Where to find live flight information
You can track almost any commercial flight in real time using free websites and apps that pull data from radar networks and airline systems. The most widely used are FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightstats—each shows the aircraft's current position on a map, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. All three work on desktop and mobile devices without requiring an account.
FlightRadar24 displays a live map with thousands of aircraft at once and lets you click any plane to see its flight number, aircraft type, and route. FlightAware focuses on detailed flight history and delays, showing you why a flight was late if it already landed. Flightstats combines real-time tracking with historical delay data so you can see patterns for specific routes. If you know the airline and flight number, you can also go directly to the airline's website—most have a flight tracker in their main menu.
Key Takeaways
- FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightstats are free websites where you can enter a flight number and see its live position, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time.
- You need either the flight number (like AA 234) or the departure and arrival airports to start tracking; the flight number is fastest.
- Most trackers update every few seconds once the aircraft is airborne, but show delays and gate information only after the airline reports them.
- Radar data comes from ground receivers and aircraft transponders, so planes over oceans or remote areas may not appear until they enter radar range.
- Airline apps and websites often show gate numbers and boarding times before the free trackers do, because airlines report that data directly to their own systems.
How to search for a specific flight
On FlightRadar24, use the search box at the top of the page and type the flight number exactly as it appears on your ticket—for example, "UA 456" or "DL 789". The site will show you all instances of that flight number across the day. Click the one matching your departure time, and you will see the aircraft's current location, the route it is flying, and how long until it lands.
If you do not have a flight number, search by airport codes instead. Enter your departure airport (like LAX for Los Angeles) and arrival airport (like JFK for New York), and the tracker will list all flights between those cities in the next few hours. This method is slower but works if you only know where the flight is going.
FlightAware works the same way—enter the flight number in the search bar, or search by airport pair. Flightstats requires you to enter the airline name, flight number, and date. All three sites will show you whether the flight has already departed, is on the ground, or is currently in the air.
What information you will see on a flight tracker
Once you find your flight, the tracker displays several pieces of information updated in real time. The current position appears as a plane icon on a map, with a line showing the route from departure to arrival. Below the map you will see the altitude (how high the plane is flying, in feet), ground speed (how fast it is moving forward, in knots or miles per hour), and heading (the compass direction it is flying).
The tracker also shows the estimated arrival time, which updates as the flight progresses. If the flight is delayed, this time will change, and some trackers will display the reason—mechanical issue, weather, air traffic control delay, or crew scheduling. The aircraft type appears as well, so you know whether you are on a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320.
Gate information and boarding times usually do not appear on flight trackers until the airline reports them, which happens closer to departure. For those details, check your airline's app or website instead. The same is true for seat assignments and baggage claim information—those come from the airline, not from radar data.
Why some flights do not appear on trackers
Most commercial flights appear on trackers within a few minutes of takeoff, but some do not show up when ready or at all. Military and government aircraft are not tracked by civilian radar networks, so you will not find them on FlightRadar24 or FlightAware. Private jets may or may not appear depending on whether the owner has opted into tracking; many owners disable their transponders for privacy.
Flights over oceans and remote areas may disappear from the map because ground-based radar does not reach that far. Once the aircraft re-enters radar range near its destination, it will reappear. Some airlines also use older aircraft with transponders that transmit less frequently, so those planes update less often than newer ones.
If a flight number does not return any results, check that you have typed it correctly and that the flight is scheduled for today. Flight numbers change by day and airline, so "AA 100" on Monday is a different flight from "AA 100" on Tuesday. If the flight is scheduled for tomorrow, search again after midnight.
How to set up notifications for delays and gate changes
FlightAware and most airline apps let you receive alerts when your flight status changes. On FlightAware, search for your flight, then look for a bell icon or "Notify me" button. Click it and enter your email address or phone number. You will then receive messages if the flight is delayed, if the gate changes, or if the departure time shifts.
Your airline's app usually offers the same feature. Open the app, find your booking, and look for a "Notifications" or "Alerts" toggle. Turn it on, and the app will send you push notifications to your phone whenever something changes. This is often faster than checking a website repeatedly, especially if you are away from your computer.
Set up notifications at least a few hours before your flight departs. Most trackers and apps begin monitoring the flight once you have signed up, so you will not miss an early delay announcement. If you are tracking someone else's flight to know when to pick them up, notifications are especially useful because you do not have to keep the website open.
Understanding radar coverage and data delays
Flight trackers rely on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a system where aircraft transmit their location, altitude, and speed to ground receivers. These receivers are operated by aviation authorities, airlines, and volunteer networks. The data reaches the tracker within seconds, so what you see is nearly live—usually only 5 to 30 seconds behind the actual aircraft position.
However, radar coverage is not uniform worldwide. In the United States and Europe, coverage is dense and reliable. Over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, coverage is sparser, so planes may not appear for stretches of their flight. In parts of Africa, South America, and Asia, coverage can be very limited or nonexistent. If a flight disappears from the map, it is usually because it has left radar range, not because something is wrong.
Delay information comes from the airline, not from radar, so it may lag behind the actual delay. If a flight is running late but the airline has not yet updated its system, the tracker will still show the original arrival time. Check back every few minutes, or rely on notifications to alert you when the airline officially reports the change.
Comparing the major flight trackers
| Tracker | Best for | Key feature | Mobile app |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlightRadar24 | Watching multiple flights at once; aircraft spotting | Live map showing thousands of planes simultaneously | Yes, free and paid versions |
| FlightAware | Delay history and reasons; notifications | Detailed delay information and historical data for routes | Yes, free |
| Flightstats | Comparing on-time performance across airlines | Statistics on which airlines and routes are most reliable | Yes, free |
| Airline website or app | Your own booking; gate and seat information | Gate numbers, boarding times, and baggage claim info | Yes, varies by airline |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track a flight if I only know the airline and departure time?
Yes, but it is slower. Use FlightRadar24 or FlightAware to search by departure and arrival airports instead of flight number. The tracker will list all flights between those cities around that time. Click the one that matches your airline and time, and you will see the aircraft's position.
Why does the estimated arrival time keep changing?
The tracker updates the arrival time as the flight progresses based on current speed, wind, and distance remaining. If the plane is flying faster than expected, the arrival time moves earlier. If it is flying slower or has been told to slow down by air traffic control, the arrival time moves later. This is normal and does not mean the flight is delayed.
What if the flight disappears from the map over the ocean?
The aircraft is still flying—it has straightforward left the range of ground-based radar receivers. Most planes reappear on the map when they get closer to land. If the flight is crossing the Atlantic or Pacific, it may be off the map for several hours. Check back as the flight approaches its destination.
Do I need to pay for a flight tracker?
No. FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightstats all offer free versions with real-time tracking. They also sell paid subscriptions with extra features like historical data and ad-free browsing, but the free version is enough to track your flight and see its current position.
Can I track a flight without knowing the flight number?
Yes. Enter the departure airport, arrival airport, and approximate time into FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, and the tracker will show you all flights between those cities. Then click the one matching your airline. It takes a bit longer than searching by flight number, but it works.