Where to find live flight information

You can track any commercial airplane in real time using free websites and apps that pull data from radar networks and airline systems. The most widely used are FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats—each shows the plane's current location on a map, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. You do not need to pay; the free versions give you everything you need to watch a flight from takeoff to landing.

To start tracking, you need either the flight number (like United 447) or the aircraft's tail number (the registration code printed on the fuselage, like N12345). If you know the airline and departure city, you can search by route instead. Within seconds, you will see the plane's position, how high it is flying, and whether it is on schedule, delayed, or diverted.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats are free websites where you can watch any commercial flight move across a map in real time.
  • You need the flight number, tail number, or route details to start tracking—the airline's website or your booking confirmation has the flight number.
  • Real-time tracking shows altitude, speed, and current position, but the map updates every few seconds to a few minutes depending on the service.
  • Delays and diversions appear on the tracking map as soon as the airline updates its system, usually within minutes of the change.
  • Most airlines also let you track your own booking through their app or website by entering your confirmation number.

Using FlightAware to track a flight

Go to flightaware.com and enter the flight number in the search box at the top of the page. If you do not have the flight number, click "Track a Flight" and enter the airline name, departure airport, and arrival airport instead. Hit search, and you will see a list of flights matching those details. Click the one you want.

The flight page shows a map with the plane's current location, a timeline of the flight (gate departure, takeoff, landing), and a status bar that says whether the flight is on time, delayed, or has landed. Scroll down to see the aircraft type, tail number, and historical data about how often this flight is delayed. You can refresh the page or leave it open—the map updates automatically every few seconds.

FlightAware also sends email or text alerts if you set them up. Click "Alerts" on the flight page, enter your email or phone number, and choose what you want to be notified about: departure, arrival, or delays. This is useful if you are tracking a flight for someone else or want a heads-up without checking the page constantly.

Using FlightRadar24 to track a flight

FlightRadar24 works similarly but focuses more on the live map view. Go to flightradar24.com and use the search box to find your flight by number, route, or tail number. The map will center on the plane and show its path, altitude, and speed in real time. You can zoom in and out to see the flight's full route or just the current area.

Click on the plane icon on the map to open a sidebar with details: flight number, aircraft type, current altitude, speed, and the next waypoint (navigation point). The sidebar also shows a timeline of the flight and whether it is on schedule. FlightRadar24's free version is slightly more limited than FlightAware—some older flights and historical data require a paid subscription—but for tracking a flight happening right now, the free version is complete.

Tracking through your airline's app or website

Every major airline (United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and others) lets you track your own booking directly through their website or mobile app. Log in with your confirmation number and last name, or use your frequent flyer account. The airline's system shows the same information as FlightAware—current location, altitude, estimated arrival—but only for flights you have booked.

The advantage of using the airline's system is that you get notifications about gate changes, delays, and cancellations sent directly to your phone or email. The airline updates this information faster than third-party tracking sites because it comes straight from their operations center. If your flight is delayed, the airline's app will usually tell you before FlightAware does.

Understanding what the tracking map shows you

The map displays the plane as a small icon (usually an airplane symbol) with a line showing the route it has flown so far and a dotted line showing the planned route ahead. The altitude and speed appear next to the icon or in a sidebar. Most services update the position every 5 to 30 seconds, depending on how much radar data they receive.

The estimated arrival time shown on the map is calculated from the plane's current speed and distance remaining. If the plane slows down (which happens during descent), the arrival time will adjust automatically. If the flight is diverted to a different airport, the map will show the new route and the new destination. Delays caused by weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control appear as status updates on the flight page, not just on the map.

Why tracking sometimes shows a delay before the airline announces it

Third-party tracking sites pull data from radar networks and aircraft transponders, which update constantly. If a plane is circling an airport waiting for a gate or is delayed on the tarmac, the tracking map shows this when ready. The airline's official announcement of a delay sometimes comes a few minutes later, after the operations team has confirmed the reason and notified the gate agent.

You may also see the plane land on the map but the flight status still say "in flight" for a minute or two. This happens because the radar data updates faster than the airline's booking system. Once the plane reaches the gate and the crew closes the doors, the airline updates the status to "landed." If you are waiting for someone at baggage claim, the map landing is a good sign the plane has touched down, even if the official status has not caught up yet.

Tracking a flight when you do not have the flight number

If you only know the airline and the airports, use FlightAware's or FlightRadar24's search by route. Enter the airline name, departure airport code (like LAX for Los Angeles), and arrival airport code (like JFK for New York). The site will show all flights on that route for the current day. Find the one matching your departure time and click it.

If you know the tail number instead of the flight number, enter it in the search box. The tail number is printed on the fuselage of the plane and appears on your boarding pass or the airline's website. Searching by tail number is especially useful if you are tracking a plane that will operate multiple flights in a day—you can see all the flights it will make and where it is right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I am not the passenger?

Yes. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats show all commercial flights publicly. You just need the flight number or route. The airline's app requires a booking confirmation number, so you cannot track someone else's flight through the airline unless they share their confirmation with you.

How often does the tracking map update?

Most services update every 5 to 30 seconds, depending on radar coverage and the service you use. FlightRadar24 tends to update slightly faster than FlightAware. The update speed also depends on where the plane is—flights over the ocean or remote areas may update less frequently because fewer radar stations cover those regions.

Will tracking show me if a flight is cancelled?

Yes. If a flight is cancelled before takeoff, the tracking page will show a "cancelled" status and remove the plane from the map. If a flight is cancelled after takeoff (rare), the map will show the plane landing at an alternate airport. The airline's app will notify you of cancellations faster than third-party sites.

Can I track a private plane or cargo flight?

Some private planes and cargo flights appear on FlightRadar24 and FlightAware if they have a transponder that broadcasts their position. However, many private flights disable this for privacy, so they will not show up. Cargo flights usually do appear because they follow the same air traffic rules as passenger flights.

What if the tracking map shows the plane landed but the airline says it is still in flight?

The radar data updates faster than the airline's booking system. Once the plane lands and reaches the gate, the airline updates its status. This usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. If the map shows "landed" but the airline still says "in flight," the plane has definitely touched down—the airline's system just has not caught up yet.