Track any flight using free public websites and apps

You can track almost any commercial flight in real time using FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or Flightstats — all free and require only the airline and flight number. These sites pull data from radar networks and airline feeds, so you see the plane's location, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time as it happens. No account needed.

The fastest way is to search "[airline name] [flight number]" directly into Google. Google displays a live tracker card that shows the plane's position on a map, current altitude, and gate information if the flight has already landed or is at the gate. This works for flights departing within the next few hours or currently in the air.

If you have the flight number but not the airline, or if you want to watch a flight that departed hours ago, use FlightAware's search bar. Type the flight number alone and FlightAware will find it across all airlines. The site also logs historical flight data, so you can look up whether a flight was delayed yesterday or last week.

Key Takeaways

  • Google's flight tracker is the fastest option if you know the airline and flight number — search the flight number and a map appears when ready.
  • FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flightstats are free websites that show real-time position, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival for any commercial flight.
  • Most airlines also text or email updates to passengers who provide a phone number or email at booking, and you can check your airline's app for gate and delay information.
  • Flight tracking updates every few seconds for planes in the air but may lag by 5 to 15 minutes on the ground due to how radar data is transmitted.

Use your airline's app or website for passenger-specific details

Your airline's own app or website shows information that public trackers do not: gate number, baggage claim carousel, seat assignments, and whether your specific flight is delayed. Log in with your confirmation number and last name, or link your frequent flyer account. Most airlines push notifications to your phone when the gate opens, when boarding begins, and when the flight is delayed.

The airline's tracker also tells you why a delay happened — mechanical issue, weather, crew connection, air traffic control — whereas public trackers show only that a delay exists. This matters because some delays resolve quickly (a late crew member arriving) while others stretch for hours (weather holding the plane on the ground).

If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, you can still track through the airline's app by entering your confirmation number. You do not need to book directly with the airline to access their tracking tools.

Set up text or email alerts from your airline

Most airlines offer free notifications by text message or email. During booking, you can opt in to receive alerts, or you can add your phone number or email after you book by logging into your account. Airlines typically send updates when the flight is delayed, when the gate is assigned, when boarding starts, and when the plane lands.

Text alerts arrive faster than email and work even if you do not have internet access at the airport. Email alerts include more detail — they often list the new departure time, the reason for the delay, and a link to rebook if the delay is long enough to trigger rebooking rights.

If you did not opt in at booking, you can usually add your contact information in the airline's app or on their website up to 24 hours before departure. Some airlines also let you sign up for alerts by replying to a text message they send you.

Understand what the tracking data actually shows

Real-time flight trackers pull data from two main sources: radar (which shows planes in the air) and airline systems (which show planes on the ground). Radar data updates every few seconds for planes above 1,000 feet, but once a plane lands and taxis to the gate, the tracker may not update for 5 to 15 minutes. This is why a plane can show as "landed" on FlightAware but the airline app still says "landing" — the radar saw it touch down, but the airline system has not yet logged it at the gate.

Estimated arrival times change as the flight progresses. Early in the flight, the estimate is based on filed flight plans and wind data. As the plane gets closer, the estimate updates based on actual speed and distance remaining. A plane that appears to be running 20 minutes late at the halfway point may arrive on time if it speeds up in the final hour, or it may fall further behind if headwinds increase.

The altitude and speed shown are real-time measurements from radar, not predictions. If a plane is descending, it is actually descending at that moment. If the speed drops suddenly, the plane is actually slowing — often because it has been cleared to descend or is entering a holding pattern due to congestion at the destination airport.

Track a flight you are not booked on

You can track anyone's flight without a ticket or confirmation number. Use FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or Google's tracker and search by airline and flight number. These sites show real-time position and estimated arrival for every commercial flight in the air, whether you are a passenger or not.

This is useful if you are picking someone up from the airport and want to know when to leave home, or if you are waiting for a delayed flight and want to see how far away the plane actually is. The tracker shows you the plane's current location on a map, so you can see whether it is still an hour away or already beginning its descent.

Some people use flight trackers to watch planes they are interested in — a specific aircraft type, a rare airline, or a flight route they have never seen. FlightRadar24 lets you filter by aircraft type or airline, which is useful if you want to see all the Boeing 787 flights currently in the air.

Know the limits of free tracking tools

Free trackers show position and altitude but not cabin pressure, fuel remaining, or maintenance alerts. They also cannot show you the interior of the plane, passenger count, or cargo details — that information is not public. Some airlines restrict certain data for security reasons, so military or government flights may not appear on public trackers at all.

Trackers occasionally show a plane in the wrong location or with a gap in its path. This usually happens when radar coverage is poor over water or remote areas, or when the plane climbs above the range of ground-based radar. Satellite-based trackers like FlightRadar24 have better coverage over oceans, but even they have gaps in some regions.

If a tracker shows a flight as "delayed" but the airline app shows "on time," trust the airline app. The airline has real-time information about gate assignments and actual pushback times, while public trackers sometimes lag or misinterpret data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I only know the departure and arrival cities?

You can see all flights between two cities on FlightAware or Flightstats, but you need to know the airline or approximate departure time to find the specific flight. If you know the passenger's name, you cannot search by name alone — you need the flight number or confirmation number.

Why does the tracker show the plane landed but the airline app still says "landing"?

Radar data updates faster than airline ground systems. The radar sees the plane touch the runway and marks it as landed, but the airline's system does not update until the plane reaches the gate and the crew logs in. This lag usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes.

Do I need to pay for real-time flight tracking?

No. FlightAware, FlightRadar24, Flightstats, and Google's tracker are all free and show real-time data. Premium versions exist but add features like custom alerts or historical data — the basic tracking is the same.

What should I do if the tracker shows a very long delay?

Check your airline's app or website for the official reason and your rebooking options. Trackers show that a delay exists but not always why. The airline can tell you whether the delay is weather, mechanical, or crew-related, and whether you can rebook on an earlier flight.

Can I track a private plane or charter flight?

Most private flights do not appear on public trackers because they file different flight plans and use different radar networks. Some private jets do show up on FlightRadar24 if they have the right transponder, but coverage is spotty and many owners disable tracking for privacy.