Real-time aircraft tracking uses publicly available radar data and flight information that airlines and the FAA broadcast continuously

You can track almost any commercial aircraft while it is in the air using free websites and apps that receive radar signals and flight data from ground stations around the world. These services show you the plane's location on a map, its altitude, speed, direction, and scheduled arrival time. The data comes from Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a system that aircraft transmit automatically so air traffic control can see them — the same signal that powers air traffic control towers also feeds public tracking sites.

The most widely used free trackers are FlightRadar24, Flightradar24, and FlightAware. Each pulls the same underlying radar and flight data but displays it slightly differently. You do not need an account to use any of them, though paid versions add features like historical playback and alerts. If you are tracking a flight because of a delay, these tools show you exactly where the plane is, whether it is still airborne, and what time it is actually expected to land — information that is often more current than what the airline's website shows.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the two largest free aircraft tracking services and work on any web browser or smartphone.
  • You can search by flight number, airline, aircraft registration, or departure and arrival airports to find the plane you want to track.
  • The map shows real-time position, altitude, speed, and heading, plus the scheduled and estimated arrival time updated as the flight progresses.
  • Radar coverage is strongest over North America and Europe; flights over oceans or remote areas may not appear until they are closer to land.
  • Aircraft data is public information broadcast by the plane itself, so tracking is legal and does not require permission from the airline or FAA.

How to search for a specific flight

Start by going to FlightRadar24.com or FlightAware.com in any web browser. Both sites have a search box at the top of the page. Type in the flight number — for example, "United 447" or "UA447" — and the site will show you that flight if it is currently in the air or scheduled to depart within the next few hours. If the flight has already landed, you can still search for it, but the tracker will show you the historical path it took.

If you do not know the flight number, you can search by airport instead. Enter your departure airport and arrival airport, and the tracker will show you all flights currently flying that route. You can also search by the aircraft's tail number (the registration code printed on the fuselage), which is useful if you are tracking a specific plane rather than a specific flight. Once you find your flight, click on it to open a detailed view with the plane's current altitude, speed, heading, and a timeline showing when it took off and when it is expected to land.

What information the tracker shows you

The map display shows the aircraft as a small plane icon with a line trailing behind it showing its recent path. The icon points in the direction the plane is heading. On the left or right side of the screen, you will see a panel with details: the flight number, aircraft type, current altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and the heading in degrees. You will also see the departure airport, arrival airport, and scheduled departure and arrival times.

As the flight progresses, the estimated arrival time updates automatically based on the plane's current speed and distance remaining. If the flight is delayed on the ground, the tracker will show it sitting at the gate or on the tarmac. If the flight is in the air but running behind schedule, the estimated arrival time will shift later. Some trackers also show you the aircraft's registration number, the airline operating the flight, and even a photo of the actual plane if you click through to the aircraft details page.

Why some flights do not appear on the map

Most commercial flights in North America, Europe, and other developed regions appear on tracking maps within minutes of takeoff. However, some flights may not show up, or may disappear for stretches of time. This happens for a few reasons. Small regional aircraft and older planes sometimes do not have ADS-B transmitters installed, so they do not broadcast their position. Military aircraft and some government flights are not tracked publicly for security reasons. Flights over the ocean may not appear until they are close enough to land to be picked up by coastal radar stations.

If a flight you are looking for does not appear, check that you have the correct flight number and that the flight is actually scheduled for today. Some airlines use different flight numbers for the same route on different days. If the flight is scheduled but does not show up on the map, it may not have taken off yet, or it may be a smaller aircraft without ADS-B coverage. You can still check the airline's own website or app for real-time status information.

The difference between FlightRadar24 and FlightAware

Both services track the same aircraft using the same underlying radar data, but they have different strengths. FlightRadar24 has a cleaner, more intuitive map interface and is often faster at updating position data. It also has a mobile app that works well for tracking on your phone. FlightAware is owned by Boeing and has deeper integration with airline systems, so it sometimes shows gate information and pushback times that FlightRadar24 does not. FlightAware also has a stronger focus on historical data — you can search for past flights and see how often a particular route runs late.

For basic real-time tracking, either service works equally well. If you are tracking a flight because of a delay and want to know the most current information, try both and see which one feels easier to use. The free versions of both sites show everything you need: current position, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. The paid versions add features like setting up alerts when a flight lands or takes off, but for one-time tracking, the free version is sufficient.

How to track a flight on your phone

Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware have free mobile apps available on iOS and Android. read the app from the App Store or Google Play, open it, and search for your flight the same way you would on the website. The mobile app works the same as the web version but is optimized for a smaller screen. You can zoom in and out on the map, tap the aircraft icon to see details, and rotate the map to follow the plane's heading.

If you do not want to read an app, you can also use the mobile website version of either tracker by going to FlightRadar24.com or FlightAware.com in your phone's web browser. The mobile website is responsive and works well on smaller screens. Some people prefer the app because it loads faster and uses less data, while others prefer the website because they do not have to install anything.

Legal and privacy considerations

Aircraft tracking is legal. The data you see on FlightRadar24 and FlightAware comes from signals that the aircraft itself broadcasts publicly — the same signals that air traffic control uses. The FAA and aviation authorities around the world have made this data public because it is essential for safety and air traffic management. You do not need permission from the airline, the FAA, or anyone else to track a flight.

That said, some people have concerns about tracking private aircraft or specific individuals. Most tracking sites allow aircraft owners to request that their plane be hidden from public view, though this is not automatic. Commercial flights are always visible. If you are tracking a commercial flight because of a delay or to know when someone is arriving, you are using the same information that the airline publishes on its own website — you are just seeing it in a different format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight that landed hours ago?

Yes. Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware keep historical data for past flights. Search for the flight number and date, and the tracker will show you the path the plane took, how long the flight actually took, and what time it landed. This is useful if you want to see whether a flight was delayed and by how much.

Why does the plane sometimes disappear from the map?

The plane does not actually disappear — the tracker loses the radar signal. This usually happens over the ocean or in areas with poor radar coverage. Once the plane gets close enough to land to be picked up by coastal radar, it will reappear on the map. You can still see the flight's status on the airline's website during these gaps.

Can airlines see that I am tracking their flights?

No. Tracking a flight using a public tracker does not notify the airline or leave any record that you looked it up. You are viewing the same public radar data that air traffic control uses. The airline cannot tell who is tracking their flights.

Do I need to pay to track a flight?

No. FlightRadar24 and FlightAware both offer free tracking with no account required. Paid subscriptions add features like alerts and historical playback, but the basic real-time tracking is free on both services.

What if the tracker shows a different arrival time than the airline's website?

The tracker's estimated arrival time is usually more current because it updates based on the plane's actual speed and distance remaining. The airline's website may not update as frequently. If the two times differ by more than 15 minutes, the tracker's estimate is usually more accurate because it is based on real-time data rather than a schedule.