How to identify aircraft passing overhead
The fastest way to see what plane just flew over is to use Flightradar24 or ADS-B Exchange, both free websites that show live aircraft positions on a map. Open the site on your phone or computer, zoom to your location, and you will see aircraft symbols with flight numbers, altitudes, and destinations. The data updates every few seconds, so if you heard a plane moments ago, you can usually still catch it on the map and click for details: airline, aircraft type, where it came from, and where it is headed.
Both sites work because commercial aircraft broadcast their location automatically using a system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). Military aircraft, small private planes, and some helicopters do not broadcast this data, so they will not appear. If you saw something that is not on the map, it was likely a military flight, a small general-aviation plane, or a helicopter.
Key Takeaways
- Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange are free websites showing live aircraft positions and flight details in real time.
- Military aircraft and small private planes do not show up on these maps because they do not broadcast their location.
- You can click any aircraft symbol to see the flight number, airline, aircraft type, departure airport, and destination.
- If you want to track a specific flight regularly, both sites let you save favorite routes or set up notifications.
Using Flightradar24 to track planes overhead
Go to flightradar24.com and allow the site to use your location, or type your city or address into the search box. The map will center on your area and show all aircraft currently in the sky around you. Each plane appears as a small icon with a flight number next to it. Click any icon to open a panel showing the airline name, aircraft model (such as Boeing 737 or Airbus A380), altitude in feet, speed in knots, departure and arrival cities, and how long the flight has been in the air.
The free version of Flightradar24 updates every 5 to 10 seconds and covers most commercial flights worldwide. You can zoom in and out, rotate the map, and click on airports to see all traffic in and out. If you want to track a specific flight regularly—say, your spouse's commute or a route you fly often—you can create a free account and add flights to a watchlist. The paid version adds features like 3D views and historical playback, but the free map is sufficient for identifying what just flew over.
Using ADS-B Exchange for detailed flight data
ADS-B Exchange (adsbexchange.com) works the same way as Flightradar24 but includes some aircraft that Flightradar24 filters out, particularly military and government flights. The interface is slightly less polished, but the data is often more complete. Like Flightradar24, you can search by location, click aircraft to see details, and zoom to focus on your area.
ADS-B Exchange is run by volunteers who operate ground receivers that pick up aircraft broadcasts. Because of this, coverage varies by region—areas with more volunteer receivers will show more aircraft. If you are looking for a specific military flight or a plane that did not appear on Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange is worth checking. Both sites are free and do not require registration to view the map.
What information you will see for each flight
When you click an aircraft on either map, a details panel opens showing several pieces of information. The flight number (such as UA456) identifies the specific flight; the airline is the carrier operating it; the aircraft type tells you the model and size of plane. You will also see the altitude (how high it is flying, in feet), speed (in knots or kilometers per hour), and heading (the direction it is flying).
The panel also shows where the flight departed from and where it is headed, along with how long it has been airborne. Some listings include the aircraft registration (a tail number like N12345 in the United States), which you can use to look up the plane's age and history on other aviation databases. If the flight is delayed or cancelled, that information usually appears on the airline's website, not on the flight tracker.
Why some aircraft do not appear on the map
Military jets, helicopters, small private planes, and some government aircraft do not broadcast ADS-B data, so they will not show up on Flightradar24 or ADS-B Exchange. If you saw a large military transport plane or a formation of fighter jets, they straightforward are not tracked on these civilian flight maps. Some small planes use older navigation systems that do not include ADS-B, and some pilots choose not to broadcast their location for privacy or security reasons.
If you are curious about military activity in your area, local aviation forums or subreddits dedicated to your region sometimes discuss unusual flights. Otherwise, there is no public way to track aircraft that do not broadcast their position.
Setting up alerts for specific flights or routes
Both Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange allow you to save favorite flights or routes. On Flightradar24, create a free account and click the heart icon on any flight to add it to your watchlist. You can then view all your saved flights from your account page. Some users set up alerts through third-party apps or browser extensions that notify them when a specific flight number is in the air, though these require a bit more technical setup.
If you want to know every time a particular route flies over—for example, if you live near a major airport and want to track all arrivals from a certain city—you can use the airport view on either map to see all inbound and outbound flights. This is useful if you are interested in aviation or tracking a loved one's travel schedule.
Mobile apps for tracking aircraft
Both Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange have mobile apps for iPhone and Android. The Flightradar24 app is polished and straightforward to use; the free version shows live aircraft and basic details. The ADS-B Exchange app is simpler but includes more aircraft. There are also third-party apps like Plane Finder and RadarBox that pull data from multiple sources and offer different map styles and features.
Mobile apps are convenient if you want to check what is flying over while you are outside or away from a computer. Most are free with optional paid upgrades for features like 3D views or historical data. The core function—seeing what aircraft are overhead right now—works the same on all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some planes show up on the map and others do not?
Commercial aircraft broadcast their location automatically using ADS-B. Military planes, helicopters, and small private aircraft often do not broadcast this data, so they will not appear on civilian flight maps. If you saw a plane that is not on the map, it was likely one of these types.
Can I track a specific plane by its tail number?
Yes. On Flightradar24 or ADS-B Exchange, search for the tail number (such as N12345) in the search box. If that aircraft is currently in the air and broadcasting ADS-B, it will appear on the map. You can also look up the registration on sites like FlightAware to see the plane's history and typical routes.
Do I need to pay to use these flight trackers?
No. Both Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange are free to use without registration. The free versions show all live aircraft and basic flight details. Paid subscriptions add features like 3D views or historical playback, but you do not need them to identify a plane flying overhead.
Why is the map sometimes blank or slow in my area?
Coverage depends on how many ground receivers are in your region. Areas with more receivers show more aircraft. If coverage is poor where you live, try ADS-B Exchange, which sometimes has different coverage than Flightradar24. Both sites are constantly adding receivers, so coverage improves over time.
Can these sites tell me if a flight is delayed?
Flight trackers show where a plane is right now, but delay information comes from the airline. Check the airline's website or app for official delay or cancellation notices. The flight tracker will show if a plane is moving slower than usual or sitting on the ground longer than expected, but that is not the same as an official delay announcement.