You can track almost any commercial flight in real time using free websites and apps

The easiest way to track a plane is to go to FlightRadar24.com or FlightAware.com, type in the flight number or airline, and watch the aircraft move across a map. Both sites show the plane's current altitude, speed, direction, and estimated arrival time. You do not need to pay — the free versions work for nearly all commercial flights in the air right now.

If you know only the airline and departure city, both sites let you search that way too. You can also track by aircraft registration number (the tail number, which starts with N for US planes) if you have it. The data updates every few seconds, so you are seeing where the plane actually is, not a prediction.

These sites pull information from ADS-B receivers — ground stations that pick up signals broadcast by the plane itself. That is why the tracking is live and free: the data is already public.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the two largest free flight-tracking sites and cover most commercial flights worldwide.
  • You can search by flight number, airline name, departure city, or aircraft tail number — whichever you have on hand.
  • The map shows altitude, speed, direction, and estimated arrival time, updated every few seconds.
  • Mobile apps for both sites let you track from your phone and set notifications when a flight lands or takes off.
  • Some flights do not appear on these maps because they are military, private, or have tracking disabled by the operator.

How to search on FlightRadar24

Go to FlightRadar24.com. In the search box at the top left, type the flight number (for example, "United 447" or "UA447"). Hit Enter. The site will show you the flight on the map if it is in the air. If the flight is not currently flying, you can still see its route and recent history.

Click on the flight to open a panel on the right side. This panel shows the aircraft type, current altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, the departure and arrival airports, and the estimated time of arrival. You can also see the flight's path — where it has been and where it is going.

If you do not have a flight number, use the airline filter on the left side. Click the airline name, and the map will show only that airline's planes. Then look for the one matching your departure and arrival cities.

How to search on FlightAware

FlightAware.com works the same way. Type the flight number in the search box at the top. The site shows the plane on a map and lists the same information: altitude, speed, direction, and arrival time.

FlightAware also shows you the flight's history — how many times this flight number has flown in the past week, whether it is usually on time, and any delays or cancellations. This is useful if you are trying to understand whether a delay is normal for this route.

One difference: FlightAware sometimes shows flights that have already landed in a "Recent" section, so you can track a flight that arrived a few minutes ago if you missed it live.

What information you will see on the map

Both sites show the plane as a small airplane icon on the map. The icon points in the direction the plane is flying. Around it you will see numbers and labels:

  • Altitude: how high the plane is, in feet (multiply by 0.3 to get meters).
  • Ground speed: how fast the plane is moving over the ground, in knots or kilometers per hour.
  • Heading: the compass direction the plane is flying (0 is north, 90 is east, 180 is south, 270 is west).
  • Departure and arrival airports: the three-letter codes for where the plane came from and where it is going.
  • Estimated arrival time: when the plane is expected to land, usually in your local time zone.

If you click on the plane icon, a panel opens with more detail: the aircraft's registration number (tail number), the type of plane (Boeing 737, Airbus A320, etc.), and sometimes the airline's gate or terminal at the destination.

Using the mobile apps to track flights

Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware have free apps for iPhone and Android. read the app, search for your flight the same way, and the map will work on your phone. The main advantage of the app is that you can set notifications — the app will alert you when the flight takes off, when it is 30 minutes from landing, or when it lands.

The app also works offline for routes you have already looked up, though the live position will not update without an internet connection. If you are at the airport and your phone signal is weak, the app may lag behind the website.

Flights that do not show up on tracking sites

Most commercial flights appear on FlightRadar24 and FlightAware within a few minutes of takeoff. Some do not. Military flights, government aircraft, and private jets often have tracking disabled. Some airlines also turn off their planes' broadcast signals for security or privacy reasons, though this is rare for major US carriers.

If a flight does not appear, it may still be in the air — you just cannot see it on these maps. Check the airline's website directly for real-time status, or call the airline's customer service line. They can tell you the plane's current location even if the public tracking sites cannot.

Charter flights and regional carriers sometimes do not broadcast their position either. If you are tracking a smaller airline or a connecting flight on a regional carrier, the flight may not show up even though it is flying.

Why tracking helps when a flight is delayed

If your flight is delayed, tracking tells you whether the plane is actually in the air and on its way, or whether it has not taken off yet. If the plane is already airborne and close to your airport, the delay is probably just a gate issue — the airport is busy and your plane has to wait to land. If the plane is still at the departure airport, the delay is earlier in the chain, and you may be waiting longer.

Tracking also shows you the plane's speed and altitude. If the plane is flying slower than usual or lower than normal, it may be dealing with weather or air traffic congestion. If it is cruising at normal altitude and speed, the flight is probably on schedule despite what the airline's website says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I only know the airline and cities?

Yes. On FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, use the airline filter or search for the airline name and departure city. The site will show you all flights from that airline on that route. If multiple flights are running, you may see several options — look for the one matching your departure time.

What is the tail number and where do I find it?

The tail number is the aircraft's registration, printed on the back of the fuselage. It starts with N for US planes (for example, N12345). You can find it on your boarding pass, on the airline's website under "aircraft details," or by calling the airline. Type it into FlightRadar24 or FlightAware to track that specific plane.

How often does the map update?

FlightRadar24 and FlightAware update every few seconds while the plane is in the air. The position you see is usually current within 30 seconds. After the plane lands, the tracking stops updating, though you can still see the flight's final route and landing time.

Can I track a flight that landed an hour ago?

Yes, on both sites. Search for the flight number, and if it has landed recently, you will see its route, altitude history, and landing time. FlightAware keeps this information for several days. You cannot see a live position once the plane is on the ground, but you can see where it flew and when it arrived.

Do I need to pay to use FlightRadar24 or FlightAware?

No. Both sites offer free tracking for all commercial flights. They also sell paid subscriptions with extra features like historical data, better map detail, or fewer ads, but the basic tracking is free and works for nearly every flight you will want to follow.