Check your airline's website or app first

Your airline's website or mobile app is the fastest place to find where your flight actually is. Log in with your confirmation number or booking reference, and you will see the current status, gate number (if assigned), and any new departure time. Most airlines update this information every 15 to 30 minutes during a delay.

If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, go directly to your airline's site instead — those booking sites often lag behind by an hour or more. The airline controls the real-time data.

Call the airline's customer service line

If the website is down or unclear, call your airline directly. Have your confirmation number ready. A representative can tell you the current gate, whether the flight has been rerouted to a different airport, and whether you are still booked on that flight or have been moved to another one.

Wait times are usually longest during major weather events or system outages, so expect to hold. Some airlines offer callback options through their app — you request a call instead of waiting on the line, and they ring you back when an agent is free.

Check the airport's flight board in real time

If you are already at the airport, the departure board in the terminal shows the most current gate and status. Boards update every few minutes and reflect cancellations, gate changes, and new departure times faster than any app.

If you are not at the airport yet, most major airports publish their flight boards online. Search "[airport name] departures" and you will find a live board showing all flights leaving that airport, including yours. This tells you whether your flight is still scheduled to leave from that airport or has been moved.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's official website or app shows your flight's current gate, status, and new departure time — check there before calling.
  • If your flight has been rerouted to a different airport, the airline's website will show the new airport code and you will need to rebook or cancel.
  • The airport's live departure board is the most current source if you are at the terminal or need to verify the flight is still leaving from that airport.
  • Call your airline's customer service line if the website is unclear or down, and have your confirmation number ready.
  • Third-party booking sites like Expedia often show outdated information — always check your airline's site directly for the real status.

What to do if your flight has been cancelled

If the airline's website or the airport board shows your flight as cancelled, you are no longer on that flight. The airline will automatically rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra charge, but you need to confirm the new flight details.

Log into your airline account or call customer service to see which flight you have been moved to. The new flight may be the same day, the next day, or later, depending on how many other passengers need rebooking and how many seats are available. If the new flight does not work for you, ask about other airlines flying the same route or about a refund instead of rebooking.

What to do if your flight has been rerouted

A reroute means your flight is still operating but landing at a different airport than you booked. This happens when weather closes your original destination or when the airline needs to move the flight to manage delays. Check your airline's website — it will show the new destination airport code.

If the new airport is not where you need to be, contact the airline when ready. You can ask to be rebooked on a flight to your original destination, often at no charge, or you can request a refund. Do not wait — the longer you delay, the fewer alternative flights may be available.

Use flight tracking apps for live updates

Apps like FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and Flighty show where your plane physically is in the air, what altitude it is flying at, and its estimated arrival time. These are useful if you want to track the aircraft itself rather than just the airline's status message.

FlightAware also sends push notifications when your flight's status changes, so you do not have to keep checking manually. These apps pull data from the airline and air traffic control, so they are usually accurate within a few minutes. They are free to read, though some offer paid versions with extra features.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the airline update flight status?

Most airlines update their website and app every 15 to 30 minutes during a delay. The airport's departure board updates more frequently — usually every few minutes. If you are checking from home, refresh your browser or close and reopen the app to make sure you are seeing the latest information.

What if the airline website says my flight is on time but I heard it was delayed?

The website may not have updated yet. Check the airport's live departure board for that flight — it is usually more current. If the board shows a delay but the airline app does not, call the airline to confirm. During busy periods, there can be a lag of 30 minutes or more between when a delay happens and when it appears online.

Can I change my flight if it has been delayed but not cancelled?

Most airlines allow you to rebook on a different flight to the same destination at no extra charge if your flight is delayed by a certain amount — usually two hours or more, though this varies by airline. Check your airline's policy or call customer service. You may also have the right to a refund instead of rebooking, depending on the reason for the delay and your airline's rules.

What if my flight was rerouted and I missed a connection?

If the reroute caused you to miss a connecting flight, contact the airline when ready. If both flights were booked on the same ticket, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination on the next available flight at no extra charge. If you booked the flights separately, you may not have the same protection — check your booking confirmation.