Real-time flight tracking shows you where a plane is, how fast it's moving, and when it will land

You can watch a flight move across a map while it's in the air using free websites and apps that pull data from radar and aircraft transponders. The most common tools are FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Flightradar24—all three let you search by flight number, airline, or airport and see the plane's position, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time updated every few seconds. You don't need to be the passenger or know anyone on the flight; the data is public once the plane leaves the gate.

These trackers work because commercial aircraft broadcast their location continuously through a system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). Ground receivers pick up this signal and feed it to tracking websites. The information updates in real time, so you can see delays as they happen rather than waiting for an airline notification.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the two largest free flight trackers and show position, altitude, speed, and landing time for nearly all commercial flights.
  • You can search by flight number (like AA123), airline name, or specific airports to find the flight you want to watch.
  • Real-time tracking updates every few seconds and will show you delays, route changes, and actual landing time as the flight progresses.
  • Most trackers also show historical flight data, so you can look up where a plane was on a past date or see how often a specific flight is delayed.
  • Tracking works for flights worldwide, though coverage is strongest in North America and Europe where more ground receivers exist.

How to find a flight on FlightRadar24

Go to flightradar24.com or open the FlightRadar24 app. At the top of the page, you'll see a search box. Type the flight number (for example, "United 456" or "UA456"), the airline name, or the airport code where the plane is departing or arriving.

Once you search, the site shows you a list of matching flights. Click the one you want. The map will center on that plane, and you'll see a box with its current altitude, speed, direction, and estimated landing time. The flight path appears as a line on the map showing where it's been and where it's headed. If the flight hasn't taken off yet, the tracker will show "Scheduled" and the gate or runway assignment if available.

You can also click directly on the map to see any plane currently in the air. Hover over or tap an aircraft icon to see its flight number and destination. This is useful if you want to watch all traffic around a specific airport.

How to find a flight on FlightAware

Visit flightaware.com and use the search bar at the top. Enter the flight number, airline, or airport code the same way you would on FlightRadar24. FlightAware also lets you search by aircraft tail number (the registration code on the plane's fuselage) if you know it.

When you pull up a flight, FlightAware shows the same real-time position and altitude data, plus additional details like the aircraft type, how many seats it has, and the pilot's name if that information is public. FlightAware also displays a history of that specific flight—how often it runs, whether it's usually on time, and what delays it experienced on previous days.

One advantage of FlightAware is its Misery Map, which highlights airports with the most delays nationwide. If you're tracking a connecting flight, you can check whether the arrival airport is experiencing widespread delays before the plane lands.

Understanding what the tracker shows you

When you're watching a flight, the tracker displays several pieces of information. Altitude is measured in feet above ground level. Speed is shown in knots (nautical miles per hour) or kilometers per hour depending on your settings. Heading is the compass direction the plane is flying—0° is north, 90° is east, 180° is south, 270° is west.

The estimated arrival time updates as the flight progresses. If the plane is flying faster or slower than expected, or if it's taking a longer route due to weather or air traffic, the arrival time will shift. Most trackers show both the scheduled arrival time (when the airline said it would land) and the estimated time (what the tracker predicts based on current speed and distance).

The flight path on the map shows the route the plane is actually flying, not necessarily a straight line from departure to arrival. Air traffic control assigns routes based on weather, other traffic, and airspace restrictions. You may see the plane climb to a cruising altitude of 30,000 to 40,000 feet, then descend gradually as it approaches the destination.

Tracking delays and cancellations

If a flight is delayed, the tracker will show the new estimated departure or arrival time. Some trackers color-code flights—green for on time, yellow for minor delays, red for significant delays or cancellations. You can also check the airline's website or app directly for the official delay reason (weather, mechanical issue, crew delay, air traffic control hold, etc.), which the tracker may not always specify.

If a flight is cancelled, it will disappear from the tracker or show a "Cancelled" status. The tracker updates this information as soon as the airline notifies air traffic control, which is usually before the airline sends a passenger notification. Checking the tracker can sometimes tell you about a cancellation faster than waiting for an email or text from the airline.

For flights that are significantly delayed, the tracker helps you decide whether to head to the airport or wait at home. If the plane hasn't taken off yet and is hours behind schedule, there's no point arriving at the airport early. If the plane is already in the air and just running late on arrival, you can time your pickup or arrival accordingly.

Tracking historical and future flights

Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware let you look up flights that already happened. Search for the flight number and date, and you'll see the actual route it flew, how long it took, and whether it was delayed. This is useful if you want to know whether a flight you're about to book has a history of delays, or if you're curious about where a plane was on a specific day.

You can also search for future flights—flights scheduled to depart in the coming days or weeks. The tracker will show the scheduled departure and arrival times, the aircraft type, and sometimes the gate assignment (once the airline publishes it, usually 24 hours before departure). As the departure time approaches, real-time tracking data will appear.

Coverage and limitations

Flight tracking works best in North America, Europe, and other regions with dense networks of ground receivers. In remote areas or over oceans, coverage can be spotty. Some military and private aircraft don't broadcast their location, so they won't appear on public trackers. A few airlines also request that their flights not be tracked, though this is rare.

The data you see is typically 5 to 10 seconds behind real time because it takes a moment for the signal to reach the ground receiver, process, and update on the website. This delay is small enough that you're still watching the flight move in real time, but it's not instantaneous.

Trackers occasionally show a flight in the wrong location or with incorrect altitude data if the ground receiver network has a gap or if the aircraft's transponder is malfunctioning. This is uncommon, but if something looks wrong, cross-check with the airline's official information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I don't have the flight number?

Yes. You can search by airline name and departure or arrival airport, and the tracker will show all flights between those two cities. If multiple flights match, look for the one with your scheduled departure time. You can also search by tail number if you know the aircraft registration.

Will the airline know I'm tracking their flight?

No. Flight tracking data is public and broadcast by the aircraft itself. The airline doesn't know or care who is watching the flight on a public tracker. You're not hacking anything or accessing private information.

What's the difference between FlightRadar24 and FlightAware?

Both show real-time position and altitude. FlightRadar24 has a cleaner map interface and is better for casual tracking. FlightAware includes more historical data, delay statistics for specific flights, and the Misery Map showing which airports are congested. Both are free for basic use.

Can I track a flight if it's already landed?

Yes. Search for the flight and date, and you'll see the route it flew, the actual landing time, and whether it was delayed. This historical data stays available for months or years depending on the tracker.

Why does the estimated arrival time keep changing?

The tracker recalculates arrival time based on the plane's current speed and distance to the destination. If the plane is flying faster or slower than expected, or if air traffic control assigns a longer route, the arrival time will shift. Weather, wind, and congestion at the destination airport all affect the estimate.