Where to find your flight's current location and status

You can track your flight using the airline's website, the airline's mobile app, or a flight-tracking website that works across all carriers. The airline's own tools are fastest because they pull data directly from their systems — you'll see gate changes, delays, and cancellations there first, sometimes minutes before other sites update. Flight-tracking websites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats pull the same data from the FAA and IATA (the International Air Transport Association), so they show the same information but with a slight delay.

To track your flight, you need either your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and the date. Your confirmation number is the six-character code on your booking email — it's faster than searching by flight number because it pulls up only your reservation. If you don't have the confirmation number, the flight number (like AA 447) and departure date work just as well on any tracking site.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline's website or app shows your flight's status, gate, and any delays or cancellations before other tracking sites do.
  • You need your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and date, to pull up your specific flight.
  • Flight-tracking websites like FlightAware show real-time position on a map and work across all airlines, but update a few minutes after the airline's own system.
  • Most airlines send text or email alerts about delays and gate changes if you opt in during booking or check-in.
  • Tracking updates every few minutes once the plane pushes back from the gate, but may show no movement if the flight is still on the ground.

Using your airline's website or app

Open the airline's website or read its mobile app, then look for a "Track My Flight" or "Flight Status" button — it's usually on the home page. Enter your confirmation number and last name, or your flight number and date. The page will show your departure and arrival airports, scheduled and actual times, current gate, and any delays or cancellations.

The airline's system also displays whether your flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled. If it's delayed, you'll see the new departure time. If the gate has been assigned, it will appear here. Some airlines show a map of your flight's route and current position, though this updates less frequently than the text status. Check this page 24 hours before departure and again 2 hours before your flight leaves — that's when most gate assignments and last-minute changes happen.

Tracking your flight on a map with FlightAware or FlightRadar24

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 both show your plane's real-time position on a map, its altitude, speed, and the route it's flying. Go to FlightAware.com or FlightRadar24.com, enter your flight number (like AA 447) and the date, and click search. The map will show a plane icon moving along the route. You'll also see the current altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and how much longer until landing.

These sites update every few minutes once the plane is in the air. Before takeoff, the map may show the plane parked at the gate with no movement — that's normal. The altitude and speed will read zero or near-zero until the plane pushes back. Once airborne, you'll see the altitude climb and the plane icon move along the route in real time. The estimated arrival time updates as the flight progresses, so if there's a headwind, the arrival time may shift later.

Setting up text and email alerts

Most airlines let you turn on alerts during booking or at check-in. Look for a checkbox that says "Send me flight updates" or "Notify me of changes." If you didn't opt in during booking, you can usually enable alerts on the airline's website by entering your confirmation number — the option is often in the same section where you track your flight.

Alerts typically notify you of gate changes, delays of 15 minutes or more, and cancellations. You'll receive these by text message or email, depending on what you chose during setup. Text alerts arrive faster than email, usually within a minute of the change. If you're at the airport, text alerts are more useful because you'll see them when ready even if you're not actively checking the airline's website.

What the tracking information actually tells you

Flight status shows one of these states: scheduled, delayed, boarding, in flight, or landed. "Scheduled" means the flight is on time and hasn't started boarding yet. "Delayed" means the departure time has shifted — the page will show the new time. "Boarding" means passengers are walking onto the plane. "In flight" means the plane has taken off. "Landed" means the plane has touched down and is taxiing to the gate.

The gate number appears only after it's been assigned, usually 1 to 2 hours before departure. If you don't see a gate yet, check back in an hour — it will appear. The scheduled time is when the airline originally planned for the flight to leave; the actual time (or estimated time if the flight hasn't left yet) is when it will really depart. The difference between these two is your delay. If the actual time is the same as the scheduled time, the flight is on time.

Tracking a connecting flight

If you have a connection, track both flights separately. Use your confirmation number to pull up your entire itinerary on the airline's website — it will show both legs. Track the first flight to see if it's delayed; if it is, check how much time you have between landing and your second flight's departure. Most airlines show your connection time on the itinerary page.

If your first flight is delayed and you have less than an hour between landing and takeoff, contact the airline when ready — don't wait until you land. The airline can rebook you on a later flight or hold your connection if you're close. If you're tracking on FlightAware or FlightRadar24, you'll need to search for each flight separately by flight number, since those sites don't show multi-leg itineraries the way the airline's system does.

Why tracking sometimes shows no movement

If you're tracking your flight on a map and the plane icon isn't moving, it's almost certainly still on the ground. The plane may be at the gate, taxiing slowly, or waiting in a queue for takeoff. Map updates can lag by a few minutes, so a plane that appears stationary may actually be moving slowly. Once the plane reaches cruising altitude, the icon will move noticeably across the map every few minutes.

If the map shows the plane at the destination airport but your flight status still says "in flight," the tracking site is updating slower than the airline's system. Refresh the page or check the airline's website for the most current status. If the flight status says "landed" but the map shows the plane still in the air, the airline's system updated before the tracking site did — this is normal and usually resolves within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I'm not the passenger?

Yes, if you have the flight number and date. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 don't require a confirmation number — you can search any public flight. However, the airline's website requires a confirmation number and last name, so you can only track a flight you booked or were given the confirmation number for.

How often does the tracking information update?

The airline's website updates every few minutes, and map-based tracking sites like FlightAware update every 2 to 5 minutes once the plane is airborne. Before takeoff, updates may be less frequent because the plane isn't moving. Text alerts from the airline arrive within a minute of a change like a gate assignment or delay.

What should I do if my flight shows as cancelled?

Contact your airline when ready — don't wait. Call the number on your booking email or go to the airline's website and look for a "Manage My Booking" or "Cancelled Flight" option. The airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no extra charge, or you can request a refund. Tracking sites may show cancellations a few minutes after the airline's system does.

Can I see why my flight is delayed?

The airline's website usually shows a delay reason like "weather," "mechanical," or "crew delay," though not always. FlightAware sometimes includes delay reasons in the flight details. If the reason isn't listed, call the airline — they can tell you why the flight is delayed and when it's expected to depart.

Does tracking work for international flights?

Yes. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 track international flights the same way they track domestic ones. The airline's website also tracks international flights if you enter your confirmation number. Map-based tracking works worldwide, though some airspace over oceans or remote areas may have gaps in coverage.