aircraft tail number (the registration, like N12345).

FlightRadar24 covers flights worldwide and emphasizes the live map view. It shows the aircraft icon moving in real time, with a trail showing the path it has already flown. Clicking the flight reveals altitude, speed, heading, and the aircraft type. The free version shows most flights; a paid subscription removes ads and adds features like historical playback and detailed aircraft information.

Plane Finder is another global tracker with a similar map interface. It includes information about the aircraft itself — its age, previous flights that day, and the airline operating it. The free version is fully functional; paid tiers add features like alerts and detailed history.

All three update continuously while the flight is airborne. Once the plane lands, the tracker shows the final landing time and gate information if the airline has reported it. Historical data is usually available for several months, so you can look up a flight that already landed.

How to search for a flight you want to track

The fastest way is to use the flight number. This is the airline's two-letter code followed by a number — for example, American Airlines flight 456 is written as AA456. Enter this into the search box on FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or Plane Finder, and the tracker will show you that flight if it is scheduled to depart within the next few hours or is currently airborne.

If you do not have the flight number, you can search by route. Enter the departure airport code (like LAX for Los Angeles) and the arrival airport code (like JFK for New York), and the tracker will show you all flights on that route. You can then narrow it down by airline or departure time.

You can also search by aircraft tail number if you know it. This is the registration painted on the fuselage, usually visible in photos. Searching by tail number shows you all flights that aircraft is scheduled to operate that day.

What information appears on a flight tracker and how to read it

The map shows the aircraft's current position as an icon (usually a small plane symbol). The icon's direction indicates which way the aircraft is heading. Clicking or tapping the icon opens a panel with details: the current altitude in feet, the ground speed in knots or miles per hour, the heading in degrees, and the distance remaining to the destination.

Below the map, you will see the flight number, the aircraft type (like Boeing 737), and the airline. The status line shows whether the flight is scheduled, departed, airborne, or landed. If there is a delay, it will say how many minutes late the flight is expected to be. If the flight is cancelled, that appears here too.

The tracker also displays the departure time (both scheduled and actual), the arrival time (scheduled and estimated), and sometimes the gate number if the airline has assigned one. Some trackers show the current weather at the destination airport and whether that is affecting the flight.

Using mobile apps to get notifications about a flight

The major trackers offer free mobile apps for iOS and Android. The FlightAware app, FlightRadar24 app, and Plane Finder app all let you search for a flight and then set up notifications. Once you have found the flight, you can tap a button to follow it or set an alert.

Notifications typically arrive when the flight departs, when it is 30 minutes from landing, and when it lands. Some apps let you customize which events trigger a notification. This means you do not have to keep the app open or refresh the page; you will receive a push notification on your phone when something changes.

The app also stores your recent searches, so if you track the same flight regularly, you can find it quickly without typing the number again.

Why a flight might show as delayed or cancelled on the tracker

Flight trackers pull delay and cancellation information directly from the airline's system. When an airline updates its schedule — whether because of weather, mechanical issues, crew problems, or air traffic delays — that change appears on the tracker within minutes. The tracker does not predict delays; it reports what the airline has already reported.

A flight might show as on time even though it will be delayed, because the airline has not yet updated its system. This is most common when a delay is caused by something that happens close to departure, like a late-arriving aircraft or a last-minute crew issue. Once the airline reports the delay, the tracker updates.

If a flight is cancelled, the tracker will show that status and usually indicate the reason if the airline has provided one. Cancelled flights remain visible on the tracker for several hours so you can confirm the cancellation before contacting the airline.

Limitations of flight tracking and when to call the airline instead

Flight trackers show you where the plane is and when it is expected to land, but they do not have access to your booking or seat assignment. If you need to know whether your specific ticket is affected by a delay or cancellation, or if you need to rebook, you must contact the airline directly or log into your booking on the airline's website.

Trackers also do not show gate information until the airline assigns a gate, which often happens only an hour or two before arrival. If you are picking someone up and need to know which baggage claim to go to, wait until the flight has landed and then check the airline's app or website, or call the airline's customer service line.

For real-time updates about your own flight — including rebooking options, meal vouchers, or hotel accommodations if you are stranded — the airline's app or customer service is more reliable than a flight tracker. The tracker is best for answering the question "Where is the plane right now?" and "When will it land?" — not for managing your own travel plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I do not have a ticket?

Yes. Flight trackers show all commercial flights that are publicly scheduled. You need only the flight number or route; you do not need a booking reference or ticket. Anyone can look up any flight and see where it is.

How often does the tracker update?

Most trackers update every few seconds while the aircraft is airborne, pulling data from the plane's transponder. Delay and cancellation status updates as soon as the airline reports a change, which is usually within minutes. Once the plane lands, the tracker shows the final landing time and may take a few minutes to update gate information.

Why does the tracker show a different arrival time than the airline's website?

The tracker shows the estimated arrival time based on the plane's current speed and distance remaining. The airline's website shows the scheduled arrival time, which may not change until the airline officially updates it. If the plane is flying faster or slower than expected, the tracker's estimate will differ from the airline's schedule.

Can I see a flight that landed yesterday?

Yes. Most trackers keep historical data for several months. Search for the flight number and date, and you can see where it flew, how long it took, and what time it actually landed. This is useful if you want to check whether a flight was delayed in the past.

Do I need to pay to use a flight tracker?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Plane Finder all offer free versions that show live flight positions, delays, and cancellations. Paid subscriptions remove ads and add features like historical playback or detailed aircraft data, but the core tracking function is free on all three.