Real-time flight tracking shows you an aircraft's location, altitude, and speed as it flies

If you need to know where a specific aircraft is at this moment, you can track it live using free websites and apps that pull data from aircraft transponders. These tools show the plane's current position on a map, its altitude, ground speed, and sometimes the aircraft type and airline. The most widely used services are FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder—all free to use in their basic versions.

The data comes from Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a system that aircraft transmit automatically. Ground receivers pick up these signals and feed them to tracking websites. Most commercial aircraft broadcast this data, though some military and private planes do not. The information updates every few seconds, so you see nearly live movement rather than a delayed snapshot.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the two largest free flight tracking services and cover most commercial aircraft worldwide.
  • You can search by flight number, aircraft registration (tail number), or route to find a specific plane's current location and altitude.
  • Some aircraft, including military planes and certain private jets, do not broadcast their location and will not appear on tracking maps.
  • Flight tracking data updates every few seconds and shows real-time movement, though there may be a slight delay of one to two minutes depending on the service.

How to search for a flight on FlightRadar24

Go to flightradar24.com and use the search bar at the top of the page. You can enter a flight number (for example, "AA100" for American Airlines flight 100), an aircraft registration number (the tail number, like "N12345"), or a route (such as "New York to Los Angeles"). The map will center on the aircraft and show its current position, heading, altitude, and speed.

If you are tracking a flight that has already landed, the search will show you its last known position and the time it touched down. You can also click on any aircraft visible on the map to see its flight number, aircraft type, and destination. The free version shows all this information; the paid version adds features like custom alerts and detailed historical data.

How to search for a flight on FlightAware

Visit flightaware.com and enter a flight number in the search box. FlightAware also lets you search by aircraft tail number or route. Once you find the flight, you will see a map with the aircraft's current location, its route, and a timeline showing departure, current position, and estimated arrival.

FlightAware displays additional details that FlightRadar24 sometimes does not, including gate information at the airport, scheduled versus actual departure times, and delay reasons if the flight is running late. This makes it especially useful if you are waiting for someone or tracking a delayed flight. Like FlightRadar24, the basic version is free and shows real-time tracking.

What information you will see on a tracking map

When you pull up an aircraft on either service, the map shows the plane as a small icon (usually an airplane symbol) with a line trailing behind it showing its recent path. Clicking the icon displays a box with the flight number, aircraft type (such as "Boeing 737"), current altitude in feet, ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and the direction it is heading.

You will also see the departure airport, destination airport, and how much of the flight is complete. Some services show the aircraft's registration number (tail number), which is useful if you are tracking a specific plane rather than a specific flight. The altitude and speed update every few seconds as the aircraft moves.

Why some aircraft do not appear on tracking maps

Military aircraft, government planes, and some private jets do not broadcast ADS-B signals or broadcast them with their location hidden. This means they will not show up on FlightRadar24, FlightAware, or similar services. If you search for a flight number and get no results, the aircraft either has not taken off yet, has already landed, or does not transmit tracking data.

Some aircraft also broadcast with a blocked or generic identifier rather than their actual tail number, which makes them harder to track individually. If you are trying to track a private or charter flight, you may not be able to find it on public tracking services.

Typical delays between real-time position and what you see

Flight tracking data is nearly live but not instantaneous. Most services show the aircraft's position with a delay of one to two minutes, depending on how quickly ground receivers pick up the ADS-B signal and how fast the website updates. During the flight, this small delay is not noticeable—the aircraft still appears to move smoothly across the map.

If you are watching a flight land, the delay means you may see the aircraft on the map a minute or two after it has already touched down. This is normal and not a sign that the tracking is broken.

Other ways to find aircraft information

If you know the aircraft's tail number but not the flight number, you can search the tail number directly on FlightRadar24 or FlightAware. Both services maintain databases of aircraft registrations and will show you what airline owns the plane and its history of recent flights.

If you are tracking a flight for a specific airline, many airlines also provide real-time tracking on their own websites. Log into your airline account or enter your confirmation number, and you will see the aircraft's position, current altitude, and estimated arrival time. This information comes from the same ADS-B data but is presented in the airline's format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a flight if I only know the airline and departure time?

Yes. On FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, search by route (for example, "New York to Los Angeles") and the service will show all flights on that route. You can then identify your flight by departure time and airline. If you have a confirmation number, the airline's website is usually faster.

Why does the map show a flight that has already landed?

The tracking service continues to display the aircraft's last known position for a short time after landing. Refresh the page or search again to see updated information. If the flight is more than a few hours old, it may disappear from the live map but remain searchable in the service's historical data.

Can I get alerts when a flight takes off or lands?

FlightRadar24 and FlightAware both offer alert features in their paid versions. You can set up notifications for a specific flight number or aircraft tail number. The free versions do not include alerts, but you can manually refresh the tracking page to check the flight's status.

What does the line behind the aircraft on the map show?

The line shows the aircraft's flight path over the last several minutes. It helps you see the route the plane has taken and the direction it is heading. The line extends further back on longer flights and resets when you refresh the page.

Is flight tracking data accurate?

Flight tracking data comes directly from aircraft transponders and is very accurate for position, altitude, and speed. However, estimated arrival times can change based on weather, air traffic, and other factors. Always check the airline's website for the most current arrival estimate, especially if a flight is delayed.