Real-time airplane tracking is free and works from any web browser or phone app

You can watch any commercial airplane move across the sky using websites and apps that pull data from radar networks and aircraft transponders. The most popular options are Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange, and FlightAware. All three show the plane's altitude, speed, direction, and route on a live map. You do not need to pay anything to see basic flight information, though paid versions add features like seat maps and historical data.

These services work because commercial aircraft broadcast their location automatically through a system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). Ground receivers pick up this signal and feed it to the tracking websites. The data updates every few seconds, so you see the plane moving in near-real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange, and FlightAware are the three largest free airplane tracking services and work on desktop and mobile.
  • You can search by flight number, aircraft registration, or route, and the map shows altitude, speed, and current heading updated every few seconds.
  • Paid subscriptions unlock features like seat maps and historical flight data, but the free version shows everything you need to track a flight in progress.
  • Some military and private aircraft do not broadcast their location and will not appear on any public tracking map.

Flightradar24: the most user-friendly option

Flightradar24 is the easiest service to start with if you have never tracked a flight before. The interface is clean, the map is responsive, and you can search for a specific flight by typing the airline and flight number—for example, "United 447" or "AA 1200". The site also lets you search by aircraft registration (the tail number, like N12345) if you want to follow a specific plane across multiple flights.

Once you find a flight, the map shows the plane's current position, altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and the direction it is heading. A sidebar displays the departure and arrival airports, scheduled times, and actual times if the flight has already landed. Flightradar24's free tier includes all of this. The paid version adds features like seat maps showing which seats are occupied and historical playback so you can rewind a flight and watch it again.

Flightradar24 works on desktop at flightradar24.com and on iOS and Android apps. The mobile app is particularly useful if you are tracking a flight while at the airport or waiting for someone to land.

ADS-B Exchange: the most detailed raw data

ADS-B Exchange is the choice if you want to see every aircraft broadcasting a signal, including some military and private planes that other services filter out. It pulls data directly from volunteer ground receivers around the world, so the coverage is sometimes more complete than Flightradar24 or FlightAware.

The interface is less polished than Flightradar24—it looks more like a technical tool than a consumer app—but it shows the same core information: position, altitude, speed, and heading. You can filter by aircraft type, airline, or altitude range. The free version is fully functional. ADS-B Exchange does not offer a paid tier; it relies on donations.

ADS-B Exchange is best if you are tracking a specific aircraft type or want to see planes that do not appear on other services. For casual flight tracking, Flightradar24 is usually simpler.

FlightAware: strong for delays and historical data

FlightAware is the third major option and is particularly useful if you are tracking a flight that is delayed or cancelled. The service integrates directly with airline systems and airport data, so it often shows delay reasons and gate information before other services do.

FlightAware's map works the same way as Flightradar24—search by flight number, see the plane's position and altitude, and watch it move in real time. The free version includes basic tracking. The paid version (called FlightAware Pro) adds historical flight data, so you can look up how often a specific flight is delayed or how long it typically takes.

FlightAware is available at flightaware.com and through iOS and Android apps. If you are tracking a flight because it is delayed and you want to know when it will actually land, FlightAware often has the most current information.

How to search for a specific flight

All three services work the same way to find a flight. You need either the flight number or the aircraft registration number. The flight number is what you see on your ticket or confirmation email—it is the airline code plus a number, like "Southwest 1847" or "Delta 234".

Type the flight number into the search box on Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange, or FlightAware. The service will show you all instances of that flight number in the air right now, or if the flight is not currently flying, it will show you the most recent one. Click on the flight to open the map and see its current position.

If you know the aircraft registration instead (the tail number, visible on the fuselage), you can search for that too. This is useful if you want to follow a specific plane across multiple flights throughout the day. Registration numbers are usually a country code plus letters and numbers—for example, N is the United States, so N12345 is a U.S.-registered aircraft.

What information you can see on the map

Once you have found a flight, the map shows several pieces of information. The plane's current position appears as an icon (usually an airplane symbol) on the map. The altitude is shown in feet above sea level. Ground speed is the plane's speed relative to the ground, measured in knots or kilometers per hour depending on your settings. The heading is the direction the plane is flying, shown as a compass direction or degree.

The sidebar or info panel shows the departure airport, arrival airport, scheduled departure and arrival times, and actual times if the flight has already taken off or landed. Some services also show the aircraft type (for example, Boeing 737 or Airbus A320) and the airline operating the flight.

If the flight is currently in the air, you will see a line showing the planned route from departure to arrival. The plane's icon moves along this line as it flies. If you are watching a flight that is delayed on the ground, the icon will stay at the departure airport until the plane pushes back from the gate.

Why some aircraft do not appear on tracking maps

Not every plane in the sky will show up on a public tracking map. Military aircraft, government planes, and some private jets do not broadcast their location through ADS-B, or they broadcast it but request that it not be displayed publicly. These aircraft will not appear on Flightradar24, FlightAware, or ADS-B Exchange.

Some commercial aircraft also have ADS-B disabled over certain regions for security reasons, so they may disappear from the map for part of their flight and reappear later. This is normal and does not mean the plane has a problem.

If you are trying to track a flight and it does not show up, the most common reasons are that the plane has not taken off yet, the flight number was entered incorrectly, or the aircraft is one that does not broadcast its position publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I do not know the flight number?

Yes, if you know the departure and arrival airports. Most tracking services have a route search feature where you can enter the two airports and see all flights currently flying that route. You can then click on the flight you are looking for. If you know the aircraft registration (tail number), you can search for that instead.

How often does the map update?

The position updates every few seconds as the aircraft broadcasts new ADS-B data. Altitude and speed update at the same rate. If the map seems frozen, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Occasionally a flight will drop off the map briefly if ground receivers lose the signal, but it will reappear once the signal is picked up again.

Can I see a flight that landed hours ago?

Yes, but only with a paid subscription. Flightradar24 Pro and FlightAware Pro both offer historical playback, which lets you search for a past flight and watch it replay on the map. The free versions show only flights currently in the air or recently landed.

Is it legal to track airplanes?

Yes. The data comes from public broadcasts that the aircraft are required to transmit. Tracking websites straightforward receive and display this information. There are no legal restrictions on using these services to watch commercial flights.

What is the difference between ground speed and airspeed?

Ground speed is how fast the plane is moving relative to the ground, which is what the tracking maps show. Airspeed is how fast the plane is moving through the air. Wind affects the difference—a plane flying into a headwind will have a lower ground speed than airspeed, and a plane flying with a tailwind will have a higher ground speed.