Where to find your flight's current location and status

You can track your flight using your airline's website or app, a flight-tracking website like FlightAware or FlightRadar24, or your phone's built-in flight tracker. The fastest method depends on what information you need: your airline's system shows gate changes and delays specific to your booking, while public flight trackers show the plane's actual position on a map and altitude.

Start with your airline's app or website if you have your confirmation number handy. Log in, enter your booking details, and you'll see real-time gate assignments, boarding times, and any delays. If you don't have your confirmation number, use a public tracker instead—you only need the flight number and date.

Public trackers work differently than airline apps. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 pull data from radar and aircraft transponders, so they show where the plane actually is right now, not just what the airline has announced. This is useful if you're picking someone up or trying to understand why a flight is delayed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app shows gate numbers, boarding times, and delays tied to your specific booking—use this first if you have your confirmation number.
  • Public flight trackers like FlightAware show the plane's real-time location and altitude, which your airline app may not display.
  • Most airlines send text or email alerts about delays and gate changes if you opt in during booking or check-in.
  • Tracking a flight before takeoff shows delays on the ground; tracking after takeoff shows whether the plane is making up time in the air.
  • If your flight is delayed more than a few hours, check your airline's website for rebooking options rather than waiting at the gate.

Using your airline's website or mobile app

Log into your airline's website or app with your confirmation number (also called a booking reference or PNR). This number is usually six characters and appears on your booking email. Enter it along with your last name, and the system will pull up your flight details.

Once you're logged in, you'll see your flight number, scheduled departure and arrival times, and the current status. As your flight approaches, the gate number will appear here first—before it shows on airport displays. If there's a delay, the airline will update the new departure time in this same place.

Turn on push notifications in your airline's app so you receive alerts about gate changes, boarding calls, and delays. These notifications arrive faster than checking the app manually, and they're especially useful if you're at the airport but not at your gate yet.

Tracking a plane's real-time location with public flight trackers

FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are the two most common public trackers. Both show the plane's current position on a map, its altitude, speed, and the time until landing. You don't need an account—just enter the flight number (for example, "UA456") and the date.

FlightAware tends to be more detailed about delays and reasons for them. It shows historical data, so you can see if this flight is usually late. FlightRadar24 has a cleaner map interface and works well if you just want to watch the plane move across the screen in real time.

These trackers update every few seconds once the plane is in the air. If you're picking someone up, you can watch the plane descend and know roughly when it will land. Keep in mind that landing time on a tracker is an estimate based on current speed and distance—weather or air traffic can change it by 10 to 20 minutes.

Understanding what the status updates actually mean

Flight statuses use standard terms that mean specific things. "On time" means the flight is expected to depart or arrive at the scheduled time. "Delayed" means the departure or arrival will be later than scheduled, and the system will show a new time. "Boarding" means passengers are currently walking onto the plane.

"Departed" means the plane has pushed back from the gate and is taxiing or in the air. "In flight" means the plane is currently airborne. "Landed" means the plane has touched down but may still be taxiing to the gate. "Arrived" means the plane is at the gate and passengers can exit.

If you see "Cancelled," the flight will not operate that day. Check your airline's website when ready for rebooking options. If you see "Diverted," the plane is landing at a different airport than planned, usually due to weather or a mechanical issue—your airline will announce next steps.

What to do when your flight is delayed

If your flight is delayed by more than two hours, check your airline's website right away for rebooking options. Many airlines let you rebook yourself onto an earlier flight or a different route without a fee when there's a delay. Waiting until the gate agent tells you about rebooking options means you may miss the earlier flights that are still available.

If the delay is more than three hours, you may be may have access to to compensation depending on your airline and where you're flying. Check the U.S. Department of Transportation website or your airline's policy to understand what you're owed. Document the delay by taking a photo of the departure board or saving a screenshot of your airline app showing the delayed time.

If your flight is delayed on the ground for more than three hours, ask a gate agent whether the airline will provide a meal voucher or hotel room. Some airlines offer these automatically; others only provide them if you ask. If you're delayed overnight, most major airlines will cover a hotel stay, but you may need to request it rather than waiting for an announcement.

Tracking connecting flights and multi-leg trips

If you have a connecting flight, track both legs separately. Your airline app will show both flights, but each one has its own status. If your first flight is delayed, check how much time you have before your connection departs. Most airlines build in a buffer—usually 45 minutes for domestic connections and 90 minutes for international—but delays can eat into that time.

If it looks like you'll miss your connection, contact your airline before you land. Call the number on the back of your boarding pass or use the airline's app to message customer service. The airline can rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination, and they'll do this automatically if you miss the connection through no fault of your own.

For multi-leg trips, set up alerts for each flight. Some airline apps let you track multiple bookings at once, but if you booked through a third party like Kayak or Expedia, you may need to log into your airline account separately to see all your flights.

Using text and email alerts instead of checking manually

Most airlines offer free text message or email alerts about your flight. During online check-in or at the airport, you'll see an option to receive updates. Choose text if you want the fastest notifications—emails can take a few minutes to arrive. Text alerts typically include gate changes, boarding calls, delays, and cancellations.

If you didn't opt in during check-in, you can usually sign up through your airline's website or app. Log into your account, find your upcoming flight, and look for a "Get alerts" or "Manage notifications" option. You'll need to provide a phone number or email address.

Alerts work best when you're at the airport. If you're tracking a flight from home or work, checking the airline app directly gives you more detail than a text message. Texts usually show only the new time or gate number, while the app shows the reason for the delay and estimated boarding time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I'm not a passenger on it?

Yes. Public flight trackers like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let anyone search by flight number and date. You'll see the plane's location, altitude, and estimated arrival time. You won't see gate numbers or airline-specific delays unless you're the passenger with a booking confirmation.

Why does my airline app show a different arrival time than the flight tracker?

Your airline app shows the scheduled arrival time plus any delays the airline has announced. The flight tracker shows an estimated arrival time based on the plane's current speed and distance. Once the plane is in the air, the tracker's estimate is usually more accurate because it accounts for actual wind and weather conditions.

What if the flight tracker shows my plane landed but the airline app still says "in flight"?

The tracker updates faster than the airline's system. Once the plane lands, it takes a few minutes for the airline to update its app to show "landed" or "arrived." If the tracker shows the plane on the ground, it has landed—the app will catch up within 5 to 10 minutes.

Can I track a flight that departed hours ago?

Yes. FlightAware keeps historical data for flights, so you can search for a flight that already landed and see its actual departure time, arrival time, and any delays it experienced. This is useful if you're trying to understand why a flight was late or if you need documentation for a delay claim.

Do I need to read an app to track my flight?

No. All airline websites and public flight trackers work in a web browser on your phone or computer. Apps are optional and mainly useful if you want push notifications. If you prefer not to read anything, use your airline's website or FlightAware.com in your phone's browser.