Where to find real-time flight information

You can track a flight live on the airline's website, on flight-tracking websites like FlightAware or FlightRadar24, or through the airline's mobile app. The airline's own channels usually show you gate information and boarding times first, while public tracking sites show you the aircraft's location on a map and its altitude and speed.

Most airlines let you track by flight number or by entering your departure and arrival cities. You do not need a booking confirmation to use public tracking sites — anyone can search for any flight. The airline's app or website typically requires you to enter your confirmation number to see details specific to your booking, like your seat assignment or baggage information.

If you booked through a travel website like Expedia or Kayak, those sites often have a tracking feature too, though they pull the information from the airline or a flight-tracking service rather than showing you anything the airline itself does not show.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline's website or app shows gate numbers, boarding times, and delays first — check there before a public tracking site.
  • FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show the aircraft's real-time location, altitude, and speed on a map, updated every few seconds during flight.
  • You can track any flight without a booking confirmation on public sites, but the airline's app requires your confirmation number for booking-specific details.
  • Delays and cancellations appear on the airline's channels first, usually 15 to 30 minutes before they show on public tracking sites.
  • Turning on push notifications in the airline's app sends you alerts when your gate changes, boarding starts, or the flight is delayed.

Using the airline's website or app

Open the airline's website or app and look for a "Track my flight" or "Flight status" link, usually near the top of the home page. Enter your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and departure date. The page will show you the current status — on time, delayed, or cancelled — along with the gate number, boarding time, and scheduled departure and arrival times.

The airline updates this information every few minutes, and it is the fastest place to see a gate change or a delay announcement. If your flight is delayed, the page usually shows the new departure time within 15 minutes of the airline's decision. Some airlines also show you how many seats are still open in each cabin, though this is less common.

read the airline's mobile app if you fly with them more than once or twice a year. The app sends push notifications when your gate is assigned, when boarding starts, and when delays happen — you do not have to keep checking the website. The app also stores your boarding pass, so you can scan it at the gate without printing it.

Tracking the aircraft's location with FlightAware and FlightRadar24

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are public websites that show you where the aircraft actually is in the sky. Both sites display a map with the plane's current position, altitude, speed, and direction. You search by flight number, and the map updates every few seconds while the plane is in the air.

FlightAware shows more detail about the flight's history — past delays, how often this route runs late, and comments from other passengers. It also shows you the aircraft's tail number, which you can use to look up how old the plane is and what model it is. FlightRadar24 focuses more on the live map and is faster to load on a phone.

Neither site requires you to create an account. Both are free, though FlightRadar24 offers a paid version with more features like the ability to save favorite flights. Use these sites when you want to see whether the plane is actually moving or sitting on the tarmac, or when you want to know how much longer until it lands.

Setting up notifications so you do not miss updates

Turn on push notifications in the airline's app. Open the app's settings menu, find "Notifications" or "Alerts", and toggle on the options for gate changes, boarding times, and delays. You will then get a notification on your phone the moment the airline posts an update, even if you are not looking at the app.

If you use the airline's website instead of the app, most airlines let you enter your phone number or email address to receive text or email alerts. Look for a "Get alerts" or "Notify me" button on the flight status page. Text alerts are faster than email — you will usually see them within a minute of the airline posting the update.

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 also offer notifications, but they are less useful than the airline's alerts because they lag behind by 15 to 30 minutes. Use the airline's notifications as your primary alert system and check the tracking sites only if you want to see where the plane is.

What to do if the flight is delayed or cancelled

If the airline's website shows a delay, check the reason. Weather, mechanical issues, and crew delays are the most common causes. A weather delay usually means the flight will leave when conditions improve, while a mechanical delay might take longer. If the reason is not listed, call the airline's customer service line — the website does not always show the full story.

If the flight is cancelled, the airline's app will show you rebooking options within a few minutes. You can usually rebook on the next available flight to your destination at no extra charge. If no flights are available that day, the airline will either put you on a flight the next day or refund your ticket, depending on the airline's policy and the reason for the cancellation.

Do not wait for the airline to contact you. Log into your account and rebook yourself as soon as you see the cancellation, because the best rebooking options fill up quickly. If you booked through a travel website, you may need to contact that website or the airline directly — travel websites do not always process rebooking automatically.

Tracking a connecting flight

If you have a connection, track both flights separately. Enter your first flight number into the airline's app or a tracking site, and note the actual arrival time — not the scheduled time. Then search for your second flight and check whether it is still on time. If your first flight is delayed and you have less than 90 minutes between arrival and departure, call the airline when ready to ask whether they will hold the second flight or rebook you.

Most airlines will hold a connection if you are booked on the same airline and the delay is the airline's fault. If the delay is weather-related, the airline is not required to hold the flight, but they often do anyway if it is a short delay. If you are connecting to a different airline, that airline is not required to hold the flight under any circumstance — you are responsible for making the connection on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to use FlightAware or FlightRadar24?

No. Both sites are free to use for basic flight tracking. FlightRadar24 offers a paid subscription with extra features like saving favorite flights and viewing historical flight data, but you do not need it to track a live flight. FlightAware is free for all features.

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

The airline's website shows the scheduled arrival time, while FlightAware shows the estimated arrival time based on the aircraft's current speed and distance. As the flight progresses, FlightAware's estimate becomes more accurate. The airline updates its website only when it officially changes the scheduled time.

Can I track a flight if I did not book it myself?

Yes, on FlightAware and FlightRadar24. You can search by flight number and date, and anyone can see the flight's location and status. On the airline's website or app, you need the booking confirmation number and the passenger's last name to see booking-specific details like seat assignments.

How often does the flight tracking information update?

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 update every few seconds while the plane is in the air. The airline's website updates every few minutes, and text alerts from the airline arrive within a minute of the update. Gate changes and delays usually appear on the airline's channels first, before they show on public tracking sites.

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

Check the airline's website for the reason. If the delay is the airline's fault, you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules, though the amount varies by flight distance and whether the delay was within the airline's control. Contact the airline's customer service after your flight to ask about compensation — the airline does not offer it automatically.