You can watch any commercial flight move across a map using free websites and apps that pull radar data from the FAA

Real-time flight tracking works because commercial aircraft broadcast their location, altitude, and speed constantly. Websites like FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder collect this radar data from ground receivers and display it on a map you can access from your phone or computer. You do not need to log in or pay—the basic version shows you every commercial flight in the air, where it is headed, and how long until it lands.

If you are tracking a flight because it is delayed or you want to know when someone arrives, this is faster than calling the airline or refreshing their website. You can see the actual flight path, current speed, and real-time altitude. You can also set alerts so you get notified when a specific flight takes off or lands.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder are the three most widely used free tracking sites and show the same real-time data from different angles.
  • You can search by flight number, airline, aircraft type, or route, and the map updates every few seconds with the plane's exact position.
  • Most trackers show you the aircraft type, current altitude, ground speed, and estimated arrival time without requiring an account.
  • Setting up alerts on these sites means you will get a notification when a flight departs or lands, which is useful if you are picking someone up.
  • Military aircraft, private jets, and some government planes do not appear on these trackers because they do not broadcast their location publicly.

FlightRadar24: The most detailed map view

FlightRadar24 is the most popular flight tracker because the map is clean and the data updates every 2 to 4 seconds. You can click on any plane icon and see the flight number, aircraft type (for example, Boeing 737), altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and the departure and arrival airports. The free version shows you everything except historical playback—the ability to rewind and watch a flight's path from earlier in the day.

To find a flight, type the flight number (like "United 447") into the search box at the top left, or search by route (New York to Los Angeles). You can also click on any plane on the map to see its details. If you want to track a flight regularly, you can create a free account and set up alerts that notify you by email or push notification when that flight departs or lands.

FlightAware: Best for detailed flight history and delays

FlightAware shows real-time data the same way FlightRadar24 does, but it also stores detailed information about every flight—including how often that specific flight number is delayed, how long delays usually last, and the aircraft's maintenance history. This is useful if you want to know whether a flight is chronically late or if today's delay is unusual.

FlightAware also integrates with airline websites, so if you search for a flight on United or American Airlines, you will often see a FlightAware widget showing the live map. The free version includes all the tracking features; the paid version adds things like historical data going back years and the ability to read flight records.

Plane Finder: Works on older phones and tablets

Plane Finder is lighter and faster than FlightRadar24 on older devices. It shows the same real-time position data and updates frequently, but the interface is simpler. If you are using an older phone or tablet and FlightRadar24 is slow, Plane Finder is worth trying. It also has a free app for iOS and Android that works offline once you have downloaded the map.

Plane Finder's free version includes live tracking and alerts. The paid version adds historical playback and the ability to see aircraft by registration number (the tail number painted on the fuselage).

What information you will see on a live flight tracker

Every tracker shows the same core information because they all pull from the same FAA radar data. When you click on a plane, you will see the flight number (the airline code and number, like United 447 or Southwest 1203), the aircraft type (the model of plane, like Boeing 737-800 or Airbus A320), and the altitude (how many feet above sea level the plane is flying, updated in real time).

You will also see the ground speed (how fast the plane is moving over the ground, usually 400 to 550 miles per hour during cruise), the departure and arrival airports (shown as three-letter codes like JFK for New York or LAX for Los Angeles), the estimated arrival time (when the plane is expected to land, based on current speed and distance), and the departure time (when the plane actually took off, which helps you see if it left late).

Planes that do not show up on flight trackers

Commercial flights always appear on these trackers because the FAA requires them to broadcast their location. Military aircraft, private jets, and government planes often do not show up because they are not required to broadcast publicly or they have their signals blocked. If you are looking for a private flight or military transport, a flight tracker will not help.

Some commercial flights may disappear from the map briefly if they fly over the ocean or a remote area where there are no ground receivers to pick up the signal. The plane is still broadcasting, but nobody is receiving it. Once it gets back into range of a receiver, it reappears on the map.

Setting up alerts so you know when a flight lands

All three major trackers let you set up notifications without paying. On FlightRadar24, create a free account, search for the flight, and click the bell icon. You can choose to get notified when the flight departs, lands, or both. The notification comes as an email or a push notification on your phone if you have the app installed.

FlightAware and Plane Finder work the same way. Once you set an alert, you will get a message as soon as the event happens. This is much faster than checking the airline's website or calling the airport, and it works even if the flight is delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Search for the airline name and departure airport on FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, and you will see all flights from that airline leaving around that time. Click on the one that matches your arrival airport. If multiple flights match, check the aircraft type or look at the scheduled departure time to find the right one.

Why does the estimated arrival time keep changing?

The tracker calculates arrival time based on current ground speed and distance remaining. If the plane slows down (usually because of headwinds or air traffic delays), the arrival time moves later. If it speeds up, the time moves earlier. The estimate updates every few seconds as conditions change.

Can I see how much fuel a plane has left?

No. Flight trackers show altitude, speed, and position, but not fuel quantity. That information is not broadcast publicly. Airlines and pilots have access to fuel data, but it is not part of the radar signal that trackers receive.

Do I need to read an app, or can I use a website?

Both work. FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder all have websites you can use in any browser without downloading anything. They also have free apps for iOS and Android if you prefer to track flights on your phone. The app versions are usually faster and let you set alerts more easily.

What if the flight number changes or the plane gets swapped?

If an airline cancels a flight and rebooks passengers on a different flight number, the tracker will show the new flight number once the airline updates the system. If the airline swaps aircraft (uses a different plane for the same flight), the tracker updates automatically because it follows the flight number, not the specific plane. You will see the new aircraft type appear on the map.