Where to find your flight status right now

The fastest way to track a flight is through the airline's own website or mobile app. Go to the airline's homepage, find the "Flight Status" or "Track Your Flight" section, enter your confirmation number and last name, and you will see the current gate, departure time, and arrival time. Most airlines update this information every few minutes once you are within 24 hours of departure.

If you do not have your confirmation number, you can search by flight number and date instead. The flight number appears on your ticket and usually starts with two letters (the airline code) followed by numbers — for example, AA 456 for American Airlines or DL 789 for Delta.

Third-party tracking sites like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Google Flights also show real-time status without requiring a confirmation number. These sites pull data from the same sources airlines use, so the information is current. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 also display the aircraft's actual location on a map, which can be useful if you are picking someone up and need to know how far away the plane still is.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app is the most direct source and shows gate assignments, which third-party sites often do not.
  • FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let you track any flight by number and date without a confirmation number, and show the plane's location on a map.
  • Set up push notifications through your airline app or a tracking site so you receive alerts when departure or arrival times change.
  • Text and email alerts from your airline are usually free and arrive faster than checking the website repeatedly.
  • If a flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline's app will show the new time or status before most other sources do.

Setting up alerts so you do not have to keep checking

Most airline apps let you turn on notifications for your specific flight. Open the app, find your booking, and look for a bell icon or "Notifications" option. Once you turn this on, you will receive a push notification to your phone whenever the departure time, gate, or status changes. This is the most reliable way to stay informed without opening the app every 10 minutes.

If you prefer email or text alerts, go to your airline's website, find the "Manage My Booking" section, and look for notification preferences. You can usually choose to receive updates by text, email, or both. Some airlines charge a small fee for text alerts, but email alerts are almost always free. Enter your phone number or email address and confirm — you should receive a test message within a few minutes.

Third-party tracking apps like FlightAware also send notifications. read the app, search for your flight, and tap the bell icon to turn on alerts. These apps often let you customize which types of changes trigger a notification — for example, you might want to know about delays but not gate changes.

What the different flight statuses mean

On Time means the flight is scheduled to depart and arrive as originally planned. Delayed means the departure time has been pushed back, but the flight is still going. The tracking page will show the new departure time. Cancelled means the flight will not operate that day — you will need to rebook on another flight or request a refund.

Boarding means passengers are currently walking onto the plane. Departed means the plane has left the gate and is either taxiing to the runway or already in the air. In Flight means the plane is airborne. Landed means the plane has touched down at the destination airport but passengers may still be on board.

Diverted means the plane is landing at a different airport than originally scheduled, usually because of weather or a mechanical issue. If this happens, your airline will announce the new destination and next steps. Gate Change means you will board from a different gate than originally posted — check the app or airport monitors before heading to your original gate.

Tracking a flight when you are picking someone up

If you are meeting a passenger at baggage claim, use FlightRadar24 or FlightAware to see where the plane is. Both sites show a map with the aircraft's current location and estimated time of arrival. This tells you roughly when the plane will land, but add 20 to 30 minutes for the plane to taxi, park, and for passengers to disembark and reach baggage claim.

The airline app is more precise for the final stages. Once the plane lands, the app will show "Landed" and then update to show when baggage claim is open. Some airports post baggage claim information on their own websites or apps as well — search for your airport's name plus "baggage claim" to find that page.

If the flight is delayed, the airline app will show the new arrival time. Check this before leaving home — there is no point arriving at the airport early if the plane is still two hours away.

Tracking international flights

International flights work the same way as domestic ones. Use your airline's website or app, or use FlightAware and FlightRadar24. The flight number, confirmation number, and status updates are identical. The main difference is that international flights may take longer to update on third-party sites because the data comes from different air traffic control systems in different countries.

If your international flight crosses many time zones, the tracking page will show times in the local time zone of each airport. For example, a flight from New York to London will show departure time in Eastern Time and arrival time in British Summer Time. Check the time zone label on the tracking page so you do not confuse the times.

For flights to or from countries with limited air traffic data sharing, FlightRadar24 may show less detail than FlightAware. If one site is not updating, try the other.

What to do if the tracking page shows a delay or cancellation

If your flight is delayed, the airline app will show the new departure time. You do not need to do anything unless the delay is very long — more than a few hours. In that case, check your airline's website for rebooking options or contact customer service to see if they will put you on an earlier flight to the same destination.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline will send you a notification (if you set one up) and will also display a message on the tracking page. You will need to rebook. Log into your airline account, go to "Manage My Booking," and look for a "Rebook" or "Change Flight" option. If that does not work, call the airline's customer service line — the number is on your confirmation email and on the airline's website.

Keep the tracking page open or take a screenshot showing the cancellation. If you end up paying more to rebook on a different airline, you may be able to request reimbursement from your original airline, depending on the reason for the cancellation and your ticket type.

Using airport websites to track arrivals and departures

Most major airports have their own websites with live departure and arrival boards. Search for your airport's name plus "departures" or "arrivals" to find the board. These boards show all flights leaving or arriving at that airport, updated in real time. You can search by airline, flight number, or destination.

Airport boards are useful if you are picking someone up and want to see all arriving flights at once, or if you want to confirm that your flight is actually departing from the airport you think it is. Some airports also have mobile apps with the same information.

Airport boards do not show as much detail as airline apps — they usually do not include gate assignments or seat information — but they are a good second source to confirm what the airline app is telling you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let anyone track any flight by number and date. You do not need a ticket or confirmation number. If you want to use the airline's app or website, you will need the passenger's confirmation number and last name, or you can ask the passenger to share their booking with you through the airline's app.

How often does the tracking information update?

Airline apps and websites update every few minutes once the flight is within 24 hours of departure. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 update every few seconds while the plane is in the air. Before 24 hours out, updates may be less frequent — sometimes only once or twice a day.

What if the tracking page shows a different arrival time than my ticket?

The tracking page is always more current than your original ticket. Your ticket shows the scheduled time when you booked. The tracking page shows the actual current schedule, which may have changed due to weather, air traffic, or other factors. Trust the tracking page.

Do I need to read an app or can I just use the website?

You can use either. The airline's website works on any device with a browser. The app is faster and sends push notifications, which the website cannot do. If you want alerts without downloading an app, use email or text notifications through the airline's website instead.

What if my flight is delayed and I am going to miss my connection?

Contact your airline when ready through the app, website, or phone. Tell them your connection flight number and destination. Many airlines can rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no extra cost if the delay is the airline's fault. Do this before you land, not after — the airline can make the change faster if you call ahead.