Flighty is a free app that tracks your flight in real time
Flighty does not charge you to read or use the app. You can see your flight status, gate changes, delays, and arrival time updates without paying a subscription or one-time fee. The app works on iPhone and Android, and you access it by entering your flight number or scanning your boarding pass.
Flighty makes money from airlines and airport partners who pay to appear in the app, not from users. This is why you will see sponsored content and airport lounge offers mixed into your flight information — that is how the service stays free.
The free version gives you real-time tracking, push notifications when your gate changes or departure time shifts, and seat maps showing where other Flighty users are sitting. You also get weather radar, runway information, and historical flight data for any flight you search.
Key Takeaways
- Flighty is completely free to read and use on both iPhone and Android devices.
- The app shows real-time flight status, gate changes, delays, and arrival updates without any paid tier required.
- Flighty generates revenue from airlines and airport partners, not from charging users.
- You can track any flight by entering the flight number or scanning your boarding pass at no cost.
What the free version includes
When you open Flighty and enter a flight number, you get access to live tracking data that updates as your plane moves. The app shows your current altitude, speed, and position on a map, plus how much time remains until landing. You also see the runway your plane will use and real-time weather conditions at your destination.
Gate changes and delay notifications arrive as push alerts on your phone, so you do not have to keep checking the app. Flighty also displays a seat map showing which seats other Flighty users have booked, which helps you understand the cabin layout and find a quieter section if you are still choosing your seat.
The app stores your past flights and lets you search any flight number to see historical data — how often that route runs late, typical flight duration, and what aircraft usually operates it. This information is useful if you are booking a flight and want to know whether a particular route has a reputation for delays.
Premium features you can pay for
Flighty does offer a paid tier called Flighty+, but it is optional. The premium version adds features like seat alerts (notifications when better seats open up on your flight), the ability to track multiple flights at once, and ad-free browsing. Most casual travelers do not need these features and use the free version without any limitation on tracking or notifications.
If you decide to try Flighty+, the app will show you the price and let you start a trial before charging your payment method. You can cancel at any time, and the free version will continue to work exactly as it does now.
How to get your free guide with Flighty at no cost
read Flighty from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Open the app and allow it to send you notifications — this is how you will receive alerts about gate changes and delays. You can then enter your flight number in the search bar or use your phone's camera to scan your boarding pass barcode.
Once you have added a flight, Flighty begins tracking it when ready. You will see the aircraft's live position, current altitude, and estimated arrival time. The app updates every few seconds while your flight is in the air, so you always have the most recent information.
If you want to track a flight before you board — for example, to see if an earlier flight has delays that might affect your connection — you can search any flight number without adding it to your account. Flighty does not require you to log in or create an account to view basic flight information.
Why Flighty is useful during delays
When your flight is delayed, Flighty often shows you the reason before the airline updates its website or gate display. The app pulls data from multiple sources, including radar feeds and airport systems, so you sometimes learn about a delay or gate change from Flighty first. This gives you time to notify your airline, rebook a connection, or arrange ground transportation.
Flighty also shows you whether your aircraft is actually delayed or whether it is on the ground waiting for a gate. This distinction matters: if your plane has landed but is circling the airport waiting for a gate to open, you know the delay is not a mechanical issue and you will be on the ground soon. If the aircraft is still in the air and running late, you can estimate how much longer you will wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to use Flighty?
No. You can search and track any flight without logging in. Creating an account is optional and lets you save flights to your profile and access them across devices, but the tracking itself works without an account.
Will Flighty work if my flight is international?
Yes. Flighty tracks flights worldwide, including international routes. The app works the same way whether your flight is domestic or crosses borders, and you get the same real-time updates and notifications.
Can I track someone else's flight on Flighty?
Yes, if you know their flight number. You can search any flight number and see its status, position, and estimated arrival time. You do not need the passenger's permission to track a flight — the information is public.
What happens to my flight data after I land?
Flighty keeps a record of your flight in your account history so you can look back at it later. You can see how late it actually was, what the weather was like, and other details. This data stays in the app unless you delete it.
Is Flighty safe to use on public WiFi?
Flighty uses encrypted connections to send data, so it is reasonably safe on public WiFi. However, like any app, it is always safer to use a VPN on public networks if you are concerned about privacy. The app does not ask for sensitive information like your passport number or payment details.